Chicago Cougars

Black text on a white background with a stylized gold cougar on a green background in the center

The Chicago Cougars were a short-lived but memorable team in the World Hockey Association, active from 1972 to 1975. They played their home games at the International Amphitheatre and embodied a gritty underdog spirit that shone brightest when they reached the 1974 Avco Cup Finals. Their journey was chaotic; they dealt with venue conflicts involving other Chicago sports teams and even had to play their championship games at a suburban ice rink because of a live performance of Peter Pan. This improvisational approach reflected their unpredictable but determined style of play.

Financial troubles plagued the franchise, leading to a rare situation where players took ownership in an effort to save the team. Their plan for a new arena failed, and the proposed site was sold and developed into today’s Allstate Arena. Over their time in the league, the Cougars changed divisions and fought hard to compete, but economic and logistical hurdles proved too tough. Despite their short existence, they remain a fascinating, scrappy chapter in Chicago sports history—symbolized by bold branding like the button above, which captures their fierce energy on the ice.