the hornets were led by former olympics coach don hughes. the hornets won their first two franchise games against the cleveland falcons on november 7, 1936, at the duquesne gardens. during the 1938–39 season, larry aurie replaced don hughes as the second coach in team history. that year don deacon led the iahl with 41 assists and 65 points. in 1940, the hornets won 25 and made the playoffs and advance to the calder cup finals. the hornets were originally the minor-league affiliate of the red wings who won the stanley cup in 1936. larry aurie, a member of that team, was a player-coach and led them to their first appearance in the calder cup finals in 1940 where they were swept in three games by the providence reds.