The Wings struggled on the ice their first year playing .500 hockey,
however they came to life in early February 1996 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They swept through the
tourney field and defeated the home team in the final to claim the
championship. The two teams met at centre ice for a group photo starting a
Wings tradition and forming a sisterhood with the Erie Lady Lions. They ended
their initial year with a tournament championship in Hamilton, Ontario late in
April, 1996.
This season looked promising from the start when the Wings added some new players to their line-up. Management wanted to get some exposure for their team so they entered a tournament in Minnesota. There they would play in front of many US college scouts. Even though they lost a close game in the finals, their mission had been accomplished. Upon returning home, players received letters from schools such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale and Brown regarding athletic scholarships. The Wings also beat Michigan and Michigan State Universities in exhibition play. The team didn't lose too often again, going undefeated in their league and claiming one tournament championship after another. Their Erie, Pennsylvania Championship was even defended. The winning streak continued and they claimed the league playoff title at Joe Louis Arena. At the Ontario Championships, they swept through pool play and quickly advanced to the finals where they pounded Mississauga 5-0. OH WHAT A SEASON!!!
