Sarnia Legionnaires
Encyclopedia
The Sarnia Legionnaires were a Canadian junior ice hockey
team that won five Western Jr. 'B' Hockey League championships and four Sutherland Cup
s as Ontario Hockey Association
Junior B champions in the 16 seasons they operated out of Sarnia, Ontario
from 1954 until 1970. The club folded after two unsuccessful years as a Tier II Jr. 'A' team. The original Legionnaires were one of the most successful junior teams in Canadian hockey history, playing out of the Western Ontario Junior A and B Hockey Leagues. Counting the Sutherland Cup they won when they were known as the Sarnia Sailors, the franchise won five titles in 20 years, beginning with the 1950-51 campaign. They were founded as members of the Big 10 Junior B Hockey League.
The Legionnaires' moniker was resurrected for the 2008-09 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
season. The Sarnia team that helped displace the original Legionnaires in 1970 are now officially known as the Sarnia Legionnaires. And just like the old Legionnaires, the new Sarnia Legionnaire squad has been a powerhouse, winning the Weir Cup as Western Ontario Jr. 'B' champions in the 2009 playoffs.
. In 1956, the Big 10 was divided and the Legionnaires moved on with the Western League. In 1968, the league went renegade and declared itself Junior "A". As of February 1, 1970, the Legionnaires officially folded and disbanded. They were in direct financial competition with the Junior "B" Sarnia Bees
, but lost popularity within the city forcing them to go out of business. Fan attendance had dropped from 1200 to 200 people per game, with the team over $10,000 CAD
in debt. The team was owned by Branch 62 of the Royal Canadian Legion
. The folding happened after the cancelling of a home game in late January against the Guelph Beef Kings
. The announcement of the disbandment of the team was followed by an emergency meeting by the league to discuss the folding and how to handle the unbalanced schedule left through unplayed Legionnaires games.
The Legionnaires won at least 5 Western league titles after the splitting of the Big 10. The Legionnaires also won four Sutherland Cup
s as All-Ontario Junior "B" Champions. The franchise had a total of five Sutherland Cup wins, counting the 1951 win when it was known as the Sailors.
Even when they didn't win a title the Sarnia Legionnaires were almost always a top contender. They lost four Western Jr. 'B' finals. In all, they were in the Western Final nine times during their 14 seasons as a Jr. 'B' team. Ten times in 18 years if you count the team's record when it was known as the Sailors.
scored 47 goals and 61 assists for the Legionnaires during the 32-game 1960-61 regular schedule. In a playoff game that spring, he got 12 points as the Legionnaires beat Goderich 15-2.
Eric Vail
, future Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, played with the Legionnaires as a 16-year-old during the team's last season (1969–70). Another member of that team was Kirk Bowman
, who went on to play in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks
. Still another was Frank Blum, a goaltender who would go on to play in the WHA with Bobby Hull and the Winnipeg Jets.
Before they disbanded, the Legionnaires sent nine players to the NHL, despite the fact that, for most of their history, they were a Jr.'B' team and there were only six NHL teams. They also sent two players to the WHA.
With their multiple championships and their domination at the provincial level, no other Sarnia junior team has ever matched their success.
Phil Esposito
and Pat Stapleton were both Legionnaires alumni and both represented Canada at the 1972 Summit Series. Esposito's appearance as a Legionnaire is quite remarkable as he was seemingly destine to play Junior A that season with St. Catharines but was cut before the season started. After one great season at Junior B, Esposito finally made the Ontario Hockey Association
Junior A League.
Noted Legionnaire coach Ted Garvin
went on to coach briefly with the Detroit Red Wings
.
Well known Jr. 'B' coaches Fred Pageau, Dick Robinson and Ron Carroll played for the Sarnia Legionnaires. Former team goalie Joe DeRush went on to make a name for himself as coach of the Jr. 'C' Mooretown Flags.
Defenceman Don Ward went on to play in the NHL but the most flashy player was undoubtedly Glen Forbes, who finished second in league scoring with 23 goals, 25 assists and 58 points in just 23 games. He created headlines by scoring four goals two games in a row. In the first contest, played Dec. 7, 1954, Forbes blinked the red light four consecutive times in the third period as the Legionnaires edged London 6-4. Four nights later he got another four as Sarnia crushed the Lou Balls 11-7. He was a small, speedy forward who was able to move into high gear at the last moment, fooling many opposing blueliners. When the season ended, Forbes had missed the league scoring title (which was won by Blehneim's Elio Marcon) by a single point.
Other stalwarts from that first Legionnaire team included Bob Duncan, who scored 19 goals and 13 assists (including a four-goal game of his own); Tussy Dunham, who notched nine goals and 22 assists, and goalie Bob Foster, who made 18 saves to record the first shutout in team history as Sarnia defeated Blenheim 4-0 on December 28, 1954.
During a Nov. 30 game at the Sarnia Arena, a riot broke out between fans and players. Sarnia Observer sports editor Freddie Wheeler restored order by playing the national anthem, a move that shamed the combatants into coming to attention. Once the song ended, cooler heads had prevailed and order was restored.
In the playoffs, the Legionnaires defeated London three games to two in a best-of-five semi-final before losing the best-of-seven final to Seaforth four straight games.
Players on that first Legionnaire team included: Ken Green, Don Ward, Bob Armstrong, G. Fitzpatrick, Hartley Vernon, Dick Hamilton, D. Link, E. Hoskins, 'Pistol' Pete Cote, B. Dillon, Eric Haddon, Bruce McGrath, E. Leslie, Don McPhail, Alf Phillips, Tussy Dunham,Bob Duncan and goalies Bob Ryan and Bob Foster.
Coach Stu Cousins,
General Manager Tommy Norris
Players: Pat Stapelton, Gary Vena, Paul 'Butch' Crawley, Bill Armstrong, Larry Cunningham, Glen Forbes, Bob Foster, Pete Bentley, D. Foster, Dick Robinson, George Spencer, Don McPhail, Eric Haddon, Ross Dark, Ted Wright, Mike Muir, Hartley Vernon, Jack Kerwin and Eddie Leslie.
This was an unlikely championship. The Legionnaires fell behind the Woodstock Warriors, who were led by Walter Gretzky, the father of future hockey superstar Wayne Gretkzky, by two games to none in the best-of-seven opening round. Woodstock won both contests convincingly, taking the second by an 8-0 count. Four games into the series, things were little better, with Sarnia down 3-1. But the Legionnaires tottered back from the brink of oblivion, winning the last three encounters.
Round two went more smoothly, with Sarnia sweeping the St. Marys Lincolns in four straight.
In the league final, the Legionnaires again got into trouble, falling behind the Burlington Industrialists 3-2 in games before winning the final two contests.
Mike Muir got two goals in the seventh and deciding game as Sarnia won 4-2. Another playoff hero was Butch Crawley, a defensive forward who suddenly exploded for eight goals in one three-game stretch.
Highlights: During the regular schedule the team was led in scoring by defenceman Pat Stapelton, the future NHL all-star, who scored 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points. Teammate Ted Wright also racked up 35 points, with 17 goals and 18 assists.
Also of note that year was the fact that the Legionnaires played a home exhibition game against the Chicago Black Hawks, losing to the NHL club by a 14-6 score.
Coach Ollie Haddon,
General manager Tommy Norris
G. Paiment, P. Kilbreath, Art Turcotte, Don McPhail, Neil Armstrong, Dick Robinson, G. Harris, Paul Crawley, N. Harris, Pat Stapelton, Mike Muir, D. Chivers, M. Guthrie, Ross Dark, J. McKellar, Eddie Leslie, Pete Bentley and Jack Kerwin.
Coach Ollie Haddon,
General manager Tommy Norris
Players: C. Knetchel, Larry Cunningham, J. Mara, D. Foster, C. Adams, Art Turcotte, Dick Robinson, N. Harris, G. Paiement, J. Bloomfield, G. Lakusciak, Neil Armstrong, P. Kilbreath, W. Verbeem, P. Hamilton, Paul Crawley, Ross Dark, D Chivers.
Coach Ollie Haddon, manager Tommy Norris
Players: G. Lakusciak, L. Cunningham, C. Adams, M. Muir, J. Clark, M. L'Heureux, D. Chivers, C. Knetchel, Dick Robinson, Dave Besse, W. Verbeem, Goalie Joe DeRush, N. Harris, D. Foster, Pete Mara, Art Turcotte, C. Ryan.
played on the 1960-61 team. Members included:
Coach Ollie Haddon, General manager Tommy Norris
Players: C. Depoli, B. L'Heureux, M. L'Heureux, N. Mallette, G. Lawrence, Jimmy Sanko, Phil Esposito, R. Lachowick, G. Lakusciak, D. Chivers, Goalie Joe DeRush, J. Clarke, J. Bloomfield, R. Heino, Dave Besse and W. Verbeem.
Highlights: Esposito finished second in league scoring behind future NHLer Terry Crisp of the St. Marys Lincolns.
Coach Ollie Haddon, general manager Tommy Norris
Players: B. L'Heureux, M. Filipchuk, Ron Carroll, H. Brand, R. Roy, R. Allen, T. Gray, T. Woodcock, R. Kuschel, Les Hoskins, D. Sheffield, G. Lakusiak, Ray Germain, M. L'Heureux, Goalie Joe DeRush, B. Finn, B. Doohan, G. Lawrence, B. Mackey
Highlight Although they were a sixth place club, this Legionnaire team won two playoff rounds, making it to the league final, where they were eliminated by the St. Thomas Barons in five games.
Members of the 1962-63 team that ended up in fifth place included:
Coach C. Glaab, Manager Tommy Norris
Players: B. Williams, G. Lawrence, G. Bonny, B. Finn, Ron Carroll, B. L'Heureux, Fred Pageau, R. Roy, T. Woodcock, H. Brand, R. Kuschel, T. Gray, Ray Germain, M. Filipchuck, Les Hosins
Members of the 1963-64 team that finished fourth included:
Coach Marty Zorica, Manager M. Wallis
Players: D. Shanks, G. Geary, G. Lawrence, D. Burgess, D. Rhodes, Pete Mara, J. McVicar, Tom Ostrander, R. Kuschel, Les Hoskins, T. Gray, Ron Carroll, T. Woodcock, S. Wormith, K. Eadie, D. Caley
1964-65 Season
In 1964-65 the Legionnaires once again became a force to be reckoned with, finishing in second place. Members of the team included:
Coach Marty Zorica, manager M. Wallis
Players: Tom Ostrander, D. Burgess, D. Rhodes, Goalie Mitch Martin, P. Clark, C. Cryderman, Les Hoskins, M. Chartrand, Wayne McConnell, Ron Carroll, S. Wormith, Fred Pageau, Pete Mara.
1965-66 Season
Members of the 1965-66 championship Sarnia Legionnaires team included:
Coach Marty Zorica, General manager M. Wallis
Players: Goalies Ray Reeson, who got a playoff shutout, Mitch Martin, who had the league's best goals against average and Juri Lees. Skaters M. Chartrand, Pete Mara, Cavan Simpson, Bill Carson, Wayne McConnell, Bob McAlpine, Don Gordon, Steve Stefanko, Ian McKegney, Les Hoskins, Dale Dolmage, Bruce Neely, Tom Ostrander, Don Burgess, Henry Levhonen, S. Wormith, Steve Stefanko and Fred Pageau
This team won five best-of-seven playoff rounds to take the Sutherland Cup, beating the Ingersoll Nationals 4-1 in games before taking St. Thomas Barons 4-2, sweeping the Kitchener Greenshirts in four straight, eliminating Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-1 and Westclair York Steel 4 games to 2.
Highlights: High scoring forward Cavan Simpson donned the goalie pads in a playoff game against the Barons after one goalie was injured and a second ejected. Wayne McConnell scored six goals in one game as the Legionnaires crushed Wallaceburg Hornets 16-6. Capt. Pete Mara was league MVP for the second straight year. He led the club in scoring with 42 goals and 78 points. Rookie Don Gordon, showing signs of the greatness that was to come, got 25 regular season goals.
1966-67 Season
Sandwiched between Sutherland Cup victories in 1966 and 1968 was the team's 13th season, when it finished second. Members of the 1966-67 team included:
Coach Ted Garvin, manager Don Savage
Players: J. L'Heureux, Cavan Simpson, Don Gordon, Roy Bouman, G. Scheirs, B. Channell, G. Ogilvie, D. Wilson, Ian McKegney, Bruce Neely, B. Croot, Fred Pageau, Brian Skinner, D. Forrester, Henry Lehvonen, B. Carson, Steve Stefanko.
Highlight—This club made it to the Western Jr. 'B' final before being eliminated.
1967-68 Season
Members of the 1967-68 Sarnia Legionnaires squad that won the club's fifth championship included:
Coach Ted Garvin, General manager Don Savage
Players: Brian Skinner, Mike Bartley, Don Gordon, Bruce Neely, Doug Wilson, Karl Bagnell, Cavan Simpson, Dale Dolmage, Dave Dodds, Steve Stefanko, Len Fontaine, Jean Beaupre, Tommy Douglas, Roy Bouman, Bob Lacey, Joe Adams, Paul Love, Don Cain
This team won four playoff rounds to take the Sutherland Cup, posting a 16-1 won-lost record in the process. It eliminated St. Thomas Barons, Chatham Maroons, St. Marys Lincolns and Markham Waxers. Don Gordon, who later went on to play with Chicago in the WHA, led the way with 50 regular season goals and 17 more in the playoffs.
Highlights: Legionnaire star Don Cain scored four seconds into the start of the second period, tying a world record for any hockey league, anywhere, as the Legionnaires tied Windsor Spitfires 3-3 in a December 1967 game.
In another December '67 game, the Legionnaires had a remarkable game that set a Western Jr. 'B' record when they beat the Leamington Flyers 17-3. Steve Stefanko set a Western Jr. 'B' record when he got seven points in one period during that game (two goals, five assists). Stefanko scored a league record 68 assists that year.
1968-69 Jr. A Season
Members of the 1968-69 Legionnaires who played the first Tier 2 Jr. 'A' season included:
Coach Don Savage, General manager C. Brown.
Bob Falconer, Jean Beaupre, Don Gordon, Bruce Neely, Paul Love, Gerry Bouchard, J. Vanstone, Bob Gibson, Dennis Wing, Tommy Douglas, D. Farwell, Bob Lacey, George Christina, Jim Tartanic, Bob Hicks, Roy Bouman
Highlights: The team missed the playoffs but there were some notable achievements. Don Gordon won the league scoring title. Included in his points total were 47 goals. He played on the top line with Dennis Wing and Tommy Douglas. All three went on to bigger and better things. Gordon went on to the WHA, Douglas later played with the OHL Kitchener Rangers and Wing suited up with the Port Huron team in the semi-professional IHL. Bruce Neely also went on to play semi-professional for the Des Moines Oak Leafs in the IHL.
1969-70 Jr. A Season
As of February 1, 1970, the Legionnaires officially folded and disbanded. They were in direct financial competition with the Junior "B" Sarnia Bees
, but lost popularity within the city forcing them to go out of business. Fan attendance had dropped from 1200 to 200 people per game, with the team over $10,000 CAD
in debt. The team was owned by Branch 62 of the Royal Canadian Legion
. The folding happened after the cancelling of a home game in late January against the Guelph Beef Kings
. The announcement of the disbandment of the team was followed by an emergency meeting by the league to discuss the folding and how to handle the unbalanced schedule left through unplayed Legionnaires games.
Members of the final Legionnaire team, the 1969-70 outfit that disbanded in mid-season, included:
Coaches Hilt Fraser and Don Belringer, General manager Don Savage
Players: Mike Bartley, Kirk Bowman, Eric Vail, Bob Gibson, Norm Gratton, Goalie Jeff Walker, Goalie Frank Blum, Don Clowater, Schooley, Don Stewart, Darrell MacGregor, Jim Jones, Roy Bouman, Gerry Bouchard, Red Henderson, Dale Dolmage, Bill Bowker, Chris Gavaris, Randy DeCarlo, Fred La Selva, Dale Power, Gord Redden, Tom Schoan, Andrew Miseiko
Highlights: Goalie Jeff Walker recorded the team's last shutout, blanking the Guelph Beef Kings 3-0 on Nov. 25, 1969. The final win in franchise history came Dec. 13, 1969 as the Legionnaires posted a 4-2 triumph in Guelph, with Fred LaSelva scoring the winner. It was the 290th regular season victory in the club's history. Because they played so many playoff rounds, they also had close to 100 playoff victories.
Chris Gavaris scored the last Legionnaire goal in the team's final game, a 6-3 loss to Guelph on Jan. 30, 1970
Remembering the Legionnaires
In June 1999 the Legionnaires held a reunion in Sarnia, with players returning from as far away as Australia and Seattle, Washington. Organizer Buck Wright told the Sarnia Observer that the team had once "set a record for 27 or 28 wins in a row." No other details were given, but the Legionnaires did post 33 wins and just 3 losses in the 1958-59 season, so it's possible that they won 27 or 28 in a row that year.
On Nov. 10, 2007 the Sarnia Sting took to the ice against Kingston in an OHL game wearing replica Sarnia Legionnaire jerseys. After the game, they auctioned the sweaters off to raise money for the Sarnia branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The 20 jerseys fetched more than $5,000. Almost 4,000 fans took in the game, which included a pre-game ceremony in which members of the 1968 Sutherland Cup winning Legionnaires were introduced to the crowd.
Soon after, in the summer of 2008, the Sarnia Blast of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
were bought and renamed the Sarnia Legionnaires. The renaming of the former "Bees" to the Legionnaires takes Sarnia Jr. B hockey full circle to its glory days again and has resurrected the popularity of Jr. B hockey in the Sarnia region.
The new Legionnaires have lived up to the old team's legend. In the 2008-09 season they finished first in the Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Hockey League. In the playoffs, they eliminated the St. Thomas Stars, Strathroy Rockets and London Nationals to win the Weir Cup as Western Ontario Jr. 'B' champions. It was the sixth time a Sarnia Jr. 'B' team with the Legionnaire name has won a championship.
Season-by-Season results
Sutherland Cup
Appearances
Notable alumni
External links
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 that won five Western Jr. 'B' Hockey League championships and four Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
s as Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
Junior B champions in the 16 seasons they operated out of Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
from 1954 until 1970. The club folded after two unsuccessful years as a Tier II Jr. 'A' team. The original Legionnaires were one of the most successful junior teams in Canadian hockey history, playing out of the Western Ontario Junior A and B Hockey Leagues. Counting the Sutherland Cup they won when they were known as the Sarnia Sailors, the franchise won five titles in 20 years, beginning with the 1950-51 campaign. They were founded as members of the Big 10 Junior B Hockey League.
The Legionnaires' moniker was resurrected for the 2008-09 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada...
season. The Sarnia team that helped displace the original Legionnaires in 1970 are now officially known as the Sarnia Legionnaires. And just like the old Legionnaires, the new Sarnia Legionnaire squad has been a powerhouse, winning the Weir Cup as Western Ontario Jr. 'B' champions in the 2009 playoffs.
History
The Legionnaires started out as a Big 10 Junior B Hockey League team in 1954. Prior to this they existed as the Sarnia Jr. Sailors, named after the Senior teamSarnia Sailors
The Sarnia are a defunct Canadian semi-professional and amateur senior ice hockey team. The team played in the City of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada and participated in the International Hockey League and the OHA Senior A Hockey League afterwards.-History:...
. In 1956, the Big 10 was divided and the Legionnaires moved on with the Western League. In 1968, the league went renegade and declared itself Junior "A". As of February 1, 1970, the Legionnaires officially folded and disbanded. They were in direct financial competition with the Junior "B" Sarnia Bees
Sarnia Blast
The Sarnia Legionnaires are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
, but lost popularity within the city forcing them to go out of business. Fan attendance had dropped from 1200 to 200 people per game, with the team over $10,000 CAD
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
in debt. The team was owned by Branch 62 of the Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
. The folding happened after the cancelling of a home game in late January against the Guelph Beef Kings
Guelph CMC's
The Guelph CMC's or sometimes known as the Guelph CMC's Biltmore Mad Hatters were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association as a Junior 'B' team in the Central League from 1956 to 1970, and merged with the Western A League's Guelph Beef Kings to become a Junior 'A' team from 1970...
. The announcement of the disbandment of the team was followed by an emergency meeting by the league to discuss the folding and how to handle the unbalanced schedule left through unplayed Legionnaires games.
The Legionnaires won at least 5 Western league titles after the splitting of the Big 10. The Legionnaires also won four Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
s as All-Ontario Junior "B" Champions. The franchise had a total of five Sutherland Cup wins, counting the 1951 win when it was known as the Sailors.
Even when they didn't win a title the Sarnia Legionnaires were almost always a top contender. They lost four Western Jr. 'B' finals. In all, they were in the Western Final nine times during their 14 seasons as a Jr. 'B' team. Ten times in 18 years if you count the team's record when it was known as the Sailors.
Former players
Phil EspositoPhil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
scored 47 goals and 61 assists for the Legionnaires during the 32-game 1960-61 regular schedule. In a playoff game that spring, he got 12 points as the Legionnaires beat Goderich 15-2.
Eric Vail
Eric Vail
Eric "Freight Train" Vail is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine seasons in the National Hockey League, mostly with the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames organization, and then later in his last season he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.Vail was drafted 21st overall...
, future Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, played with the Legionnaires as a 16-year-old during the team's last season (1969–70). Another member of that team was Kirk Bowman
Kirk Bowman
Robert Kirk Bowman is a retired professional ice hockey winger. He currently does periodic work on behalf of the Blackhawk Alumni Association.-External links:* * *...
, who went on to play in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. Still another was Frank Blum, a goaltender who would go on to play in the WHA with Bobby Hull and the Winnipeg Jets.
Before they disbanded, the Legionnaires sent nine players to the NHL, despite the fact that, for most of their history, they were a Jr.'B' team and there were only six NHL teams. They also sent two players to the WHA.
With their multiple championships and their domination at the provincial level, no other Sarnia junior team has ever matched their success.
Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
and Pat Stapleton were both Legionnaires alumni and both represented Canada at the 1972 Summit Series. Esposito's appearance as a Legionnaire is quite remarkable as he was seemingly destine to play Junior A that season with St. Catharines but was cut before the season started. After one great season at Junior B, Esposito finally made the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
Junior A League.
Noted Legionnaire coach Ted Garvin
Ted Garvin
Ted Garvin was a Canadian ice hockey forward and head coach primarily in the International Hockey League. Born in Sarnia, Ontario, he began his playing career in the Eastern Hockey League with the Philadelphia Falcons and Washington Lions and played two seasons with the Sarnia Sailors of the...
went on to coach briefly with the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
.
Well known Jr. 'B' coaches Fred Pageau, Dick Robinson and Ron Carroll played for the Sarnia Legionnaires. Former team goalie Joe DeRush went on to make a name for himself as coach of the Jr. 'C' Mooretown Flags.
The inaugural season
The legend of the Sarnia Legionnaires began on Oct. 20, 1954 with the opening of the inaugural training camp. General manager Phil Hamilton invited 40 players to the first tryout. Coach Jim Butler cut 20 athletes that first day. The club went right into the regular schedule without playing an exhibition game, losing its first match to the Seaforth Baldwins on Nov. 9, 1954 by an 8-6 score. Billy Muir scored the first goal in Legionnaire history. The club won its first game four nights later, beating the London Lou Balls 7-5 in London. The first home win came on Nov. 16 when Sarnia edged the Blenheim Bobcats 4-3 before 410 fans. Glen Forbes had two goals for the victors.Defenceman Don Ward went on to play in the NHL but the most flashy player was undoubtedly Glen Forbes, who finished second in league scoring with 23 goals, 25 assists and 58 points in just 23 games. He created headlines by scoring four goals two games in a row. In the first contest, played Dec. 7, 1954, Forbes blinked the red light four consecutive times in the third period as the Legionnaires edged London 6-4. Four nights later he got another four as Sarnia crushed the Lou Balls 11-7. He was a small, speedy forward who was able to move into high gear at the last moment, fooling many opposing blueliners. When the season ended, Forbes had missed the league scoring title (which was won by Blehneim's Elio Marcon) by a single point.
Other stalwarts from that first Legionnaire team included Bob Duncan, who scored 19 goals and 13 assists (including a four-goal game of his own); Tussy Dunham, who notched nine goals and 22 assists, and goalie Bob Foster, who made 18 saves to record the first shutout in team history as Sarnia defeated Blenheim 4-0 on December 28, 1954.
During a Nov. 30 game at the Sarnia Arena, a riot broke out between fans and players. Sarnia Observer sports editor Freddie Wheeler restored order by playing the national anthem, a move that shamed the combatants into coming to attention. Once the song ended, cooler heads had prevailed and order was restored.
In the playoffs, the Legionnaires defeated London three games to two in a best-of-five semi-final before losing the best-of-seven final to Seaforth four straight games.
Players on that first Legionnaire team included: Ken Green, Don Ward, Bob Armstrong, G. Fitzpatrick, Hartley Vernon, Dick Hamilton, D. Link, E. Hoskins, 'Pistol' Pete Cote, B. Dillon, Eric Haddon, Bruce McGrath, E. Leslie, Don McPhail, Alf Phillips, Tussy Dunham,Bob Duncan and goalies Bob Ryan and Bob Foster.
1956-57 Season
Members of the 1956-57 team that won the first championship in Legionnaires history included:Coach Stu Cousins,
General Manager Tommy Norris
Players: Pat Stapelton, Gary Vena, Paul 'Butch' Crawley, Bill Armstrong, Larry Cunningham, Glen Forbes, Bob Foster, Pete Bentley, D. Foster, Dick Robinson, George Spencer, Don McPhail, Eric Haddon, Ross Dark, Ted Wright, Mike Muir, Hartley Vernon, Jack Kerwin and Eddie Leslie.
This was an unlikely championship. The Legionnaires fell behind the Woodstock Warriors, who were led by Walter Gretzky, the father of future hockey superstar Wayne Gretkzky, by two games to none in the best-of-seven opening round. Woodstock won both contests convincingly, taking the second by an 8-0 count. Four games into the series, things were little better, with Sarnia down 3-1. But the Legionnaires tottered back from the brink of oblivion, winning the last three encounters.
Round two went more smoothly, with Sarnia sweeping the St. Marys Lincolns in four straight.
In the league final, the Legionnaires again got into trouble, falling behind the Burlington Industrialists 3-2 in games before winning the final two contests.
Mike Muir got two goals in the seventh and deciding game as Sarnia won 4-2. Another playoff hero was Butch Crawley, a defensive forward who suddenly exploded for eight goals in one three-game stretch.
Highlights: During the regular schedule the team was led in scoring by defenceman Pat Stapelton, the future NHL all-star, who scored 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points. Teammate Ted Wright also racked up 35 points, with 17 goals and 18 assists.
Also of note that year was the fact that the Legionnaires played a home exhibition game against the Chicago Black Hawks, losing to the NHL club by a 14-6 score.
1957-58 Season
Members of the 1957-58 Legionnaire team that won the club's second title included:Coach Ollie Haddon,
General manager Tommy Norris
G. Paiment, P. Kilbreath, Art Turcotte, Don McPhail, Neil Armstrong, Dick Robinson, G. Harris, Paul Crawley, N. Harris, Pat Stapelton, Mike Muir, D. Chivers, M. Guthrie, Ross Dark, J. McKellar, Eddie Leslie, Pete Bentley and Jack Kerwin.
1958-59 Season
Members of the 1958-59 Legionnaires team that won the team's third crown included:Coach Ollie Haddon,
General manager Tommy Norris
Players: C. Knetchel, Larry Cunningham, J. Mara, D. Foster, C. Adams, Art Turcotte, Dick Robinson, N. Harris, G. Paiement, J. Bloomfield, G. Lakusciak, Neil Armstrong, P. Kilbreath, W. Verbeem, P. Hamilton, Paul Crawley, Ross Dark, D Chivers.
1959-60 Season
After three straight titles the Sarnia Legionnaires were dethroned in 1959-60, although they still finished second in regular season play. Team members included:Coach Ollie Haddon, manager Tommy Norris
Players: G. Lakusciak, L. Cunningham, C. Adams, M. Muir, J. Clark, M. L'Heureux, D. Chivers, C. Knetchel, Dick Robinson, Dave Besse, W. Verbeem, Goalie Joe DeRush, N. Harris, D. Foster, Pete Mara, Art Turcotte, C. Ryan.
1960-61 Season
Phil EspositoPhil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
played on the 1960-61 team. Members included:
Coach Ollie Haddon, General manager Tommy Norris
Players: C. Depoli, B. L'Heureux, M. L'Heureux, N. Mallette, G. Lawrence, Jimmy Sanko, Phil Esposito, R. Lachowick, G. Lakusciak, D. Chivers, Goalie Joe DeRush, J. Clarke, J. Bloomfield, R. Heino, Dave Besse and W. Verbeem.
Highlights: Esposito finished second in league scoring behind future NHLer Terry Crisp of the St. Marys Lincolns.
From 1961 to 1964
For three years after Esposito left, the Legionnaires finished below .500. Members of the 1961-62 team that finishing sixth included:Coach Ollie Haddon, general manager Tommy Norris
Players: B. L'Heureux, M. Filipchuk, Ron Carroll, H. Brand, R. Roy, R. Allen, T. Gray, T. Woodcock, R. Kuschel, Les Hoskins, D. Sheffield, G. Lakusiak, Ray Germain, M. L'Heureux, Goalie Joe DeRush, B. Finn, B. Doohan, G. Lawrence, B. Mackey
Highlight Although they were a sixth place club, this Legionnaire team won two playoff rounds, making it to the league final, where they were eliminated by the St. Thomas Barons in five games.
Members of the 1962-63 team that ended up in fifth place included:
Coach C. Glaab, Manager Tommy Norris
Players: B. Williams, G. Lawrence, G. Bonny, B. Finn, Ron Carroll, B. L'Heureux, Fred Pageau, R. Roy, T. Woodcock, H. Brand, R. Kuschel, T. Gray, Ray Germain, M. Filipchuck, Les Hosins
Members of the 1963-64 team that finished fourth included:
Coach Marty Zorica, Manager M. Wallis
Players: D. Shanks, G. Geary, G. Lawrence, D. Burgess, D. Rhodes, Pete Mara, J. McVicar, Tom Ostrander, R. Kuschel, Les Hoskins, T. Gray, Ron Carroll, T. Woodcock, S. Wormith, K. Eadie, D. Caley
1964-65 Season
In 1964-65 the Legionnaires once again became a force to be reckoned with, finishing in second place. Members of the team included:
Coach Marty Zorica, manager M. Wallis
Players: Tom Ostrander, D. Burgess, D. Rhodes, Goalie Mitch Martin, P. Clark, C. Cryderman, Les Hoskins, M. Chartrand, Wayne McConnell, Ron Carroll, S. Wormith, Fred Pageau, Pete Mara.
1965-66 Season
Members of the 1965-66 championship Sarnia Legionnaires team included:
Coach Marty Zorica, General manager M. Wallis
Players: Goalies Ray Reeson, who got a playoff shutout, Mitch Martin, who had the league's best goals against average and Juri Lees. Skaters M. Chartrand, Pete Mara, Cavan Simpson, Bill Carson, Wayne McConnell, Bob McAlpine, Don Gordon, Steve Stefanko, Ian McKegney, Les Hoskins, Dale Dolmage, Bruce Neely, Tom Ostrander, Don Burgess, Henry Levhonen, S. Wormith, Steve Stefanko and Fred Pageau
This team won five best-of-seven playoff rounds to take the Sutherland Cup, beating the Ingersoll Nationals 4-1 in games before taking St. Thomas Barons 4-2, sweeping the Kitchener Greenshirts in four straight, eliminating Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-1 and Westclair York Steel 4 games to 2.
Highlights: High scoring forward Cavan Simpson donned the goalie pads in a playoff game against the Barons after one goalie was injured and a second ejected. Wayne McConnell scored six goals in one game as the Legionnaires crushed Wallaceburg Hornets 16-6. Capt. Pete Mara was league MVP for the second straight year. He led the club in scoring with 42 goals and 78 points. Rookie Don Gordon, showing signs of the greatness that was to come, got 25 regular season goals.
1966-67 Season
Sandwiched between Sutherland Cup victories in 1966 and 1968 was the team's 13th season, when it finished second. Members of the 1966-67 team included:
Coach Ted Garvin, manager Don Savage
Players: J. L'Heureux, Cavan Simpson, Don Gordon, Roy Bouman, G. Scheirs, B. Channell, G. Ogilvie, D. Wilson, Ian McKegney, Bruce Neely, B. Croot, Fred Pageau, Brian Skinner, D. Forrester, Henry Lehvonen, B. Carson, Steve Stefanko.
Highlight—This club made it to the Western Jr. 'B' final before being eliminated.
1967-68 Season
Members of the 1967-68 Sarnia Legionnaires squad that won the club's fifth championship included:
Coach Ted Garvin, General manager Don Savage
Players: Brian Skinner, Mike Bartley, Don Gordon, Bruce Neely, Doug Wilson, Karl Bagnell, Cavan Simpson, Dale Dolmage, Dave Dodds, Steve Stefanko, Len Fontaine, Jean Beaupre, Tommy Douglas, Roy Bouman, Bob Lacey, Joe Adams, Paul Love, Don Cain
This team won four playoff rounds to take the Sutherland Cup, posting a 16-1 won-lost record in the process. It eliminated St. Thomas Barons, Chatham Maroons, St. Marys Lincolns and Markham Waxers. Don Gordon, who later went on to play with Chicago in the WHA, led the way with 50 regular season goals and 17 more in the playoffs.
Highlights: Legionnaire star Don Cain scored four seconds into the start of the second period, tying a world record for any hockey league, anywhere, as the Legionnaires tied Windsor Spitfires 3-3 in a December 1967 game.
In another December '67 game, the Legionnaires had a remarkable game that set a Western Jr. 'B' record when they beat the Leamington Flyers 17-3. Steve Stefanko set a Western Jr. 'B' record when he got seven points in one period during that game (two goals, five assists). Stefanko scored a league record 68 assists that year.
1968-69 Jr. A Season
Members of the 1968-69 Legionnaires who played the first Tier 2 Jr. 'A' season included:
Coach Don Savage, General manager C. Brown.
Bob Falconer, Jean Beaupre, Don Gordon, Bruce Neely, Paul Love, Gerry Bouchard, J. Vanstone, Bob Gibson, Dennis Wing, Tommy Douglas, D. Farwell, Bob Lacey, George Christina, Jim Tartanic, Bob Hicks, Roy Bouman
Highlights: The team missed the playoffs but there were some notable achievements. Don Gordon won the league scoring title. Included in his points total were 47 goals. He played on the top line with Dennis Wing and Tommy Douglas. All three went on to bigger and better things. Gordon went on to the WHA, Douglas later played with the OHL Kitchener Rangers and Wing suited up with the Port Huron team in the semi-professional IHL. Bruce Neely also went on to play semi-professional for the Des Moines Oak Leafs in the IHL.
1969-70 Jr. A Season
As of February 1, 1970, the Legionnaires officially folded and disbanded. They were in direct financial competition with the Junior "B" Sarnia Bees
Sarnia Blast
The Sarnia Legionnaires are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
, but lost popularity within the city forcing them to go out of business. Fan attendance had dropped from 1200 to 200 people per game, with the team over $10,000 CAD
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
in debt. The team was owned by Branch 62 of the Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
. The folding happened after the cancelling of a home game in late January against the Guelph Beef Kings
Guelph CMC's
The Guelph CMC's or sometimes known as the Guelph CMC's Biltmore Mad Hatters were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association as a Junior 'B' team in the Central League from 1956 to 1970, and merged with the Western A League's Guelph Beef Kings to become a Junior 'A' team from 1970...
. The announcement of the disbandment of the team was followed by an emergency meeting by the league to discuss the folding and how to handle the unbalanced schedule left through unplayed Legionnaires games.
Members of the final Legionnaire team, the 1969-70 outfit that disbanded in mid-season, included:
Coaches Hilt Fraser and Don Belringer, General manager Don Savage
Players: Mike Bartley, Kirk Bowman, Eric Vail, Bob Gibson, Norm Gratton, Goalie Jeff Walker, Goalie Frank Blum, Don Clowater, Schooley, Don Stewart, Darrell MacGregor, Jim Jones, Roy Bouman, Gerry Bouchard, Red Henderson, Dale Dolmage, Bill Bowker, Chris Gavaris, Randy DeCarlo, Fred La Selva, Dale Power, Gord Redden, Tom Schoan, Andrew Miseiko
Highlights: Goalie Jeff Walker recorded the team's last shutout, blanking the Guelph Beef Kings 3-0 on Nov. 25, 1969. The final win in franchise history came Dec. 13, 1969 as the Legionnaires posted a 4-2 triumph in Guelph, with Fred LaSelva scoring the winner. It was the 290th regular season victory in the club's history. Because they played so many playoff rounds, they also had close to 100 playoff victories.
Chris Gavaris scored the last Legionnaire goal in the team's final game, a 6-3 loss to Guelph on Jan. 30, 1970
Remembering the Legionnaires
In June 1999 the Legionnaires held a reunion in Sarnia, with players returning from as far away as Australia and Seattle, Washington. Organizer Buck Wright told the Sarnia Observer that the team had once "set a record for 27 or 28 wins in a row." No other details were given, but the Legionnaires did post 33 wins and just 3 losses in the 1958-59 season, so it's possible that they won 27 or 28 in a row that year.
On Nov. 10, 2007 the Sarnia Sting took to the ice against Kingston in an OHL game wearing replica Sarnia Legionnaire jerseys. After the game, they auctioned the sweaters off to raise money for the Sarnia branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. The 20 jerseys fetched more than $5,000. Almost 4,000 fans took in the game, which included a pre-game ceremony in which members of the 1968 Sutherland Cup winning Legionnaires were introduced to the crowd.
Soon after, in the summer of 2008, the Sarnia Blast of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada...
were bought and renamed the Sarnia Legionnaires. The renaming of the former "Bees" to the Legionnaires takes Sarnia Jr. B hockey full circle to its glory days again and has resurrected the popularity of Jr. B hockey in the Sarnia region.
The new Legionnaires have lived up to the old team's legend. In the 2008-09 season they finished first in the Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Hockey League. In the playoffs, they eliminated the St. Thomas Stars, Strathroy Rockets and London Nationals to win the Weir Cup as Western Ontario Jr. 'B' champions. It was the sixth time a Sarnia Jr. 'B' team with the Legionnaire name has won a championship.
Season-by-Season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
| 1950-51 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 32 | 1st WOJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
|||||||
| 1951-52 | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 82 | 41 | 23 | 1st WOJBHL | |
| 1952-53 | 28 | 10 | 7 | 1 | |||||
| 21 | 2nd WOJBHL | ||||||||
| 1953-54 | 24 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 121 | 104 | 29 | 2nd WOJBHL | |
| 1954-55 | 23 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 120 | 118 | 31 | 2nd WOJBHL | Lost league final |
| 1955-56 | 27 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 131 | 142 | 24 | 3rd WOJBHL | |
| 1956-57 | 27 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 123 | 116 | 28 | 2nd WOJBHL | Won League |
| 1957-58 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| 48 | 1st WOJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
|||||||
| 1958-59 | 36 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 301 | 106 | 66 | 1st WOJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
| 1959-60 | 30 | 17 | 11 | 2 | |||||
| 36 | 4th WOJBHL | ||||||||
| 1960-61 | 32 | 20 | 10 | 2 | 255 | 184 | 42 | 2nd WOJBHL | Lost league final |
| 1961-62 | 36 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 153 | 172 | 28 | 6th WOJBHL | Lost league final |
| 1962-63 | 35 | 15 | 19 | 1 | 196 | 187 | 31 | 5th WOJBHL | |
| 1963-64 | 39 | 17 | 21 | 1 | 173 | 187 | 35 | 4th WOJBHL | |
| 1964-65 | 40 | 24 | 15 | 1 | 197 | 144 | 49 | 2nd WOJBHL | |
| 1965-66 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 1 | 246 | 148 | 55 | 1st WOJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
| 1966-67 | 40 | 24 | 15 | 1 | 214 | 161 | 49 | 2nd WOJBHL | Lost league final |
| 1967-68 | 52 | 38 | 11 | 3 | 333 | 178 | 79 | 1st WOJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
| 1968-69 | 56 | 20 | 36 | 0 | 214 | 282 | 40 | 5th WOJAHL | DNQ |
| 1969-70 | 46 | 7 | 36 | 3 | 122 | 226 | 17 | 5th WOJAHL | Folded February 1, 1970 |
Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
Appearances
- 1951: Sarnia Jr. Sailors defeated Weston Dukes 4-games-to-1
- 1957: Dixie RocketsDixie Beehives----Dixie Beehives are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Weston, Ontario, which is now part of Toronto, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Central Junior B Hockey League.-Jr. A Beehives:...
defeated Sarnia Legionnaires 4-games-to-2 with 1 tie - 1958: Sarnia Legionnaires defeated Lakeshore Bruins 4-games-to-1
- 1959: Sarnia Legionnaires defeated Aurora BruinsAurora TigersThe Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
4-games-to-2 with 1 tie - 1966: Sarnia Legionnaries defeated Westclair York Steel 4-games-to-2
- 1968: Sarnia Legionnaries defeated Markham WaxersMarkham WaxersThe Markham Waxers are an Ontario Junior Hockey League Junior "A" ice hockey team. The Waxer organizations are from Markham, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
4-games-to-none
Notable alumni
- Norm "Red" Armstrong NHL player
- Phil EspositoPhil EspositoPhilip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
NHL scoring champ, Stanley Cup champ, Hall of Famer - Len FontaineLen FontaineLeonard Joseph Fontaine is a professional hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League.- External links :...
NHL player - Henry Lehvonen NHL player
- Ian McKegneyIan McKegneyIan Robert McKegney is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played three games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks.-External links:...
NHL player - Pat Stapleton NHL all-star
- Don WardDon Ward (ice hockey)Donald Joseph Ward was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 34 games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks and Boston Bruins in the late 50s.- External links :...
NHL player - Eric VailEric VailEric "Freight Train" Vail is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine seasons in the National Hockey League, mostly with the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames organization, and then later in his last season he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.Vail was drafted 21st overall...
NHL rookie of the year - Kirk BowmanKirk BowmanRobert Kirk Bowman is a retired professional ice hockey winger. He currently does periodic work on behalf of the Blackhawk Alumni Association.-External links:* * *...
NHL player - Don GordonDon Gordon (ice hockey)Don Gordon was a professional ice hockey player who played 94 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Chicago Cougars and Los Angeles Sharks.- References :...
WHA player - Ted GarvinTed GarvinTed Garvin was a Canadian ice hockey forward and head coach primarily in the International Hockey League. Born in Sarnia, Ontario, he began his playing career in the Eastern Hockey League with the Philadelphia Falcons and Washington Lions and played two seasons with the Sarnia Sailors of the...
NHL coach - Frank Blum WHA player
- Duke HarrisDuke HarrisGeorge Francis "Duke" Harris is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League during the 1967–68 season with the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played in the WHA from 1972–75 with the Chicago Cougars and Houston Aeros.-External...
NHL and WHA player - Don Bugess WHA player
External links