Oshawa Generals
|
1990 Memorial Cup Champions Oshawa Generals |
The
Oshawa Generals are a junior
ice hockey team in the
Ontario Hockey League (
OHL). They are based in
Oshawa, Ontario,
Canada. The team is named for
General Motors, an early
sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa.
The Oshawa Generals are one of the most storied franchises, and most successful in
Canadian Hockey League history. Its 166 graduates to the
NHL are second only to the
Peterborough Petes. The Generals have also won the
Memorial Cup 4 times, and a record 12
Ontario Hockey League Championships, the
J. Ross Robertson Cup.
Oshawa entered the
Ontario Hockey Association for the first time in 1908. The city would play in the OHA
Junior A, the top tier of junior competition, through the 1952-1953 season. After a hiatus from 1953-1962 due to fire, the team was resurrected to continue its winning traditions.
The Early Years (1908-1937)
Prior to 1908, Oshawa belonged to the Midland Hockey League. It competed against other teams from Whitby, Bowmanville, Port Hope & Cobourg.
The first Oshawa team in the Ontario Hockey Association junior division began play in the 1908-1909 season, known as the
Oshawa Shamrocks. Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman was responsible for organizing the team and bringing Junior Hockey to Oshawa. He would be the team's manager for the next 13 years.
Success came early to the team reaching the OHA semi-finals in 1909.In the 1920's the team enjoyed many successful years, battling in the "Three O's Championship" versus Orillia and Owen Sound.
In June of 1928, Bradley's Arena burnt to the ground. The team relocated to Whitby until the new Oshawa Arena was built for 1930.
In the early 1930's the team became known as the
Oshawa Majors. The Majors won the OHA title in 1935, and went on to play the Northern Ontario champion Sudbury Cub Wolves. Unfortunately in a committee room protest, the OHA title was taken away from Oshawa while games were already underway with Sudbury.
In 1936, different sources name the team as the Majors, the Red Devils, and the Junior G Men. This team coached by Bill Hancock and managed by Matt Leyden entered in the "Big Seven" League, versus St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, Young Rangers, British Consols, Native Sons and the Lions.
OHA Dynasty (1937-1944)
In 1937 the Oshawa Generals were born. The team was named after the sponsor,
General Motors of Canada. The Generals put together an unequalled feat of 7 consecutive OHA Championships, and winning 3
Memorial Cups in the same span.
The Generals grew a reputation for treating its players well and signed many young men who would go on to NHL fame. Players were admitted free to theatres, dancing, wrestling, roller skating and other attractions at the arena. Sponsors gave full scholarships to school and weekly stipends.
Through the whole dynasty, the team was managed by Matt Leyden, and its secretary was Neil Hezzlewood. Both men would be inducted in the
Oshawa Sports
Hall of fame.
From 1937-1944, Oshawa Generals graduated 20 players to become NHL Alumni, and another player in
Father David Bauer, who would be inducted into the
Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder's Category.
List of NHL Alumni from 1937-1944Frank Bennett,
Harvey Bennett,
Les Colvin,
Jim Conacher,
Floyd Curry,
Buck Davies,
Bob Dawes,
Jim Drummond,
Frank Eddolls,
Bill Ezinicki,
Armand (Bep) Guidolin,
Nick Knott,
Ted Lindsay,
Jud McAtee,
Norm McAtee,
Gus Mortson,
Chuck Scherza,
Ken Smith,
Billy Taylor &
Wally Wilson.
The Fire (1953)
(excerpt from main article)In September 1953 a great tragedy struck in Oshawa when
Hambly's Arena burned down. The city and the team lost what had become greatly endeared to themselves; their memories, their arena, and their OHA team.
Donations poured in from many fellow OHA teams and local businessmen. Equipment and other items were dispersed to the all the players attending the training camp to cover individual losses. The Generals, homeless so close to the start of the new season, were unfortunately disbanded.
Salvaged from the disbanded team, General Manager Wren Blair made a Senior B team known as the Oshawa Truckmen, who played in Bowmanville for the 1953-1954 season. The year after, this team would become the
Whitby Dunlops. The Dunlops would go on to be
Allan Cup Champions in 1957 & 1959, and World Champions in 1958.
Rebirth of the Generals (1962)
In 1960, Wren Blair began negotiations with
Boston Bruins president
Weston Adams to begin building the new Oshawa Generals. The agreement was made contingent on a new arena being built in Oshawa. The
Oshawa Civic Auditorium would open up in 1964.
In the meantime, the Oshawa generals were reactivated for the 1962-1963 as a team playing in the
Metro Junior A League. For this year, the team played its home games at
Maple Leaf Gardens. Fundraising for a new arena was well under way at the same time.
This was also the first season for Oshawa to wear the Black, Gold & White colours of the Boston Bruins, despite the many previous years of affiliation.
In 1963 the Metro Junior A league was disbanded, and Oshawa was readmitted in the OHA. Since the
Toronto Marlboros used Maple Leaf Gardens as a home rink, the Generals team played out of nearby
Bowmanville for one full season, and part of another.
Bobby Orr Years (1963-1966)
The greatest player ever to wear an Oshawa Generals uniform,
Bobby Orr went on the become a legend in the
NHL and to be inducted in the
Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bobby Orr was discovered by Wren Blair as a 14 year old while playing a game in Ganonoque, ON. He was quickly signed to a contract and invited to training camp for the 1963-1964 season. He would commute three hours from Parry Sound for every home game he played with the Generals that year in Bowmanville.
In his first full season in the OHA, Bobby Orr scored 30 goals to break the record for most goals by a defenceman, previously held by
Jacques Lapérriere. Orr was also selected as a first team all-star
defence player.
During the 1964-1965 season, the Oshawa Generals moved into their new home at the
Oshawa Civic Auditorium. Bobby Orr broke his own record, scoring 34 goals this season.
The 1965-1966 season would be Oshawa's return to the
Memorial Cup after a 22 year hiatus. The Generals were coached that year by former alumnus,
Armand "Bep" Guidolin, who played for Oshawa in the 1942 Memorial Cup, and subsequently made the Boston Bruins of the NHL as a 16 year old. Team captain, Bobby Orr scored 38 goals during the season.
The Generals would defeat their bitter rivals, the St. Catharines Blackhawks in quarter-finals, before eliminating the
Montreal Jr. Canadiens in semi-finals, and winning the
J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHA CHAMPIONS versus the
Kitchener Rangers.
The Generals outscored the North Ontario champion North Bay Trappersby a combined score of 43-9 to win the series in 4 games, and then defeated Shawinigan Bruins in 3 games to be the Eastern Canadian representative for the Memorial Cup.
In the Memorial Cup series Orr played injured through most games, but the team played hard only to lose to
Edmonton Oil Kings dynasty in 6 games.
After the season ended, many players graduated from the team and moved on. Bobby Orr would go on to the Bruins for next season. Wren Blair would become General Manager of the Minnesota North Stars. Coach
Bep Guidolin returned to coaching in Thorold.
9th Championship (1983)
After many dismal seasons through the late 1960's and 1970's the Generals started to rebuild for the Memorial Cup. In 1979 the Generals hired coach Paul Theriault, who would lead the team to 9 consecutive winning seasons, including two Memorial Cup appearances.
In 1983 the Generals returned to the Memorial Cup after a 17 year absence, defeating the
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for their 9th J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Memorial Cup that year would be played in
Portland, Oregon. The Generals lost in the finals to the host team
Portland Winter Hawks in the final game by a score of 8-3. That year's team captain,
Joe Cirella, would go on to play 16 years as an NHL
defence skater.
Tragedy on the Generals (1985)
During an early season practice, Bruce Melanson left the ice feeling very weak. Within a few minutes he collapsed, succumbing to a rare heart disease known as
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Bruce was 18 years old.
The Generals would wear black arm bands for the remainder of the season in memoriam of their teammate they nicknamed "Moose." The club would also no longer issue his uniform # 9. A memorial scholarship was set up at his former high school in New Brunswick.
His hard hitting and aggressive style led Bruce Melanson to be selected by New York Islanders in the second round (41st overall) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
Hosting the Memorial Cup (1987)
The 1986-1987 season saw the Generals set a team record with 101 points for the season. It would also see the Generals playing on home ice in the Memorial Cup, as the host city and as the OHL Champions.
In 1987 the OHL organized a Super Series for the right to host the Memorial Cup tournament between the
Leyden Division champion Oshawa Generals, and the
Emms Division champion North Bay Centennials. The super series was played before the OHL playoffs commenced. Oshawa defeated North Bay 4 games to 3 for the right to host the Memorial Cup. Oshawa also won the OHL championship series defeating North Bay 4 games to 3. Since Oshawa won both the Super Series and the OHL Championship, only three teams participated in the Memorial Cup
Oshawa reached the finals versus the
Medicine Hat Tigers, but lost 6-2 in the championship game.
Eric Lindros Years (1989-1991)
Eric Lindros came to the Generals via a trade with the
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He refused to play for the team which made him the first overall draft pick, an event which would bring prosperity to both hockey clubs in the near future.
After playing the Canadian National Team, Lindros started his rookie year with the Generals in 1989-1990. In only 25 games we would score 17 goals, and get 19 assists for 36 points. The same year in the playoffs, Eric scored 18 goals and 18 assists in only 17 games. It was the extra boost the Generals needed to reach the Memorial Cup, when added to the existing core of players captained by Iain Fraser.
In 1990
Copps Coliseum hosted the Memorial Cup. The Generals would compete against the
Kamloops Blazers,
Laval Titan, and OHL runners-up
Kitchener Rangers. The championship game on May 13th, 1990 attracted 17,383 spectators. The Oshawa Generals defeated the Kitchener Rangers by a score of 4 to 3 in double
overtime on a goal by Bill Armstrong to win the 4th Memorial Cup in Oshawa Generals history.
The 1990-1991 season had many high expectation for the Generals to repeat as Champions. Lindros would be chosen first overall in the NHL draft by the
Québec Nordiques. In 57 regular season game we would score 71 goals and 78 assists. As ironic as sports can be, the Generals lost the OHL final that year to Eric's draft team, the
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds coached by
Ted Nolan.
12th Championship (1997)
The Generals would set the benchmark for other OHL teams by winning their 12th J. Ross Roberston cup in 1997. The most recent championship the Generals won was played at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium Tuesday, May 6th, 1997.
The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from
Marc Savard.
The Generals participated in the
1997 Memorial Cup in Hull, Quebec, in which they finished third in the round-robin and lost in the semi-final to the
Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Future NHL players from 1997 were:
Marc Savard,
John Tripp,
Ian MacNeil,
Kevin Colley,
Dan Hinote,
Jeff Ware,
Bryan Allen,
Jeff MacMillan &
Ty Garner.
In 2005 the Oshawa Generals drafted a 14 year old named
John Tavares.He was granted exceptional player status by the OHL allowing him to be drafted one year earlier than normal.
John Tavares also competed for Team Ontario in the
World Under 17 Championships in Saskatchewan in 2005. The Oshawa Generals hope to build another championship team around the young phenom after two straight years of missing the OHL playoffs.
The team, along with its new owner John Davies are preparing to move into a new downtown arena (under construction) scheduled for completion in November 2006.
Sources*Babe Brown, Bobby Attersley, and Bill Kurelo (1978).
A History of the Oshawa Generals, Volume One. Chimo Publishing; Toronto, ON, Canada.
*Babe Brown, and Bill Kurelo (1993).
A History of the Oshawa Generals, Volume Two. General Printers; Oshawa, ON, Canada.
*Richard M. Lapp and Alex Macaulay (1997)
The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Harbour Publishing; Madeira Park, BC, Canada.
The Generals have won 12
J. Ross Robertson Cup Championships, the most of the OHL's history. Oshawa also has won 4
Memorial Cup Championships.
Hamilton Spectator Trophy
First overall in the OHL regular season standings.
*1986-1987 101 points
*1989-1990 88 points
*1990-1991 100 points | Leyden Trophy
First overall in the Eastern Division regular season standings.
*1986-1987 101 points
*1989-1990 88 points
*1990-1991 100 points |
J. Ross Robertson Cup
*1935 Lost by default to Kitchener
*1938 OHA Champions vs. Guelph
*1939 OHA Champions vs. Native Sons
*1940 OHA Champions vs. Marlboros
*1941 OHA Champions vs. Marlboros
*1942 OHA Champions vs. Guelph
*1943 OHA Champions vs. Brantford
*1944 OHA Champions vs. St. Michael's | *1946 Lost to St. Michael's
*1966 OHA Champions vs. Kitchener
*1983 OHL Champions vs. S.S. Marie
*1987 OHL Champions vs. North Bay
*1990 OHL Champions vs. Kitchener
*1991 Lost to S.S. Marie
*1997 OHL Champions vs. Ottawa |
Memorial Cup*1938 Lost to St. Boniface Seals
*1939 CAHA Champions vs. Edmonton A.C.
*1940 CAHA Champions vs. Kenora Thistles
*1942 Lost to Portage la Prairie Terriers
*1943 Lost to Winnipeg Rangers
*1944 CAHA Champions vs. Trail Smoke Eaters | *1966 Lost to Edmonton Oil Kings
*1983 Lost to Portland Winter Hawks
*1987 Lost to Medicine Hat Tigers
*1990 CHL Champions vs. Kitchener Rangers
*1997 OHL representative in Hull, QC |
The Oshawa Generals have had several coaches who have also coached in the
NHL as head coaches and assistant coaches. Those of note are, Charlie Conacher, Armand (Bep) Guidolin, Bill White, Paul Theriault, Bill LaForge, Bill Stewart, George Burnett, Brad Selwood & Randy Ladouceur.
Coaches of the Year
Matt Leyden Trophy winners.
*
1971-1972 Gus Bodnar*
1977-1978 Bill White*
1986-1987 Paul TheriaultList of Coaches
(Multiple seasons in parentheses)The Oshawa Generals have graduated 166 young men onto the NHL, third behind the Toronto Marlboros and the Peterborough Petes. Five of those players have been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Award winners
Honoured Numbers
The Oshawa Generals have honoured the following players by no longer issuing these numbers, although no numbers have been officially retired.
Hockey Hall of Fame members
NHL Alumni
*
SourceCurrent roster
| Number | Player | Positon | Birthyear | Hometown | | 1 | Kevin Couture | G | 1985 | Mississauga, ON |
| 3 | Kory Nagy | C | 1989 | Walsingham, ON |
| 4 | Nathaniel Brooks | LW | 1986 | Markham, ON |
| 5 | Brad Pawlowski | D | 1989 | Marathon, ON |
| 6 | Matt Seegmiller | D | 1989 | Guelph, ON |
| 7 | Dale Mitchell | RW | 1989 | Mississauga, ON |
| 8 | Brett MacLean | RW | 1988 | Port Elgin, ON |
| 10 | Peter Tsimikalis | C | 1986 | Aurora, ON |
| 11 | Phil McIlhone | LW | 1987 | Brooklin, ON |
| 12 | Brent Clarke | C | 1986 | Bolton, ON |
| 14 | Trevor Waddell | D | 1986 | Mississauga, ON |
| 15 | Cal Clutterbuck | RW | 1987 | Welland, ON |
| 16 | Matt Piva | C | 1988 | Maple, ON |
| 17 | Kelly Thomson | LW | 1985 | London, ON |
| 18 | Jess Biduke | LW | 1988 | Whitby, ON |
| 21 | Kyle Paige | LW | 1988 | Richmond Hill, ON |
| 22 | Eric Regan | D | 1988 | Whitby, ON |
| 23 | Chris Mifflen | D | 1988 | Orleans, ON |
| 24 | Billy Siekris | D | 1987 | Unionville, ON |
| 25 | James DeLory | D | 1988 | Newmarket, ON |
| 27 | Scott Madden | D | 1988 | Barrie, ON |
| 28 | Brett Parnham | C | 1989 | Orillia, ON |
| 29 | Justin Sawyer | D | 1985 | Oshawa, ON |
| 31 | Carlo DiRienzo | G | 1986 | North York,ON |
| 91 | John Tavares | C | 1990 | Oakville, ON |
| Team Records for a single season | | Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|
| Most Points | 101 | 1986-87 |
| Most Wins | 49 | 1986-87 |
| Most Goals For | 382 | 1990-91 |
| Least Goals For | 138 | 1966-67 |
| Least Goals Against | 201 | 1986-87 |
| Most Goals Against | 444 | 1976-77 |
| Individual player records for a single season | | Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|
| Most Goals | Tony Tanti | 81 | 1980-1981 |
| Most Assists | Scott McCrory | 99 | 1986-1987 |
| Most Points | Tony Tanti | 150 | 1980-1981 |
| Best GAA (Goalie) | Dan Turple | 2.64 | 2003-2004 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played |
| Single game records | | Statistic | Player(s) | Total | Date & Opponent |
|---|
| Most Goals | Tony Tanti | 6 | Jan 18, 1981 vs. Kitchener |
| Most Assists | Chuck Durocher | 7 | Nov 26, 1976 vs. S.S.Marie |
| Most Points | Tony Tanti | 8 | Jan 18, 1981 vs. Kitchener |
| Most Power Play Goals | Tony Tanti | 4 | Jan 18, 1981 vs. Kitchener |
| Most Shorthanded Goals | 10 times | 2 | Most recently John Tavares, Feb 25, 2006 @ S.S.Marie |
| Fastest Opening Goal | Paul Gardner | 0:05 | Feb 13, 1976 @ Kitchener |
| Fastest Period Goal | Ryan Lindsay | 0:06 | Nov 1st, 1996 vs. North Bay - 3rd Period |
| Fastest Goal from Start of Overtime | Brett Trudell | 0:04 | Sept 26, 2004 vs. Mississauga |
| Fastest Two Goals by One Player | Greg Malone | 0:04 | Oct 22, 1974 - 3rd period |
| Fastest Three Goals by One Player | Peter Horachek | 2:54 | Oct 14, 1979 vs. Kitchener - 3rd period |
Regular SeasonThe Oshawa Generals have won 3 Hamilton Spectator trophies for finishing first overal in the OHL regular season standings, and 3 Leyden trophies for finishing first overall in the eastern division OHL regular season standings.
For a complete record see List of Oshawa Generals Seasons.PlayoffsThe Oshawa Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson Cups as the OHL / OHA playoff champions, and won 4 Memorial Cups as the CHL / CAHA champions.
For a complete record see List of Oshawa Generals post-seasons. |
Oshawa Generals logos
(past and present) |
Uniform Colours: White, Red & Blue. Current version of uniforms in use since 1989-1990 season.
Logo Design: "Oshawa" written in red script with "GENERALS" underscore:
1st Jersey White background, Red & Blue lettering & stripes, with main logo.:
2nd Jersey Red background, White & Blue lettering & stripes, with alternate logo.:
3rd Jersey Blue background, White & Red lettering & stripes, with main logo.
(3rd jersey last used in 2003-2004 season)
See Oshawa Generals uniforms and previous logosThe Oshawa Generals have the dubious distinction of having their home arena destroyed by fire not once, but twice in the franchise history. In June 1928 the Bradley Arena was destroyed by fire. Then 25 years later, the Hambly Arena was also destroyed by fire.
From 1928-1930 the team played out of nearby Whitby until the Hambly Arena was constructed. When the Hambly Arena burned down in 1953 the Oshawa Generals were disbanded. When the team was resurrected in 1962 they played both at
Maple Leaf Gardens and also in the Bowmanville Community Arena (now demolished) for two seasons until moving until the Civic Auditorium.
The early years
Before Oshawa joined the OHA in 1908, it was part of the Midland Hockey League. Its games were played out of the Oshawa Curling Club located by the Oshawa Creek in the vicinity of present day Valleyview Gardens, Kinsmen Stadium and Children's Arena. Since the curling club controlled its use and thus when games could or could not be played, a new location was sought.
A new outdoor rink was built 4 blocks away, where the present day Oshawa Armouries stand at the corner of Simcoe St. and Richmond St. This would be the team's home until 1908.
Bradley Arena 1908-1928
|
Bradley Arena Fire in June 1928 |
The Bradley Arena, nicknamed "The Big Rink" opened up in 1908 on Duke St. in downtown Oshawa. Its namesake was Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman who was responsible for organizing the team and bringing Junior Hockey to Oshawa.
The arena was packed to the rafters many nights when Oshawa played there for the 1920's league championships vesrus Orillia and Owen Sound. In June of 1928, the predominantly wooden structure succumbed to an overnight fire.
Hambly Arena 1930-1953
The Oshawa Arena (later known as the Hambly Arena) opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for hockey in Oshawa.
(See Hambly Arena Fire, excerpt from main article)
Shortly after training camp in 1953, the arena would suffer the same demise as its predecessor and burned to the ground on September 15th.
Civic Auditorium 1964-2006
|
Oshawa Civic Auditorium 1964 |
*Built : 1964
*Capacity : 4,025 including standing room.
*Ice Size : 200' x 85'
The
Oshawa Civic Auditorium opened in 1964. Built "by ourselves, for ourselves" by citizens of Oshawa. The first scheduled OHA game was December 15th, 1964 vs. the St. Catharines Black Hawks. The Generals prevailed by a score of 6 to 4 in front of 4,109 fans attending the game.
In 1987 the Civic Auditorium played host to the Memorial Cup. The Generals contested for the cup against the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Longueiul Chévaliers.
The last championship the Generals won was played at the Civic in May 1997. The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from
Marc Savard.
The building will be closing at the end of October 2006. The Generals will be playing five home games in the old arena before moving on. The final game is scheduled for October 29, 2006 versus the
Kingston Frontenacs.
*
Oshawa Civic Auditorium - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
Oshawa Gardens (Opening 2006)
|
Oshawa Gardens
(Opening 2006) |
*Currently under construction
*Ice Size : 200' x 85'
On March 10th 2005, Oshawa City Council approved the Downtown Sports & Entertainment Facility Project after many years of waiting for a new arena. The arena's name will be the
Oshawa Gardens. Groundbreaking for the new facility at the corner of Athol and Mary Streets in downtown Oshawa took place on June 22nd, 2005. The building will be operated by
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The grand opening is scheduled for November 3, 2006, with a game against the
Owen Sound Attack.
Official Website: Oshawa Gardens*
www.oshawagenerals.com Official web site
*
Ontario Hockey League Official web site
*
Canadian Hockey League Official web site
