THToronto Huskies

Franchise history

The Toronto Huskies were a charter member of the Basketball Association of America and hosted the very first game in league history, losing 68-66 to the New York Knickerbockers on November 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of about 7,090 fans. As a promotional stunt for that opener, the Huskies advertised free admission to anyone taller than forward George Nostrand (accounts vary on his listed height, roughly 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10); other promotional claims about the night, such as a giveaway of nylon stockings, are not confirmed in reliable sourcing and are omitted here. On the court Toronto finished 22-38, tying Boston for last in the Eastern Division, under player-coach Ed Sadowski and later Red Rolfe. The team lost an estimated $100,000 and folded on July 27, 1947, with no relocation; pro basketball did not return to Toronto until the Raptors joined the NBA in 1995.

Sources

• Toronto Huskies — Wikipedia
• Toronto Huskies — The Canadian Encyclopedia
• 1946-47 Toronto Huskies — Basketball-Reference