He had also owned the nine-time American Hockey League champion Cleveland Barons, but moved them to Jacksonville, Florida to make room for the Crusaders.

Needham coached the Crusaders to winning records in the first two seasons, but failed to advance past the second playoff round.

Cleveland finished second in the east division despite a losing record, but fell in the first round of the playoffs.

Gary Jarrett was the Crusaders top scorer in their four seasons, playing in 298 games, scoring 104 goals, 119 assists, totalling 223 points.

The last active Crusaders player in major professional hockey was Paul Baxter, who last played the 1986-87 NHL season.