The Galt Boys' Hockey Association began a junior A team for the 1943–44 OHA season. The Detroit Red Wings supplied equipment and six players, and asked that former professional player Al Murray be appointed coach, he had coached the
Brantford Lions in the 1942–43 OHA season. The Canadians won 15 of 26 games played in their inaugural OHA season. The team changed their name to the Galt Red Wings the following year, and wore similar uniforms to their
National Hockey League sponsor. During the 1944-45 season,
Gordie Howe played for the team, but only played in one regular-season game. On November 18, 1944, against Hamilton; Howe scored three points. Howe was deemed ineligible to play following that game, and his points in Galt were not counted when Hamilton withdrew from the league. The Galt Red Wings reached the league finals for the
J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1945 and 1947, but lost to
Toronto St. Michael's Majors both times in four consecutive games. Under coach Normie Himes, another former NHLer with the New York Americans, the Red Wings returned to the finals again in 1946-47, led by future Hall of Fame goaltender,
Terry Sawchuk, but lost the finals again in four games to the Majors. In 1947,
Lloyd Pollock who owned the
Windsor Spitfires, convinced the Detroit Red Wings to relocate prospect players from Galt to Windsor. After sponsorship by the Detroit Red Wings was cancelled, Galt affiliated with the
Philadelphia Rockets of the
American Hockey League as of the 1947–48 season, and were renamed the
Galt Rockets. ==National Hockey League alumni==