The original Hornets team was founded in 1960 as the Galt Terriers, playing in the OHA Senior A hockey league.

As the reigning Allan Cup champions, the Terriers represented Canada at the 1962 Ice Hockey World Championships finishing 2nd place, winning the silver medal.

Notable players from that era include, Dave Dryden, Tod Sloan, Darryl Sly and Bill Wylie.

Notable players included Larry Aurie, Clarence Boucher,[3] John Brackenborough, Art Gauthier, Norman Himes, Carl Liscombe, Cliff McBride, Mickey Murray and Jean Pusie.

Galt won another Ontario championship in the 1970–71 season, with the goaltending tandem of Harold Hurley and Ken Broderick.

The Hornets represented Canada at the 1971 Ahearne Cup in Stockholm, finishing in third place behind teams from Russia and Sweden.

Despite the fact that the player's driver's licence and health card listed him as a resident of Toronto, he lived most of the time in Indianapolis, Indiana.