Editing Windsor Spitfires (section)

==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>