View source for Windsor Spitfires

{{short description|Ontario Hockey League team in Windsor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox ice hockey team
| team        = Windsor Spitfires
| colour      = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#003153 5px solid; border-bottom:#CF111B 5px solid;
| colour text = #000000
| logo        = Windsor Spitfires Logo.svg
| logosize    = 275px
| city        = [[Windsor, Ontario]]
| league      = [[Ontario Hockey League]]
| conference  = Western
| division    = West
| founded     = 1971–72 (Tier II Junior A)<br />[[1975–76 OMJHL season|{{Start date|1975}}–76]] (Tier I Junior A)
| arena       = [[WFCU Centre]]
| colours     = Blue, white, red<br />{{Color box|#003153}} {{Color box|#FFF}} {{Color box|#CF111B}}
| GM          = [[Bill Bowler]]
| coach       = [[Greg Walters]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Jim |title=Spitfires hire Walters as head coach a day after his OHL suspension is lifted |url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/spitfires-hire-walters-as-head-coach-a-day-after-his-ohl-suspension-is-lifted |access-date=December 31, 2024 |publisher=[[Windsor Star]] |date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>
| owner = John Savage, Stephen Savage, Brian Schwab <ref>{{cite web |title=Staff Directory |url=https://chl.ca/ohl-spitfires/staffdirectory/ |website=WindsorSpitfires.com |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=February 21, 2024}}</ref>
| championships = '''OHL Champions''': 1988, 2009, 2010<br />'''Memorial Cup''': 2009, 2010, 2017<br />'''SOJHL Champions''': 1974
| affiliates  = [[LaSalle Vipers]] ([[GOJHL]])
| website     = {{URL|https://windsorspitfires.com/}}
|uniform_image=OHL-Uniform-WSR.png}}

The '''Windsor Spitfires''' are a Canadian [[junior ice hockey]] team in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL). The team is based in [[Windsor, Ontario]], Canada. Founded in 1971, the franchise was promoted to the [[Ontario Major Junior Hockey League]] for the [[1975–76 OMJHL season|1975–76 season]].<ref name="Simcoe Reformer 1975, Page 4">Simcoe Reformer. February 11, 1975, Page 4.</ref> An unrelated [[Windsor Spitfires (1946–1953)|Windsor Spitfires]] team, founded in 1946, moved to become the [[Hamilton Tiger Cubs]] in 1953, and later became the [[Erie Otters]] in 1996.<ref name="Simcoe Reformer 1975, Page 4"/>

==History==
The [[Windsor Spitfires (1946–1953)|original Spitfires]] in the Ontario Hockey Association played from 1945 to 1953.<ref name="Simcoe Reformer 1975, Page 4"/> The name ''Spitfires'' was chosen to honour the [[417 Combat Support Squadron]], a [[List of Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons|Royal Canadian Air Force squadron]] nicknamed "City of Windsor" established during [[World War II]] in [[England]] (today based at [[CFB Cold Lake]] in [[Alberta]]), and used the [[Supermarine Spitfire]] fighter aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/historic-aircraft-recognized-at-jackson-park|title=Historic military aircraft recognized with tribute at Jackson Park|last=Battagello|first=Dave|newspaper=[[Windsor Star]]|date=20 November 2016|access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> During this period the Spitfires reached the league finals twice, and featured four future [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] players. Prior to 1945, local junior hockey was divided up into the six-team Windsor Junior Hockey League. The Spitfires folded in 1953 as hockey interests in Windsor chose to focus their attention on the [[OHA Senior A Hockey League (1929-1979)|OHA Senior A Hockey League]], which resulted in the founding of the [[Windsor Bulldogs]]. Eventually five former Spitfires laced up with the Bulldogs and one, Bobby Brown, won an [[Allan Cup]] with the team (1963). The Bulldogs folded in 1964 after one season in the [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]].

===Tier II Junior A===
The modern Windsor Spitfires started as a Tier II Junior A team that played in the [[Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League]] from 1971 to 1975. The Spitfires first game as a franchise was in [[Guelph, Ontario]], against the [[Guelph CMC's]] on October 1, 1971. The Spitfires lost the game 11–3, with [[Laurie Gregan]] scoring the first two goals in team history in the first period. Fifteen-year-old goaltender [[Larry Verlinde]] played the entire first game in team history, making 37 saves in the loss.<ref>{{citation|title=CMCs shoot down Spitfires in SOHA junior bow, 11-3|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= October 2, 1971|pages=23–24}}</ref> The home game and first victory in team history occurred on October 7, 1971, at the [[Windsor Arena]] against the [[Chatham Maroons]], winning 4–2 on the back of future [[NHL]] goaltender [[Eddie Mio]] who made 49 saves. [[Dean Sheremeta]] scored the winning goal.<ref>{{citation|title=Thanks to Mio, It's a happy Spit return|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= October 8, 1971|pages=31–32}}</ref>

The Spitfires finished their first season with a record of 21 wins, 32 losses, and 3 ties. Finishing sixth place out of eight teams, the Spitfires drew local rival Chatham Maroons in a best-of-seven league quarter-final. The Maroons, who finished third with 33 wins, 17 losses, and 6 ties, were favoured to win.<ref>{{citation|title=It's Spitfires vs. Maroons|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= February 21, 1972|page=20}}</ref> The Spitfires' first playoff game took place on February 23, 1972, in [[Chatham, Ontario]], for a 3–2 win over the Maroons to take a one-game lead in the series. Goaltender [[Bryan Rose]] made 35 saves in the winning effort, while the Spits' first playoff goal and later winning goals were scored by [[Wolf Hiesl]], both in the second period.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits steal opener, 3-2|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= February 24, 1972|page=33}}</ref> The Spitfires lost the next four games to the Maroons to end their season.<ref>{{citation|title=Maroons finish battling Spits|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 1, 1972|page=30}}</ref>

The 1972–73 season, the Spitfires second season, finished with their first winning record – 30 wins, 21 losses, and 9 ties. Finishing third in a league of seven teams, the Spitfires drew the fourth place [[Niagara Falls Flyers (SOJHL)|Niagara Falls Flyers]] (28–25–7) in the league quarter-final. The Spits dropped game one 6–4 in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], while in game two the Spits tied the series with a 6–4 win of their own at home. Back in Niagara, the Flyers shellacked the Spitfires 7–2 to take the series lead again. The fourth game was a disaster for the Spitfires, at home they blew a third period deadlock to lose 7–5 and fall behind in the series 3-games-to-1. In game five, the Spitfires needed to make a change. Future [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|IHL]]er [[Tony Piroski]] and partner [[Jean Pominville]] had uninspired starts in games three and four and were replaced by third-string goalie, and future [[NHL]]er, [[Rick Heinz]]. Heinz had spent the season in Junior B with the Spitfires' farm team [[LaSalle Vipers|Windsor Royals]] and was new to the pressure of Junior A playoff hockey. The gamble paid off, as an inspired Spitfire squad won the game 9-4 while Heinz capped of a 24-save night for the victory.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits explode, remain in hunt|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 6, 1973|page=22}}</ref> In game six, coach Jerry Serviss returned to his starting goalie, [[Tony Piroski]], in net on the road. Piroski rewarded his coach's confidence with a 5–4, 33-save victory - evening the series at 3 games each. Mark Smith scored the eventual game winner for the Spitfires.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits grow up as a team|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 7, 1973|page=53}}</ref> Game seven saw the two teams return for a final showdown at the [[Windsor Arena]]. The Spitfires would take the game 6–3 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,189 fans.<ref>{{citation|title=Spitfires make it all the way back, 6-3|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 9, 1973|page=24}}</ref> The victory, winning in seven games, was the Spitfires' first ever playoff series victory. Waiting for them, rested for the semi-final, was the first place [[Guelph CMC's|Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters]] (39–13–8). The Biltmores, defending [[1972 Centennial Cup|National Champions]], made short work of the Spitfires sweeping them in four games.<ref>{{citation|title=Frantic Spits go down fighting|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 14, 1973|page=65}}</ref>

[[File:Slater Koekkoek Windsor 2013.jpg|right|thumbnail|225px|[[Slater Koekkoek]] (December 2013)]]
The 1973–74 season would prove to be the defining moment of the Spitfires stint in Tier II Junior A. Headed by new head coach and general manager [[Wayne Maxner]], the Spitfires won the Southern Ontario Junior A regular season title with a record of 39 wins, 15 losses, and 8 ties. Their record would put them four points ahead of the second place [[Welland Sabres]] and automatically give them a berth into the league playoff semi-finals. [[Scott Miller (ice hockey)|Scott Miller]] would win the SOJHL scoring title with 73 goals and 125 points over the course of the season.<ref name="Mitchell 1974, Pg 22">{{citation|title=Mitchell, Miller big winners|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= April 13, 1974|page=22}}</ref> The Spitfires semi-final opponent was their cross-river rival [[Detroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL)|Detroit Jr. Red Wings]]. The Red Wings had finished the season in fifth out of eight teams (31–25–6). The semi-final opened up at the Windsor Arena with a 7–1 win for the Spitfires. They were at the [[Detroit Olympia]] for game two, another romp for Windsor as they won 8–0. Back in Windsor, the Spitfires won game three 9–2. At the Olympia for game four, the Red Wings attempted to stage some resistance, but the Spitfires were too much, winning 7–5. The four-game sweep of the Red Wings allowed Windsor to rest up for the winner of the [[Chatham Maroons]] and [[Welland Sabres]], a series just starting.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits reach final for first time, 7-5|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 7, 1974|page=35}}</ref> On March 16, 1974, the Spitfires engaged long time foe [[Chatham Maroons]] at the Windsor Arena in the first game of the SOJHL Final. The Maroons fell in that first game 6–1, but rebounded the next night in [[Chatham, Ontario|Chatham]] with a 5–2 victory of their own. On March 18, goalie [[Dennis Thorpe]]'s 40 save performance and third period game winner by [[Gary Armstrong (ice hockey)|Gary Armstrong]] gave the Spitfires a 2–1 home victory and a lead in the series.<ref>{{citation|title=Maxner: Armstrong gave us a break|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 19, 1974|page=22}}</ref> The Spitfires took game four in Chatham with a 6–4 win. The next night, March 21, the Spitfires defeated the Maroons in Windsor 4–3 to clinch the SOJHL playoff championship. [[Gary Armstrong (ice hockey)|Gary Armstrong]] would score yet another winning goal in the series. Before a crowd of 5,117 fans, team captain [[Hugh Mitchell (ice hockey)|Hugh Mitchell]] hoisted the Jack Oakes Memorial Trophy to celebrate their playoff victory.<ref>{{citation|title=Armstrong stirs Spits to first title, 4-3|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 22, 1974|page=23}}</ref> The Spitfires were now in the hunt for the [[1974 Centennial Cup]], the National Championship of Tier II Junior A hockey. The first team in their way, in the [[Dudley Hewitt Cup]] Eastern Canada playdowns was the [[Wexford Raiders]] of the [[Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (1972-1987)|Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League]]. Also on the line was the [[Ontario Hockey Association]] Junior A championship, the Buckland Cup. The Spitfires took game one in Rexdale with a 4–2 victory. Back in Windsor the next night, the Spitfires seemed to have the series in control with a 5–2 win. The Raiders had other things in mind, winning at home in game three 6–2 and then taking it to Windsor in their own arena 4–1 to tie the series. Back in Rexdale, the Raiders crushed the Spitfires with an 8–2 victory. With their back against the wall, the Spits had to win at home to force game seven. A 7–5 victory for the Spitfires turned this into a series for the ages. On April 6, 1974, the Spitfires season came to an end, as the Wexford Raiders took a 6–3 victory at home to advance to the next round of national playdowns.<ref>{{citation|title=All over for Spitfires, 6-3|author=Alan Halberstadt|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= April 6, 1974|page=37}}</ref> [[Scott Miller (ice hockey)|Scott Miller]] would be named the team's most valuable player.<ref name="Mitchell 1974, Pg 22"/>

The Windsor Spitfires applied for expansion to the OMJHL (later known as the OHL) during their 1974 playoff run, but were rejected due to the "unacceptability of Windsor Arena as a major A facility." Their farm team, the [[LaSalle Vipers|Windsor Royals]] Junior B team of the [[Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League|Great Lakes Junior Hockey League]] put in a rival bid but were also rejected due to lack of an acceptable arena.<ref>{{citation|title=Windsor major A bid rejected|newspaper=[[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= March 19, 1974|page=22}}</ref>

In 1974–75, [[Jim Butcher (ice hockey)|Jim Butcher]] coached the Spits to a second straight regular season title with a record of 40 wins, 15 losses, and 5 ties, 11 points ahead of the second place [[Welland Sabres]] (30–16–14). [[John Tavella]] won the league scoring title with 54 goals and 117 points and goaltender [[Floyd St. Cyr]] led the league with the fewest goals against.<ref>{{citation|title=Tavella, St. Cyr winners, anyway|author=Dave Hall|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date= February 17, 1975|page=22}}</ref> The Spitfires' first opponent in the playoff semi-final was the last place [[Detroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL)|Detroit Jr. Red Wings]] (15–38–9). At home, the Spits took game one 11–2. Back at the [[Detroit Olympia]], the Spits won 8–2. Again in Windsor, the Spits took game three 10–1. The Spits had the chance to clinch in game four, but the Red Wings refused to let their season end in front of their Detroit faithful winning 5–3. Game five, in Windsor, [[Ian Campbell (ice hockey)|Ian Campbell]] would score a late third period tally to break a 2–2 deadlock and send the Spitfires to the league finals. The fourth place [[Guelph Platers|Guelph Bilmores]] (23–31–6) stood in the way of the Spitfires. The Biltmores had upset the second place [[Welland Sabres]] in the league quarter-final in five games and the third place [[Chatham Maroons]] 8-points-to-6 (3 wins, 2 losses, 2 ties) and were looking to shock the Spitfires too. The Biltmores had caused trouble for the Spitfires all season as their head-to-head record was 5 wins each and 2 ties in 12 matches.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits face sudden-death tonight|author=Dave Hall|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location= Windsor, Ontario|date=March 24, 1975|page=22}}</ref> After a week layoff, the Spitfires were up against a hot opponent and were missing scoring champion [[John Tavella]] to a three-games suspension for butt-ending against Detroit. The Spits dropped the first game, at home, 6–5 after giving up a late 2-on-1 odd-man rush late in the third period. The next night, in Guelph, the Spitfires led 6–1 in the first and 8–4 in the second to blow the lead in the third and finish with a 9–9 overtime tie. The Spitfires tied up the series in game three with a 4–2 win in Windsor. In Guelph for game four, the Spitfires blew a first period 3–0 lead to lose 6–4. Game five saw the Spitfires tie the series at five points a piece with an 8–4 win at home. Guelph again gained the advantage in game six with a 6–4 win at home. In a last gasp for air, the Spitfires fought to win a 6–4 decision in Windsor to tie the series at 7 points each and force a final eighth game - winner take all. The eighth game proved to be the Spitfires' last game of Tier II Junior A, as they traveled to Guelph and blew a 3–0 lead to lose the game (6–5) and the series (9-points-to-7) to end their four-year trek in the [[Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League]].<ref>{{citation|title=Bilts spoil Spitfires' dream, 6-5|author=Dave Hall|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|location=Windsor, Ontario|date=March 25, 1975|page=30}}</ref>

The Spitfires were granted entry into the OMJHL (later known as the OHL) as an expansion franchise for the [[1975–76 OMJHL season]] in February 1975. The league's board of governors unanimously accepted the Spitfires despite their arena's surface being smaller than Major Junior A standards. The Spitfires' had pumped $200,000 into the arena over the past two years, so the league overlooked the surface size despite taking issue with it in their 1974 rejection of the Spitfires' expansion bid.<ref>{{citation|title=Windsor given berth in OHA|newspaper= [[Ottawa Citizen]]|location= Ottawa, Ontario|date=February 10, 1975|page=17}}</ref>

===Major Junior===
On September 25, 1975, Major Junior hockey returned to the [[Windsor Arena]] for the first time in twenty-two years. In front of 4,335 fans, the Windsor Spitfires hosted the [[Oshawa Generals]]. The game would be an eye-opener for the Spitfires, as they were defeated 10–1 by the Generals. [[Wayne Mills (ice hockey)|Wayne Mills]] started in net for the Spits, but would be later relieved by back-up [[Bob Parent (ice hockey)|Bob Parent]] when the Generals made it 7–0 at 11:29 of the second period. The two goaltenders combined for 30 saves, as the Spits were outshot 40–23. [[Rolly Hedges]] scored the first Major Junior goal in team history at 18:48 of the second period.<ref>{{citation|title=Spits get early initiation, 10-1.|author=Marty Knack|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|date=September 26, 1975|page=26}}</ref>

On October 2, 1975, the Spitfires would tally their first ever Major Junior win. At home, the Spits were hosting the [[Sudbury Wolves]]. Despite being outshot 60–34, the Spitfires overcame a six-goal deficit to defeat the Wolves 11–10. After trailing 7–1 only 2:49 into the second period, the Spitfires were able to chip the lead down to 9–7 by the second intermission. [[Charlie Skjodt]] scored to make it 9–9 to complete the comeback, just to have the Wolves score with 6:33 to go in the game to make it 10–9. [[Charles Bosnyak]], a member of the 1974–75 Tier II Spitfires, scored 32 seconds later to make it 10–10 and captain [[Mark Perras]] scored with 43 seconds remaining to win the Spits' first ever Major Junior game. [[Bob Parent (ice hockey)|Bob Parent]] would make 50 saves to cap off the historic victory.<ref>{{citation|title=Perras caps remarkable ending to give Spitfires 11-10 triumph|author=Marty Knack|newspaper= [[Windsor Star]]|date=October 3, 1975|page=24}}</ref>

The "Spits" as they are commonly known, won their first [[Emms Trophy|Emms division]] title in 1980 and reached the OHL finals, but lost to the [[Peterborough Petes]]. [[Ernie Godden]] set an all-time OHL record in 1980–81 scoring 87 goals. In 1984 [[Peter Karmanos]], the founder and CEO of [[Compuware]], bought the team and renamed them the '''Windsor Compuware Spitfires.'''

In the 1987–88 season, the culmination of a well-executed four-year plan saw the Compuware Spitfires win 35 of their last 36 games, become the first team to go undefeated in the OHL playoffs, and sweep the Peterborough Petes in the OHL Championship finals to win the [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]]. During the season, the Compuware Spitfires were dominant, with a record of 54-0 when leading after two periods. Having earned the right to represent the OHL in the 1988 [[Memorial Cup]] hosted in [[Chicoutimi]], [[Quebec]], the Compuware Spitfires advanced to the Championship game, where their string of success ended, losing to the [[Medicine Hat Tigers]].

Karmanos sold the team to local construction magnate [[Steve Riolo]] after the 1988–89 season, and the team reverted the Windsor Spitfires name and adopted their modern logo.

===Conflict, renewal, tragedy===
[[File:Mickey Renaud memorial display at WFCU Centre.jpg|thumb|Renaud's memorial display at the WFCU Centre|alt=Memorial display]]
[[File:Engelage looks on.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Andrew Engelage looks on, wearing Spitfires throwback jersey (November 2008).]]
On October 18, 2005, [[Head Coach]] [[Moe Mantha, Jr.|Moe Mantha]] was handed a 40-game suspension and later terminated without pay, for a [[hazing]] incident that occurred aboard a bus after a pre-season game versus the [[London Knights]]. An altercation involving players [[Steve Downie]] and [[Akim Aliu]], in which Aliu lost four teeth, led to public exposure of the compulsive hazing within the Spitfires organization. Downie was traded to the [[Peterborough Petes]], and Aliu was traded to the [[Sudbury Wolves]].

On April 6, 2006, the Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced the approval of a new ownership group for the Windsor Spitfires, composed of [[Bob Boughner]], [[Warren Rychel]] and Peter Dobrich. All three men had history in Windsor with OHL hockey, and the group had expressed hope to move the team into a new arena. Boughner assumed the roles of President, CEO and head coach of the Spitfires, Rychel was named director of player development, and Dobrich the new business manager.

On February 18, 2008, team captain and [[Calgary Flames]] prospect<ref>{{cite web |last1=Board |first1=Mike |title=Renaud will be missed, never forgotten |url=http://flames.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=353955 |publisher=Calgary Flames |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220200313/http://flames.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=353955 |archive-date=February 20, 2008}}</ref> [[Mickey Renaud]] died of an undetected heart condition<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/Spitfires+remember+Renaud/1599932/story.html|title=Spitfires remember Renaud|author=Jim Parker|date=15 May 2009|website=windsorstar.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517105328/https://windsorstar.com/sports/Spitfires+remember+Renaud/1599932/story.html |archive-date=May 17, 2009}}</ref> in his [[Tecumseh, Ontario]], home. General Manager [[Warren Rychel]] referred to Renaud's death as "the biggest tragedy in Spitfire history".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/windsor-spitfires-captain-mickey-renaud-dead-at-19-1.712599|title=Windsor Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud dead at 19 - CBC Sports|website=cbc.ca}}</ref> His number was retired by both the Spitfires<ref name="www2.canada.com">{{cite web|url=http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=9408f9ba-5483-416d-87f2-e56fa63d2986 |title=Mickey Renaud Way named|date=September 26, 2008|author=Jim Parker|publisher=The Windsor Star|archive-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329133838/http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=9408f9ba-5483-416d-87f2-e56fa63d2986|access-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> and the [[Tecumseh Chiefs]] Junior B franchise<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohahockey.org/page/show_article/12824/10355|title=Mickey Renaud Tribute - Tecumseh Chiefs |date=February 21, 2008|website=ohahockey.org|archive-date=May 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509164820/http://www.ohahockey.org/page/show_article/12824/10355}}</ref> that he played on before graduating to Major Junior. Mayor [[Eddie Francis]] named a road leading to the [[WFCU Centre]] in Renaud's honour, ''Mickey Renaud Way''.<ref name="www2.canada.com"/> At the 2009 OHL All-Star Game at the [[WFCU Centre]] in Windsor, OHL Commissioner [[David Branch (ice hockey)|David Branch]] announced that the [[Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy]] would be awarded to the "team captain that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice as well as hard work, passion and dedication to the game of hockey and their community" in honour of Renaud.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario Hockey League to present annual award in honour of Mickey Renaud |url=http://ontariohockeyleague.com/ontario-hockey-league-to-present-annual-award-in-honour-of-mickey-renaud-p127548 |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208133427/http://ontariohockeyleague.com/ontario-hockey-league-to-present-annual-award-in-honour-of-mickey-renaud-p127548 |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |date=February 4, 2009}}</ref>

===2008–09 season===
The Windsor Spitfires finished the 2008–09 season with 57 wins, 10 losses, and 1 shootout loss.<ref name="ontariohockeyleague.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/bob-boughner-named-ohl-coach-of-the-year-p128150 |title=Ontario Hockey League ◊ Official Website Bob Boughner named OHL Coach of the Year |access-date=2009-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101080000/http://ontariohockeyleague.com/bob-boughner-named-ohl-coach-of-the-year-p128150 |archive-date=2010-01-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This marked their best season in franchise history. With the first overall record in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] the Spitfires were awarded the [[Hamilton Spectator Trophy]].<ref name="ontariohockeyleague.com"/> The Spitfires also played their final games in the [[Windsor Arena]].<ref name="sportsnet.ca">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2008/12/03/king_chl_news/|title=King: CHL news and notes|website=sportsnet.ca|access-date=2009-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225002445/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2008/12/03/king_chl_news/|archive-date=2008-12-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Spits were undefeated at home in the Old Barn during the 2008–09 season. Mid-season they moved to the [[WFCU Centre]].<ref name="sportsnet.ca"/> The Spitfires and their new arena played host to the 2009 All-Star Game.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/notes/1253934/story.html|title=OHL Notes|author=Jim Parker|date=4 February 2009|website=windsorstar.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430001909/https://windsorstar.com/sports/notes/1253934/story.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009}}</ref> On May 12, Goalie [[Andrew Engelage]] broke the OHL record for most wins by a goaltender in a single season with 46 with a 5–1 win over the [[Plymouth Whalers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/engelage-sets-record-for-most-wins-in-a-single-season-p127819|title=Engelage Sets Record for Most Wins in a Single Season|date=March 13, 2009|publisher=Ontario Hockey League|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319022552/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/engelage-sets-record-for-most-wins-in-a-single-season-p127819|archive-date=March 19, 2009|access-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref>

In the first round of the playoffs, the Spitfires walked all over the [[Owen Sound Attack]], taking the series in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/news/windsor/Spitfires+sweep+Attack/1427932/story.html|title=Spitfires Sweep Attack|date=14 April 2012|website=windsorstar.com}} {{dead link|date=November 2018}}</ref> In the next round, the Spits found the [[Plymouth Whalers]] to be a more formidable opponent. After trading off-road wins, then trading off home wins, the Spits took Games 5 and 6 to clinch the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/travel/canada/Series+breaks+Plymouth+jinx/1488676/story.html|title=Series breaks Plymouth jinx|date=14 April 2012|website=windsorstar.com}} {{dead link|date=November 2018}}</ref> In the Western Conference final, the Spits played their nemesis the [[London Knights]]. Led by [[John Tavares (ice hockey)|John Tavares]], the Knights were a tough opponent. Every game in the series went to overtime, but the Spitfires were victorious and won the series 4-games-to-1 to earn a berth to the OHL Final and take the [[Wayne Gretzky Trophy]] as Conference champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1535770|title=Spitfires win series with OT heroics |author=Ryan Pyette|date=April 23, 2009|website=Simcoe.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819061710/http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2009/04/23/spitfires-win-series-with-ot-heroics|archive-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> The OHL Final began with a 10–1 victory for the Spitfires over the Eastern Conference's [[Brampton Battalion]] led by stars [[Cody Hodgson]] and [[Matt Duchene]]. The series became much tighter from there as the Spits took Game 2 5–3. The Battalion fought back in Game 3, winning 4–2. Game 4 belonged to the Spitfires as they took a 4–1 win and a 3–1 series lead. Game 5 was a tight affair, as the Spitfires took a 1–0 lead midway through the second period on the power play. Brampton tied the game up late in the third period to force overtime. At 2:09 of the first overtime period, [[Taylor Hall (ice hockey b. 1991)|Taylor Hall]] scored on the power play to win the Spitfires their second [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]] as league champions and a berth into the [[2009 Memorial Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Taylor Hall scores in overtime as Windsor beats Brampton to claim OHL crown |url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=422092 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 22, 2024 |date=May 8, 2009}}</ref> The victory was the Spitfires' first league title since the [[1987–88 OHL season]] and marked their second time playing for the [[Memorial Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://communities.canada.com/windsorstar/blogs/duffersdabbles/archive/2009/02/03/spitfires-recall-their-1987-88-title.aspx|title=Spitfires recall their 1987-88 title|author=Bob Duff|date=February 3, 2009|website=canada.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530015244/http://communities.canada.com/WINDSORSTAR/blogs/duffersdabbles/archive/2009/02/03/spitfires-recall-their-1987-88-title.aspx|archive-date=May 30, 2011|access-date=May 26, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On May 9, Mayor of [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]] [[Eddie Francis]] awarded the team with the [[Freedom of the City|Key to the City]] in honour of their achievement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3821330|title=Windsor Mayor Francis Gives Spitfires Key to the City of Windsor|date=10 May 2009|website=oursportscentral.com}}</ref>

At the [[2009 Memorial Cup]], the Spitfires dropped their first two games in [[Rimouski]] 3–2 in overtime to the [[Drummondville Voltigeurs]] and 5–4 to the [[Rimouski Océanic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/Spitfires+Tuesday+after+loss+Rimouski/1605665/story.html|title=Do or die for Spitfires after 5-4 loss to Rimouski|author=Jim Parker|date=17 May 2009|website=windsorstar.com |archive-date=January 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115022828/https://windsorstar.com/Spitfires+Tuesday+after+loss+Rimouski/1605665/story.html}}</ref> In a do-or-die game, the Spitfires won the final game of the round robin 2–1 over the [[Kelowna Rockets]] to gain entry to the tie-breaker game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=423277|title=Spitfires stay alive at Memorial Cup with 2-1 win over Rockets|date=May 19, 2009 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> In the tie-breaker, Windsor defeated the hometown Océanic 6-4 powered by a third period natural hat-trick by Dale Mitchell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/mitchell-s-natural-hat-trick-sinks-oceanic-1.805806|title=Mitchell's natural hat trick sinks Oceanic - CBC Sports|date=May 22, 2009|website=cbc.ca}}</ref> The tournament semi-final was between the Spitfires and the Voltigeurs. The Spitfires blew an early 2–0 lead, but won 3–2 in overtime from a goal by [[Adam Henrique]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chlteamofthecentury.ca/2009-windsor-spitfires|title=2009 – Windsor Spitfires |publisher=Canadian Hockey League|quote=One day later, the Spitfires, still skating on a tightrope, beat the Voltigeurs, 3-2, on an Adam Henrique goal at 4:31 of OT.|access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref> to become the second team ever to play in the Memorial Cup final after playing in the tie-breaker game.<ref>https://calgaryherald.com/Spitfires+flying+course+toward+history/1625616/story.html {{dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=February 2022}}</ref> In the final, the Spitfires again played the Rockets. The Spitfires scored on their first three shots and cruised to a 4–1 win to take their first ever [[Memorial Cup]] championship. Their victory marked the first time a team started with two losses in the Memorial Cup round robin and came back to win the championship.<ref>https://ottawacitizen.com/Historic+Memorial+Spitfires/1627908/story.html {{dead link|fix-attempted=yes |date=February 2022}}</ref> The feat also marks the first time that a team has survived the Memorial Cup tie-breaker game to win the championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rockets and Spitfires Play for MasterCard Memorial Cup |url=http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/news.php?id=1152&y=2009 |website=mastercardmemorialcup.com |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126144227/http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/news.php?id=1152&y=2009 |archive-date=26 November 2010 |date=24 May 2009}}</ref> The [[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]] was awarded to [[Taylor Hall (ice hockey b. 1991)|Taylor Hall]] as Memorial Cup playoffs most valuable player. Both [[Ryan Ellis]] and Hall were elected to the tournament's All-Star Team.<ref name="faceoff.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/memorialcup2009/story.html?id=fa2bad9f-15ae-41ad-b9f7-8a773eb34e46&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Fhockey%2Fmemorialcup2009%2Ftopstories.atom|title=Spitfires win in memory of Renaud<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=faceoff.com|access-date=2009-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724081954/http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/memorialcup2009/story.html?id=fa2bad9f-15ae-41ad-b9f7-8a773eb34e46&add_feed_url=http:%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Fhockey%2Fmemorialcup2009%2Ftopstories.atom|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> Throughout the Memorial Cup tournament, the Spitfires hung [[Mickey Renaud]]'s jersey on their bench and the championship was won in Renaud's memory.<ref name="faceoff.com"/>

In the aftermath of the championship, the team was met at the [[Windsor Airport]] by a large contingent of local fans and was addressed by Mayor [[Eddie Francis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/Windsor+Spitfires+carpet+welcome+from+frenzied+fans/1629063/story.html|title=Spitfires get red-carpet homecoming from frenzied fans|author=Donald McArthur|date=26 May 2009|website=windsorstar.com|archive-date=29 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629033110/http://www.windsorstar.com/Windsor+Spitfires+carpet+welcome+from+frenzied+fans/1629063/story.html|access-date=4 October 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was announced that the road to the new [[WFCU Centre]] would be renamed ''Memorial Cup Drive'' in honour of the victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorstar.com/City+names+WFCU+Centre+thoroughfare+Memorial+Drive/1629477/story.html|title=City names WFCU Centre thoroughfare Memorial Cup Way|website=windsorstar.com}} {{dead link|date=November 2018}}</ref>

===2009–10 season===
The Spitfires came back in 2009–10 with a second straight 50-plus win season, finishing with a record of 50 wins, 12 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 5 shootout losses. Their record was good enough to earn the top seed in the Western Conference, but not good enough to clinch their second straight [[Hamilton Spectator Trophy]], won by the [[Barrie Colts]] (57-9-0-2). For being the top team in their division, the Spitfires were awarded their second straight [[Bumbacco Trophy]]. [[Taylor Hall (ice hockey b. 1991)|Taylor Hall]] tied [[Tyler Seguin]] of the [[Plymouth Whalers]] for the league's scoring lead, and both were awarded the [[Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy]] as scoring co-champions. The Spitfires also played host to the [[CHL Top Prospects Game]].

The Spitfires sent six players to the [[2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships]]. Defenceman [[Ryan Ellis]] and forwards [[Taylor Hall]], [[Adam Henrique]], and [[Greg Nemisz]] played for silver medalist Canada, defenceman [[Cam Fowler]] played for gold medalist United States, and forward [[Richard Pánik|Richard Panik]] played for Slovakia. At the end of the tournament, the Spitfires acquired defenceman [[Marc Cantin]], forward [[Stephen Johnston]] and German goaltender [[Philipp Grubauer]] from the Belleville Bulls in exchange for forwards Panik and [[Austen Brassard]], defenceman [[Paul Bezzo]], goaltender Steve Gleeson and a seventh-round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.

In the first round of the OHL playoffs, the Spitfires swept the [[Erie Otters]] in four games. They then swept the [[Plymouth Whalers]] in four games to win their Conference Semi-Final. In the other semi-final, the [[Kitchener Rangers]] upset the favoured [[London Knights]] in seven games. In the Conference Finals against Kitchener, Windsor initially struggled, losing the first three games of the series. However, the Spitfires went on to become the third team in [[Ontario Hockey League]] history to come back from a three-game deficit to win a playoff series, beating Rangers in each of the next four games to win the conference championship and the [[Wayne Gretzky Trophy]]. Notably, the Spitfires had recovered from a 3–0 deficit to win a playoff series once before, in a 2004–05 Conference Quarterfinal series against the [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]]. In the league final, the Spitfires made quick work of a highly touted [[Barrie Colts]] squad, sweeping them in four games to win their second straight [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]]. [[Adam Henrique]] won the [[Wayne Gretzky 99 Award]] as the playoffs' most valuable player.

In May, the Spitfires traveled to [[Brandon, Manitoba]], for the [[2010 Memorial Cup]]. The Spitfires trampled the host [[Brandon Wheat Kings]] 9–3 in their first game of the tournament and, in their second game, scored a convincing 6–2 win over the [[Western Hockey League]] champion [[Calgary Hitmen]]. With their victory over the Hitmen, the Spitfires clinched a berth in the Memorial Cup final. They did not need to defeat the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]]'s [[Moncton Wildcats]] in their third and final round-robin game, but did so anyway, winning 4–3 in overtime. The tournament final saw the Spitfires play the host Wheat Kings for a second time. The Spitfires posted a convincing win once again, defeating the Wheat Kings 9–1 to clinch their second straight Memorial Cup. Their victory marked their twelfth straight win since going down 0–3 to Kitchener in the OHL's Western Conference Final, and they finished the playoffs with 20 wins against just 3 losses. Taylor Hall won his second straight [[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]] as Memorial Cup most valuable player, making him the first repeat winner in the trophy's history.

===2010–11 season===
After two straight [[Memorial Cup]]s, the Summer of 2010 saw leading scorer [[Taylor Hall]] go first overall in the [[2010 NHL Entry Draft]] to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] and Coach [[Bob Boughner]] accepted an assistant coaching job with the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]. The Spitfires have engaged in a massive overhaul involving many trades.

During the exhibition season, the Spitfires hosted the [[Czech Republic men's national junior ice hockey team|Czech Under-20 National Team]]. The Spitfires came back to win the game 5–4. Spitfires finished the exhibition schedule with 4 wins 1 loss and 1 tie.

After another successful season the Spits finished 4th in the Western Conference to advance to the playoffs. The Spitfires reached the Conference Final for the third consecutive year. Following two hard fought battles the Spits were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in three years by the Owen Sound Attack. The Attack went on to win the OHL Championship.

===2011–12 season===
After one season with the Columbus Blue Jackets as assistant coach, [[Bob Boughner]] returned to the Spitfires as head coach, with Bob Jones remaining on the staff as his assistant.

On August 10, 2012, the Spitfires were fined an unprecedented $400,000 CAD by the [[Ontario Hockey League]] and forfeited five first round OHL Priority Draft picks in 2013, 2014, and 2016 and second round picks in 2015 and 2017 for unspecified recruitment violations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=402818|title=OHL penalizes Spitfires for violating recruitment rules<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=tsn.ca}}</ref> The Spitfires claimed innocence to the recruitment violations and plan to appeal the decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/08/10/ohl-fines-spitfires-400000-and-strips-club-of-five-draft-picks/|title=OHL fines Spitfires $400,000 and strips club of five draft picks|date=10 August 2012|website=windsorstar.com}}</ref>

===2013–14 season===
On December 29, 2013, the Spitfires and the [[Saginaw Spirit]] played the first ever outdoor game in Ontario Hockey League history. The game was played at [[Comerica Park]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. The Spitfires won the game 6–5 in front of a short-lived [[Canadian Hockey League]] record of 25,749 spectators, surpassed later that night by the [[London Knights]] and [[Plymouth Whalers]] at the same venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/12/29/spits-top-spirit-6-5-at-comerica-park/|title=Spits top Spirit 6-5 at Comerica Park|date=30 December 2013|website=windsorstar.com}}</ref>

===2014–15 season===
On June 28, 2015, Spitfires owner and head coach [[Bob Boughner]] accepted another assistant coaching job with the NHL's [[San Jose Sharks]]. A couple of days later, former Oilers assistant coach [[Rocky Thompson]] was hired as the Spitfires new head coach, with [[Trevor Letowski]] accepting the assistant coaching job after former assistant coach Bob Jones was hired by the [[Oshawa Generals]] as head coach. Boughner's new job seemed to be very successful, as he and former Spitfire [[Peter DeBoer]] lead the team to the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

===2016–17 season===
[[File:Sarnia Sting vs. Windsor Spitfires December 2023 18 (face-off).jpg|thumb|The Spitfires hosting the [[Sarnia Sting]] in 2023]]

Windsor was selected as the host city for the 99th [[Memorial Cup]] championship, who won the right to host the tournament over undisclosed competition.<ref>{{cite web|title=OHL Notebook: Windsor gets Memorial Cup|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/windsor-spitfires-host-2017-mastercard-memorial-cup-ohl-final-london-knights-niagara-icedogs-fighting-hockey/|website=[[Sportsnet|sportsnet.ca]]|access-date=29 May 2016|ref=1}}</ref> In defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds by 7–1 in a round-robin game on May 21, 2017, the Windsor Spitfires tied a Memorial Cup record for the fastest 3 goals scored by a team in a single period (38 game seconds), matching the record set by the WHL's [[New Westminster Bruins]] in the [[1978 Memorial Cup|1978]] tournament.<ref name="Soo-Today">{{cite news|last=Coccimiglio|first=Brad|title=Memorial Cup Notebook: Spitfires tie record in win|url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/memorial-cup-notebook-spitfires-tie-record-in-win-621388|access-date=May 24, 2017|location=[[Windsor, Ontario]]|publisher=[[Village Media|SooToday.com]]|date=May 21, 2017}}</ref> The tournament ended with the Windsor Spitfires winning their [[List of Memorial Cup champions#1983 to present|third Memorial Cup]], defeating the Erie Otters 4–3 in the championship final.

On December 4, 2016, the Saginaw Spirit hosted the Spitfires in front of a crowd of over 3,100 people in the closing of [[Joe Louis Arena]] in Detroit, Michigan. The Spitfires got the best of the Spirit in a 3–2 overtime win, with a hat trick performance by defenceman [[Sean Day]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Farewell to the Joe: Day's hat-trick one for the memories |url=http://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/farewell-to-the-joe-days-hat-trick-one-for-the-memories |publisher=[[Ontario Hockey League]] |access-date=21 November 2018 |date=4 December 2016}}</ref>

==Championships==
[[File:Spitfires salute fans.jpg|right|thumbnail|300px|Spitfires salute fans in [[Windsor Arena]] as [[Oshawa Generals]] look on (November 2008)]]
The Windsor Compuware Spitfires won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and were the top-ranked junior team in Canada during the 1987–88 season.
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
'''[[Memorial Cup]]'''
* '''1988''' Finalist vs. Medicine Hat Tigers
* '''2009''' Champion vs. Kelowna Rockets
* '''2010''' Champion vs. Brandon Wheat Kings
* '''2017''' Champion vs. Erie Otters

'''[[J. Ross Robertson Cup]]'''
* '''1980''' Finalist vs. Peterborough Petes
* '''1988''' Champion vs. Peterborough Petes
* '''2009''' Champion vs. Brampton Battalion
* '''2010''' Champion vs. Barrie Colts
* '''2022''' Finalist vs. Hamilton Bulldogs

'''Emms Division Playoff Champions'''
* '''1979''' 2nd place in Round Robin
* '''1980''' Champion vs. Brantford Alexanders
* '''1986''' Finalist vs. Guelph Platers
* '''1987''' Finalist vs. North Bay Centennials
* '''1988''' Champion vs. Hamilton Steelhawks

'''[[Wayne Gretzky Trophy]]''' West Conference Champions
* '''2002''' Finalist vs. Erie Otters
* '''2009''' Champion vs. London Knights
* '''2010''' Champion vs. Kitchener Rangers
* '''2011''' Finalist vs. Owen Sound Attack
* '''2022''' Champion vs. Flint Firebirds
{{col-break|gap=2em}}
'''[[Hamilton Spectator Trophy]]'''
* '''1987–88''' 102 points
* '''2008–09''' 115 points

'''[[Emms Trophy]]''' Emms Division Champions
* '''1979-80''' 73 points
* '''1987-88''' 102 points

'''[[Bumbacco Trophy]]''' West Division Champions
* '''2008–09''' 115 points
* '''2009-10''' 106 points
* 2021-22 95 points
* 2022-23 94 points
* 2024-25 96 points

'''[[SOJAHL]] Regular Season Champions'''
* '''1973-74''' 86 points
* '''1974-75''' 85 points

'''[[SOJAHL]] Jack Oakes Trophy'''
* '''1974''' Champion vs. Chatham Maroons
* '''1975''' Finalist vs. Guelph CMC's

'''OHA Jr. A Frank L. Buckland Trophy'''
* '''1974''' Finalist vs. Wexford Raiders
{{col-end}}

==Coaches==
* '''1971–72''' – Jerry Serviss and George Aitken
* '''1972–73''' – Jerry Serviss
* '''1973–74''' – [[Wayne Maxner]]
* '''1974–75''' – [[Dick Duff]] and Jim Butcher
* '''1975–76''' – Doug Johnston and [[Wayne Maxner]]
* '''1976–1980''' – Wayne Maxner
* '''1980–81''' – Ron Harris and Ron Carroll
* '''1981–82''' – [[Marcel Pronovost]]
* '''1982–83''' – Marcel Pronovost, Doug Imrie, John Becanic
* '''1983–84''' – Bob Boucher, Terry McConnell, Wayne Maxner
* '''1984–85''' – Mark Craig
* '''1985–86''' – [[Tom Webster (ice hockey)|Tom Webster]]
* '''1986–87''' – Tom Webster, [[Jim Rutherford]], Tony McDonald
* '''1987–1989''' – Tom Webster
* '''1989–91''' – Brad Smith
* '''1991–92''' – Brad Smith, Wayne Maxner, Dave Prpich
* '''1992–93''' – [[Wayne Maxner]], Kevin McIntosh
* '''1993–94''' – Shane Parker
* '''1994–95''' – Mike Kelly
* '''1995–96''' – Mike Kelly and Paul Gillis
* '''1996–97''' – Paul Gillis
* '''1997–98''' – [[Vern Stenlund]], Dave Prpich, Tony Curtale
* '''1998–99''' – Tony Curtale and Dave Prpich
* '''1999–2002''' – Tom Webster
* '''2002–03''' – Tom Webster and Mike Kelly
* '''2003–04''' – [[Steve Smith (ice hockey, born 1962)|Steve Smith]] and Mike Kelly
* '''2004–05''' – Mike Kelly
* '''2005–06''' – [[Moe Mantha Jr.]], Bill Bowler, and D.J. Smith (interim co-coaches)
* '''2006–2010''' – [[Bob Boughner]]
* '''2010–11''' – Bob Jones
* '''2011–2015''' – Bob Boughner
* '''2015–2017''' – [[Rocky Thompson]]
* '''2017–2021''' – [[Trevor Letowski]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://windsorspitfires.com/article/thank-you-trevor-letowski |title=Thank you, Trevor Letowski |website=Windsor Spitfires |date=July 21, 2021}}</ref>
* '''2021–2023''' – [[Marc Savard]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/windsor-spitfires-announce-new-head-coach-and-hockey-staff/n-5737368 |title=Windsor Spitfires Announce New Head Coach and Hockey Staff |website=OurSports Central |date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
* '''July 24, 2023 – November 20, 2023''' – Jerrod Smith
* '''November 20, 2023–present''' – Casey Torres (interim)<ref name="Torres">{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jan |title=Kingston native Torres excited for what's next after assuming coaching job in Windsor |url=https://www.thewhig.com/sports/kingston-native-torres-excited-for-whats-next-after-assuming-coaching-job-in-windsor#:~:text=After%20the%20Spitfires%2C%20coming%20off,the%20wake%20of%20the%20changes. |access-date=December 3, 2023 |publisher=[[Kingston Whig-Standard]] |date=November 23, 2023}}</ref>

==Players==
Over 100 alumni of the OHA and OHL Junior A Spitfires have graduated to play in the [[National Hockey League]]. Four of those alumni have been inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]]: [[Glenn Hall]], [[Marcel Pronovost]], [[Terry Sawchuk]], and [[Al Arbour]] as coach.

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Retired numbers'''
* # 4 – [[Taylor Hall]]
* # 6 – [[Ryan Ellis]]
* # 9 – [[Adam Graves]], [[Bill Bowler]]
* # 15 – [[Ernie Godden]]
* # 14 - [[Steve Ott]], [[Adam Henrique]], [[Ed Jovanovski]]
* # 18 – [[Mickey Renaud]]
* # 23 – [[Scott Miller (ice hockey)|Scott Miller]]
{{col-2}}
'''Honoured numbers'''
* # 4 – [[Marcel Pronovost]]
* # 6 – [[Joel Quenneville]]
* # 11 – [[Gordon Haidy (ice hockey)|Gordon Haidy]]
{{col-end}}
Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Windsor Spitfires: Legends Jerseys |url=http://windsorspitfires.com/legends-jerseys |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref>

===Award winners===
{|class="wikitable"
!Season!!Player(s)!!Award!!Recognition
|-
|1973–74||Scott Miller||SOJHL Leading Scorer Award||Top points scorer
|-
|rowspan="2"|1974–75||John Tavella||SOJHL Leading Scorer Award||Top points scorer
|-
|Floyd St. Cyr||SOJHL Top Goaltender Award||Most outstanding goaltender
|-
|[[1980–81 OHL season|1980–81]]||[[Ernie Godden]]||[[Red Tilson Trophy]]||Most outstanding player (MVP)
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[1987–88 OHL season|1987–88]]||rowspan="3"|[[Darrin Shannon]]||[[Max Kaminsky Trophy]]||Most outstanding defenceman
|-
|[[Bobby Smith Trophy]]||Scholastic Player of the Year
|-
|[[CHL Scholastic Player of the Year]]||Player who best combines success on ice and in school
|-
|[[1990–91 OHL season|1990–91]]||[[Cory Stillman]]||[[Emms Family Award]]||Top first-year player (Rookie of the Year)
|-
|[[1991–92 OHL season|1991–92]]||[[Todd Warriner]]||[[CHL Top Draft Prospect Award]]||Top eligible prospect for the NHL Entry Draft
|-
|[[1994–95 OHL season|1994–95]]||[[Bill Bowler]]||[[Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy]]||Best overage player
|-
|[[1996–97 OHL season|1996–97]]||[[Peter Sarno]]||Emms Family Award||Top first-year player (Rookie of the Year)
|-
|[[1997–98 OHL season|1997–98]]||Peter Sarno||[[Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy]]||Top point scorer
|-
|[[2000–01 OHL season|2000–01]]||[[Jason Spezza]]||CHL Top Draft Prospect Award||Top eligible prospect for the NHL Entry Draft
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2002–03 OHL season|2002–03]]||rowspan="2"|[[Kyle Wellwood]]||[[William Hanley Trophy]]||Most sportsmanlike player
|-
|[[CHL Sportsman of the Year]]||Most sportsmanlike player
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[2007–08 OHL season|2007–08]]||rowspan="2"|[[Taylor Hall]] || Emms Family Award || Top first-year player (Rookie of the Year)
|-
|[[CHL Rookie of the Year]]||CHL Rookie of the Year 
|-
|[[Ryan Ellis]]||Bobby Smith Trophy||Scholastic Player of the Year
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Bob Boughner]]||[[Matt Leyden Trophy]]||Coach of the Year
|-
|[[Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award]]||CHL Coach of the Year 
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[2008–09 OHL season|2008–09]]||Ryan Ellis||Max Kaminsky Trophy||Most outstanding defenceman
|-
|Taylor Hall||[[Wayne Gretzky 99 Award]]||MVP of OHL playoffs
|-
|rowspan="2"|Bob Boughner||Matt Leyden Trophy||Coach of the Year
|-
|Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award||CHL Coach of the Year
|-
|[[Warren Rychel]]||[[OHL Executive of the Year]]||Top executive in OHL
|-
|rowspan="2" align="center"|[[2009 Memorial Cup|2009<br />Memorial<br />Cup]]||Taylor Hall||[[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]]||Most Valuable player at the Memorial Cup
|-
|Ryan Ellis,<br />Taylor Hall||[[Memorial Cup All-Star Team]]||Best players by position at the Memorial Cup tournament
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[2009–10 OHL season|2009–10]]||Taylor Hall||Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy||Top point scorer (tie)
|-
|Derek Lanoue||[[Roger Neilson Memorial Award]]||Top academic post-secondary school player
|-
|[[Adam Henrique]]||Wayne Gretzky 99 Award||MVP of OHL playoffs
|-
|rowspan="3" align="center"|[[2010 Memorial Cup|2010<br />Memorial<br />Cup]]||rowspan="2"|Taylor Hall||Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy||Most Valuable player at the Memorial Cup
|-
|[[Ed Chynoweth Trophy]]||Top scorer in the Memorial Cup
|-
|[[Cam Fowler]],<br />Taylor Hall||Memorial Cup All-Star Team||Best players by position at the Memorial Cup tournament
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[2010–11 OHL season|2010–11]]||Derek Lanoue||Roger Neilson Memorial Award||Top academic post-secondary school player
|-
|rowspan="3"|Ryan Ellis||Max Kaminsky Trophy||Most outstanding defenceman
|-
|Red Tilson Trophy||Most outstanding player (MVP)
|-
|[[Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy]]||Most valuable team captain
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2015–16 OHL season|2015–16]]|||[[Michael DiPietro]]||[[F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy]]||First-year goaltender with best GAA
|-
|[[Mikhail Sergachev]]||Max Kaminsky Trophy||Most outstanding defenceman
|-
|rowspan="2" align="center"|[[2017 Memorial Cup|2017<br />Memorial<br />Cup]]||Michael DiPietro||[[Hap Emms Memorial Trophy]]||Most outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup
|-
|Michael DiPietro,<br />Mikhail Sergachev,<br />[[Gabriel Vilardi]]||Memorial Cup All-Star Team||Best players by position at the Memorial Cup tournament
|-
|[[2017-18 OHL season|2017-18]]||Michael DiPietro||[[OHL Goaltender of the Year]]||Best goaltender in the league
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[2021–22 OHL season|2021–22]]||rowspan="3"|[[Wyatt Johnston]] || Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy||Top point scorer
|-
|William Hanley Trophy||Most sportsmanlike player
|-
|Red Tilson Trophy||Most outstanding player (MVP)
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[2022–23 OHL season|2022–23]]||rowspan="4"|[[Matthew Maggio]] || Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy||Top point scorer
|-
|[[Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy]]||Top scoring right winger
|-
|Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy||Best overage player
|-
|Red Tilson Trophy||Most outstanding player (MVP)
|-
|[[2024–25 OHL season|2024–25]]||[[Liam Greentree]]||Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy||Most valuable team captain
|-
|}

===NHL alumni===
;SOJHL Spitfires (1971–1975)
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[Frank Bathe]]
*[[Frank Beaton]]
*[[Ted Bulley]]
*[[Rick Heinz]]
*[[Ken Mann]]
*[[Eddie Mio]]
{{Div col end}}

;Modern Spitfires (1975–present)
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
*[[Russ Adam]]
*[[Egor Afanasyev]]
*[[Jamie Allison]]
*[[Josh Bailey]]
*[[Peter Bakovic]]
*[[Blair Barnes]]
*[[John Barrett (ice hockey)|John Barrett]]
*[[Bruce Bell]]
*[[Bryan Bickell]]
*[[Jesse Blacker]]
*[[Mark Botell]]
*[[Bill Bowler]]
*[[Kip Brennan]]
*[[Logan Brown]]
*[[Jack Campbell (ice hockey)|Jack Campbell]]
*[[Jalen Chatfield]]
*[[Jason Cirone]]
*[[Matt Cooke]]
*[[Mark Cundari]]
*[[Will Cuylle]] 
*[[Patrick Davis (ice hockey)|Patrick Davis]]
*[[Michael DiPietro]]
*[[Peter DeBoer]]
*[[Steve Downie]]
*[[Richie Dunn]]
*[[Mike Dwyer (ice hockey)|Mike Dwyer]]
*[[Murray Eaves]]
*[[Matt Elich]]
*[[Ryan Ellis]]
*[[Glen Featherstone]]
*[[Fedor Fedorov (ice hockey)|Fedor Fedorov]]
*[[Christian Fischer]]
*[[Jean-Luc Foudy]]
*[[Cam Fowler]]
*[[Ron Friest]]
*[[Paul Gagné (ice hockey)|Paul Gagne]]
*[[Mario Giallonardo]]
*[[Todd Gill]]
*[[Tim Gleason]]
*[[Ernie Godden]]
*[[David Goverde]]
*[[Josh Gratton]]
*[[Adam Graves]]
*[[Philipp Grubauer]]
*[[David Haas (ice hockey)|David Haas]]
*[[Matt Hackett]]
*[[Taylor Hall]]
*[[Mark Hamway]]
*[[Dave Hannan]]
*[[Shawn Heins]]
*[[Timo Helbling]]
*[[Adam Henrique]]
*[[Jim Hofford]]
*[[Josh Ho-Sang]]
*[[Peter Ing]]
*[[Pat Jablonski]]
*[[Cam Janssen]]
*[[Wes Jarvis]]
*[[Wyatt Johnston]]
*[[Michal Jordan]]
*[[Ed Jovanovski]]
*[[Claude Julien (ice hockey)|Claude Julien]]
*[[Zack Kassian]]
*[[Tim Kerr]]
*[[Alexander Khokhlachev]]
*[[Bill Kitchen (ice hockey)|Bill Kitchen]]
*[[Slater Koekkoek]]
*[[Chris Kotsopoulos]]
*[[Tom Kühnhackl|Tom Kuhnhackl]]
*[[Mark LaVarre]]
*[[Paul Lawless]]
*[[Michael Leighton]]
*[[Brendan Lemieux]]
*[[Claude Loiselle]]
*[[Andrei Loktionov]]
*[[Lane MacDermid]]
*[[Paul MacDermid]]
*[[Shawn MacKenzie]]
*[[Dan Mandich]]
*[[Darwin McCutcheon]]
*[[Roland Melanson]]
*[[Scott Metcalfe]]
*[[Craig Muni]]
*[[Trevor Murphy]]
*[[Greg Nemisz]]
*[[Michal Neuvirth]]
*[[Jordan Nolan]]
*[[Cal O'Reilly]]
*[[Steve Ott]]
*[[Richard Pánik|Richard Panik]]
*[[Bob Parent (ice hockey)|Bob Parent]]
*[[Steve Peters (ice hockey)|Steve Peters]]
*[[Mark Plantery]]
*[[Joel Quenneville]]
*[[Mark Renaud]]
*[[Gerry Rioux]]
*[[Dave Roche]]
*[[Mike Rupp]]
*[[Kerby Rychel]]
*[[Peter Sarno]]
*[[Travis Scott (ice hockey)|Travis Scott]]
*[[Mikhail Sergachev]]
*[[Darrin Shannon]]
*[[Darryl Shannon]]
*[[Rob Shearer]]
*[[Justin Shugg]]
*[[Patrick Sieloff]]
*[[Jason Simon (ice hockey)|Jason Simon]]
*[[Brad Smith (ice hockey)|Brad Smith]]
*[[D. J. Smith (ice hockey)|D. J. Smith]]
*[[Jason Spezza]]
*[[Cory Stillman]]
*[[Jamie Storr]]
*[[Scott Timmins]]
*[[Gabriel Vilardi]]
*[[Jason Ward (ice hockey)|Jason Ward]]
*[[Todd Warriner]]
*[[Austin Watson]]
*[[Steve Webb (ice hockey)|Steve Webb]]
*[[Mike Weber]]
*[[Eric Wellwood]]
*[[Kyle Wellwood]]
*[[Behn Wilson]]
*[[Garrett Wilson (ice hockey)|Garrett Wilson]]
*[[Shane Wright (ice hockey)|Shane Wright]]
*[[Jason York]]
*[[Jeff Zehr]]
{{Div col end}}

==Season-by-season results==

===Regular season===
* (1975–84, 1989–present) Windsor Spitfires
* (1984–89) Windsor Compuware Spitfires

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

{| class="wikitable"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]] || Games || Won || Lost || Tied || OTL || SL || Points || Pct % || Goals<br />for || Goals<br />{{small|against}} || Standing
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|1971–72||56||21||32||3||-||-||45||0.402||220||266||6th SOJAHL
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|1972–73||60||30||21||9||-||-||69||0.575||286||273||3rd SOJAHL
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|1973–74||62||39||15||8||-||-||86||0.694||379||242||1st SOJAHL
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|1974–75||60||40||15||5||-||-||85||0.708||320||207||1st SOJAHL
|- align="center"
|[[1975–76 OMJHL season|1975–76]]||66||12||50|| 4|| -||-|| 28||0.212||251||470||6th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1976–77 OMJHL season|1976–77]]||66||21||37|| 8|| -||-|| 50||0.379||294||386||5th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1977–78 OMJHL season|1977–78]]||68||36||24|| 8|| -||-|| 80||0.588||338||289||2nd Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1978–79 OMJHL season|1978–79]]||68||32||35|| 1|| -||-|| 65||0.478||323||322||3rd Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1979–80 OMJHL season|1979–80]]||68||36||31|| 1|| -||-|| 73||0.537||323||344||'''1st Emms'''
|- align="center"
|[[1980–81 OHL season|1980–81]]||68||33||33|| 2|| -||-|| 68||0.500||322||337||2nd Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1981–82 OHL season|1981–82]]||68||22||42|| 4|| -||-|| 48||0.353||269||343||6th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1982–83 OHL season|1982–83]]||70||19||50|| 1|| -||-|| 39||0.279||289||394||6th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1983–84 OHL season|1983–84]]||70||22||46|| 2|| -||-|| 46||0.329||280||379||6th Emms
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|[[1984–85 OHL season|1984–85]]||66||28||35|| 3|| -||-|| 59||0.447||267||301||5th Emms
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|[[1985–86 OHL season|1985–86]]||66||34||26|| 6|| -||-|| 74||0.561||280||259||3rd Emms
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|[[1986–87 OHL season|1986–87]]||66||36||25|| 5|| -||-|| 77||0.583||287||249||3rd Emms
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|[[1987–88 OHL season|1987–88]]||66||50||14|| 2|| -||-||102||0.773||396||215||'''1st Emms'''
|- bgcolor="#FFFFCC" align="center"
|[[1988–89 OHL season|1988–89]]||66||25||37|| 4|| -||-|| 54||0.409||272||321||5th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1989–90 OHL season|1989–90]]||66||17||41|| 8|| -||-|| 42||0.318||233||341||8th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1990–91 OHL season|1990–91]]||66||33||29|| 4|| -||-|| 70||0.530||307||279||4th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1991–92 OHL season|1991–92]]||66||25||33|| 8|| -||-|| 58||0.439||272||316||5th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1992–93 OHL season|1992–93]]||66||19||42|| 5|| -||-|| 43||0.326||240||343||8th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1993–94 OHL season|1993–94]]||66||25||36|| 5|| -||-|| 55||0.417||253||298||7th Emms
|- align="center"
|[[1994–95 OHL season|1994–95]]||66||41||22|| 3|| -||-|| 85||0.644||303||232||2nd Western
|- align="center"
|[[1995–96 OHL season|1995–96]]||66||21||41|| 4|| -||-|| 46||0.348||256||312||4th Western
|- align="center"
|[[1996–97 OHL season|1996–97]]||66||29||29|| 8|| -||-|| 66||0.500||303||285||3rd Western
|- align="center"
|[[1997–98 OHL season|1997–98]]||66||19||42|| 5|| -||-|| 43||0.326||261||340||6th Western
|- align="center"
|[[1998–99 OHL season|1998–99]]||68||23||39|| 6|| -||-|| 52||0.382||203||294||5th West
|- align="center"
|[[1999–2000 OHL season|1999–2000]]||68||35||30|| 2|| 1||-|| 73||0.529||213||231||4th West
|- align="center"
|[[2000–01 OHL season|2000–01]]||68||34||22|| 8|| 4||-|| 80||0.559||257||221||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2001–02 OHL season|2001–02]]||68||33||24|| 6|| 5||-|| 77||0.529||253||229||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2002–03 OHL season|2002–03]]||68||37||25|| 5|| 1||-|| 80||0.581||259||221||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2003–04 OHL season|2003–04]]||68||27||30|| 3|| 8||-|| 65||0.419||201||219||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2004–05 OHL season|2004–05]]||68||26||29|| 6|| 7||-|| 65||0.478||223||253||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2005–06 OHL season|2005–06]]||68||32||29||-|| 3|| 4|| 71||0.522||247||253||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2006–07 OHL season|2006–07]]||68||18||43||-|| 2|| 5|| 43||0.316||209||311||5th West
|- align="center"
|[[2007–08 OHL season|2007–08]]||68||41||15||-|| 7|| 5|| 94||0.691||279||205||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2008–09 OHL season|2008–09]]||68||57||10||-|| 0|| 1||115||0.846||311||171||'''1st West'''
|- align="center"
|[[2009–10 OHL season|2009–10]]||68||50||12||-|| 1|| 5||106||0.779||331||203||'''1st West'''
|- align="center"
|[[2010–11 OHL season|2010–11]]||68||39||23||-|| 3|| 3|| 84||0.618||280||247||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2011–12 OHL season|2011–12]]||68||29||32||-|| 5|| 2|| 65||0.478||213||258||4th West
|- align="center"
|[[2012–13 OHL season|2012–13]]||68||26||33||-|| 3|| 6|| 61||0.449||212||278||5th West
|- align="center"
|[[2013–14 OHL season|2013–14]]||68||37||28||-|| 3|| 0|| 77||0.566||249||235||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2014–15 OHL season|2014–15]]||68||24||40||-|| 2|| 2|| 52||0.382||223||305||5th West
|- align="center"
|[[2015–16 OHL season|2015–16]]||68||40||21||-|| 6|| 1|| 87||0.640||253||200||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2016–17 OHL season|2016–17]]||68||41||19||-|| 5|| 3|| 90||0.662||232||185||2nd West
|- align="center"
|[[2017–18 OHL season|2017–18]]||68||32||30||-|| 4|| 2|| 70||0.515||214||224||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2018–19 OHL season|2018–19]]||68||25||33||-|| 5|| 5|| 60||0.441||216||257||4th West
|- align="center"
|[[2019–20 OHL season|2019–20]]||62||34||20||-|| 8|| 0|| 76||0.613||256||233||3rd West
|- align="center"
|[[2020–21 OHL season|2020–21]]||0||0||0||-|| 0|| 0|| 0||0.000||0||0||Season cancelled
|- align="center"
|[[2021–22 OHL season|2021–22]]||68||44||17||-|| 4|| 3|| 95||0.699||305||248||'''1st West'''
|- align="center"
|[[2022–23 OHL season|2022–23]]||68||44||18||-|| 4|| 2|| 94||0.691||320||265||'''1st West'''
|- align="center"
|[[2023–24 OHL season|2023–24]]||68||18||42||-|| 5|| 3|| 44||0.324||247||360||5th West
|- align="center"
|[[2024–25 OHL season|2024–25]]||68||45||17||-|| 4|| 2|| 96||0.706||309||223||'''1st West'''
|}

===Playoffs===
*'''1971–72''' Lost to [[Chatham Maroons]] 4 games to 1 in quarterfinal.
*'''1972–73''' Defeated [[Niagara Falls Flyers (SOJHL)|Niagara Falls Flyers]] 4 games to 3 in quarterfinal.<br />Lost to [[Guelph CMC's]] 4 games to 0 in semifinal.
*'''1973–74''' Defeated [[Detroit Jr. Red Wings]] 4 games to 0 in semifinal.<br />Defeated [[Chatham Maroons]] 4 games to 1 in final. '''SOJHL CHAMPIONS'''<br />Lost to [[Wexford Raiders]] 4 games to 3 in Eastern Centennial Cup quarterfinal.
*'''1974–75''' Defeated [[Detroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL)|Detroit Jr. Red Wings]] 4 games to 1 in semifinal.<br />Lost to [[Guelph CMC's]] 4 games to 3 with 1 tie in final.
*'''1975–76''' Out of playoffs.
*'''1976–77''' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 3 games to 0 in first round.<br />Lost to St. Catharines Fincups 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
*'''1977–78''' Lost to Hamilton Fincups 9 points to 3 in quarterfinals.
*'''1978–79''' Lost to London Knights in a 9 games series in quarterfinals. Series protested and both teams moved on.<br />Eliminated in semifinal round-robin vs. Niagara Falls Flyers and London Knights.
*'''1979–80''' Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 4 games to 1 in quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Brantford Alexanders 4 games to 3 in semifinals.<br />Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in finals.
*'''1980–81''' Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 4 in division semifinals.<br />Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 1 in division finals.
*'''1981–82''' Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 6 points to 4 in first round.<br />Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in quarterfinals.
*'''1982–83''' Lost to North Bay Centennials 6 points to 0 in first round.
*'''1983–84''' Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds 6 points to 0 in first round.
*'''1984–85''' Lost to London Knights 8 points to 0 in first round.
*'''1985–86''' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in first round.<br />Finished quarterfinal round robin vs Guelph Platers and North Bay Centennials in second place (4 points).<br />Lost to Guelph Platers 8 points to 4 in semifinals.
*'''1986–87''' Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in first round.<br />Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 0 in quarterfinals.<br />Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 2 in semifinals.
*'''1987–88''' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in first round.<br />Earned bye through quarterfinals. 1st place in Emms division.<br />Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 0 in semifinals.<br />Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in finals. '''OHL CHAMPIONS'''<br />Finished '''Memorial Cup''' round-robin in first place, earned berth in finals.<br />Lost to Medicine Hat Tigers 7–6 in championship game.
*'''1988–89''' Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in first round.
*'''1989–90''' Out of playoffs.
*'''1990–91''' Defeated London Knights 4 games to 3 in first round.<br />Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in quarterfinals.
*'''1991–92''' Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in first round.
*'''1992–93''' Out of playoffs.
*'''1993–94''' Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in division quarterfinals.
*'''1994–95''' Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in division quarterfinals.<br />Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
*'''1995–96''' Lost to Detroit Whalers 4 games to 3 in division quarterfinals.
*'''1996–97''' Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in division quarterfinals.
*'''1997–98''' Out of playoffs.
*'''1998–99''' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 2–1 in 8th place tiebreaker.<br />Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''1999–2000''' Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference semifinals.
*'''2000–01''' Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
*'''2001–02''' Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semifinals.<br />Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
*'''2002–03''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2003–04''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2004–05''' Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.
*'''2005–06''' Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2006–07''' Out of playoffs.
*'''2007–08''' Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2008–09''' Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.<br />Defeated London Knights 4 games to 1 in conference finals.<br />Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 1 in finals. '''OHL CHAMPIONS'''<br />Finished '''Memorial Cup''' round-robin in fourth place<br />Defeated [[Rimouski Océanic]] 6–4 in tiebreaker.<br />Defeated [[Drummondville Voltigeurs]] 3–2 (OT) in semifinal.<br />Defeated the [[Kelowna Rockets]] 4–1 in the [[Memorial Cup]] final. '''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'''
*'''2009–10''' Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference semifinals.<br />Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in conference finals.<br />Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in finals. '''OHL CHAMPIONS'''<br />Finished '''Memorial Cup''' round-robin in first place.<br />Defeated [[Brandon Wheat Kings]] 9–1 in the [[Memorial Cup]] final. '''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'''
*'''2010–11''' Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference semifinals.<br />Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
*'''2011–12''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2012–13''' Out of playoffs.
*'''2013–14''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2014–15''' Out of playoffs.
*'''2015–16''' Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2016–17''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Gain entrance to [[2017 Memorial Cup]] as host team.<br />Finished '''Memorial Cup''' round-robin in first place.<br />Defeated [[Erie Otters]] 4–3 in [[Memorial Cup]] final. '''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'''
*'''2017–18''' Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2018–19''' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2019–20''' Cancelled.
*'''2020–21''' Cancelled.
*'''2021–22''' Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 2 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference semifinals.<br />Defeated [[Flint Firebirds]] 4 games to 3 in conference finals.<br />Lost to [[Hamilton Bulldogs]] 4 games to 3 in finals.
*'''2022–23''' Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in conference quarterfinals.
*'''2023–24''' Out of playoffs.
*'''2024–25''' Defeated S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 1 in conference quarterfinals.<br />Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in conference semifinals.

==Uniforms and logos==
The new logo features an aggressive, stylized World War II [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] fighter plane set against clouds on a red, white and blue shield with the word "Spitfires" emblazoned prominently in the forefront. The logo preserves the team's primary colours of red and blue, but uses richer, more vibrant hues and adds silver and yellow as secondary colours.

The Spitfires worked with the Ontario Hockey League and [[Reebok]] – official supplier of uniforms to the OHL – in finalizing the new uniform. The new jerseys sport shoulder patches featuring the vintage Spitfire plane encircled by a gold laurel wreath and containing the number 18 to commemorate former Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud. Both the primary logo and shoulder patch designs were collaborations by Marcello Fontana and Shane Potvin, both senior art directors at Hargreaves Stewart.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/windsor-spitfires-going-with-a-new-look-in-december-120065|title=Windsor Spitfires going with a new look in December|website=SooToday.com|publisher=[[Village Media]]|date=November 11, 2008|access-date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>

The Windsor Spitfires use white jerseys on the road until Christmas and at home in the new year and the red jerseys at home until Christmas and on the road in the new year. The Spitfires briefly used a third jersey featuring a white, red and green colour scheme and an alternate logo featuring an airplane flying in front of the [[Ambassador Bridge]]. When the team was also known as the Compuware Spitfires the team's colours were brown and orange, with a logo featuring a Spitfire airplane. The original Spitfires logo featured a maple leaf.

==Arena==
The Spitfires play their home games at the [[WFCU Centre]], an arena located on the east end of Windsor. The WFCU Centre played host to its first Spitfires game on December 11, 2008, against the [[Belleville Bulls]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spitfires to get New Arena |url=http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/news/?sub=&id=2419 |publisher=[[Ontario Hockey League]] |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311002931/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/news/?sub=&id=2419 |archive-date=March 11, 2007 |date=October 7, 2006}}</ref> The Spitfires lost the game 4–0, which also broke a string of 12 home wins the Spitfires had amassed so far that season.

The Spitfires previously played at [[Windsor Arena]], built in 1924 in downtown [[Windsor, Ontario]]. The arena was originally known as the "Border Cities Arena" and was once home to the [[Detroit Red Wings]] of the [[NHL]] prior to 1927. The Windsor Arena, nicknamed "The Barn," was the oldest operating facility in the Canadian Hockey League. It hosted the [[Ontario Hockey League history#All-Star Games|OHL All-Star game]] in 1978, and the [[Memorial Cup]] in 1981. On December 4, 2008, the Windsor Spitfires played their last game at "The Barn" against the [[Guelph Storm]], winning 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=5d38c915-2207-4b64-bcea-7a635c1e0a6b|title=Spits close Barn door|author=Craig Pearson|date=December 5, 2008|website=canada.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206155035/http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=5d38c915-2207-4b64-bcea-7a635c1e0a6b|archive-date=December 6, 2008|access-date=November 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inplaymagazine.com/gallery.php?category_id=18/|title=Last Game at Windsor Arena - Dec 4, 2008|website=inplaymagazine.com|archive-date=July 13, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713040145/http://www.inplaymagazine.com/gallery.php?category_id=18%2F|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Broadcasters==
[[CKLW]] is the current flagship radio station of the Spitfires. It had been a longtime broadcaster of the Spitfires, but dropped the team in the 2002–03 season. After two seasons without a radio broadcaster at all, [[CKUE-FM]] picked up the Spitfires for the 2004-2005 and 2005–2006 seasons, before the team returned to CKLW beginning in the 2006–07 season. Games on CKLW are commentated by Mike Miller and Steve Bell, former on-air CKLW sports anchor.<ref name="ws-cklwspits">{{cite web |title=Broadcast Partners |url=https://chl.ca/ohl-spitfires/broadcast-partners/ |access-date=11 April 2025 |publisher=Windsor Spitfires}}</ref>

On television, Spitfires games are broadcast by [[YourTV Windsor]], a [[community television|community channel]] carried on [[Cogeco]]'s cable system in Windsor. Domenic Papa previously hosted and provided [[color commentator|colour commentary]] for Spitfires games, alongside Bill Kelso on play-by-play and Brian Trenholm with analysis. However, in August 2012, TVCogeco announced that the long-time crew would be replaced for the 2012–13 season.<ref name=ws-tvcreplaced>{{cite web|title=Cogeco drops Spitfires TV crew|url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/Cogeco+drops+Spitfires+crew/7021529/story.html|publisher=The Windsor Star|access-date=9 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805232500/https://windsorstar.com/sports/Cogeco+drops+Spitfires+crew/7021529/story.html|archive-date=August 5, 2012 |last1=Parker |first1=Jim }}</ref> The move to fire the Spitfires' long-time broadcast team was met with backlash and protests from Spitfires fans and other members of Windsor's sports community.<ref name=ws-protests>{{cite web|title=Protest greets Cogeco firings|url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/Protest+greets+Cogeco+firings/7055808/story.html|publisher=The Windsor Star|access-date=9 August 2012}} {{dead link|date=November 2018}}</ref> The current team consists of host Angelo Aversa, [[CKSY-FM]] morning show and former [[London Knights]] studio host Chris McLeod on play-by-play, and former Soo Greyhounds coach Nick Warriner on colour.<ref name="ws-cklwspits" />

==See also==
* [[List of ice hockey teams in Ontario]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://windsorspitfires.com/}}

{{Windsor Spitfires}}
{{OHL}}
{{OPJAHL}}
{{Ontario Sports}}

[[Category:Ontario Hockey League teams]]
[[Category:Sport in Windsor, Ontario]]
[[Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in Ontario]]