The Dubuque Fighting Saints were a Tier I junior ice hockey team that played in the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 1980 to 2001. The team moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to become the Tulsa Crude in 2001 citing low attendance and rising costs. A new team would use the same name when Dubuque was granted an expansion franchise in the USHL in 2010.
The Saints glory years lasted from 1980–81 through to 1984–85, when they played under the coaching supervision of Jack Barzee who left to become a central figure in the National Hockey League's Central Scouting Staff. During their first season in 1980–81, the Fighting Saints record was 52-11-2, a league record. In 1982–83, the Saints went on to win their second national championship in three years.
Prior to 1979, the USHL was a semi-professional hockey league operating in midwestern United States. The Waterloo Black Hawks made the transition to a junior hockey team in 1979 as the league switched to junior hockey as the associated costs with paying professionals were rising. After one season, head coach and general manager, Jack Barzee, had the Black Hawks relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, and renamed the team the Fighting Saints. The team would prove to be very successful under Barzee and would win two national championships, three playoff championships, and two regular season titles before Barzee left in 1985.
After Barzee's departure, the team began to struggle on and off the ice. The team's record decreased every season until it finally finished last in 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons. It was not until Chris and Peter Ferraro joined the team in 1990–91 did the team start to play competitively again. Coach Cary Eades took over in 1991–92 and brought the team back to contention including a National Tournament championship in 1992–93 before he left in 1993. Owner Brian Gallagher would eventually take over as head coach in the 1997–98 season and the team would only make the playoffs once in his tenure. In 2001, Gallagher announced he was moving the team to Tulsa, Oklahoma, citing rising costs and low attendance. He renamed the team the Tulsa Crude but only lasted one season before ceasing operations.
(*) = Depending on the year, league rules changed often in regards to use of Ties (T), Overtime Losses (OTL), and Shootout Losses (SOL). Not all categories were used each year.
-- = Penalty Minutes (PIM) were not a recorded league stat until the 1996-97 season.
Clark Cup: Awarded each year to the winner of the USHL's Tier I Junior Hockey playoff champions. Dubuque won this Cup three of its first five years as a franchise.
1980–811982–831984–85Anderson Cup: Won by the team that accumulates the most points in the standings at the end of the regular season. Dubuque won the Anderson Cup in two of the franchise's first three seasons.
1980–811982–83Chris Ferraro (1990–91, 1991–92)Played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, and Washington Capitals4th round NHL draft choice by the New York RangersRepresented the United States at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1992 and 1993, and at the World Championships in 2003Peter Ferraro (1990–91, 1991–92)Played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals1st round NHL draft choice by the New York RangersMark Mowers (1993–94)Played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, and Anaheim DucksUndrafted from the University of New HampshireGary Suter (1981–82, 1982–83)NHL Rookie of the Year, 1985–86Played for the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, and the San Jose Sharks9th round NHL draft choice (out of 12 rounds) by the Calgary FlamesTwo time Olympian for the United States including the Silver Medal in 2002.Inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011Landon Wilson (1992–93)Played for the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Dallas Stars1st round NHL draft choice by the Toronto Maple LeafsAndy Wozniewski (1998–99)Played for Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, and Boston BruinsUndrafted from the University of Wisconsin - MadisonJimmy Andersson - Bofors IK (Sweden)Mike Fallon - 1980–81, 1982–83 Saints - Bofors IK (Sweden)Chris Guy - 1980–81 Saints - Nijmegen Tigers (Holland)Steven Janakas - 1980–81 Saints - Saterbagen Saints (Sweden)Jozef Lukac, - 1999–2000 Saints - BK Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic)Micah Wouters - Nijmegen Tigers (Holland)Akil Adams - Carolina MonarchsMichael Ayers - Manitoba MooseSean Berens - Springfield FalconsPeter Cermak - Hershey BearsKord Cernich - Capital District IslandersMatt Doman - Saint John FlamesLuk Fulghum - Toronto MarliesJason Guerriero - Milwaukee AdmiralsJim Mullin - Worcester IceCatsNick Naumenko - Grand Rapids GriffinsGreg Poss - Maine MarinersKen Scuderi - Portland PiratesJeff State - Hershey BearsDavid Vallieres - Kentucky ThoroughbladesKory Wright - 1982–83 Saints -Moncton HawksNick Anderson - Las Vegas WranglersTodd Barclay - Pensacola Ice PilotsJosh Blackburn - Columbia InfernoTodd Cary - Richmond RenegadesChris Cerrella - Baton Rouge KingfishBernie Chimel - Wheeling NailersTrent Clark - San Diego GullsJon Foster - Wheeling NailersJon Gaskins - Mississippi Sea WolvesForrest Gore - Peoria RivermenZach Ham - South Carolina StingraysMatt Herhal - Reading RoyalsKurt Kabat - Hampton Roads AdmiralsJosh Kern - Peoria RivermenJack Kowal - Miami MatadorsJeff Kozakowski - Toledo StormPhil Lewandowski - Long Beach Ice DogsKevin Magnuson - Roanoke ExpressChris Masters - Trenton TitansPeter Masters - Dayton BombersMatt McElwee - Toledo StormJeff Mikesch - Louisville RiverFrogsSean Molina - Cincinnati CyclonesPete Pierman - New Orleans BrassAndy Powers - South Carolina StingraysJasen Rintala - Greensboro GeneralsTom Rouleau - Wheeling NailersJohn Sadowski - Mobile MysticksSeabrook Satterlund - Toledo StormTrent Schachle - Dayton BombersJoe Smaza - Wheeling NailersChris Thompson - Dayton BombersMitch Vig - Mobile MysticksGeoff Collard - Orlando Solar BearsBryan Collins - 1980–81 Saints - Fort Wayne KometsTim Breslin - Chicago WolvesSteve MacSwain - 1982–83 Saints - Salt Lake Golden EaglesCurt Voegeli - 1980–81 Saints - Peoria PrancersJayme Adduono - Columbus Cottonmouths (Central Hockey League (CHL))Grady Ambrose - Lakeland Ice Warriors (Sunshine Hockey League)Anthony Blumer - Elmira Jackals (United Hockey League (UHL))Brandon Carlson - Anchorage Aces (West Coast Hockey League (WCHL))Jaroslav Cesky - Tulsa Oilers (CHL)Brendon Clark - Roanoke Valley Vipers (UHL)Christian Fletcher - San Angelo Saints (CHL)Maurice Hall - Memphis RiverKings (CHL)Rich Hansen - Amarillo Gorillas (CHL)Wynn Henricksen - Odessa Jackalopes (Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL))Brian Hill - Madison Monsters (UHL)Anders Johnson - Knoxville Speed (UHL)Adam Kragthorpe - Quad City Mallards (UHL)Brian LaVack - B.C. Icemen (UHL)John Lex - 1980–81 Saints - Erie Golden Blades (Atlantic Coast Hockey League)Skeeter Moore - 1981–1982 Saints - San Angelo Outlaws (CHL)Darren Semeniuk - Anchorage Aces (WCHL)Joe Statkus - Rockford IceHogs (UHL)Alex Todd - Lubbock Cotton Kings (CHL)Eric Tuott - Phoenix Mustangs (WCHL)Paul Williams - Anchorage Aces (WCHL)
