Niagara Falls Flyers
Encyclopedia
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The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey
franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association
. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982.
Both teams were owned by the Emms Family
, and were relocated to Niagara Falls from another city. The Niagara Falls Memorial Arena
was home ice to both teams.
in 1960. The team was affiliated with the Boston Bruins
of the NHL. The Flyers appeared in three Memorial Cups in the 1960s, winning in 1965 and 1968.
for the OHA championship, and the Espanola Eagles to win the George Richardson Memorial Trophy
as eastern Canadian representatives.
The Flyers were runners up to the Memorial Cup
in 1963 played at Edmonton's Arena Gardens. They lost in six games to the Edmonton Oil Kings in a best-of-seven series. Flyers players Dornhoefer and Harmer both suffered broken legs while on the ice.
Game 1 Edmonton 0 vs. Niagara Falls 8
Game 2 Edmonton 7 vs. Niagara Falls 3
Game 3 Edmonton 5 vs. Niagara Falls 2
Game 4 Edmonton 3 vs. Niagara Falls 2
Game 5 Edmonton 2 vs. Niagara Falls 5
Game 6 Edmonton 4 vs. Niagara Falls 3
for the OHA championship. The Memorial Cup
in 1965 was again played at Edmonton's Arena Gardens. They defeated the Oil Kings 4 games to 1 in a best-of-seven rematch series from two years previous. The series was filled with brawls and suspensions, as well as a heavy police presence throughout.
Game 1 Niagara Falls 3 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 2 Niagara Falls 5 vs. Edmonton 1
Game 3 Niagara Falls 1 vs. Edmonton 5
Game 4 Niagara Falls 8 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 5 Niagara Falls 8 vs. Edmonton 1
for the OHA championship, and the Verdun Maple Leafs
for the eastern championship.
The 1968 Memorial Cup
featured two Boston Bruins farm teams playing one another. The Flyers would play the Estevan Bruins on home ice, except for game two at the Montreal Forum
. Game 4 would be the longest in Memorial Cup history, lasting into eight periods. Niagara Falls defeated Estevan in a best-of-seven series in five games.
Game 1 Niagara Falls 7 vs. Estevan 4
Game 2 Niagara Falls 2 vs. Estevan 4
Game 3 Niagara Falls 7 vs. Estevan 4
Game 4 Niagara Falls 4 vs. Estevan 3 (5th OT)
Game 5 Niagara Falls 6 vs. Estevan 0
The Emms Family sold the Flyers in 1972 after it played for 12 seasons. The new owners then relocated the team to Sudbury to become the Sudbury Wolves.
Later the same year, after selling the Flyers, the Emms family bought the St. Catharines Black Hawks team who were the OHA champions the previous year. Four year after buying the Black Hawks, the Emms family relocated them to Niagara Falls in 1976, taking the same name as the previous team. The Emms family later sold this version of the Flyers in 1978. http://www.stcatharineslock3museum.ca/blackhawks.htm http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12547
The second Flyers team played for 4 seasons in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1976 to 1980, and 2 years in the Ontario Hockey League from 1980 to 1982. The Flyers appeared in the OHA finals in 1979, losing to Peterborough. Niagara Falls lost its Flyers team a second time in 1982 when they moved to North Bay to become the Centennials, who have subsequently moved to Saginaw in 2002 to become the Saginaw Spirit.
and Niagara Falls. In total, the Flyers won the Memorial Cup twice in Niagara Falls, and twice in Barrie. and the J. Ross Robertson Cup 3 times each in Barrie and Niagara Falls. The Flyers finished first overall in 1963 & 1965 during the regular season to win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. The second Niagara Falls Flyers team won the western conference Emms Trophy in the 1978–79 playoffs.
, Bill Long and Paul Emms. The Flyers coaches from 1976 to 1982 are listed below.
. Two of those would be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame
.
Bernie Parent
(1963–1965), Mike Gartner
(1976–1979)
Playoffs
Playoffs
from 1960 to 1972, and again from 1976 to 1982. The arena hosted Memorial Cup
games in 1968.
The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982.
Both teams were owned by the Emms Family
Hap Emms
Leighton A. "Hap" Emms was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, owner, general manager and pioneer of the game. Emms was as controversial as he was successful during close to 60 years in hockey...
, and were relocated to Niagara Falls from another city. The Niagara Falls Memorial Arena
Niagara Falls Memorial Arena
The Niagara Falls Memorial Arena is an arena located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It was built in 1950 and has a capacity of approximately 3,000. The arena was home to various ice hockey teams in the past, including the Niagara Falls Thunder and the Niagara Falls Flyers...
was home ice to both teams.
History
The first Flyers team relocated to Niagara Falls from BarrieBarrie Flyers
The Barrie Flyers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1945 to 1960, from Barrie, Ontario.-History:The Barrie Flyers junior team was founded in 1945 by Leighton "Hap" Emms. The franchise was soon affiliated with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Barrie quickly became a...
in 1960. The team was affiliated with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
of the NHL. The Flyers appeared in three Memorial Cups in the 1960s, winning in 1965 and 1968.
1963 Memorial Cup
Niagara Falls won the right to play for the Cup by defeating the Toronto Neil McNeil MaroonsToronto Neil McNeil Maroons
The Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons were a junior ice hockey team in the Metro Junior A League for one season in 1962-63. The Maroons were operated by Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough, Ontario. When St. Michael's College discontinued its hockey program after the 1961-62 season, the...
for the OHA championship, and the Espanola Eagles to win the George Richardson Memorial Trophy
George Richardson Memorial Trophy
The George T. Richardson Memorial Trophy was presented annually from 1932 until 1972 by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" Champions. The trophy is named in honour of George T. Richardson, an Allan Cup winner with Queen’s University in 1909...
as eastern Canadian representatives.
The Flyers were runners up to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1963 played at Edmonton's Arena Gardens. They lost in six games to the Edmonton Oil Kings in a best-of-seven series. Flyers players Dornhoefer and Harmer both suffered broken legs while on the ice.
Game 1 Edmonton 0 vs. Niagara Falls 8
Game 2 Edmonton 7 vs. Niagara Falls 3
Game 3 Edmonton 5 vs. Niagara Falls 2
Game 4 Edmonton 3 vs. Niagara Falls 2
Game 5 Edmonton 2 vs. Niagara Falls 5
Game 6 Edmonton 4 vs. Niagara Falls 3
1965 Memorial Cup
Niagara Falls won the right to play for the Cup by defeating the defending champions Toronto MarlborosToronto Marlboros
The Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989...
for the OHA championship. The Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1965 was again played at Edmonton's Arena Gardens. They defeated the Oil Kings 4 games to 1 in a best-of-seven rematch series from two years previous. The series was filled with brawls and suspensions, as well as a heavy police presence throughout.
Game 1 Niagara Falls 3 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 2 Niagara Falls 5 vs. Edmonton 1
Game 3 Niagara Falls 1 vs. Edmonton 5
Game 4 Niagara Falls 8 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 5 Niagara Falls 8 vs. Edmonton 1
1968 Memorial Cup
Niagara Falls won the right to play for the Cup by defeating the Kitchener RangersKitchener Rangers
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
for the OHA championship, and the Verdun Maple Leafs
Verdun Maple Leafs (hockey)
The Verdun Maple Leafs was the name of three ice hockey clubs that existed in Verdun, Quebec, including a senior hockey team, and two junior teams. The Maple Leafs played home games at the Verdun Auditorium.-History:...
for the eastern championship.
The 1968 Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
featured two Boston Bruins farm teams playing one another. The Flyers would play the Estevan Bruins on home ice, except for game two at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
. Game 4 would be the longest in Memorial Cup history, lasting into eight periods. Niagara Falls defeated Estevan in a best-of-seven series in five games.
Game 1 Niagara Falls 7 vs. Estevan 4
Game 2 Niagara Falls 2 vs. Estevan 4
Game 3 Niagara Falls 7 vs. Estevan 4
Game 4 Niagara Falls 4 vs. Estevan 3 (5th OT)
Game 5 Niagara Falls 6 vs. Estevan 0
Second Flyers
Later the same year, after selling the Flyers, the Emms family bought the St. Catharines Black Hawks team who were the OHA champions the previous year. Four year after buying the Black Hawks, the Emms family relocated them to Niagara Falls in 1976, taking the same name as the previous team. The Emms family later sold this version of the Flyers in 1978. http://www.stcatharineslock3museum.ca/blackhawks.htm http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12547
The second Flyers team played for 4 seasons in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1976 to 1980, and 2 years in the Ontario Hockey League from 1980 to 1982. The Flyers appeared in the OHA finals in 1979, losing to Peterborough. Niagara Falls lost its Flyers team a second time in 1982 when they moved to North Bay to become the Centennials, who have subsequently moved to Saginaw in 2002 to become the Saginaw Spirit.
Championships
The Niagara Falls Flyers are one of a few clubs to win multiple Memorial Cup championships. Also of note, the franchise were repeat champions in different home cities, of BarrieBarrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
and Niagara Falls. In total, the Flyers won the Memorial Cup twice in Niagara Falls, and twice in Barrie. and the J. Ross Robertson Cup 3 times each in Barrie and Niagara Falls. The Flyers finished first overall in 1963 & 1965 during the regular season to win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. The second Niagara Falls Flyers team won the western conference Emms Trophy in the 1978–79 playoffs.
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Coaches
The Flyers from 1960 to 1972 were coached by Hap EmmsHap Emms
Leighton A. "Hap" Emms was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, owner, general manager and pioneer of the game. Emms was as controversial as he was successful during close to 60 years in hockey...
, Bill Long and Paul Emms. The Flyers coaches from 1976 to 1982 are listed below.
- 1976–78 Paul Emms (2)
- 1978–79 Bert TempletonBert TempletonBert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
(2) - 1979–80 Barry BoughnerBarry BoughnerBarry Michael Boughner is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played 20 National Hockey League games with the Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals, going scoreless with 11 penalty minutes....
, F.Stanfield - 1980–81 Paul Gauthier
- 1981–82 Bert TempletonBert TempletonBert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
(2)
Players
A combined total of 82 players from the Niagara Falls Flyers franchises would play in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. Two of those would be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
.
Award winners
- 1962–63 - Wayne Maxner, Red Tilson TrophyRed Tilson TrophyThe Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War...
(Most Outstanding Player), Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
(Scoring Champion) - 1963–64 - Bernie Parent, Dave Pinkney TrophyDave Pinkney TrophyThe Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded to the goaltenders of the team that has the best team goals-against-average in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2009–10 J.P. Anderson & Mickael Audette, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors...
(Lowest Team GAA) - 1964–65 - Bernie Parent, Dave Pinkney TrophyDave Pinkney TrophyThe Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded to the goaltenders of the team that has the best team goals-against-average in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2009–10 J.P. Anderson & Mickael Audette, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors...
(Lowest Team GAA) - 1966–67 - Derek Sanderson, Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
(Scoring Champion) - 1967–68 - Tom Webster, Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
(Scoring Champion), William Hanley TrophyWilliam Hanley TrophyThe William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years...
(Most Sportsmanlike Player)
- 1976–77 - Mike Gartner, Emms Family AwardEmms Family AwardThe Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St...
(Rookie of the Year) - 1978–79 - Nick Ricci, F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA)
- 1981–82 - Ron Meighan, Max Kaminsky TrophyMax Kaminsky TrophyThe Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of...
(Most Outstanding Defenceman)
Hall of Famers
Bernie Parent
Bernard Marcel Parent , better known as Bernie Parent, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, and also spent one season in the World Hockey Association with the...
(1963–1965), Mike Gartner
Mike Gartner
Michael Alfred Gartner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes...
(1976–1979)
NHL alumni
- 1960 to 1972
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- 1976 to 1982
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Regular season 1960–72
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Pct % | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing |
| 1960–61 | 48 | 22 | 21 | 5 | 49 | 0.510 | 165 | 166 | 4th OHA |
| 1961–62 | 50 | 16 | 23 | 11 | 43 | 0.430 | 193 | 193 | 4th OHA |
| 1962–63 | 50 | 31 | 12 | 7 | 69 | 0.690 | 212 | 146 | 1st OHA |
| 1963–64 | 56 | 26 | 22 | 8 | 60 | 0.536 | 207 | 178 | 4th OHA |
| 1964–65 | 56 | 36 | 11 | 9 | 81 | 0.723 | 236 | 168 | 1st OHA |
| 1965–66 | 48 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 56 | 0.583 | 210 | 162 | 3rd OHA |
| 1966–67 | 48 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 56 | 0.583 | 238 | 195 | 2nd OHA |
| 1967–68 | 54 | 32 | 15 | 7 | 71 | 0.657 | 255 | 169 | 4th OHA |
| 1968–69 | 54 | 28 | 24 | 2 | 58 | 0.537 | 223 | 229 | 4th OHA |
| 1969–70 | 54 | 10 | 41 | 3 | 23 | 0.213 | 151 | 313 | 10th OHA |
| 1970–71 | 62 | 11 | 44 | 7 | 29 | 0.234 | 193 | 350 | 10th OHA |
| 1971–72 | 63 | 27 | 27 | 9 | 63 | 0.500 | 280 | 293 | 6th OHA |
Playoffs
- 1960–61 Lost to Guelph Royals 10 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
- 1961–62 Lost to Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 0 in OHA semi-finals.
- 1962–63 Defeated Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 2 in OHA semi-finals.
Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 0 in OHA finals.
Defeated Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons in all-Ontario finals. OHA CHAMPIONS
Defeated Espanola Eagles in Richardson Trophy playoffs.
Lost to Edmonton Oil Kings in Memorial Cup finals. - 1963–64 Lost to Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
- 1964–65 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Received second-round bye.
Defeated Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 2 in finals. OHA CHAMPIONS
Defeated Edmonton Oil Kings in Memorial Cup finals. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS - 1965–66 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
- 1966–67 Defeated London Knights 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 6 in semi-finals. - 1967–68 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 7 in finals. OHA CHAMPIONS
Defeated Verdun Maple Leafs in Richardson Trophy playoffs.
Defeated Estevan Bruins in Memorial Cup finals. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS - 1968–69 Defeated Ottawa 67's 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals.
Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 6 in semi-finals. - 1969–70 Out of playoffs.
- 1970–71 Out of playoffs.
- 1971–72 Lost to Oshawa Generals 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Regular season 1976–82
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Pct % | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing |
| 1976–77 | 66 | 15 | 45 | 6 | 36 | 0.273 | 254 | 370 | 6th Emms |
| 1977–78 | 68 | 17 | 41 | 10 | 44 | 0.324 | 261 | 340 | 6th Emms |
| 1978–79 | 68 | 43 | 21 | 4 | 90 | 0.662 | 361 | 243 | 1st Emms |
| 1979–80 | 68 | 29 | 39 | 0 | 58 | 0.426 | 325 | 355 | 4th Emms |
| 1980–81 | 68 | 30 | 36 | 2 | 62 | 0.456 | 354 | 359 | 4th Emms |
| 1981–82 | 68 | 31 | 34 | 3 | 65 | 0.478 | 311 | 338 | 4th Emms |
Playoffs
- 1976–77 Out of playoffs.
- 1977–78 Out of playoffs.
- 1978–79 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Windsor Spitfires and London Knights in a semi-final round-robin.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 6 in finals. - 1979–80 Defeated London Knights 3 games to 2 in first round.
Lost to Windsor Spitfites 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals. - 1980–81 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 3 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals. - 1981–82 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 6 points to 4 in first round.
Arena
The Niagara Falls Flyers played home games at Niagara Falls Memorial ArenaNiagara Falls Memorial Arena
The Niagara Falls Memorial Arena is an arena located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It was built in 1950 and has a capacity of approximately 3,000. The arena was home to various ice hockey teams in the past, including the Niagara Falls Thunder and the Niagara Falls Flyers...
from 1960 to 1972, and again from 1976 to 1982. The arena hosted Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
games in 1968.
- Niagara Falls Memorial Arena - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide