Oshawa Generals
Encyclopedia
{Hockey team|CAN_eng=1
| team = Oshawa Generals
| color = #C60C30
| color text = #FFFFFF
| logo = Oshawa Generals Logo.svg
| logosize = 175px
| city = Oshawa
, Ontario
| league = Ontario Hockey League
| conference = Eastern
| division = East
| founded =
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey
team in the Ontario Hockey League
. They are based in Oshawa
, Ontario
. The team is named for General Motors
, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League
history. Its 166 graduates to the National Hockey League
are second only to the Peterborough Petes
. The Generals have also won the Memorial Cup
four times, and a record twelve Ontario Hockey League Championships, the J. Ross Robertson Cup
.
The Generals have two distinct eras in their history. The original Generals operated from 1937 to 1953. The team went on a hiatus from 1953 to 1962 due to a fire at the Hambly Arena
. The team was resurrected in 1962. Famous alumni of the Generals include Hockey Hall of Fame
rs Bobby Orr
and Alex Delvecchio
, as well as Eric Lindros
, Rick Middleton
and Tony Tanti
. Current NHL players Marc Savard
, Jason Arnott
, Ben Eager
, Nathan Horton
, Cal Clutterbuck
, Michael Del Zotto
, and John Tavares are also Oshawa Generals alumni.
, Bowmanville
, Port Hope
and Cobourg
. The first Oshawa team in the Ontario Hockey Association
junior division began play in the 1908–1909 season, known as the Oshawa Shamrocks. Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman was responsible for organizing the team and bringing junior hockey to Oshawa and was the team's manager for the next 13 seasons.
Success came early to the team reaching the semifinals in 1909. In the 1920s the team enjoyed many successful years, battling against Orillia and Owen Sound. In June 1928, Bradley's Arena burnt to the ground. The team relocated to Whitby until the new Oshawa Arena
was built for 1930.
In the early 1930s the team became known as the Oshawa Majors. The Majors won the OHA title in 1935 versus the Kitchener Greenshirts
, and went on to play the Northern Ontario champion Sudbury Cub Wolves
. In a protest by Kitchener, the title was taken away from Oshawa while games were already underway with Sudbury.
In 1936, different sources name the team as the Majors, the Red Devils, and the Junior G-Men
. This team coached by Bill Hancock and managed by Matt Leyden
played the season against St. Michael's College
, University of Toronto
, Toronto Young Rangers
, Toronto Marlboros
, Toronto Native Sons
and the Toronto Lions
.
In 1937 the Oshawa Generals were born. The team was named after the sponsor, General Motors of Canada
. The Generals put together an unequalled feat of seven consecutive OHA Championships
, and winning three Memorial Cup
s in the same span.
The Generals grew a reputation for treating its players well and signed many young men who would go on to NHL
fame. Players were admitted free to theatres, dancing, wrestling, roller skating and other attractions at the arena. Sponsors gave full scholarships to school and weekly stipends. Through the whole dynasty, the team was managed by Matt Leyden, and its secretary was Neil Hezzlewood. Both men would be inducted in the Oshawa Sports Hall of fame
.
From 1937 to 1944, Oshawa Generals graduated 20 players to become NHL alumni, and another player in David Bauer, who would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in the Builder's Category. NHL alumni from 1937–1944 include; Frank Bennett
, Harvey Bennett, Les Colvin
, Jim Conacher
, Floyd Curry
, Buck Davies, Bob Dawes
, Jim Drummond
, Frank Eddolls
, Bill Ezinicki
, Armand (Bep) Guidolin
, Nick Knott
, Ted Lindsay
, Jud McAtee
, Norm McAtee
, Gus Mortson
, Chuck Scherza
, Ken Smith, Billy "The Kid" Taylor and Wally Wilson
.
burned down. The city and the team lost what had become greatly endeared to themselves; their memories, their arena, and their OHA team.
Donations poured in from many fellow OHA teams and local businessmen. Equipment and other items were dispersed to the all the players attending the training camp to cover individual losses. The Generals, homeless so close to the start of the new season, were unfortunately disbanded.
Salvaged from the disbanded team, General Manager Wren Blair made a Senior B team known as the Oshawa Truckmen, who played in Bowmanville for the 1953–1954 season. The year after, this team would become the Whitby Dunlops
. The Dunlops would go on to be Allan Cup
Champions in 1957 & 1959, and World Champions in 1958.
president Weston Adams
to begin building the new Oshawa Generals. The agreement was made contingent on a new arena being built in Oshawa. The Oshawa Civic Auditorium
would open up in 1964.
In the meantime, the Oshawa Generals were reactivated for the 1962–1963 as a team playing in the Metro Junior A League
. For this year, the team played its home games at Maple Leaf Gardens
. Fundraising for a new arena was well under way at the same time.
The Generals wore red, white and blue jerseys until the 1965–66 season when they adopted the black, gold and white of their parent team, the Boston Bruins.
In 1963 the Metro Junior A league was disbanded, and Oshawa was readmitted in the OHA. Since the Toronto Marlboros
used Maple Leaf Gardens as a home rink, the Generals team played out of nearby Bowmanville for one full season, and part of another.
went on to become a legend in the NHL and to be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame
.
Bobby Orr was discovered by Wren Blair as a 14 year old while playing a game in Gananoque, Ontario
. He was quickly signed to a contract and invited to training camp for the 1962–1963 season. He would commute three hours from Parry Sound for all weekend games he played with the Generals that year. Even so, he was selected to the Metro Junior A League's second all-star team.
During the 1963–64 season (his first full season in Junior A hockey), Bobby Orr scored 29 goals to break the record for most goals by a defenceman, previously held by Jacques Laperrière
. Orr was also selected as a first team all-star defenceman
.
During the 1964–1965 season, the Oshawa Generals moved into their new home at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium
. Bobby Orr broke his own record, scoring 34 goals this season.
The 1965–1966 season would see Oshawa's return to the Memorial Cup
after a 22 years. The Generals were coached that year by former alumnus, Armand "Bep" Guidolin
, who played for Oshawa in the 1942 Memorial Cup, and subsequently made the Boston Bruins of the NHL as a 16 year old. Team captain, Bobby Orr scored 38 goals during the season.
The Generals would defeat their bitter rivals, the St. Catharines Black Hawks
, in quarter-finals, before eliminating the Montreal Junior Canadiens in semi-finals, and winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup
as OHA CHAMPIONS versus the Kitchener Rangers
.
The Generals then outscored the Northern Ontario Junior A champion North Bay Trappers
by a combined score of 43-9 to win the series in 4 games, and then defeated Shawinigan Bruins in 3 games to be the Eastern Canadian representative for the Memorial Cup.
In the Memorial Cup series Orr played injured through most games, but the team played hard only to lose to Edmonton Oil Kings in 6 games.
After the season ended, many players graduated from the team and moved on. Bobby Orr would go on to the Bruins for next season. Wren Blair would become General Manager of the Minnesota North Stars. Coach Bep Guidolin
returned to coaching in Thorold.
After many dismal seasons through the late 1960s and 1970s the Generals started to rebuild for the Memorial Cup. In 1979 the Generals hired coach Paul Theriault, who would lead the team to 9 consecutive winning seasons, including two Memorial Cup appearances.
In 1983 the Generals returned to the Memorial Cup after a 17 year absence, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
for their 9th J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Memorial Cup that year would be played in Portland, Oregon
. The Generals lost in the finals to the host team Portland Winter Hawks
in the final game by a score of 8-3. That year's team captain, Joe Cirella
, would go on to play 16 years as an NHL defenceman
.
. Bruce was 18 years old.
The Generals would wear black arm bands for the remainder of the season in memoriam of their teammate they nicknamed "Moose." The club would also no longer issue his uniform # 9. A memorial scholarship was set up at his former high school in New Brunswick.
Melanson's hard hitting and aggressive style led him to be selected by New York Islanders in the second round (41st overall) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
In 1987 the OHL organized a Super Series for the right to host the Memorial Cup tournament between the Leyden Division champion
Oshawa Generals, and the Emms Division champion
North Bay Centennials
. The super series was played before the OHL playoffs commenced. Oshawa defeated North Bay 4 games to 3 for the right to host the Memorial Cup. Oshawa also won the OHL championship series defeating North Bay 4 games to 3. Since Oshawa won both the Super Series and the OHL Championship, only three teams participated in the Memorial Cup
Oshawa reached the finals versus the Medicine Hat Tigers
, but lost 6-2 in the championship game.
came to the Generals via a trade with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
. He refused to play for the team which made him the first overall draft pick, an event which would bring prosperity to both hockey clubs in the near future.
After playing the Canadian National Team, Lindros started his rookie year with the Generals in 1989–1990. In only 25 games he would score 17 goals, and get 19 assists for 36 points. The same year in the playoffs, Eric scored 18 goals and 18 assists in only 17 games. It was the extra boost the Generals needed to reach the Memorial Cup, when added to the existing core of players captained by Iain Fraser
.
In 1990 Copps Coliseum
hosted the Memorial Cup
. The Generals would compete against the Kamloops Blazers
, Laval Titan
, and OHL runners-up Kitchener Rangers
. The championship game on May 13, 1990 attracted 17,383 spectators. The Oshawa Generals defeated the Kitchener Rangers by a score of 4 to 3 in double overtime
on a goal by Bill Armstrong to win the 4th Memorial Cup in Oshawa Generals history.
The 1990–1991 season had many high expectation for the Generals to repeat as Champions. Lindros would be chosen first overall in the NHL draft by the Quebec Nordiques
. In 57 regular season game he would score 71 goals and 78 assists. As ironic as sports can be, the Generals lost the OHL final that year to Eric's draft team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
coached by Ted Nolan
.
The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard
.
The Generals participated in the 1997 Memorial Cup
in Hull, Quebec, in which they finished third in the round-robin and lost in the semi-final to the Lethbridge Hurricanes
.
Future NHL players from 1997 were: Marc Savard
, John Tripp
, Ian MacNeil
, Kevin Colley
, Dan Hinote
, Jeff Ware
, Bryan Allen, Jeff MacMillan
& Ty Garner.
In 2005 the Oshawa Generals drafted a 14 year old named John Tavares first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. He was granted exceptional player status by the OHL allowing him to be drafted one year earlier than normal. The Generals worked to build another championship team centred around Tavares. Other building blocks added to the team included Dale Mitchell, Cal Clutterbuck
, Brett MacLean, one of the youngest players in the OHL; goaltender Anthony Peters, and evenutally Calvin de Haan
.
The new ownership also brought to an end the Generals era playing in the Civic Auditorium. Led by Oshawa Mayor John Gray
, the Generals were able to call a new arena in downtown Oshawa their home. The team moved into the General Motors Centre on November 1, 2006, and played the inaugural game on November 3, 2006 against the Owen Sound Attack
.
After topping scoring boards and points lists with the Generals for three and a half seasons, John Tavares was traded to the London Knights
on January 8, 2009, and a new crop of young talent was brought onto the Generals team. Christian Thomas, Scott Valentine, and Michael Zador, along with several draft picks were part of the Tavares deal. Other additions included Tony DeHart and Lucas Lessio, a result of one of London's draft picks that was traded to the Gens.
In July 2008, the Oshawa Generals Executive Team announced a change of ownership structure with Rocco Tullio of Windsor, Ontario agreeing to terms and conditions with John Davies to acquire his remaining shares of the Oshawa Generals. In January 2010, Tullio welcomed two new partners as owners – former National Hockey League star and Stanley Cup
Champion Adam Graves
and former Championship OHL Coach and Manager Peter DeBoer
.
Championships, the most of the OHL's history. Oshawa also has won 4 Memorial Cup
Championships.
J. Ross Robertson Cup
Ontario Hockey League Championship
George Richardson Memorial Trophy
Eastern Canadian Championship
Memorial Cup
Canadian Hockey League Championship
Coaches of the year;
Matt Leyden Trophy
winners.
The Oshawa Generals have graduated 166 young men onto the NHL, third behind the Toronto Marlboros and the Peterborough Petes. Five of those players have been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
ceremony on November 11, 2006. Tilson was the league's leading scorer in 1942–43, who died during combat in World War II
. The Red Tilson Trophy
for the OHL's most outstanding player, is named in his honour. Eric Lindros
' # 88 was retired on March 6, 2008. Bobby Orr
's # 2 was officially retired on November 27, 2008, after having been out of circulation since Orr moved onto the NHL in 1966.
Honoured numbers
Bruce Melanson was last player to wear # 9. It was taken out of circulation after his death, then later retired for Red Tilson.
The Oshawa Generals have won 3 Hamilton Spectator trophies for finishing first overall in the OHL regular season standings, and 3 Leyden trophies for finishing first overall in the eastern division OHL regular season standings.
Playoffs
The Oshawa Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson Cups as the OHL / OHA playoff champions, and won 4 Memorial Cups as the CHL / CAHA champions.
The current version of the Oshawa Generals uniforms has been in use since the 1989–90 season. The team has announced an updated logo to coincide with moving into a new arena. The new logo cresting will be triple layered as opposed to the single layer. Players' names and numbers with have double cresting. Currently, only a white and red version have been released.
The Oshawa Generals have also issued two throwback style jerseys in the recent past. During alumni week for the 2001–02 season, the Generals wore a jersey based on the 'Bruins" style worn in the 1965–66 season, when Bobby Orr skated for the club. For two seasons from 2004–05 to 2005–06 the Generals "red" jersey was replaced by a jersey based on the style worn during the 1939, 1940 and 1944 Memorial Cup winning seasons, featuring the square "GM" logo.
From 1928–1930 the team played out of nearby Whitby until the Hambly Arena was constructed. When the Hambly Arena burned down in 1953 the Oshawa Generals were disbanded. When the team was resurrected in 1962 they played both at Maple Leaf Gardens
and also in the Bowmanville Community Arena (now demolished) for two seasons until moving until the Civic Auditorium.
and Children's Arena. Since the curling club controlled its use and thus when games could or could not be played, a new location was sought.
A new outdoor rink was built 4 blocks away, where the present day Oshawa Armouries stand at the corner of Simcoe St. and Richmond St. This would be the team's home until 1908.
The arena was packed to the rafters many nights when Oshawa played there for the 1920s league championships versus Orillia and Owen Sound
. In June 1928, the predominantly wooden structure succumbed to an overnight fire.
) opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin
. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for hockey in Oshawa. Shortly after training camp in 1953, the arena would suffer the same demise as its predecessor and burned to the ground on September 15.
The Oshawa Civic Auditorium
opened in 1964, built on fundraising by citizens of Oshawa. The first scheduled OHA game was December 15, 1964 vs. the St. Catharines Black Hawks. The Generals prevailed by a score of 6 to 4 in front of 4,109 fans attending the game.
In 1987 the Civic Auditorium played host to the Memorial Cup. The Generals contested for the cup against the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Longueiul Chévaliers.
The last championship the Generals won was played at the Civic in May 1997. The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard
.
The Generals played the first five home games of the 2006–07 season in the Civic Auditorium before moving into their new arena. The final game played was October 29, 2006 versus the Kingston Frontenacs
, the Generals won 8 to 6.
On March 10, 2005, Oshawa City Council approved what was then known as the "Downtown Sports & Entertainment Facility Project" after many years of waiting for a new arena. Groundbreaking for the new facility at the corner of Athol and Mary Streets in downtown Oshawa took place on June 22, 2005. The building is operated by Global Spectrum Facility Management.
On October 5, 2006, the Oshawa Generals announced a naming rights
deal which will see the arena named the General Motors Centre. The inaugural game was played November 3, 2006, against the Owen Sound Attack
.
| team = Oshawa Generals
| color = #C60C30
| color text = #FFFFFF
| logo = Oshawa Generals Logo.svg
| logosize = 175px
| city = Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
| league = Ontario Hockey League
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....
| conference = Eastern
Eastern Conference (OHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the Ontario Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
| division = East
| founded =
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...
team in the Ontario Hockey League
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....
. They are based in Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The team is named for General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
history. Its 166 graduates to the National Hockey League
National 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...
are second only to the Peterborough Petes
Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
. The Generals have also won 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...
four times, and a record twelve Ontario Hockey League Championships, the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
.
The Generals have two distinct eras in their history. The original Generals operated from 1937 to 1953. The team went on a hiatus from 1953 to 1962 due to a fire at the Hambly Arena
Hambly Arena
The Hambly Arena, originally known as the Oshawa Arena, opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for ice hockey in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada...
. The team was resurrected in 1962. Famous alumni of the Generals include 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...
rs Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
and Alex Delvecchio
Alex Delvecchio
Alexander Peter "Fats" Delvecchio is a former ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.After playing a single junior league season for the Oshawa Generals of the OHA Delvecchio joined the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League for the 1952 season, and helped the team to...
, as well as Eric Lindros
Eric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
, Rick Middleton
Rick Middleton
Richard David "Nifty" Middleton is a former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
and Tony Tanti
Tony Tanti
Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks...
. Current NHL players Marc Savard
Marc Savard
Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...
, Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
, Ben Eager
Ben Eager
Benjamin Eager is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton
Nathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
, Cal Clutterbuck
Cal Clutterbuck
Calvin Shane Clutterbuck, is a Canadian ice hockey winger currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He is notable for having "the prototypical hockey player name" according to Don Cherry....
, Michael Del Zotto
Michael Del Zotto
Michael Del Zotto is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the New York Rangers.-Early career:...
, and John Tavares are also Oshawa Generals alumni.
Early Years: The Beginning (1908–1937)
Prior to 1908, Oshawa belonged to the Midland Hockey League. It competed against other teams from WhitbyWhitby, Ontario
Whitby is a town in Durham Region. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is home to the headquarters of Durham Region...
, Bowmanville
Bowmanville, Ontario
Bowmanville is the largest community in the Municipality of Clarington in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario about 75 km east of Toronto and 15 km east of Oshawa along Highway 2...
, Port Hope
Port Hope, Ontario
Port Hope is a municipality in Southern Ontario, Canada, about east of Toronto and about west of Kingston. It is located at the mouth of the Ganaraska River on the north shore of Lake Ontario, in the west end of Northumberland County...
and Cobourg
Cobourg, Ontario
Cobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario 95 km east of Toronto. It is the largest town in Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It is located along Highway 401 and the former Highway 2...
. The first Oshawa team in the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League history
The roots of the Ontario Hockey League began with the Ontario Hockey Association which formed in 1890. Since then, there have been four major eras of distinction in levels of junior ice hockey. The OHA first organized a Junior division in 1892...
junior division began play in the 1908–1909 season, known as the Oshawa Shamrocks. Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman was responsible for organizing the team and bringing junior hockey to Oshawa and was the team's manager for the next 13 seasons.
Success came early to the team reaching the semifinals in 1909. In the 1920s the team enjoyed many successful years, battling against Orillia and Owen Sound. In June 1928, Bradley's Arena burnt to the ground. The team relocated to Whitby until the new Oshawa Arena
Hambly Arena
The Hambly Arena, originally known as the Oshawa Arena, opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for ice hockey in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada...
was built for 1930.
In the early 1930s the team became known as the Oshawa Majors. The Majors won the OHA title in 1935 versus the Kitchener Greenshirts
Kitchener Greenshirts
The Kitchener Greenshirts name has been used by five separate ice hockey teams playing in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. These include one 'Senior A' level hockey team, two 'Junior A' level teams, and two 'Junior B' level teams...
, and went on to play the Northern Ontario champion Sudbury Cub Wolves
Sudbury Wolves (disambiguation)
Sudbury Wolves could mean:* Sudbury Wolves, a team in the Ontario Hockey League.* Sudbury Jr. Wolves, a team in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.* Sudbury Wolves , a defunct team in the Eastern Professional Hockey League....
. In a protest by Kitchener, the title was taken away from Oshawa while games were already underway with Sudbury.
In 1936, different sources name the team as the Majors, the Red Devils, and the Junior G-Men
Junior G-Men
Junior G-Men was an American boys club and popular culture phenomenon during the late 1930s and early 1940s that began with a radio program and culminated with films featuring the Dead End Kids.-Origins:...
. This team coached by Bill Hancock and managed by Matt Leyden
Matt Leyden Trophy
The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club...
played the season against St. Michael's College
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
, University of Toronto
Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team
The Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team is an ice hockey team operated by the Varsity Blues athletics program of the University of Toronto. The Varsity Blues senior team won the Allan Cup in 1921 and 1927, and won the gold medal for Canada at the 1928 Winter Olympics.The Blues play in the Ontario...
, Toronto Young Rangers
Toronto Young Rangers
The Toronto Young Rangers were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from the league's early days until 1948. They played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto...
, Toronto Marlboros
Toronto 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...
, Toronto Native Sons
Toronto Native Sons
The Toronto Native Sons were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1933 until 1942. They played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Prior to moving up to the OHA, the team played in the "Toronto Junior Hockey League." Coached by Harold Cotton, the Native Sons were league...
and the Toronto Lions
Toronto Lions
The Toronto Lions were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1931 to 1939. They played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto and were coached by Eddie Livingstone...
.
OHA Dynasty (1937–1944)
General Motors Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited is General Motors' Canadian division. Its national headquarters office, Canadian Regional Engineering Centre, and main manufacturing plants are located in Oshawa, Ontario. GM Canada is 100% owned by GM.As of Apr...
. The Generals put together an unequalled feat of seven consecutive OHA Championships
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
, and winning three 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...
s in the same span.
The Generals grew a reputation for treating its players well and signed many young men who would go on to NHL
National 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...
fame. Players were admitted free to theatres, dancing, wrestling, roller skating and other attractions at the arena. Sponsors gave full scholarships to school and weekly stipends. Through the whole dynasty, the team was managed by Matt Leyden, and its secretary was Neil Hezzlewood. Both men would be inducted in the Oshawa Sports Hall of fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
.
From 1937 to 1944, Oshawa Generals graduated 20 players to become NHL alumni, and another player in David Bauer, who would be inducted into 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...
in the Builder's Category. NHL alumni from 1937–1944 include; Frank Bennett
Frank Bennett
Frank Bennett is an Australian jazz singer whose stage name is formed from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett...
, Harvey Bennett, Les Colvin
Les Colvin
Leslie Charles Colvin was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the Boston Bruins during the 1948–49 NHL season.-External links:...
, Jim Conacher
Jim Conacher
James Conacher is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward. He was born in Motherwell, Scotland, United Kingdom and raised in Toronto, Ontario....
, Floyd Curry
Floyd Curry
Floyd James "Busher" Curry was a Canadian ice hockey right winger....
, Buck Davies, Bob Dawes
Bob Dawes
Robert James "Bobby" Dawes was a professional Canadian ice hockey defenceman....
, Jim Drummond
Jim Drummond
James Henry Drummond is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played in the NHL for the New York Rangers.-External links:...
, Frank Eddolls
Frank Eddolls
Frank Herbert Eddolls was a defenceman in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, and coached the Chicago Black Hawks in 1954–55...
, Bill Ezinicki
Bill Ezinicki
William "Wild Bill" Ezinicki is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs , the Boston Bruins , and the New York Rangers of the NHL....
, Armand (Bep) Guidolin
Bep Guidolin
Armand "Bep" Guidolin was a Canadian National Hockey League player. He was born in Thorold, Ontario. He and Eleanor, his wife of 62 years, had four children....
, Nick Knott
Nick Knott
William Nickolas Earl Knott was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 19 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Americans. He was born in Kingston, Ontario.-References:*...
, Ted Lindsay
Ted Lindsay
Robert Blake Theodore Lindsay is a former professional ice hockey player, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League . He scored over 800 points in his Hockey Hall of Fame career, won the Art Ross Trophy in 1950, and won the Stanley Cup four times...
, Jud McAtee
Jud McAtee
Jerome F. "Jud" McAtee was a professional ice hockey player who played 46 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings...
, Norm McAtee
Norm McAtee
Norm Joseph McAtee was a professional ice hockey player who played 13 games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins...
, Gus Mortson
Gus Mortson
James Angus Gerald "Old Hardrock" Mortson is a former NHL defenceman.-Awards and achievements:*1947 Stanley Cup Championship *1948 Stanley Cup Championship...
, Chuck Scherza
Chuck Scherza
Chuck Scherza is a former professional ice hockey player who played 11 seasons in the American Hockey League, winning a Calder Cup championship in 1949. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba.-Awards and achievements:...
, Ken Smith, Billy "The Kid" Taylor and Wally Wilson
Wally Wilson (ice hockey)
Wallace Lloyd Wilson was a professional ice hockey player who played 53 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins.- References :...
.
The Fire (1953)
In September 1953 a great tragedy struck in Oshawa when Hambly's ArenaHambly Arena
The Hambly Arena, originally known as the Oshawa Arena, opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for ice hockey in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada...
burned down. The city and the team lost what had become greatly endeared to themselves; their memories, their arena, and their OHA team.
Donations poured in from many fellow OHA teams and local businessmen. Equipment and other items were dispersed to the all the players attending the training camp to cover individual losses. The Generals, homeless so close to the start of the new season, were unfortunately disbanded.
Salvaged from the disbanded team, General Manager Wren Blair made a Senior B team known as the Oshawa Truckmen, who played in Bowmanville for the 1953–1954 season. The year after, this team would become the Whitby Dunlops
Whitby Dunlops
The Whitby Dunlops are a team in Major League Hockey. Two previous teams have also played as the Whitby Dunlops. The first was an OHA Senior team from 1954 to 1960. The second was a junior team from 1962 to 1963....
. The Dunlops would go on to be Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
Champions in 1957 & 1959, and World Champions in 1958.
Rebirth of the Generals (1962)
In 1960, Wren Blair began negotiations with Boston BruinsBoston 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...
president Weston Adams
Weston Adams
Weston W. Adams was the director of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and son of fellow Hall-of-Famer Charles Adams....
to begin building the new Oshawa Generals. The agreement was made contingent on a new arena being built in Oshawa. The Oshawa Civic Auditorium
Oshawa Civic Auditorium
The Oshawa Civic Auditorium was a 3,625–seat multi-purpose arena in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The recreational complex was financed by donations from the community, including United Auto Workers members. It opened in 1964, and was home to the Oshawa Generals ice hockey team of the Ontario Hockey...
would open up in 1964.
In the meantime, the Oshawa Generals were reactivated for the 1962–1963 as a team playing in the Metro Junior A League
Metro Junior A League
The Metro Junior A League was a junior ice hockey league created in 1961 by Toronto Maple Leafs owner Stafford Smythe in an attempt to rival the OHA, and act as a farm system for his NHL team. The league operated for two seasons from 1961 to 1963...
. For this year, the team played its home games at Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
. Fundraising for a new arena was well under way at the same time.
The Generals wore red, white and blue jerseys until the 1965–66 season when they adopted the black, gold and white of their parent team, the Boston Bruins.
In 1963 the Metro Junior A league was disbanded, and Oshawa was readmitted in the OHA. Since the Toronto Marlboros
Toronto 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...
used Maple Leaf Gardens as a home rink, the Generals team played out of nearby Bowmanville for one full season, and part of another.
The Bobby Orr Years (1962–1966)
The greatest player ever to wear an Oshawa Generals uniform, Bobby OrrBobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
went on to become a legend in the NHL and to be inducted 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...
.
Bobby Orr was discovered by Wren Blair as a 14 year old while playing a game in Gananoque, Ontario
Gananoque, Ontario
Gananoque is a town in Leeds and Grenville County, Ontario, Canada. The town had a population of 5,287 year-round residents in the Canada 2006 Census, as well as summer residents sometimes referred to as "Islanders" because of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River, Gananoque's most...
. He was quickly signed to a contract and invited to training camp for the 1962–1963 season. He would commute three hours from Parry Sound for all weekend games he played with the Generals that year. Even so, he was selected to the Metro Junior A League's second all-star team.
During the 1963–64 season (his first full season in Junior A hockey), Bobby Orr scored 29 goals to break the record for most goals by a defenceman, previously held by Jacques Laperrière
Jacques Laperriere
Joseph Jacques Hughes Laperrière is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. Orr was also selected as a first team all-star defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
.
During the 1964–1965 season, the Oshawa Generals moved into their new home at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium
Oshawa Civic Auditorium
The Oshawa Civic Auditorium was a 3,625–seat multi-purpose arena in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The recreational complex was financed by donations from the community, including United Auto Workers members. It opened in 1964, and was home to the Oshawa Generals ice hockey team of the Ontario Hockey...
. Bobby Orr broke his own record, scoring 34 goals this season.
The 1965–1966 season would see Oshawa's return 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...
after a 22 years. The Generals were coached that year by former alumnus, Armand "Bep" Guidolin
Bep Guidolin
Armand "Bep" Guidolin was a Canadian National Hockey League player. He was born in Thorold, Ontario. He and Eleanor, his wife of 62 years, had four children....
, who played for Oshawa in the 1942 Memorial Cup, and subsequently made the Boston Bruins of the NHL as a 16 year old. Team captain, Bobby Orr scored 38 goals during the season.
The Generals would defeat their bitter rivals, the St. Catharines Black Hawks
St. Catharines Black Hawks
The St. Catharines Black Hawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1962 to 1976. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, in quarter-finals, before eliminating the Montreal Junior Canadiens in semi-finals, and winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
as OHA CHAMPIONS versus the Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener 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...
.
The Generals then outscored the Northern Ontario Junior A champion North Bay Trappers
by a combined score of 43-9 to win the series in 4 games, and then defeated Shawinigan Bruins in 3 games to be the Eastern Canadian representative for the Memorial Cup.
In the Memorial Cup series Orr played injured through most games, but the team played hard only to lose to Edmonton Oil Kings in 6 games.
After the season ended, many players graduated from the team and moved on. Bobby Orr would go on to the Bruins for next season. Wren Blair would become General Manager of the Minnesota North Stars. Coach Bep Guidolin
Bep Guidolin
Armand "Bep" Guidolin was a Canadian National Hockey League player. He was born in Thorold, Ontario. He and Eleanor, his wife of 62 years, had four children....
returned to coaching in Thorold.
9th Championship (1983)
In 1983 the Generals returned to the Memorial Cup after a 17 year absence, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
for their 9th J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Memorial Cup that year would be played in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. The Generals lost in the finals to the host team Portland Winter Hawks
Portland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
in the final game by a score of 8-3. That year's team captain, Joe Cirella
Joe Cirella
Joseph Cirella is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in 828 games in the National Hockey League...
, would go on to play 16 years as an NHL defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
.
Tragedy on the Generals (1985)
During an early season practice, Bruce Melanson left the ice feeling very weak. Within a few minutes he collapsed, succumbing to a rare heart disease known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndromeWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome is a disorder of the heart in which the ventricles of the heart contract prematurely due to an accessory pathway known as the bundle of Kent. This accessory pathway is an abnormal electrical communication from the atria to the ventricles...
. Bruce was 18 years old.
The Generals would wear black arm bands for the remainder of the season in memoriam of their teammate they nicknamed "Moose." The club would also no longer issue his uniform # 9. A memorial scholarship was set up at his former high school in New Brunswick.
Melanson's hard hitting and aggressive style led him to be selected by New York Islanders in the second round (41st overall) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
Hosting the Memorial Cup (1987)
The 1986–1987 season saw the Generals set a team record with 101 points for the season. It would also see the Generals playing on home ice in the Memorial Cup, as the host city and as the OHL Champions.In 1987 the OHL organized a Super Series for the right to host the Memorial Cup tournament between the Leyden Division champion
Leyden Trophy
The Leyden Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Leyden Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the East Division...
Oshawa Generals, and the Emms Division champion
Emms Trophy
The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners...
North Bay Centennials
North Bay Centennials
The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:...
. The super series was played before the OHL playoffs commenced. Oshawa defeated North Bay 4 games to 3 for the right to host the Memorial Cup. Oshawa also won the OHL championship series defeating North Bay 4 games to 3. Since Oshawa won both the Super Series and the OHL Championship, only three teams participated in the Memorial Cup
Oshawa reached the finals versus the Medicine Hat Tigers
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
, but lost 6-2 in the championship game.
Eric Lindros and a 4th Memorial Cup (1989–1991)
Eric LindrosEric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
came to the Generals via a trade with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
. He refused to play for the team which made him the first overall draft pick, an event which would bring prosperity to both hockey clubs in the near future.
After playing the Canadian National Team, Lindros started his rookie year with the Generals in 1989–1990. In only 25 games he would score 17 goals, and get 19 assists for 36 points. The same year in the playoffs, Eric scored 18 goals and 18 assists in only 17 games. It was the extra boost the Generals needed to reach the Memorial Cup, when added to the existing core of players captained by Iain Fraser
Iain Fraser (ice hockey)
Iain James Fraser is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the ninth round, 233rd overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft....
.
In 1990 Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...
hosted 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...
. The Generals would compete against the Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
, Laval Titan
Laval Titan
The Laval Titan was one of the names used by a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise that played in Laval, Quebec, between 1971 and 1998.-History:...
, and OHL runners-up Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener 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...
. The championship game on May 13, 1990 attracted 17,383 spectators. The Oshawa Generals defeated the Kitchener Rangers by a score of 4 to 3 in double overtime
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
on a goal by Bill Armstrong to win the 4th Memorial Cup in Oshawa Generals history.
The 1990–1991 season had many high expectation for the Generals to repeat as Champions. Lindros would be chosen first overall in the NHL draft by the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
. In 57 regular season game he would score 71 goals and 78 assists. As ironic as sports can be, the Generals lost the OHL final that year to Eric's draft team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
coached by Ted Nolan
Ted Nolan
Theodore John Nolan is currently the Head Coach of Latvia men's national ice hockey team...
.
12th OHL Championship (1997)
The Generals would set the benchmark for other OHL teams by winning their 12th J. Ross Roberston Cup in 1997. The most recent championship the Generals won was played at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium Tuesday, May 6, 1997.The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard
Marc Savard
Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...
.
The Generals participated in the 1997 Memorial Cup
1997 Memorial Cup
The 1997 Memorial Cup occurred May 10-18 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Hull, Quebec. Participating teams were the host Hull Olympiques, who were also the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as well as the QMJHL runner-up Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and the winners of the Ontario Hockey...
in Hull, Quebec, in which they finished third in the round-robin and lost in the semi-final to the Lethbridge Hurricanes
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
.
Future NHL players from 1997 were: Marc Savard
Marc Savard
Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...
, John Tripp
John Tripp (ice hockey)
John Tripp is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kölner Haie of the DEL.-Playing career:...
, Ian MacNeil
Ian MacNeil (ice hockey)
Ian MacNeil is a professional ice hockey player. He played two NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2002–03 season....
, Kevin Colley
Kevin Colley
Kevin Colley is a retired American ice hockey right winger who played for the New York Islanders of the NHL, and currently is the head coach of the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. Colley was signed as a free agent by the Islanders on June 11, 2004...
, Dan Hinote
Dan Hinote
Daniel Chester Hinote is a former professional ice hockey player and current assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. He finished his playing career playing for Modo Hockey of the Swedish Elitserien...
, Jeff Ware
Jeff Ware (ice hockey)
Jeff Ware is a former National Hockey League defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. Ware played his junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, where he won the league championship in 1997...
, Bryan Allen, Jeff MacMillan
Jeff MacMillan
Jeff MacMillan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the UHL. MacMillan began his career in 1996, icing for the junior team the Oshawa Generals in the OHL. MacMillan stayed with the Generals for three years, making almost 170...
& Ty Garner.
New Ownership, New Home (2004 to present)
In 2004, John Davies purchased the team from the previous owner John Humphreys. This marked the beginning of a new era for the team, as the Humphreys family had owned the team since its resurrection in 1962.In 2005 the Oshawa Generals drafted a 14 year old named John Tavares first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. He was granted exceptional player status by the OHL allowing him to be drafted one year earlier than normal. The Generals worked to build another championship team centred around Tavares. Other building blocks added to the team included Dale Mitchell, Cal Clutterbuck
Cal Clutterbuck
Calvin Shane Clutterbuck, is a Canadian ice hockey winger currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He is notable for having "the prototypical hockey player name" according to Don Cherry....
, Brett MacLean, one of the youngest players in the OHL; goaltender Anthony Peters, and evenutally Calvin de Haan
Calvin de Haan
Calvin de Haan is a Canadian major junior ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League . He was selected 12th overall by the New York Islanders during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft...
.
The new ownership also brought to an end the Generals era playing in the Civic Auditorium. Led by Oshawa Mayor John Gray
John Gray (Oshawa politician)
-Background:John Gray was raised in Whitby, Ontario where his love for politics began; on various occasions, local neighbours would telephone Gray's parents to alert them of his unusually regular attendance at local council meetings....
, the Generals were able to call a new arena in downtown Oshawa their home. The team moved into the General Motors Centre on November 1, 2006, and played the inaugural game on November 3, 2006 against the Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
.
After topping scoring boards and points lists with the Generals for three and a half seasons, John Tavares was traded to the London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
on January 8, 2009, and a new crop of young talent was brought onto the Generals team. Christian Thomas, Scott Valentine, and Michael Zador, along with several draft picks were part of the Tavares deal. Other additions included Tony DeHart and Lucas Lessio, a result of one of London's draft picks that was traded to the Gens.
In July 2008, the Oshawa Generals Executive Team announced a change of ownership structure with Rocco Tullio of Windsor, Ontario agreeing to terms and conditions with John Davies to acquire his remaining shares of the Oshawa Generals. In January 2010, Tullio welcomed two new partners as owners – former National Hockey League star and Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Champion Adam Graves
Adam Graves
Adam Graves is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...
and former Championship OHL Coach and Manager Peter DeBoer
Peter DeBoer
Peter DeBoer is the head coach of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and current part-owner of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League...
.
Championships
The Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson CupJ. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
Championships, the most of the OHL's history. Oshawa also has won 4 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...
Championships.
Hamilton Spectator Trophy Hamilton Spectator Trophy The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58.... First overall in the OHL regular season standings.
|
Leyden Trophy Leyden Trophy The Leyden Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Leyden Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the East Division... First overall in the Eastern Division regular season standings.
|
J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
Ontario Hockey League Championship
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Kitchener 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... Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey... North Bay Centennials The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:... Kitchener 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... Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey... Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:... |
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...
Eastern Canadian Championship
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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...
Canadian Hockey League Championship
|
Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena.... Kitchener 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... |
Coaches
The Oshawa Generals have had several coaches who have also coached in the NHL as head coaches and assistant coaches. Those of note are Charlie Conacher, Armand (Bep) Guidolin, Bill White, Paul Theriault, Bill LaForge, Bill Stewart, George Burnett, Brad Selwood and Randy Ladouceur.Coaches of the year;
Matt Leyden Trophy
Matt Leyden Trophy
The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club...
winners.
- 1971–1972 Gus BodnarGus BodnarAugust Bodnar was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
- 1977–1978 Bill White
- 1986–1987 Paul Theriault
List of coaches
(Multiple seasons in parentheses)
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Bill LaForge Bill LaForge was a Canadian ice hockey head coach. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He coached the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League into the Memorial Cup tournament of 1984... Rick Cornacchia Rick Cornacchia is a Canadian ice hockey coach.Cornacchia was the head coach of the Italy men's national ice hockey team at the 2010 IIHF World Championship.-External links:... (6) Bill Stewart (ice hockey) William Donald Stewart is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and former head coach of the New York Islanders.-Playing career:... Bob McGill Robert Paul McGill is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.McGill started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1982. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and Hartford Whalers... , B. Selwood (4), R. Ladouceur (2) Randy Ladouceur Randall Ladouceur . Ladouceur is a current assistant coach of the Montreal Canadiens. He is a former assistant coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs and former assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs... (2) & B. Selwood (4) Brad Selwood Bradley Wayne Selwood is the former General Manager and head coach of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.... (4) Brad Selwood Bradley Wayne Selwood is the former General Manager and head coach of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.... (4) and Chris DePiero (2) Chris DePiero Chris DePiero is the current head coach and general manager of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.-Coaching career:DePiero coached the St. Michael's Buzzers to two consecutive Frank L. Buckland Trophies in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.... (4) |
Current roster
| |# | |Player | Position | Place of birth | ||
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| 31 | Kevin Bailie | G | Belleville, Ontario Belleville, Ontario Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region... |
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| 33 | Michael Zador | G | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| 3 | Josh Brown | D | London, Ontario London, Ontario London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city... |
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| 4 | Scott Valentine | D | Metcalfe, Ontario Metcalfe, Ontario Metcalfe is a large village in the Osgoode Ward of the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The local agricultural fair, the Metcalfe Fair, has been held each fall since 1856.... |
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| 5 | Andrew Wilson | D | Cayuga, Ontario Cayuga, Ontario Cayuga is an unincorporated community and county seat in the province of Ontario, Canada located at the intersection of Highway 3 and Munsee Street and along the Grand River in Haldimand County. Cayuga is about a 20 minute drive from Lake Erie and 30 minutes south of Hamilton and 115 minutes south... |
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| 6 | Chris Carlisle | D | New York, NY | ||
| 7 | Tony DeHart | D | Ballwin, Missouri Ballwin, Missouri Ballwin is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was to be 30,404 as of the 2010 census. It was named by Money Magazine in 2005 as 64th on the list of the 100 best cities in America. It is the only city in America named... |
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| 20 | Anton Zupančič | D | Oshawa, Ontario Oshawa, Ontario Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most... |
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| 24 | Calvin de Haan Calvin de Haan Calvin de Haan is a Canadian major junior ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League . He was selected 12th overall by the New York Islanders during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft... |
D | Carp, Ontario Carp, Ontario Carp is a large village west of urban Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.The village takes its name from the Carp River which runs through the village.The main street was formerly a section of the Trans-Canada Highway and carried much of the traffic coming from the west into Ottawa... |
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| 25 | Colin Suellentrop | D | Plantation, Florida Plantation, Florida Plantation is the name of the following places in the U.S. state of Florida:*Plantation, Florida, a city in Broward County; the largest of the places named "Plantation" in Florida*Plantation, Sarasota County, Florida, a census-designated place... |
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| 26 | Nick Quinn | D | Markham, Ontario Markham, Ontario Markham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census... |
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| 28 | Kyle Hope | D | Blenheim, Ontario Blenheim, Ontario Blenheim is a community located in south-central Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada, with a population of 4,800.- History :By 1783, there were French settlers in Detroit and Windsor. There were also settlers in the Niagara and Kingston region, but no real settlers to speak of in the Kent County region... |
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| 8 | Cody Payne | C | Maple, Ontario Maple, Ontario Maple is a high-growth suburban community northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Vaughan in York Region.-Geography:The west branch of the Don River rises to the northwest and flows 1 km west of Maple. Several creeks are to the east and the Black Creek begins slightly west... |
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| 11 | Alain Berger Alain Berger (ice hockey) Alain Berger is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who is currently playing with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.... |
LW | Burgdorf, Switzerland | ||
| 12 | Mark Petaccio | RW | Sicklerville, New Jersey Sicklerville, New Jersey Sicklerville is an unincorporated community located primarily within Winslow Township, Camden County, New Jersey. It was founded in 1851 by John Sickler, who lived in the area where the present-day town is located within Gloucester Township... |
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| 13 | J.P. Labardo | C | Bolton, Ontario Bolton, Ontario Bolton is the most populated community in the town of Caledon, located in the Region of Peel, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada. In regional documents, it is referred to as a 'Rural Service Centre'. It has 26,478 residents in 8,721 households... |
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| 15 | Andy Andreoff | C | Pickering, Ontario Pickering, Ontario Pickering is a city located in Southern Ontario, Canada immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, the largest metropolitan area in Canada.- Early Period :... |
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| 17 | Nicklas D. Jensen | RW | Herning, Denmark | ||
| 19 | Jeff Brown | C | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| 21 | Scott Laughton | C | Oakville, Ontario Oakville, Ontario Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road... |
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| 22 | Boone Jenner | C | Mossley, Ontario | ||
| 23 | Scott Sabourin | LW | Orleans, Ontario Orléans, Ontario Orleans , also written Orléans, is a suburban area within the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the eastern part of the city along the Ottawa River, about from downtown Ottawa. The Canada 2006 Census gave Orleans a population of 95,491. It became a ward of the City of Ottawa in 2001... |
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| 27 | Christian Thomas Christian Thomas (ice hockey) Christian Thomas is an ice hockey player for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League . His father, Steve Thomas played ice hockey in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings, and in the... |
RW | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| 29 | Brian Hughes | C | Barrie, Ontario Barrie, 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... |
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| 32 | Emerson Clark | LW | Oshawa, Ontario Oshawa, Ontario Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most... |
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| 34 | Josh Graves | LW | Barrie, Ontario Barrie, 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... |
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| 38 | Lucas Lessio | LW | Maple, Ontario Maple, Ontario Maple is a high-growth suburban community northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Vaughan in York Region.-Geography:The west branch of the Don River rises to the northwest and flows 1 km west of Maple. Several creeks are to the east and the Black Creek begins slightly west... |
The Oshawa Generals have graduated 166 young men onto the NHL, third behind the Toronto Marlboros and the Peterborough Petes. Five of those players have been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Award winners
CHL Player of the Year CHL Player of the Year The CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from the winners of the Red Tilson Trophy , Michel Briere Memorial Trophy , and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy .-Winners:* 2010-11 Ryan Ellis,...
CHL Top Scorer Award CHL Top Scorer Award The CHL Top Scorer Award is given out annually to the highest-scoring player in the Canadian Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1994.-Winners:The following players have won the award:...
CHL Rookie of the Year CHL Rookie of the Year The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting*2009–10 Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes*2008–09 Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars...
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award CHL Top Draft Prospect Award The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is given out every year to the top eligible prospect for the NHL Entry Draft from the Canadian Hockey League. The award was first given in 1991, and was not given from 2003–05.-Winners:...
Red Tilson Trophy Red Tilson Trophy The 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... OHL Most Outstanding Player.
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy The 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... OHL Top Point Scorer.
OHL Goaltender of the Year OHL Goaltender of the Year The OHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted on by OHL coaches and general managers.-Winners:*2010-11 Mark Visentin, Niagara Ice Dogs*2009-10 Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St... Voted best goaltender in the OHL.
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Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is named in honor of Jim Mahon and given to the Ontario Hockey League right winger with the most points in the regular season. Mahon was a very gifted athlete even as a young child. He played minor league ice hockey in Essex, Ontario... OHL Top Scoring Right Winger.
Jack Ferguson Award Jack Ferguson Award The Jack Ferguson Award, or "Fergie", is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. The trophy is named in honour of Jack Ferguson, a former director of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:... First overall draft pick.
Dave Pinkney Trophy Dave Pinkney Trophy The 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 goals against average.
Emms Family Award Emms Family Award The 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.
F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy Best rookie goals against average.
William Hanley Trophy William Hanley Trophy The 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.
Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the best overage player in the Ontario Hockey League. The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former chief scout of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:*2010-11... Overage player of the year.
Bobby Smith Trophy Bobby Smith Trophy The Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.... Scholastic player of the year.
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Retired numbers
The Oshawa Generals retired # 9 in honour of Red Tilson at a pregame Remembrance DayRemembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
ceremony on November 11, 2006. Tilson was the league's leading scorer in 1942–43, who died during combat in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Red Tilson Trophy
Red Tilson Trophy
The 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...
for the OHL's most outstanding player, is named in his honour. Eric Lindros
Eric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
' # 88 was retired on March 6, 2008. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
's # 2 was officially retired on November 27, 2008, after having been out of circulation since Orr moved onto the NHL in 1966.
- # 2 Bobby OrrBobby OrrRobert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
(1963–1966) Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe 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...
r. - # 9 Red Tilson (1941–1943)
- # 88 Eric LindrosEric LindrosEric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
(1989–1992)
Honoured numbers
Bruce Melanson was last player to wear # 9. It was taken out of circulation after his death, then later retired for Red Tilson.
- # 9 Bruce MelansonBruce MelansonBruce Melanson was a Canadian ice hockey right winger. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the 2nd round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, however he did not play for the team.-Death:...
(1983–1985) Died during season.
Hockey Hall of Fame members
Players
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Builders
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NHL alumni
List of Oshawa Generals alumni to play in the National Hockey League.
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Ben Eager Benjamin Eager is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... Frank Eddolls Frank Herbert Eddolls was a defenceman in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, and coached the Chicago Black Hawks in 1954–55... Bill Ezinicki William "Wild Bill" Ezinicki is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs , the Boston Bruins , and the New York Rangers of the NHL.... Rick Foley Gilbert Anthony "Rick" Foley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 67 National Hockey League games with the Chicago Black Hawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings. He also played 11 World Hockey Association games with the Toronto Toros.-External links:... Mike Fountain Michael Fountain is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played a handful of games in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Ottawa Senators. He is currently the goaltending coach with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.-Playing... Iain Fraser (ice hockey) Iain James Fraser is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the ninth round, 233rd overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.... Bob Froese Robert Glenn Froese is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:He played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Froese shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Darren Jensen as a member of the Flyers in the 1985–86 season... Dick Gamble Richard Frank "Dick" Gamble is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He won a Stanley Cup championship in 1953 with the Montreal Canadiens. He won back-to-back Calder Cups with the Rochester Americans in 1965 and 1966. Gamble won a third Calder Cup with Rochester in 1967–68. He... Dave Gans David Gans played for the Los Angeles Kings during the 1982-83 and the 1985-86 seasons.-External links:... Tyrone Garner For Tyron Garner, plaintiff in Lawrence v. Texas, see that article.Tyrone "Ty" Garner is a Canadian professional ice hockey player... Lee Giffin Lee Giffin is a professional ice hockey player who played 27 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Pittsburgh Penguins.- References :... Trevor Gillies Trevor Gillies is a Canadian ice hockey player who is currently playing for the New York Islanders organization of the National Hockey League . Gillies is primarily used as an enforcer.-Playing career:... Bob Gladney Robert Lawrence Gladney is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played in 14 NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-External links:... Dan Gratton Daniel Gratton is a former NHL player.He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the 10th overall pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft... Gilles Gratton Gilles Gratton is a retired ice hockey goaltender.Gratton began his WHA career in 1972 with the Ottawa Nationals. Gilles would also spend time with the Toronto Toros. His brother, Norm Gratton was a professional NHL player as well... Brent Grieve Brent J. Grieve is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left wing and coach. He was selected in the 4th round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, 65th overall, by the New York Islanders and played 97 NHL games with the Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings, as well as... Bep Guidolin Armand "Bep" Guidolin was a Canadian National Hockey League player. He was born in Thorold, Ontario. He and Eleanor, his wife of 62 years, had four children.... Jeff Hackett Jeff Hackett is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers... Paul Harrison (ice hockey) Paul Douglas Harrison is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted in the third round, 40th overall, by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft... Chris Hayes (ice hockey) Christopher Joseph Hayes was a professional ice hockey player who played left wing shooting left.Hayes spent three years playing junior hockey for Oshawa 1965-68. He left hockey for two years, but returned in the 1970-71 season to play for Loyola College in Montreal... Ike Hildebrand Isaac Bruce Hildebrand was a Canadian ice hockey and lacrosse player. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he played for the Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers of the `original six' NHL teams 1949–1953.... Floyd Hillman Floyd Arthur "Bud" Hillman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played six games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins.-External links:... Dan Hinote Daniel Chester Hinote is a former professional ice hockey player and current assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. He finished his playing career playing for Modo Hockey of the Swedish Elitserien... Larry Hopkins (ice hockey) Larry Harold Hopkins was a professional ice hockey player who played 60 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs.... Nathan Horton Nathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League... Charlie Huddy Charles William Huddy is a former NHL defenceman and current assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He is also one of only seven Edmonton Oilers to be a member of all 5 of the franchise's Stanley Cup-winning teams 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,1990.His greatest success came with the Oilers with whom he... Lou Jankowski Louis Casimer Jankowski was a professional ice hockey forward and scout who played 130 games in the NHL and had a prolific career in the WHL... Ross Johnstone Robert Ross Johnstone was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 42 games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1945 his name was put on the Stanley Cup. He was born in Montreal, Quebec.-References:... Tony Joseph Anthony Joseph was a professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Winnipeg Jets.- References :... Claude Julien (ice hockey) Claude Julien is Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He previously served as the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils... Doug Keans Douglas Frederick Keans is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who enjoyed a 9-year career in the National Hockey League during the 1980s, suiting up for the Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins.... Rick Kessell Richard John Kessell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and California Golden Seals. Drafted 15th overall by the Penguins in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft, Kessell played 135 regular season games, scoring 4 goals and 24 assists for... Derek King Derek King is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1986–87 until 1999–2000.... Brian Kinsella Brian Edward Kinsella is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. Drafted in 1974 by the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and Phoenix Roadrunners of the World Hockey Association, Kinsella played only ten games in the NHL and played most of his hockey career in the minors.Brian is... Nick Knott William Nickolas Earl Knott was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 19 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Americans. He was born in Kingston, Ontario.-References:*... Steve Konroyd Stephen Mark Konroyd is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman. He currently is a co-host of intermission and post-game segments on WGN-TV and Comcast SportsNet broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks' games.-Playing career:... Joe Kowal Joseph Douglas Kowal is a former professional ice hockey left wing. He was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. He played in 22 games in the National Hockey League with the Sabres, recording five assists.-External links:... |
Pete Laframboise Peter Alfred Laframboise was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Laframboise played for the National Hockey League California Golden Seals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in the 1970s... Leo Lamoureux Leo Peter Lamoureux was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman. Lamoreaux played his entire National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens.... Rick Lanz Richard Roman Lanz is a former professional ice hockey defenceman who spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League and is best known for his time with the Vancouver Canucks... Mike Lenarduzzi Mike "Whopper" Lenarduzzi is a retired ice hockey goaltender who played professionally for the Hartford Whalers, Hershey Bears, Springfield Indians and other professional teams in North America and Europe.-Playing career:... Eric Lindros Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques... Ted Lindsay Robert Blake Theodore Lindsay is a former professional ice hockey player, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League . He scored over 800 points in his Hockey Hall of Fame career, won the Art Ross Trophy in 1950, and won the Stanley Cup four times... Bill Lochead William Alexander "Whip" Lochead is a retired ice hockey forward and current hockey player agent. He started his junior hockey career in 1969-70 with the Sarnia Bees of OHA Western Jr. B league. In 1970-71 he established the current Western Jr. B goal scoring record of 72 goals in 42 games... Ross Lowe Ross Robert Lowe was a professional ice hockey player who played three seasons in the National Hockey League from 1949 to 1952 for the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.... Calum MacKay Calum "Baldy" MacKay was a former Canadian ice hockey player. Although born in Toronto, Calum MacKay grew up in Fort William/Port Arthur, Ontario during the 1930s and early 1940s.-Playing career:... Shawn MacKenzie Shawn Kenneth MacKenzie is a retired ice hockey goaltender who played a total of 130 minutes during 4 games in the National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils. He had 15 goals scored against him in those 130 minutes of play, for a Goals Against Average of 6.92.From 2000 to 2004 he served as... Jeff MacMillan Jeff MacMillan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the UHL. MacMillan began his career in 1996, icing for the junior team the Oshawa Generals in the OHL. MacMillan stayed with the Generals for three years, making almost 170... Ian MacNeil (ice hockey) Ian MacNeil is a professional ice hockey player. He played two NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2002–03 season.... Bud MacPherson James Albert "Jim, Bud" MacPherson nickname Bud, was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.MacPherson began his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1948. He spent his entire career with the Habs, retiring after the 1957 season. Bud won the Stanley Cup in 1953 with... Greg Malone (ice hockey) William Gregory Malone is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey Centre who is currently a scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Career:... Jud McAtee Jerome F. "Jud" McAtee was a professional ice hockey player who played 46 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings... Norm McAtee Norm Joseph McAtee was a professional ice hockey player who played 13 games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins... Tom McCarthy (ice hockey b. 1960) Tom McCarthy is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 460 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Minnesota North Stars and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:... Bob McCulley Robert Keith McCulley was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in one National Hockey League game for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1934–35 NHL season.-External links:... Brian McGrattan Brian McGrattan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... Kirk McLean Kirk Alan McLean is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers... Sean McMorrow Sean McMorrow is a Canadian ice hockey winger currently playing for the Saguenay Marquis of the LNAH. Prior to signing with the Marquis, McMorrow played for the Belfast Giants and the Dundee Stars of the EIHL... Chris McRae Chris McRae is a professional ice hockey player who played 21 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.- References :... Bryan McSheffrey Bryan Gerald McSheffrey is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted in the second round, 19th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft. He played in the National Hockey League with the Canucks and Buffalo Sabres.In his NHL career, McSheffrey appeared in 90... Roland Melanson Roland Joseph "Rollie the Goalie" Melanson is a former goaltender in the NHL and the goaltender coach for the Vancouver Canucks. He previously served as goaltender coach for the Montreal Canadiens... Rick Middleton Richard David "Nifty" Middleton is a former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... Kevin Miehm Kevin Miehm is a Canadian former ice hockey player in the National Hockey League who played two seasons with the St. Louis Blues from 1992 to 1994.-External links:*... Dean Morton Dean Morton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and is currently a National Hockey League referee. He played in one NHL game for the Detroit Red Wings during the 1989–90 NHL season and is one of only three players to score a goal in their only NHL game, along with Brad Fast and... Gus Mortson James Angus Gerald "Old Hardrock" Mortson is a former NHL defenceman.-Awards and achievements:*1947 Stanley Cup Championship *1948 Stanley Cup Championship... Gord Murphy Gordon J. Murphy is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers... Lee Norwood Lee Charles Norwood is a retired American ice hockey player. Although Norwood was born in California, he grew up in Trenton, Michigan.... Hank Nowak Henry Stanley "Hank" Nowak is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played 180 games in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins.-Playing career:... Fred O'Donnell Frederick James O'Donnell is a retired professional ice hockey player, and a retired professional ice hockey coach. During his professional playing career, he played 115 games in the National Hockey League and 155 games in the World Hockey Association, mainly at left wing... Terry O'Reilly Terence Joseph James O'Reilly is a retired ice hockey right winger, who played for the NHL's Boston Bruins, and one of the most effective enforcers in NHL history.... Bobby Orr Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest... Jim Paek Jim Paek is a former professional ice hockey player. Paek played in the National Hockey League from 1990–91 to 1994–95. He is the first of two Korean hockey players to ever play in the NHL – the other being Richard Park... Rob Pearson Robert Gordon Pearson is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL.Pearson was drafted 12th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft... Nathan Perrott Nathan Perrott is a Canadian professional boxer and former professional ice hockey player.-Hockey career:... Andrew Peters Andrew Peters is a retired Canadian ice hockey left winger- Playing career :Peters was drafted 34th overall by the Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft... |
Steve Peters (ice hockey) Steve Alan Peters is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played two games in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Rockies. He currently works in Peterborough for Allstate Insurance on Lansdowne St. E.-External links:... Wayne Primeau Wayne Michael Primeau is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He is the younger brother of Keith Primeau... Nelson Pyatt Frederick Nelson Pyatt is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He is the father of current NHLers Taylor Pyatt and Tom Pyatt .... Brad Ralph Brad Ralph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and is currently the head coach of the Augusta River Hawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League. He played in one National Hockey League game for the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2000–01 NHL season.-External links:... Paul Ranger Paul Ranger is a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently a free agent. He has spent the majority of his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.... Greg Redquest Gregory Redquest is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1977–78 NHL season.-External links:... Ed Reigle Edmund Reigle is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 17 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins.-External links:... Pat Ribble Patrick Wayne Ribble is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.A defenceman, Ribble was selected in 1974 by both the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League and the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington... Phil Samis Philip Lawrence Samis is a retired NHL defenceman. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.-Junior career:... Marc Savard Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome... Chuck Scherza Chuck Scherza is a former professional ice hockey player who played 11 seasons in the American Hockey League, winning a Calder Cup championship in 1949. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba.-Awards and achievements:... Norm Schmidt Norm Schmidt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 125 games in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins.-External links:... Richard Scott (ice hockey) Richard Scott is a Canadian former ice hockey player who played 10 games for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League during the 2001–02 and 2003–04 seasons.-References:*... Travis Scott Travis Scott is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career :... Sean Shanahan Sean Bryan Shanahan is a former professional ice hockey left winger. He was drafted by the Houston Aeros in the ninth round, 110th overall, of the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft. He caused some controversy in Boston by being the first person after Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito to wear #7... Peter Sidorkiewicz Peter Paul Sidorkiewicz is a former Canadian professional goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils.... Harry Sinden Harry James Sinden was the long-time general manager, coach, and president for the Boston Bruins NHL hockey team, and was the coach of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series... Jarrod Skalde Jarrod Skalde is a Canadian ice hockey centre who is currently the head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.... Rick St. Croix Richard St. Croix is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently one of the assistant coaches of the AHL's Manitoba Moose. He was a 4th round NHL draft pick, as were his two sons.-Playing career:St... Greg Stefan Gregory Steven Stefan was a professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League.Drafted in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Greg Stefan became known for using his stick to clear skaters in front of the net, many times receiving penalties, and sometimes suspensions... Bud Stefanski Stanley Michael "Bud" Stefanski is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1977–78 NHL season. He is also a former head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael's Majors.... Barry Sullivan (ice hockey) Barry Carter Sullivan was a professional ice hockey right winger who played in one National Hockey League game for the Detroit Red Wings during the 1947–48 NHL season.-External links:... Frank Sullivan (ice hockey) Frank Gerald Sullivan was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1928 Winter Olympics.In 1928 he was a member of the University of Toronto Grads, the Canadian team which won the gold medal.... Peter Sullivan (ice hockey) Peter Gerald Sullivan is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 126 games in the National Hockey League and 313 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Winnipeg Jets.- External links :... Don Sylvestri Don Sylvestri is a retired professional ice hockey player who played three games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins.- References :... Dale Tallon Dale Tallon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and current General Manager for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .... Tony Tanti Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks... Kirk Tomlinson Kirk H. Tomlinson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Minnesota North Stars during the 1987–88 NHL season. He is also a former head coach in the West Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League, and Central Hockey... John Tripp (ice hockey) John Tripp is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kölner Haie of the DEL.-Playing career:... Pete Vipond Peter John Vipond is a retired professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the California Golden Seals.-Playing career:-External links:... Jeff Ware (ice hockey) Jeff Ware is a former National Hockey League defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. Ware played his junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, where he won the league championship in 1997... Barry Wilkins Barry James Wilkins was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association during the 1960s and 1970s... Butch Williams Warren Milton "Butch" Williams is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 108 games in the National Hockey League in 1974–76. He is the younger brother of former NHL player Tommy Williams. He played for the California Golden Seals and St. Louis Blues and also represented the United... Sean Williams (ice hockey) Sean B. Williams was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played two games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Blackhawks. Williams was a twelfth round draft pick of the Hawks in 1986. He spent the majority of his career with the Indianapolis Ice of the International Hockey... Dunc Wilson Duncan Shepherd Wilson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1969 and 1979.-Playing career:... Wally Wilson (ice hockey) Wallace Lloyd Wilson was a professional ice hockey player who played 53 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins.- References :... Stephane Yelle Stéphane Yelle is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche, and also played in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes.... |
Rod Zaine Rodney Carl Zaine is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played sixty-one games in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, scoring ten goals and adding six assists... |
Team records
| Team records for a single season | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most points | 101 | 1986–87 1986–87 OHL season The 1986–87 OHL season was the 7th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the North Bay Centennials.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:... |
| Most wins | 49 | 1986–87 |
| Most goals for | 382 | 1990–91 |
| Least goals for | 138 | 1966–67 |
| Least goals against | 201 | 1986–87 |
| Most goals against | 444 | 1976–77 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Tony Tanti Tony Tanti Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks... |
81 | 1980–81 |
| Most assists | Scott McCrory Scott McCrory Scott McCrory is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger. He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 12th round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.-Awards and honours:... |
99 | 1986–87 |
| Most points | Tony Tanti and Scott McCrory | 150 | 1980–81; 1986–87 |
| Most points, rookie | Tony Tanti | 150 | 1980–81 |
| Most points, defenceman | Bobby Orr Bobby Orr Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest... |
94 | 1965–66 |
| Best GAA (goalie) | Dan Turple Dan Turple Dan Turple is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. Turple was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers with the 186th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.-Junior Hockey:... |
2.64 | 2003–04 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
| Single game records | |||
| Statistic | Player(s) | Total | Date & opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Tony Tanti Tony Tanti Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey player. He was a left winger and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks... |
6 | January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener |
| Most assists | Chuck Durocher | 7 | November 26, 1976, vs. S.S.Marie |
| Most points | Tony Tanti | 8 | January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener |
| Most power play goals | Tony Tanti | 4 | January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener |
| Most shorthanded goals | 10 times | 2 | Most recently John Tavares, February 25, 2006, @ S.S.Marie |
| Fastest opening goal | Paul Gardner | 0:05 | February 13, 1976, @ Kitchener |
| Fastest period goal | Ryan Lindsay Ryan Lindsay (ice hockey) Ryan Lindsay is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.Prior to turning professional, Lindsay played the 1998-99 season with the Canada men's national ice hockey team.-Awards and honours:-External links:... |
0:06 | November 1, 1996, vs. North Bay - 3rd Period |
| Fastest goal from start of overtime | Brett Trudell | 0:04 | September 26, 2004, vs. Mississauga |
| Fastest two goals by one player | Greg Malone Greg Malone (ice hockey) William Gregory Malone is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey Centre who is currently a scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Career:... |
0:04 | October 22, 1974, - 3rd period |
| Fastest three goals by one player | Peter Horachek | 2:54 | October 14, 1979, vs. Kitchener - 3rd period |
Season-by-season results
Regular seasonThe Oshawa Generals have won 3 Hamilton Spectator trophies for finishing first overall in the OHL regular season standings, and 3 Leyden trophies for finishing first overall in the eastern division OHL regular season standings.
Playoffs
The Oshawa Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson Cups as the OHL / OHA playoff champions, and won 4 Memorial Cups as the CHL / CAHA champions.
Uniforms and logos
- Uniform colours: White, red & blue.
- Logo design: "Oshawa" written in red script with "GENERALS" underscore
- 1st jersey Red background, white & blue lettering & stripes, with logo.
- 2nd jersey White background, red & blue lettering & stripes, with logo.
The Oshawa Generals have also issued two throwback style jerseys in the recent past. During alumni week for the 2001–02 season, the Generals wore a jersey based on the 'Bruins" style worn in the 1965–66 season, when Bobby Orr skated for the club. For two seasons from 2004–05 to 2005–06 the Generals "red" jersey was replaced by a jersey based on the style worn during the 1939, 1940 and 1944 Memorial Cup winning seasons, featuring the square "GM" logo.
Mascots
The Generals unvelied a new mascot during a pregame ceremony on November 16, 2007, who would be named "Deke" in a naming contest in Oshawa. The previous mascot, "General Shooter" had been retired at the end of the 2006–07 season.Arenas
The Oshawa Generals have the dubious distinction of having their home arena destroyed by fire not once, but twice in the franchise history. In June 1928 the Bradley Arena was destroyed by fire. Then 25 years later, the Hambly Arena was also destroyed by fire.From 1928–1930 the team played out of nearby Whitby until the Hambly Arena was constructed. When the Hambly Arena burned down in 1953 the Oshawa Generals were disbanded. When the team was resurrected in 1962 they played both at Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
and also in the Bowmanville Community Arena (now demolished) for two seasons until moving until the Civic Auditorium.
The early years
Before Oshawa joined the OHA in 1908, it was part of the Midland Hockey League. Its games were played out of the Oshawa Curling Club located by the Oshawa Creek in the vicinity of present day Valleyview Gardens, Kinsmen StadiumKinsmen Stadium
Kinsmen Stadium is the home of the Oshawa Dodgers of the Intercounty Baseball League. It is located on Arena Street in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, next to the Oshawa Creek, and directly to the north of the former Hambly Arena....
and Children's Arena. Since the curling club controlled its use and thus when games could or could not be played, a new location was sought.
A new outdoor rink was built 4 blocks away, where the present day Oshawa Armouries stand at the corner of Simcoe St. and Richmond St. This would be the team's home until 1908.
Bradley Arena 1908–1928
The Bradley Arena, nicknamed "The Big Rink" opened up in 1908 on Duke St. in downtown Oshawa. Its namesake was Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman who was responsible for organizing the team and bringing Junior Hockey to Oshawa.The arena was packed to the rafters many nights when Oshawa played there for the 1920s league championships versus Orillia and Owen Sound
Owen Sound Greys
The Owen Sound Greys are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League...
. In June 1928, the predominantly wooden structure succumbed to an overnight fire.
Hambly Arena 1930–1953
The Oshawa Arena (later known as the Hambly ArenaHambly Arena
The Hambly Arena, originally known as the Oshawa Arena, opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for ice hockey in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada...
) opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin
Samuel McLaughlin
Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin, CC, ED, CD was an influential Canadian businessman and philanthropist. He started the McLaughlin Motor Car Co...
. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for hockey in Oshawa. Shortly after training camp in 1953, the arena would suffer the same demise as its predecessor and burned to the ground on September 15.
Civic Auditorium 1964–2006
Oshawa Civic Auditorium
The Oshawa Civic Auditorium was a 3,625–seat multi-purpose arena in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The recreational complex was financed by donations from the community, including United Auto Workers members. It opened in 1964, and was home to the Oshawa Generals ice hockey team of the Ontario Hockey...
opened in 1964, built on fundraising by citizens of Oshawa. The first scheduled OHA game was December 15, 1964 vs. the St. Catharines Black Hawks. The Generals prevailed by a score of 6 to 4 in front of 4,109 fans attending the game.
In 1987 the Civic Auditorium played host to the Memorial Cup. The Generals contested for the cup against the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Longueiul Chévaliers.
The last championship the Generals won was played at the Civic in May 1997. The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard
Marc Savard
Marc Savard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since late in the season because of post-concussion syndrome...
.
The Generals played the first five home games of the 2006–07 season in the Civic Auditorium before moving into their new arena. The final game played was October 29, 2006 versus the Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
, the Generals won 8 to 6.
General Motors Centre 2006–Present
On October 5, 2006, the Oshawa Generals announced a naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
deal which will see the arena named the General Motors Centre. The inaugural game was played November 3, 2006, against the Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
.
External links
- www.oshawagenerals.com Official web site
- Ontario Hockey League Official web site
- Canadian Hockey League Official web site
- Gens Firm The Official fan club web site