Thunder Bay Hornets
Encyclopedia
The Thunder Bay Hornets were a Junior "A" ice hockey
team from Thunder Bay
, Ontario
, Canada
. At their height, they won two consecutive Bronze Medals at the Western Canadian Junior B Championships - the Keystone Cup
and later were in competition for the National Junior A Championship, the Centennial Cup, as members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
.
-region. In their first year, they joined the Junior B Schreiber North Stars and the Junior A Thunder Bay Kings to form the Hockey Thunder Bay League
-- the region's only Junior league.
In both seasons in the TBJHL, the Hornets would win the City Junior B Crown but fall to the Thunder Bay Kings in the City Junior Finals. In 1983, the Hornets travelled to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
to compete for the Keystone Cup
. Up against the Portage Terriers
and Selkirk Fishermen
of the Manitoba Junior B Hockey League
as well as the Saskatoon Westleys from the North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League
. The Hornets would finish with a Bronze medal. In 1984, the Keystone Cup was hosted by the Schreiber North Stars in Schreiber, Ontario
. Portage and Selkirk would be the two other teams. Both Ontario teams were badly outplayed by the Manitoba teams, but they would meet in the Bronze Medal game won by the Hornets 8-4.
In 1984, the Kings were granted expansion into the American Junior A United States Hockey League
and renamed themselves the Thunder Bay Flyers
. With no real competition in the area, the Hornets took a chance and applied for entry into the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
, a Junior A league in the neighbouring province to the West. The Hornets were accepted and were granted the right to be the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association
's Junior A representation instead of the Flyers. After a .500 record in their first season, finishing 3rd in the South Division, the Hornets were put out early in the MJHL playoffs. In 1985-86, the Hornets fell seven games below .500 for 4th in the South and the same playoff result. In the Flyers first two years in the USHL, they were equally dismal.
After 1986, the Hornets took leave of the MJHL and eventually disbanded. This allowed for the Thunder Bay Flyers
to stack their rosters with local talent instead of share. From 1987 onward, the TBAHA would allow the Flyers to represent the region in the Centennial Cup playdowns in place of the Hornets (after they officially disbanded). The Flyers would go on to win two Clark Cup
s as American Champions and two Centennial Cups as Canadian Junior A Champions.
MJHL Years
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team from Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, 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....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. At their height, they won two consecutive Bronze Medals at the Western Canadian Junior B Championships - the Keystone Cup
Keystone Cup
The Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
and later were in competition for the National Junior A Championship, the Centennial Cup, as members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
.
History
The Hornets were formed in 1982 to provide a Junior B team to the Thunder BayThunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
-region. In their first year, they joined the Junior B Schreiber North Stars and the Junior A Thunder Bay Kings to form the Hockey Thunder Bay League
Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League
The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was a Canadian Junior ice hockey league that existed from circa 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region....
-- the region's only Junior league.
In both seasons in the TBJHL, the Hornets would win the City Junior B Crown but fall to the Thunder Bay Kings in the City Junior Finals. In 1983, the Hornets travelled to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
-Transportation:Portage la Prairie railway station is served by Via Rail with both The Canadian and Winnipeg – Churchill trains calling at the station....
to compete for the Keystone Cup
Keystone Cup
The Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
. Up against the Portage Terriers
Portage Terriers
The Portage Terriers are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League and Hockey Canada.-History:...
and Selkirk Fishermen
Selkirk Fishermen
The Selkirk Fishermen are a Junior "B" ice hockey team based in Selkirk, Manitoba. They are members of the Keystone Junior Hockey League...
of the Manitoba Junior B Hockey League
Keystone Junior Hockey League
The Keystone Junior Hockey League , formerly known as the Manitoba Junior B Hockey League , is a Junior "B" ice hockey league composed of 7 teams in Manitoba, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada....
as well as the Saskatoon Westleys from the North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League
North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League
The North Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League was a Junior "B" ice hockey league in Saskatchewan, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The playoff champion played-off against the winner of the Southern Saskatchewan/Prairie Junior Hockey League for the right to compete for the Keystone Cup...
. The Hornets would finish with a Bronze medal. In 1984, the Keystone Cup was hosted by the Schreiber North Stars in Schreiber, Ontario
Schreiber, Ontario
Schreiber is a municipal township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located on the northernmost point of Lake Superior along Highway 17. The town, with a population of approximately 900 people, is almost completely located inside the geographic township of Priske, with a small western portion of...
. Portage and Selkirk would be the two other teams. Both Ontario teams were badly outplayed by the Manitoba teams, but they would meet in the Bronze Medal game won by the Hornets 8-4.
In 1984, the Kings were granted expansion into the American Junior A United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
and renamed themselves the Thunder Bay Flyers
Thunder Bay Flyers
The Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.-History:On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams in the 1980-81 City League...
. With no real competition in the area, the Hornets took a chance and applied for entry into the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
, a Junior A league in the neighbouring province to the West. The Hornets were accepted and were granted the right to be the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association
Hockey Northwestern Ontario
Hockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
's Junior A representation instead of the Flyers. After a .500 record in their first season, finishing 3rd in the South Division, the Hornets were put out early in the MJHL playoffs. In 1985-86, the Hornets fell seven games below .500 for 4th in the South and the same playoff result. In the Flyers first two years in the USHL, they were equally dismal.
After 1986, the Hornets took leave of the MJHL and eventually disbanded. This allowed for the Thunder Bay Flyers
Thunder Bay Flyers
The Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.-History:On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams in the 1980-81 City League...
to stack their rosters with local talent instead of share. From 1987 onward, the TBAHA would allow the Flyers to represent the region in the Centennial Cup playdowns in place of the Hornets (after they officially disbanded). The Flyers would go on to win two Clark Cup
Clark Cup
The Clark Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the winner of the United States Hockey League Tier 1 Junior Hockey playoff champions. The Clark Cup was named in honor of Dan Clark, the long-time registrar of the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association. Clark was also the recipient of the NHL's Lester...
s as American Champions and two Centennial Cups as Canadian Junior A Champions.
Season-by-Season Records
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
| 1982-83 | 24 | 5 | 18 | 1 | ||||||
| 77 | 149 | 11 | 3rd TBJHL | Lost Final, Bronze at KC Keystone Cup The Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:... |
||||||
| 1983-84 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 0 | ||||||
| 117 | 78 | 22 | 2nd TBJHL | Lost Final, Bronze at KC Keystone Cup The Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:... |
||||||
| 1984-85 | 48 | 24 | 24 | 0 | - | 280 | 269 | 48 | 3rd MJHL-S | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1985-86 | 48 | 20 | 27 | 1 | - | 232 | 254 | 41 | 4th MJHL-S | Lost Quarter-final |
Playoffs
TBJHL Years- 1983 Won City Jr. B Final, Lost City Junior Final, Won Keystone CupKeystone CupThe Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
Bronze Medal
- Thunder Bay Hornets defeated Schreiber North Stars 4-games-to-1 CITY JR. B CHAMPIONS
- Thunder Bay Kings defeated Thunder Bay Hornets 3-games-to-none
- Third in Keystone CupKeystone CupThe Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
round robin WESTERN CANADA JR. B BRONZE MEDALLISTS- 1984 Won City Jr. B Final, Lost City Junior Final, Won Keystone CupKeystone CupThe Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
Bronze Medal Game
- 1984 Won City Jr. B Final, Lost City Junior Final, Won Keystone Cup
- Thunder Bay Hornets defeated Thunder Bay Maple Leafs 2-games-to-1 CITY JR. B CHAMPIONS
- Thunder Bay Kings defeated Thunder Bay Hornets 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie
- Third in Keystone CupKeystone CupThe Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
round robin (1-3) - Thunder Bay Hornets defeated Schreiber North Stars 8-4 WESTERN CANADA JR. B BRONZE MEDALLISTS
MJHL Years
- 1985 Lost Quarter-final
- St. James CanadiansSt. James CanadiansThe St. James Canadians were a Canadian junior hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League until 2003, folding officially in 2004. The Canadians played out of the St. James Civic Centre, in Winnipeg, Manitoba...
defeated Thunder Bay Hornets 4-games-to-2- 1986 Lost Quarter-final
- Winnipeg South BluesWinnipeg South BluesThe Winnipeg Blues are a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team playing out of the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They were formerly known as the Fort Garry Blues, Winnipeg South Blues, and the Winnipeg Monarchs...
defeated Thunder Bay Hornets 4-games-to-none
See also
- Manitoba Junior Hockey LeagueManitoba Junior Hockey LeagueThe Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
- Superior International Junior Hockey LeagueSuperior International Junior Hockey LeagueThe Superior International Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern...
- Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey LeagueThunder Bay Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was a Canadian Junior ice hockey league that existed from circa 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region....
- United States Hockey LeagueUnited States Hockey LeagueThe United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
- Hockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
- Canadian Junior A Hockey LeagueCanadian Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Junior Hockey League , an association of Canadian Junior A ice hockey leagues and teams, formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior Hockey League wins the Royal Bank Cup.The CJHL spans the majority of...
- Dudley Hewitt CupDudley Hewitt CupThe Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
- Royal Bank CupRoyal Bank CupThe Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...