Toronto Marlboros
Encyclopedia
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. The Marlboros were a farm team to the Toronto Maple Leafs
and one of the dominant junior teams in history, winning seven Memorial Cup
championships.
Other Toronto Marlboros teams include a senior ice hockey
team which competed for the Stanley Cup
in 1904 and won the Allan Cup
in 1950, and a Minor Hockey team, which has operated continuously since 1931.
. A hockey program was started in 1904. The team was commonly known as the Marlboros or Marlies and was also nicknamed the Dukes.
In the early years, the Marlboros were just one of many athletic clubs and junior hockey teams in and around Toronto that played in relative obscurity in the history books. The club was thrust onto the national scene in 1927 when Conn Smythe
bought the Toronto Marlboros to be the farm team for his other recently acquired team, the Toronto Maple Leafs
. From 1927 to 1989 the Marlboros and Maple Leafs shared common ownership first in the Smythe family and later in Harold Ballard
. Upon the death of Conn Smythe, his son Stafford Smythe
inherited the teams, and later sold a portion of both clubs to Harold Ballard. Ballard became sole owner of both teams upon the passing of Stafford Smythe.
The Marlboros served as a farm team for the Maple Leafs for 40 years until direct NHL sponsorship of junior teams ended in 1967, however the two clubs continued to remain affiliated under a common ownership until 1989. During this time the Marlboros sent over 180 players to the NHL and six future Hockey Hall of Fame
inductees. The two teams often played double headers on Saturdays, with the junior games in the afternoon and the NHL games in the evening.
The original Hot Stove Club was formed at Maple Leaf Gardens on May 28, 1937, for the purpose of raising funds to support the Marlborough Hockey Club. The Hot Stove Club was given a permanent bar & lounge at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1963. From 1929 to 1975 the Marlboros won the national junior championship seven times.
Marlboro players from the Memorial Cups in the 1950s and 1960s jumped directly to the Maple Leafs, helping them win the Stanley Cup
four times in the 1960s. Former NHL stars stayed in the organization to help coach in the junior ranks. Turk Broda
and George Armstrong both coached the Marlboros to Memorial Cup victories.
Stafford Smythe organized the Metro Junior A League
in 1961 as a rival league to the OHA, with the Marlboros as its charter member. After the league folded in 1963, the Marlboros scooped up all the former stars from the Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons
who had won two consecutive Metro Junior A league titles, and also retained their coach, Jim Gregory. The 1964 Marlboros were one of the strongest teams in Canadian junior history.
The Marlboros returned to prominence again in 1973, coached by former Toronto Maple Leafs captain George Armstrong. Armstrong's team in 1973 lost only seven games all season, and two years later he coached the Marlboros to their seventh national title in 1975.
The team began to take a decline in the standings in the late 1970s which continued through the 1980s. Many people felt that Harold Ballard's penny-pinching ways helped contribute to the demise of Canada's most successful junior team. After the 1988–89 season the Toronto Marlboros were sold, and they severed ties with the Maple Leafs. The OHA team moved to Hamilton, becoming the Dukes of Hamilton
. They were not financially successful in Hamilton, though, and after only two seasons the Dukes became the Guelph Storm
.
The Marlboros reached their first Memorial Cup
series in 1929 after being upset in 1928 by the Ottawa Gunners. In 1929 the Marlboros defeated the Ottawa Shamrocks in a two-game total goals series by 6 to 5. Ottawa won the first game 4 to 3, and Toronto won the second game 3 to 1.
Toronto played the Elmwood Millionaires
from Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, in a best of three series starting on March 29 at the Arena Gardens (Mutual Street Arena
) for the Memorial Cup. The Marlboros won the first game 4 to 2 in overtime. On March 31, Toronto won game 2 by an identical score of 4 to 2 for its first Memorial Cup.
1955
Turk Broda
took over the coaching duties of the Marlboros midway through the 1954–55 season. In the playoffs the Marlboros defeated the reigning Memorial Cup champions St. Catharines Teepees
, followed by the Quebec Remparts
to win the Eastern Canadian championship.
After a long train ride to Regina, Saskatchewan
, to Marlboros and the Regina Pats took part in the First Annual Memorial Cup Dinner. The idea of the banquet was one of Harold Ballard's many longlasting effects on the game. The next day the two teams would start a best of seven series for the Cup.
Regina won the first game 3 to 1. Toronto won the next two games scores of 5 to 2, and 3 to 2. Regina tied up game four at 2 goals each in the dying minutes of regulation to send the match to overtime. Billy Harris scored in overtime to give the Marlboros a 3 games to 1 lead. Game five was also tied after three periods. Toronto scored three unanswered goals, winning 8 to 5 in overtime, and their second Memorial Cup.
1956
Toronto defeated the Montreal Junior Canadiens in an 8-game series to return to the Memorial Cup and a rematch versus the Regina Pats.
The championship series started at Maple Leaf Gardens
on April 27.
The teams tied the first game at 4 goals each. Toronto put together three consecutive victories by scores of 5 to 1, 4 to 2, and 6 to 1.
The Marlboros captured their second consecutive Memorial Cup in game five by a score ot 7 to 4. The Oshawa Generals
were the first team to accomplish the feat in 1938–39 and 1939–40.
1964
Toronto defeated the defending OHA champions Niagara Falls Flyers
and the Montreal Jr. Canadiens to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup
. The Marlboros swept the NOHA champion North Bay Trappers
to play the Quebec champion Notre-Dame-de-Grace Monarchs, who were coached by Scotty Bowman
. Toronto prevailed to return to the Memorial Cup after an eight-year absence. Their opponent was the perennial Abbott Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The series opened at Maple Leaf Gardens with a 5 to 2 Toronto victory. The Marlboros won games two and three with scores of 3 to 2 and 5 to 2. Toronto finished the series sweep with a 7 to 2 win in game 4. Many of the players on the 1964 Marlboros team, including Ron Ellis
, Mike Walton
and Pete Stemkowski
, helped the Maple Leafs capture the Stanley Cup
in 1967.
1967
Toronto defeated the Montreal Jr. Canadiens and Hamilton Red Wings
for the OHA title, then eliminated the Thetford Mines Canadiens to capture the eastern Canadian championships. The Marlboros played the Port Arthur Marrs
in the Memorial Cup series hosted at the Fort William Gardens
in what is now the city of Thunder Bay
, Ontario
.
The Marlboros won the first two games by scores of 6 to 3, and 8 to 4. Port Arthur won the third game 6 to 4 in a heavily penalized match, including a bench brawl with one second left in the game. Toronto won the last two games by scores of 6 to 0, and 6 to 3 capturing its 5th Memorial Cup. In 1966–67, the Maple Leafs also won the Stanley Cup, the last year the two clubs were national champions at the same time.
1973
The Marlboros of 1972–73 lost only seven games in the regular season. The team was ranked # 1 in Canada going into the playoffs. Toronto eliminated the St. Catharines Black Hawks
and Ottawa 67's
before meeting the Peterborough Petes
in the OHA finals.
The series versus the Petes went to a seventh game played at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of 16,485 spectators, a record at the time for junior hockey attendance. Toronto needed only a tie game to advance, and did so in dramatic fashion. Paulin Bordeleau scored on a penalty shot in the last minute to tie the game at 5 goals each.
After winning the OHA title, the Marlboros travelled to Memorial Cup hosted at the Montreal Forum
where their opponents would be the Quebec Remparts
and the Medicine Hat Tigers
, who were led by future NHL star Lanny McDonald
.
The Marlies beat Quebec 5 to 2 in the first game, and lost 3 to 2 to the Tigers in the second game. The Remparts then beat the Tigers 8 to 3 in game three. Since each team had won a game, Toronto and Quebec played each other in the finals based on goals for and against. The Marlboros scored a 9 to 1 victory for their 6th Memorial Cup.
1975
The 1975 playoff run for the Marlboros was complicated by Mark Napier and John Tonelli
signing professional contracts before the season ended. Tonelli would sit out all the Marlboros games after his 18th birthday so he would not the jeopardize playing for the Houston Aeros
.
Toronto stumbled through the playoffs managing come-from-behind victories in series versus the 8th place Kingston Canadians
and 5th place Sudbury Wolves
. Both series went 8 games, and the Marlboros were a point away from being eliminated each time but stayed alive. The Marlboros then beat the Hamilton Fincups
in the finals for their last OHA championship. Toronto would face the New Westminster Bruins
, and the Sherbrooke Castors
in the Memorial Cup series played at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex
.
Toronto beat Sherbrooke 5 to 4 in overtime in game 1 after coming back from three goals down. The Bruins beat the Castors (Beavers in English) 7 to 5 in game two, defeated Toronto 6 to 2 in the third game to reach the finals. In a rematch versus the Castors in the semi-final, Toronto won 10 to 4 to reach the finals versus New Westminster.
The Marlboros continued their momentum in the finals winning 7 to 3, and capturing their seventh and final Memorial Cup championship. Coach Armstrong said it was all worth it, even after his team had tossed him into the hotel swimming pool during a victory party.
Two Toronto Marlboros coached have been awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy
as the OHA Coach of the Year. They are George Armstrong 1972-73 in his first year, and Dave Chambers in 1979–80.
in 1967, the Maple Leafs relied heavily on the Jr. A. Marlboros to produce NHL players. Many players were part of Maple Leafs Stanley Cup winning teams. In total, 202 OHA Junior Marlboros went on to play in the National Hockey League.
. They are George Armstrong, Charlie Conacher
, Red Horner
, Harvey Jackson, Joe Primeau
and Bob Pulford
. Former Marlboros Brad Park
and Mark Howe
were also inducted into the Hall of Fame as NHL defenceman, and Carl Voss
was inducted as a builder.
The Toronto Marlboros used the same colour scheme as the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs from 1927 when the two club came under common ownership. The Marlborough crown was originally displayed by itself on the jersey chest. It was not until the late 1950s that the crown was set against the present day Maple Leaf.
in Toronto's west end. Home games were played downtown at the Mutual Street Arena
.
In 1931 Maple Leaf Gardens
opened up for business and the Marlboros had a new home again. In 1964 the Marlboros won the Memorial Cup on home ice, the same year the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup on home ice.
The Marlboros occasionally also played games in the 1970s at the North York Centennial Centre and the Markham Centennial Centre
when Maple Leaf Gardens was unavailable, usually due to scheduling conflicts at MLG with both the Toronto Maple Leafs
and also the Toronto Toros
of the WHA
. They also played part of their home schedule in the 1976–77 season in Brantford, Ontario
out of the Brantford Civic Centre
.
, Ontario
. This club operated independently to the former OHA Junior 'A' team. After the Junior 'A' team left for Hamilton, the late Toronto Maple Leafs
owner Harold Ballard
granted permission for the Minor Marlboros to retain and carry on the Marlborough name. Three years later in the fall of 1992 the Marlboros combined their fabled crest with the current NHL Maple Leafs' uniform. The Minor Marlboros celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2005–06.
NHL alumni of the Minor Marlboros include, Sam Gagner
, Ron Handy
, Mike Hough
, Peter Ing
, Chris Kelly, Nathan LaFayette
, Rick Nash
, Mike Ricci
, Jason Spezza
, Brian Wilks
, Wojtek Wolski
and John Tavares.
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 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...
and 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....
from 1904 to 1989. The Marlboros were a farm team to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and one of the dominant junior teams in history, winning seven 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.
Other Toronto Marlboros teams include a senior ice hockey
Senior ice hockey
Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition for players too old to play junior ice hockey. The top senior amateur teams in Canadian leagues compete annually for the Allan Cup....
team which competed for the 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...
in 1904 and won the 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:...
in 1950, and a Minor Hockey team, which has operated continuously since 1931.
History
The Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club was started in Toronto, Ontario in 1903 by a group of Toronto sportsmen. It was named after the Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough
Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , styled Earl of Sunderland until 1883 and Marquess of Blandford between 1883 and 1892, was a British soldier and Conservative politician...
. A hockey program was started in 1904. The team was commonly known as the Marlboros or Marlies and was also nicknamed the Dukes.
In the early years, the Marlboros were just one of many athletic clubs and junior hockey teams in and around Toronto that played in relative obscurity in the history books. The club was thrust onto the national scene in 1927 when Conn Smythe
Conn Smythe
Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe MC was a Canadian businessman, soldier and sportsman in ice hockey and horse racing. He is best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of Maple Leaf Gardens...
bought the Toronto Marlboros to be the farm team for his other recently acquired team, the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. From 1927 to 1989 the Marlboros and Maple Leafs shared common ownership first in the Smythe family and later in Harold Ballard
Harold Ballard
Harold E. Ballard was an owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League as well as their home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens. A member of the Leafs organization from 1940 and a senior executive from 1957, he became part-owner of the team in 1961 and was majority owner from February...
. Upon the death of Conn Smythe, his son Stafford Smythe
Stafford Smythe
Conn Stafford Smythe was the son of Conn Smythe and president of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team from 1961–1969 and from 1970 until his death.-Early years:...
inherited the teams, and later sold a portion of both clubs to Harold Ballard. Ballard became sole owner of both teams upon the passing of Stafford Smythe.
The Marlboros served as a farm team for the Maple Leafs for 40 years until direct NHL sponsorship of junior teams ended in 1967, however the two clubs continued to remain affiliated under a common ownership until 1989. During this time the Marlboros sent over 180 players to the NHL and six future 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...
inductees. The two teams often played double headers on Saturdays, with the junior games in the afternoon and the NHL games in the evening.
The original Hot Stove Club was formed at Maple Leaf Gardens on May 28, 1937, for the purpose of raising funds to support the Marlborough Hockey Club. The Hot Stove Club was given a permanent bar & lounge at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1963. From 1929 to 1975 the Marlboros won the national junior championship seven times.
Marlboro players from the Memorial Cups in the 1950s and 1960s jumped directly to the Maple Leafs, helping them win the 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...
four times in the 1960s. Former NHL stars stayed in the organization to help coach in the junior ranks. Turk Broda
Turk Broda
Walter "Turk" Broda was an ice hockey goaltender, playing his entire career for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Broda was born in Brandon, Manitoba to a Ukrainian family; joining the Maple Leafs in 1936.-Personal:...
and George Armstrong both coached the Marlboros to Memorial Cup victories.
Stafford Smythe organized 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...
in 1961 as a rival league to the OHA, with the Marlboros as its charter member. After the league folded in 1963, the Marlboros scooped up all the former stars from the Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons
Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons
The Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons were a junior ice hockey team in the Metro Junior A League for one season in 1962-63. The Maroons were operated by Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough, Ontario. When St. Michael's College discontinued its hockey program after the 1961-62 season, the...
who had won two consecutive Metro Junior A league titles, and also retained their coach, Jim Gregory. The 1964 Marlboros were one of the strongest teams in Canadian junior history.
The Marlboros returned to prominence again in 1973, coached by former Toronto Maple Leafs captain George Armstrong. Armstrong's team in 1973 lost only seven games all season, and two years later he coached the Marlboros to their seventh national title in 1975.
The team began to take a decline in the standings in the late 1970s which continued through the 1980s. Many people felt that Harold Ballard's penny-pinching ways helped contribute to the demise of Canada's most successful junior team. After the 1988–89 season the Toronto Marlboros were sold, and they severed ties with the Maple Leafs. The OHA team moved to Hamilton, becoming the Dukes of Hamilton
Dukes of Hamilton
The Dukes of Hamilton were a junior ice hockey team that represented Hamilton, Ontario in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1989 to 1991.-History:...
. They were not financially successful in Hamilton, though, and after only two seasons the Dukes became the Guelph Storm
Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...
.
Championships
The Toronto Marlboros won Memorial Cup seven times, more than any other team in the Cup's history. The Marlies also won 10 OHA championships in 17 final appearances.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...
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....
| 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...
Eastern Canadian Champions
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...
|
Memorial Cups
1929The Marlboros reached their first 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...
series in 1929 after being upset in 1928 by the Ottawa Gunners. In 1929 the Marlboros defeated the Ottawa Shamrocks in a two-game total goals series by 6 to 5. Ottawa won the first game 4 to 3, and Toronto won the second game 3 to 1.
Toronto played the Elmwood Millionaires
Elmwood Millionaires
The Elmwood Millionaires is a now defunct Canadian Junior Hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Millionaires, based in Elmwood, Manitoba, won 5 straight Turnbull Cup Championships as Manitoba Junior ‘A’ Champions, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 & 1931, and a 6th in 1936. The 1929 Elmwood...
from Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, in a best of three series starting on March 29 at the Arena Gardens (Mutual Street Arena
Mutual Street Arena
Mutual Street Arena, initially called Arena Gardens or just the Arena, was an ice hockey arena and sports and entertainment venue in Toronto, Ontario...
) for the Memorial Cup. The Marlboros won the first game 4 to 2 in overtime. On March 31, Toronto won game 2 by an identical score of 4 to 2 for its first Memorial Cup.
1955
Turk Broda
Turk Broda
Walter "Turk" Broda was an ice hockey goaltender, playing his entire career for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Broda was born in Brandon, Manitoba to a Ukrainian family; joining the Maple Leafs in 1936.-Personal:...
took over the coaching duties of the Marlboros midway through the 1954–55 season. In the playoffs the Marlboros defeated the reigning Memorial Cup champions St. Catharines Teepees
St. Catharines Teepees
The St. Catharines Teepees were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1947 to 1962. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, followed by the Quebec Remparts
Québec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...
to win the Eastern Canadian championship.
After a long train ride to Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, to Marlboros and the Regina Pats took part in the First Annual Memorial Cup Dinner. The idea of the banquet was one of Harold Ballard's many longlasting effects on the game. The next day the two teams would start a best of seven series for the Cup.
Regina won the first game 3 to 1. Toronto won the next two games scores of 5 to 2, and 3 to 2. Regina tied up game four at 2 goals each in the dying minutes of regulation to send the match to overtime. Billy Harris scored in overtime to give the Marlboros a 3 games to 1 lead. Game five was also tied after three periods. Toronto scored three unanswered goals, winning 8 to 5 in overtime, and their second Memorial Cup.
1956
Toronto defeated the Montreal Junior Canadiens in an 8-game series to return to the Memorial Cup and a rematch versus the Regina Pats.
The championship series started 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...
on April 27.
The teams tied the first game at 4 goals each. Toronto put together three consecutive victories by scores of 5 to 1, 4 to 2, and 6 to 1.
The Marlboros captured their second consecutive Memorial Cup in game five by a score ot 7 to 4. The Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
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...
were the first team to accomplish the feat in 1938–39 and 1939–40.
1964
Toronto defeated the defending OHA champions Niagara Falls Flyers
Niagara Falls Flyers
----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
and the Montreal Jr. Canadiens to win 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 Marlboros swept the NOHA champion North Bay Trappers
North Bay Trappers
The North Bay Trappers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North Bay, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association and later the OHA Jr...
to play the Quebec champion Notre-Dame-de-Grace Monarchs, who were coached by Scotty Bowman
Scotty Bowman
William Scott "Scotty" Bowman is a retired National Hockey League head coach. He holds the record for most wins in league history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He coached the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
. Toronto prevailed to return to the Memorial Cup after an eight-year absence. Their opponent was the perennial Abbott Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The series opened at Maple Leaf Gardens with a 5 to 2 Toronto victory. The Marlboros won games two and three with scores of 3 to 2 and 5 to 2. Toronto finished the series sweep with a 7 to 2 win in game 4. Many of the players on the 1964 Marlboros team, including Ron Ellis
Ron Ellis
Ronald John Edward Ellis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:...
, Mike Walton
Mike Walton
Michael Robert "Shakey" Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association . He was a forward with explosive offensive skills who made up for his lack of size with blazing speed and superior puckhandling...
and Pete Stemkowski
Pete Stemkowski
Peter David Stemkowski - is a former player in the National Hockey League. Over fifteen seasons, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings...
, helped the Maple Leafs capture the 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...
in 1967.
1967
Toronto defeated the Montreal Jr. Canadiens and Hamilton Red Wings
Hamilton Red Wings
The Hamilton Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1974. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario.-History:...
for the OHA title, then eliminated the Thetford Mines Canadiens to capture the eastern Canadian championships. The Marlboros played the Port Arthur Marrs
Port Arthur Marrs
The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario . They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost to the Toronto Marlboros.-History:The Marrs played out of the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey...
in the Memorial Cup series hosted at the Fort William Gardens
Fort William Gardens
The Fort William Gardens is a 4,690-capacity multi-purpose arena, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1951.Previous tenants include the Thunder Bay Flyers, of the 'Junior A' United States Hockey League, the Thunder Bay Senators/Thunder Bay Thunder Cats, of the Colonial Hockey League and...
in what is now the city of 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....
.
The Marlboros won the first two games by scores of 6 to 3, and 8 to 4. Port Arthur won the third game 6 to 4 in a heavily penalized match, including a bench brawl with one second left in the game. Toronto won the last two games by scores of 6 to 0, and 6 to 3 capturing its 5th Memorial Cup. In 1966–67, the Maple Leafs also won the Stanley Cup, the last year the two clubs were national champions at the same time.
1973
The Marlboros of 1972–73 lost only seven games in the regular season. The team was ranked # 1 in Canada going into the playoffs. Toronto eliminated 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:...
and Ottawa 67's
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:...
before meeting 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:...
in the OHA finals.
The series versus the Petes went to a seventh game played at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of 16,485 spectators, a record at the time for junior hockey attendance. Toronto needed only a tie game to advance, and did so in dramatic fashion. Paulin Bordeleau scored on a penalty shot in the last minute to tie the game at 5 goals each.
After winning the OHA title, the Marlboros travelled to Memorial Cup hosted at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
where their opponents would be the Quebec Remparts
Québec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...
and 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....
, who were led by future NHL star Lanny McDonald
Lanny McDonald
Lanny King McDonald is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year NHL career in which he scored 500 goals and over 1,000 points...
.
The Marlies beat Quebec 5 to 2 in the first game, and lost 3 to 2 to the Tigers in the second game. The Remparts then beat the Tigers 8 to 3 in game three. Since each team had won a game, Toronto and Quebec played each other in the finals based on goals for and against. The Marlboros scored a 9 to 1 victory for their 6th Memorial Cup.
1975
The 1975 playoff run for the Marlboros was complicated by Mark Napier and John Tonelli
John Tonelli
John A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,...
signing professional contracts before the season ended. Tonelli would sit out all the Marlboros games after his 18th birthday so he would not the jeopardize playing for the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
.
Toronto stumbled through the playoffs managing come-from-behind victories in series versus the 8th place Kingston Canadians
Kingston Canadians
The Kingston Canadians were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1973 to 1988. The team played home games at the Kingston Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
and 5th place Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
. Both series went 8 games, and the Marlboros were a point away from being eliminated each time but stayed alive. The Marlboros then beat the Hamilton Fincups
Hamilton Fincups
The Fincups were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League for 4 years, from 1974 to 1978. The team played in Hamilton, Ontario for three years, and in St. Catharines, Ontario for one.-History:...
in the finals for their last OHA championship. Toronto would face the New Westminster Bruins
New Westminster Bruins
The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981...
, and the Sherbrooke Castors
Sherbrooke Castors
The Sherbrooke Castors or Sherbrooke Beavers was the name of two different junior ice hockey teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Both franchises played at the Palais des Sports in Sherbrooke, Quebec.-Original Castors:...
in the Memorial Cup series played at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex is a multi-use municipally-owned facility in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The complex is located on East Avenue, near the Ottawa Street interchange on the Conestoga Parkway...
.
Toronto beat Sherbrooke 5 to 4 in overtime in game 1 after coming back from three goals down. The Bruins beat the Castors (Beavers in English) 7 to 5 in game two, defeated Toronto 6 to 2 in the third game to reach the finals. In a rematch versus the Castors in the semi-final, Toronto won 10 to 4 to reach the finals versus New Westminster.
The Marlboros continued their momentum in the finals winning 7 to 3, and capturing their seventh and final Memorial Cup championship. Coach Armstrong said it was all worth it, even after his team had tossed him into the hotel swimming pool during a victory party.
Coaches
One of the most famous Maple Leafs and Marlboros of all time, George Armstrong, coached the Marlboros to their final two Memorial Cup victories in 1972–73 and 1974–75.Two Toronto Marlboros coached have been awarded the 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...
as the OHA Coach of the Year. They are George Armstrong 1972-73 in his first year, and Dave Chambers in 1979–80.
- Partial list of Toronto Marlboros coaches.
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Players
Until the NHL instituted the Entry DraftNHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
in 1967, the Maple Leafs relied heavily on the Jr. A. Marlboros to produce NHL players. Many players were part of Maple Leafs Stanley Cup winning teams. In total, 202 OHA Junior Marlboros went on to play in the National Hockey League.
Award 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... (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... (Scoring Champion)
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... (Top Scoring Right Winger)
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)
| 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 GAA)
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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Hockey Hall of Famers
Six players who played for the Marlboros and Maple Leafs have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of FameHockey 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...
. They are George Armstrong, Charlie Conacher
Charlie Conacher
Charles William "The Big Bomber" Conacher, Sr. was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and New York Americans in the National Hockey League. An early power forward, Conacher was nicknamed "The Big Bomber," for his size, powerful...
, Red Horner
Red Horner
George Reginald "Red" Horner was an ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1928 to 1940. He was the Leafs captain from 1938 until his retirement. He helped the Leafs win their first Stanley Cup in 1932...
, Harvey Jackson, Joe Primeau
Joe Primeau
Alfred Joseph Francis "Gentleman Joe" Primeau , was a Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:...
and Bob Pulford
Bob Pulford
Robert Jesse Pulford is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League...
. Former Marlboros Brad Park
Brad Park
Douglas Bradford Park is a retired ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings...
and Mark Howe
Mark Howe
Mark Steven Howe is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League and 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association . He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, and early in his career was a teammate of his father...
were also inducted into the Hall of Fame as NHL defenceman, and Carl Voss
Carl Voss
Carl Potter Voss was an American ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
was inducted as a builder.
NHL alumni
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Regular season
- Standings prior to 1937 currently unavailable.
Season Season (sports)In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
Games Won Lost Tied Points Pct % Goals
forGoals
againstStanding 1937–38 12 12 0 0 24 1.000 80 27 1st, OHA 1938–39 14 4 9 1 9 0.308 33 53 3rd, Group 1 1939–40 19 11 5 3 25 0.688 106 49 2nd, OHA 1940–41 17 13 3 1 25 0.813 113 51 1st, OHA 1941–42 24 12 10 2 26 0.545 73 79 4th, OHA 1942–43 21 8 12 1 17 0.400 105 119 6th, OHA 1943–44 26 8 15 1 18 0.320 73 122 4th, Group 1 1944–45 20 2 18 0 4 0.100 52 141 6th, OHA 1945–46 28 11 16 1 23 0.407 78 111 5th, OHA 1946–47 36 20 16 0 40 0.556 87 84 5th, OHA 1947–48 32 12 20 0 30 0.375 97 149 7th, OHA 1948–49 48 20 24 4 44 0.458 168 176 6th, OHA 1949–50 48 37 9 2 76 0.792 253 119 1st, OHA 1950–51 54 32 16 6 70 0.648 220 167 2nd, OHA 1951–52 53 39 8 6 84 0.792 302 146 1st, OHA 1952–53 56 32 17 7 71 0.634 199 139 2nd, OHA 1953–54 59 34 18 7 75 0.636 242 160 2nd, OHA 1954–55 49 29 17 3 61 0.622 189 142 3rd, OHA 1955–56 48 23 21 4 50 0.521 174 164 4th, OHA 1956–57 52 35 14 3 73 0.702 189 133 2nd, OHA 1957–58 52 21 21 10 52 0.500 210 186 4th, OHA 1958–59 54 19 27 8 46 0.426 160 213 6th, OHA 1959–60 48 28 17 3 59 0.615 222 180 1st, OHA 1960–61 48 9 30 9 27 0.281 136 211 7th, OHA 1961–62 33 18 9 6 44 0.636 141 103 2nd, Metro Jr 1962–63 40 22 12 6 50 0.625 217 159 2nd, Metro Jr 1963–64 56 40 9 7 87 0.777 336 195 1st, OHA 1964–65 56 32 17 7 71 0.634 259 222 2nd, OHA 1965–66 48 20 18 10 50 0.521 203 211 6th, OHA 1966–67 48 23 15 10 56 0.583 208 184 3rd, OHA 1967–68 54 31 17 6 68 0.630 273 179 5th, OHA 1968–69 54 21 27 6 48 0.444 222 239 6th, OHA 1969–70 54 26 17 11 63 0.583 239 201 4th, OHA 1970–71 62 28 26 8 64 0.516 353 304 5th, OHA 1971–72 63 45 15 3 93 0.738 363 256 1st, OHA 1972–73 63 47 7 9 103 0.817 416 199 1st, OHA 1973–74 70 30 31 9 69 0.493 293 276 8th, OHA 1974–75 70 48 13 9 105 0.750 469 303 1st, OMJHL 1975–76 66 26 30 10 62 0.470 278 294 3rd, Emms 1976–77 66 31 23 12 74 0.561 335 286 3rd, Emms 1977–78 68 24 36 8 56 0.412 263 341 5th, Emms 1978–79 68 27 40 1 55 0.404 308 351 5th, Emms 1979–80 68 33 32 3 69 0.507 342 310 2nd, Emms 1980–81 68 31 37 0 62 0.456 298 336 4th, Emms 1981–82 68 37 31 0 74 0.544 316 290 4th, Leyden 1982–83 70 36 29 5 77 0.550 325 311 4th, Leyden 1983–84 70 45 24 1 91 0.650 392 317 2nd, Leyden 1984–85 1984–85 OHL seasonThe 1984–85 OHL season was the 5th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Peterborough Petes. The Greyhounds also set an OHL record that still stands, going 33–0 at home in the regular...
66 35 28 3 73 0.553 315 302 3rd, Leyden 1985–86 1985–86 OHL seasonThe 1985–86 OHL season was the 6th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Platers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Belleville Bulls.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:-Division Quarterfinals:...
66 22 41 3 47 0.356 297 345 6th, Leyden 1986–87 1986–87 OHL seasonThe 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:...
66 22 41 3 47 0.356 298 376 7th, Leyden 1987–88 66 26 39 1 53 0.402 292 348 6th, Leyden 1988–89 66 32 31 3 67 0.508 319 332 3rd, Leyden
Playoffs
Complete records prior to 1960 are unavailable.- 1960–61 Out of playoffs.
- 1961–62 Defeated Brampton 7Ups 8 points to 2 in Metro League semi-finals.
Lost to St. Michael's Majors 8 points to 6 in Metro League finals. - 1962–63 Defeated Whitby Dunlops 8 points to 2 in Metro League semi-finals.
Lost to Neil McNeil Maroons 8 points to 4 in Metro League finals. - 1963–64 Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
Received bye through semi-finals.
Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 9 points to 1 in finals. - OHA Champions
Defeated Edmonton Oil Kings in Memorial Cup finals. - Memorial Cup Champions - 1964–65 Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 9 points to 7 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 9 points to 7 in semi-finals.
Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 2 in finals. - 1965–66 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 7 in semi-finals. - 1966–67 Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 5 in semi-finals.
Defeated Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 0 in finals. OHA Champions
Defeated Thetford Mines Canadiens 3-games-to-1 in Richardson Cup Final
Defeated Port Arthur Marrs 4-games-to-1 in Memorial Cup final. - Memorial Cup Champions - 1967–68 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
- 1968–69 Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
- 1969–70 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
Defeated London Knights 9 points to 3 in semi-finals.
Lost to Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 6 in finals. - 1970–71 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Ottawa 67's 8 points to 0 in semi-finals.
Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 0 in finals. - 1971–72 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in semi-finals. - 1972–73 Defeated St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Ottawa 67's 8 points to 0 in semi-finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 6 in finals. - OHA Champions
Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place based on goal differential.
Defeated Quebec Remparts 9-1 in final game. - Memorial Cup Champions - 1973–74 Defeated London Knights 9 points to 1 in quarter-finals.
Lost to St. Catharines Black Hawks 8 points to 0 in semi-finals. - 1974–75 Defeated Kingston Canadians 9 points to 7 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Sudbury Wolves 9 points to 7 in semi-finals.
Defeated Hamilton Fincups 8 points to 6 in finals. - OHA Champpions
Finish Memorial Cup round-robin in second place.
Defeated Sherbrooke Castros 6-2 in semi-final game.
Defeated New Westminster Bruins 10-4 in final game. - Memorial Cup Champions - 1975–76 Defeated London Knights 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Hamilton Fincups 9 points to 1 in semi-finals. - 1976–77 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 with 1 tie in quarter-finals.
- 1977–78 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 6 points to 4 in first round.
- 1978–79 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 6 points to 0 in first round.
- 1979–80 Lost to Brantford Alexanders 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
- 1980–81 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 3 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
- 1981–82 Defeated Cornwall Royals 6 points to 4 in first round.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals. - 1982–83 Lost to Cornwall Royals 7 points to 1 in first round.
- 1983–84 Earned first round bye. 2nd in Leyden division.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 0 in semi-finals. - 1984–85 Lost to Cornwall Royals 8 points to 2 in first round.
- 1985–86 Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 0 in first round.
- 1986–87 Out of playoffs.
- 1987–88 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in first round.
- 1988–89 Lost to Cornwall Royals 4 games to 2 in first round.
Uniforms and logos
In 1903 club secretary Fred Waghorne wrote to the Duke of Marlborough in England for permission to use the storied name and crest. In choosing its logo the club took the Marlborough family crown and added the initials A.C. for Athletic Club.The Toronto Marlboros used the same colour scheme as the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs from 1927 when the two club came under common ownership. The Marlborough crown was originally displayed by itself on the jersey chest. It was not until the late 1950s that the crown was set against the present day Maple Leaf.
- Note: The inset logo is that of the Markham Waxers (see the "MW" on the crown in place of the "AC"). The logo is displayed only to show the Marlborough Crown set against the old style Maple Leaf, similar to that used by the Jr. A team in the 1950s.
Arenas
In the beginning both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Marlboros practised and were headquartered out of the old Ravina GardensRavina Gardens
Ravina Gardens was an ice hockey arena located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It supported amateur hockey, and professional hockey briefly in the 1920s. The location of the demolished arena is parkland, and is known as Ravina Gardens...
in Toronto's west end. Home games were played downtown at the Mutual Street Arena
Mutual Street Arena
Mutual Street Arena, initially called Arena Gardens or just the Arena, was an ice hockey arena and sports and entertainment venue in Toronto, Ontario...
.
In 1931 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...
opened up for business and the Marlboros had a new home again. In 1964 the Marlboros won the Memorial Cup on home ice, the same year the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup on home ice.
The Marlboros occasionally also played games in the 1970s at the North York Centennial Centre and the Markham Centennial Centre
Markham Centennial Centre
The Markham Centennial Centre is a 2,300-seat arena located in the Toronto suburb of Markham. It was built in 1972 as a 1,800 seat arena, it has undergone renovations, the last in 1999. The arena is home to the Markham Waxers junior team in the OPJHL, and also occasionally hosted the Toronto...
when Maple Leaf Gardens was unavailable, usually due to scheduling conflicts at MLG with both the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and also the Toronto Toros
Toronto Toros
The Toronto Toros were an ice hockey team based in Toronto that played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1976.The franchise was awarded to Doug Michel in 1971 to play in the WHA's inaugural 1972–73 season...
of the WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
. They also played part of their home schedule in the 1976–77 season in Brantford, Ontario
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
out of the Brantford Civic Centre
Brantford Civic Centre
The Brantford Civic Centre is a 2,981 seat arena in Brantford, Ontario. It was built as a Canadian Centennial project in 1967. It is home to the Brantford Golden Eagles of the Ontario Hockey Association, and the Brantford Blast of Major Hockey League...
.
- Mutual Street Arena - History of arena
- Mutual Street Arena - History with pictures
- Maple Leaf Gardens - Ballparks.com
- Maple Leaf Gardens - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
- North York Centennial Centre - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
- Markham Centennial Centre - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
The Marlboros today
The Toronto Marlboros Hockey Club operates minor hockey teams in the city of TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, 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....
. This club operated independently to the former OHA Junior 'A' team. After the Junior 'A' team left for Hamilton, the late Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
owner Harold Ballard
Harold Ballard
Harold E. Ballard was an owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League as well as their home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens. A member of the Leafs organization from 1940 and a senior executive from 1957, he became part-owner of the team in 1961 and was majority owner from February...
granted permission for the Minor Marlboros to retain and carry on the Marlborough name. Three years later in the fall of 1992 the Marlboros combined their fabled crest with the current NHL Maple Leafs' uniform. The Minor Marlboros celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2005–06.
NHL alumni of the Minor Marlboros include, Sam Gagner
Sam Gagner
Sam William Gagner is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft....
, Ron Handy
Ron Handy
Ronald Handy was a professional ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.- References :...
, Mike Hough
Mike Hough
Michael Lloyd Hough is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League from 1986–87 until 1998–99....
, Peter Ing
Peter Ing
Peter A. Ing is a former National Hockey League goaltender, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1989 to 1991. Ing was born in Toronto of mixed ancestry, his father was Chinese....
, Chris Kelly, Nathan LaFayette
Nathan LaFayette
Nathan LaFayette is a former ice hockey player in the NHL. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings...
, Rick Nash
Rick Nash
Rick Nash is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ....
, Mike Ricci
Mike Ricci
Michael Ricci is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes....
, Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
, Brian Wilks
Brian Wilks
Brian Wilks is a former professional hockey player that played for the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL.- Pro career :...
, Wojtek Wolski
Wojtek Wolski
Wojciech "Wojtek” Wolski is a Polish-Canadian professional ice hockey left winger, currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He previously played for the Colorado Avalanche and the Phoenix Coyotes.-Junior:...
and John Tavares.
- Minor Marlboros Official web site.
See also
- Toronto MarliesToronto MarliesThe Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
(AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) - AHL Marlies Official web site.