In 1984, the Kings were granted expansion into the American Junior A United States Hockey League and renamed themselves the Thunder Bay Flyers.

The Hornets were accepted and were granted the right to be the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association's Junior A representation instead of the Flyers.

After a .500 record in their first season, finishing 3rd in the South Division, the Hornets were put out early in the MJHL playoffs.

This allowed for the Thunder Bay Flyers to stack their rosters with local talent instead of share.

From 1987 onward, the TBAHA would allow the Flyers to represent the region in the Centennial Cup playdowns in place of the Hornets (after they officially disbanded).