OMJHA Expansion Draft
After losing three teams between 1982 and 1984, two new teams joined the OMJHA in time for the 1985-86 season, and the first step was to put together the front office. Niagara Falls Fire owner Abrum Wall hired Matthew LeBel as GM, along with Tyson Ouellette as Head Coach, who has a strong track record as an assistant coach with the Portland Nets. Meanwhile, Niagara Ice owner Issac Wall gave Jeremy Stewart the GM job after being let go as an assistant GM of the New York Mad Hatters, then hired Jeremy’s brother Mike Stewart as Head Coach after five successful years as goalie coach for the Quebec City Macareux. This expansion draft was very different, as league president Tom Van Ryan put his foot down after many teams tried to trade away top picks to protect their players from being selected. But Tom made sure that no top players would be taken at the expansion draft, so both Fire and Ice would take players that couldn’t even crack into the second line, to even goalies that can’t get a starter spot. Here are the top five picks from both Fire and Ice.
Niagara Falls Fire
1. D- Max Hollingsworth-OSH
2. F- Luke Wilson-BAR
3. F- Eddie Benedict-KIT
4. G- Sam Carter-NM
5. D- Mike Callahan-TNeon
Niagara Falls Ice
1. F- Shawn Clifford-OAK
2. G- Nick Snyder-BRF
3. G- Paul Snyder-BRF
4. D- Frank Hilliard-ORG
5. F- Herb Cole-WAT
AQHL Draft
This year's draft was not too strong nor too weak; it was mid, after several promising prospects were taken by OMJHA rival league SWOHL because of the union deal for juniors, the Bears got the first pick from Shawinigan, so they took forward Peter Chaillac, who played well last season for the Bathurst Jr.B club. Both the Vikings and the Reds took each of the Orton brothers from Ottawa, Ontario. The Vikings got Shawn, while the Reds took Harry. Charlottetown picked Summerside local Max Thompson with good checking hits as a defender.
1. Moncton (from Shawinigan) – Peter Chaillac – F – Bathurst, NB
2. New Glasgow – Steven Montluçon – D – Rimouski, QC
3. Val-d’Or – Cliff Queens – F – St. John, NF
4. Verdun – Scott Lyon – G – Levis, QC
5. Rouyn-Noranda – Ryan Poitiers – F - Rouyn-Noranda, QC
6. Charlottetown – Max Thompson – D – Summerside, P.E.I.
7. Cape Breton – Eric Wilbert – D – Windsor, NS
8. Sherbrooke – Alex Châtellerault – F – Châteauguay, QC
9. Fredericton - Shawn Orton – F – Ottawa, ON
10. Drummondville – Harry Orton – F – Ottawa, ON
11. Laval – Jon Antoigné – G – Terrebonne, QC
12. Portland – Jack Andersons – F – Plattsburgh, NY
13. Manchester – David Robinson – D – Plattsburgh, NY
14. Trois-Rivieres – Paul Antran – D - Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC
15. Moncton – Jonathan Tolman – F – Plattsburgh, NY
OMJHA Draft
For the second consecutive season, this year’s draft was weak due to SWOHL's player acquisitions, and their long-term deal with the PJHPA union made it more challenging to bring in many good players in the Toronto area. In hopes of getting out of the bottom of the barrel, the Oshawa Gems had to make tough decisions, and they picked Brian Carter, a forward from Welland who had a great season but barely made it to the top ten in the Jr.B leagues. The Gems hope that they at least get somewhere higher than last place. The only move that turned heads was the Arrowbirds traded next year’s second and third round picks to the Skyflyers for this year’s first round pick, and the Arrowbirds took Josh Bird from Owen Sound. He was under the radar since his AAA days; he could be one of many pieces for a deep run. The Toronto Neon picked Dan Arlesburgh from Birmingham, UK, as the first European player to be drafted in the first round.
1. Oshawa-Brian Carter-F-Welland, ON
2. Orangeville-Doug Tucker-F-Lockport, NY
3. Peterborough-Karl Farris-F-Buffalo, NY
4. Barrie-Sam Spencer -D-Orillia, ON
5. Owen Sound (from Brantford)- Josh Bird-D-Owen Sound, ON
6. Waterloo-Jaroslav Stransky-G-Honey Harbour, ON
7. Buffalo-Jake Gibbs-F-Silver Creek, NY
8. Newmarket-Dennis Clark-G-Port Colborne, ON
9. Kitchener – Gary Cheevers – F- Markham, ON
10. T. Hornets-Tim Moody-F-Ancaster, ON
11. Owen Sound-Tom Bluebear-D-Kemble, ON
12. T. Neon – Dan Arlesburgh – D – Birmingham, UK
13. Oakville-Paul Alston-G-Goderich, ON
WCLH Draft
This one was pretty much taken over by Manitoba, with eight players from that province, but the Red Deer Bucks got themselves a tough, scoring defensive player from Regina, SK, named Mike Port. Mike would be a great addition to the team. Edward Osward is now in the doghouse after the Sharks missed the playoffs since hosting the Valor Cup in 1980. Edward must make an all-in pick in hopes of keeping his job, so with this pick, the Sharks choose Nick Valmore, a power forward who can score game-changing goals, were he to help the Prince George AAA team win back-to-back championships. The Pioneers aim to return to the playoff picture after missing it for two consecutive seasons, with the team needing more scoring power. Forward Kevin Holly from Minnedosa, MA, is just what they need.
1. Red Deer-Mike Port-D-Regina, SK
2. Nanaimo-Nick Valmore-F-Prince George, B.C.
3. Kenora-Kevin Holly-F-Minnedosa, MA
4. Moose Jaw-Shawn Maithwaite-F-Souris, MA
5. Brandon-Brandon Koci-D-Neepawa, MA
6. Red Deer (from Lethbridge)- Jack Parker-D-Moosomin, SK
7. Surrey-George Wills-G-Minot, ND
8. Swift Current-Roger Trott-F-Herbert, SK
9. Billings-Ted Grandy -F-Miles City, MT
10. Chilliwack-Leon Edwards-G-Wasagaming, MA
11. Portage la Prairie-Quinn Louis-G-Inglis, MA
12. Abbotsford-C-J Cummings-D-High River, AB
13. Medicine Hat-Tom Watson-F-Delta Beach, MA
14. Fargo-Shawn Young-F-Winnipeg, MA
15. Swift Current (from Saskatoon)- Greg Elk-D-Woodlands, MA
News
CIHA: In 1984, Buffalo became the first American team to host the Valor Cup Tournament, and the news came that Fargo became the second American team to host the Valor Cup for the 1986 Tournament, with the Owls building the rosters for a deep playoff run, and the Fargo Center cap upgrades are done. We are proud to host the Valor Cup Tournament. We have more work to do in hopes of making it the best tournament everyone will never forget.” Owls owner Ed Jackson said at the press conference after the announcement.
CIHA: After OMJHA added two more teams to their league, the CIHA president, Randy Howard, announced that all three leagues have increased the number of games from 50 to 56 games, and everyone in the meeting is happy to see that every team can get to face-to-face four times in a season, but there are talks that if there is a expansion they have to up the number of games which the owners don’t mind they would welcome it with open arms.
AQHL: After so much drama, the votes are done with the score of 12-2, the AQHL have taken ownership of the Shawinigan Voltages from Pierre Leflar after spending so much money at casinos rather than on the team, and the town of Shawinigan doesn’t have any local businesses nor the money for both buying the team and building a new arena. The AQHL will see anyone from outside willing to buy and relocate after the 1985-86 season.
AQHL: The Verdun Knights made some changes, but the big one was letting go of Nathen Giguere after a decade of coaching in winning one Bronz Cup title, so the team hired Jack Marvell as the new head coach, his hockey career was a rollercoaster from hitting it big after playing for the Waterloo Maroons in the OMJHA to being a injury prone during times with the Portland Nets in both IWHL to his final two NIHA seasons, Jack decide to do couching for his son’s travel hockey and year by year he got so good at couching that the Knights higher ups want him to coach.
OMJHA: One of the biggest news stories that hit was that the city of Owen Sound gave the green light to build a brand-new arena to replace the Arrowbird Rink. “We put a lot of money into selling the idea of a new arena, and I’m proud that we are getting a new arena!” said Trevor Thunder, owner of the Owen Sound Arrowbirds.
OMJHA: During his vacation in New York State, President Tom Van Ryan met an old friend, and he told Tom all about his son's success in getting the city of Syracuse a brand-new arena set to open in 1988, with no sign of a minor pro setting team there, it gave Tom an idea of an expansion adding more teams in the state of New York.
WCLH: The Saskatoon Cats weren’t the only team in Saskatchewan to celebrate a championship; the NIHA Saskatchewan Royals Won the Benjamin Cup in six games over the New York Mad Hatters, their first championship title in team history, on May 31, 1985. Both teams held parades in Regina to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event for fans.
WCLH: Last year, the NIHA Saskatchewan Royals moved out of their old Royal Arena and started playing in their new arena, called the Kingdom Centre. This year, after talks, the city of Regina officially approved to refurbish the Royal Arena for good use for the lower-tier leagues, and the WCLH President James Name took it and is planning an expansion in Regina for time since the 60s, and one businessman has an eye to be part of it, his name Raj Banga the owner and CEO of “Tough Tech” wanted to buy Saskatchewan Royals but didn’t happen because of who he is. He was born in India, and his family moved to Canada in the 1950s during the rebuilding efforts following World War II. He received a great education and founded Tough Tech, which manufactures vehicle radios and walkie-talkies for rescue forces. He has two sons named Saaj and Taaj; both are big hockey fans. Taaj gained insight into how sports teams transform from worst to champions. Meanwhile, Saaj began playing hockey, but a medical condition led him to switch to sled hockey, where he excelled, becoming one of Canada’s top sled hockey players. Once the refurbishment of the Royal Arena is complete, the WCLH will have a team playing there in time for the 1988-89 season.
Jersey Changes and debuts
Kitchener Generals
The design remains the same, with only two changes. First, they introduced red, a colour from the old Kitchener Legionnaires, which upset fans who thought the Generals were using it as a trophy. Additionally, the numbers have been updated to a different font.
Oshawa Gems
Following a series of negative reviews of the jersey set, the Gems added arm stripes, and fans deemed it a significant improvement.
Owen Sound Arrowbirds
The Birds have dropped black on both the jerseys and equipment for the first time in team history. The orange and red jersey design from 1960 to 1976 returns, featuring the Arrowhead logo on the shoulders. The pants are orange with red and white stripes on the sides, and the helmet is half orange and half red.
Niagara Falls Fire
The logo got the letters N and F with flames above it. The jerseys are simple stripes, on the home, a thick red stripe with mid-thick gold stripes and thin orange stripes. On the road, both mid-thick gold stripes and thin orange stripes switch places.
Niagara Falls Ice
A rink with the word “ICE” is the team’s logo, along with a thick stripe from shoulder to cuffs with a thin silver stripe in between blue and white.
Saskatoon Cats
1985-86 season marks the Cats' 75th anniversary. Just like the Lethbridge Cougars, they started out as an amateur hockey club, then dropped down to a junior league, and have had a grand rivalry since then. The anniversary logo is a checkerboard with silver trim. The Cats jersey set remains unchanged, but a logo rebrand is planned soon to replace the current one, which is reportedly giving some kids nightmares, including Lanna Jones, the granddaughter of Cats owner Rick Jones.
CIHA Alumni (where are they now)
Cliff Burns, Lethbridge Cougars (1973-77)
After playing his first three seasons with the Vancouver Orcas, Cliff found his game and led the Orcas in winning both the 1980, 81, and 83 Championships and hasn’t pulled his foot off the pedal when it comes to scoring, hitting 50 goals a season for the sixth time in a row. What is even better for Cliff is that he has signed a new contract with Vancouver until the end of the 1989-90 season.
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