1978 CIHA Off-season

1978 AQHL Draft

Many top teams tried to offer the bottom 3 teams picks for players, but those offers were not good enough to anybody’s taste, so the bottom team’s picks are still in their hands. With their 1st pick still intact, the Sherbrooke Loups wasted no time and made their pick, and they took forward Josh Winter from Saint John, New Brunswick. The Volts select goalie Trevor Corbet from Boisbriand, QC. Forward Jaune Poulette of Quebec City, QC, was the 3rd pick by the New Glasgow Highlanders.

1978 OMJHA Draft

Peterborough Braves hit the jackpot with forward Mike Mellon from Pickering, Ontario, who is a scoring machine after making 42 goals for the Pickering Jr. B club and lead them to an all-Ontario Jr. B title.  The Orangeville O’s select from Collingwood defence Ron Green. Not only he can play defence, he can score too, which could be what the O’s need to boost their offence. Pick number 3, the Burlington Metros took defence Matthew Walton from Guelph that the Metros title him “the man with the cleanest hits,” which they need in hopes of heading back to the top of the league.

1978 WCLH Draft

The Battalion may have traded some picks, but they kept their 1st pick and used it to select defence Peter Warwick from Flin Flon, MB. Lethbridge Cougars pick, from Calgary, AB forward Jack Burk. Medicine Hat Hawks got themselves a forward from Red Deer, AB Seth Lewis, who’s been under the Hawk's radar for a good year and believes that he could give the team what they need in the chance of getting in the playoffs long term.

News

CIHA: The Valor Cup is going to the national capital as the brand new Ottawa Civic Forum will be the place for the tournament. It’s also the home of soon-to-be Ottawa Pro Hockey Club as the city got themselves an expansion team which they’ll debut in the 1980-81 season.

CIHA: With Ottawa hosting the 1979 Valor Cup tournament, the trio leagues and the CIHA president Joseph McGeorge saw some teams giving their arenas upgrades to even building brand new arenas, so they decided they will have a team hosting the Valor Cup tournament, which means that the host can be part of the tournament along with the champions to make it a four-team tournament. Some owners don’t like the idea, but most believe that it can benefit both the teams and the cities. They will announce who will host the tournament during the 1979 Valor Cup tournament.

AQHL: With the addition of the Manchester Americans for the 1978-79 season, the AQHL decide to make two divisions. One will be called the “Quebec division” that has all six teams from Quebec, while the other one is now known as the “Atlantic division” as for the playoffs, it’s now extended, both the 1st and 2nd Round will be just like the finals it’ll be the best 4 of 7 games.

AQHL: After much hype, the Manchester Americans officially showed off their jersey set in red, white and blue. The light jersey got red and blue stripes all over the arms and hem. The arms were so full of stripes that the TV numbers were placed on the shoulders. On the dark is the same, but the cuffs are thick white stripes while on the hem the white is thin.
OMJHA: After a meeting with the owners, president Franklin Name announced that next season all three rounds of the playoffs are going to be the best 4 of 7 games in hopes in make it more interesting to all of the teams.

OMJHA: With the Guelph Crusaders now moved to Buffalo, New York, Ryan Byron Sr. officially named the team “Buffalo Bees.” The Bees showed off their jersey sets presented by Senior’s son and the team’s GM Ryan Byron Jr. The logo is a Homeplate shape shield with faded black and gold stripes, a big white “B” sits on top of the shield and to add an icing of the cake two little bees sit on the spots where the “B” is. True black was added for trims around the logo. On the light jersey two gold, and two fade black stripes on both arms, hem and the socks, while the dark is the same, but both fade black and white switch roles.

OMJHA: Little by little Generals GM Todd Holmes is almost done purchasing the team from current owner Gerald Herbco as he is getting ready to retire from the sport altogether so he can look after his dairy farm more in his hometown of Thamesville, Ontario.

WCLH: The Western Canadian League of Hockey welcomes from Billings, Montana the owner of the club Bill Knox held a press conference in front of the brand new “Star Sky Sports Complex” a multi-sport facility that houses a hockey rink, baseball field, basketball court, and a football practice facility. The rink house 3000 seats and could expanse more if the hockey market catches on. Bill Knox named the team the “Billings Trains” named after the history of the rapid growth of the economy thanks to being part of the railroad town and both his father and his grandfather were in the railway business that helped the city grow. An old steam train with steam surrounding it is the team’s logo with green, black, light blue as trim around the logo and gold letters that said “Trains” sitting on top of the train. On the light jersey, both the arms and hem got a thick green stripe along with light blue and gold thin stripes. On the dark jersey, the green and white switch roles and both light blue and gold tin stripes switch roles as well.

WCLH: The WCLH also welcomes Portage la Prairie, MA as part of the league as well as owner Matthew Durocher successful businessman who has deep hockey roots where his grandfather Jaune Durocher was a great hockey player and coach in the province of Manitoba, his father William “the Magic” Durocher was the first Manitoba native to win a pro hockey MVP and won three pro hockey titles under his belt, and lastly his brother Greg Durocher is currently playing for the Manitoba Pro Hockey Club after playing 5 seasons for the Chicago Pro Hockey Club. Matt did have a good 5-year pro hockey career but suffered a career-ending injury, so he runs a hockey equipment business that helps a lot of hockey clubs that needed equipment fast. Standing in front of a 2500-seat arena named the “Jaune Durocher Memorial Arena” he names the team the “Portage la Prairie Magic” after his father’s nickname “the magic” where he can make the puck disappear from his stick to the net that drives goalies crazy. The logo is a black top hat with a red stripe and purple letters of two big caps “Ps” and small-cap “L” and “A” sitting on top of it. The light jersey got a thick black stripe, a thin purple stripe, and a thick red stripe on the cuffs and hem, while the dark jersey is the same but both black and white switch roles.
WCLH: With two more teams being added for the 1978-79 season, two divisions need to be made and so the “West division” and the “East division” are born. Both the league president James Name and the owners made an agreement to expand the 1st and 2nd round playoff games from the best of 3 of 5 to best of 4 of 7 games. “Now we got ourselves a real playoff series bottom line!” Nanaimo Sharks owner Jake Peterson said after the announcement.

1978 Valor Cup Tournament

 1978 Valor Cup Tournament (Toronto, Ontario)

Teams: Fargo Owls, Kitchener Generals, Trois-Rivieres Titans

Standings

Trois-Rivieres Titans: 2W, 2L

Kitchener Generals: 2W, 2L

Fargo Owls: 2W, 2L

Story

For the first time in CIHA Valor Cup history that three teams are battling for the Valor Cup together back to back. This time, however, all three teams finished the same record with 2 wins and 2 losses, but the only difference is that the Titans finished 1st with the most goals with 15 after their last game of the tournament, where they won a 7-1 blowout over the Fargo Owls.

2nd vs. 3rd semi-finals: With the Titans moving on to the finals, they’ll wait to see who goes to the finals with them. In the first period, the Owls played strong, but the Generals took over in the 2nd period, and then the Generals finish the Owls off in the 3rd period; as the clock hits zero, the Generals are going to the Valor Cup finals with a 5-2 final over the Owls.

1978 Valor Cup finals: Period number 1 was wild, shots were made by both teams, and both goalies were on their heads as the 1st period ends with a score of 0-0. In the 2nd period, the Titans finally broke through the wall as Jaune Fredette scores on a breakaway, but the Generals got it back as Patrick Herbco shot on point to tie the game as the buzzer sound as the 2nd-period end with a 1-1 tie game. The 3rd period was all Generals as Patrick Herbco, Neil Kelly, forward Sam Ricky, and Ed Greer score a goal as the 3rd period ended with the score of 5-1, and the Kitchener Generals is the 1978 Valor Cup champions with Patrick Herbco the Valor Cup MVP.

1978 AQHL Playoffs

 Round 1 (best 3 of 5 games)

1st Trois-Rivieres Titans vs. 8th Fredericton Vikings: The Vikings made the most of this series as they gave the Titans a hard time. In-game one, the Titans had a 2-0 lead, but the Vikings made two surprising goals to tie the game and sent it to overtime, which Titans Jim Goff scored the overtime winner in front of a full house at the Aréna de Trois-Rivières. Game 2, the John Haskell Arena, is packed with hockey fans as the Vikings surprised the Titans with 4 unanswered goals early in the third period. Midway in the third, the Titans regain the lead as left-winger Guy Mulgrew scored a goal with 5:20 left in the game until around 0:36 left Viking's defenceman Pete Lass tie the game and just like game one, both teams are going in overtime. 9:20 left in the first overtime Titans right-winger Jon Rehnquist scored his first playoff career goal to give the team the win 6-5 and the commanding lead 2 games to none in this series. Game three back at Trois-Rivieres this time around, the Vikings took the lead going into the third period 3-1. Guy Mulgrew scored two goals to tie the game and made this game in overtime. It took with 5:56 left in the second overtime for Jon Rehnquist to score the O/T winner 4-3 and finish the series 3 to none as the Titans move on to the 2nd Round.

2nd Drummondville Les Rouges vs. 7th Moncton Bears: In game one was a blowout win for the Les Rouges as they beat the Bears 8-0. Game two was a different tone as the Bears put the Les Rouges in tight spots as the Bears took game two 4-2 to even the series 1 apiece. The Les Rouges couldn’t recover from game 2 as they lost badly to Moncton 3-1 in game three. Game four was no different. Drummondville struggled throughout the game as Moncton was too much as the Bears takes a shutout win 3-0 and win the series 3-1 as everyone witness for the first time in league history that a 7th seeded team beat a 2nd seeded team.

3rd Verdun Knights vs. 6th Portland Clippers: In game one, Portland shocked the Knights with a win of 4-2 score, but things got ugly as Knights forward Cody Nadeau got checked hard by Clippers defenceman Joe Hunt as the game clock hit zero. “That was a dirty hit, and they know it, come game 2, we will hurt them with our game-playing.” Knights head coach Nathen Giguere said at the press conference after the game. Head coach Nathen and the Knights kept their word and beat the Clippers 5-3. The Knights continued their momentum going with a solid 3-1 win. Verdun Knights finish off the series with a 4-1 win over the Portland Clippers and the series 3-1.

4th Cape Breton Warriors vs. 5th Laval Tigers: Game number one, the Tigers took the lead, but the Warriors came back as Alex Jacks played a key role as he made 3 assists to help Cape Breton take game one 5-3. Laval fought back in game two as they beat the Warriors 3-1. Cape Breton turns it around for themselves as they beat Laval 3-2 in game three. In-game four, the Tigers threw everything at the Warriors and succeed with a shutout win 3-0 to even the series 2 apiece. Game five it’s a winner take all as the Warriors made it to the Tigers and win game five 4-2 and move on to the 2nd Round with the series win 3 to 2.

2nd Round (best 3 of 5 games)

1st Trois-Rivieres Titans vs. 7th Moncton Bears: Game one is where everyone will see who will more likely will win this series, and the Titans show it as Paul Dupree made two critical goals as they beat the Bears 4-2. The Bears fought back in game two, but it was not enough as the Titans shut them down with a 5-3 victory. Trois-Rivieres Titans finish the Bears off in game three thanks to left-wing Jaune Fredette’s 2 goals, 4 assists as the Titans wins it 6-1 and sweep the series.

3rd Verdun Knights vs. 4th Cape Breton Warriors: In game one, the Warriors surprised both the Knights and the fans at the Dome de Verdun with a 4-2 win. Game two at the Warrior Arena, the Knights, took down the Warriors with a 3-2 win thanks to forward Rene Hebert, who made 3 key assists in that game. Game three, the Knights thought they got the game in the bag, but the Warriors had other ideas as Alex Jacks made his first hat-trick of his playoff career along with 3 assists as Cape Breton takes it 6-4 for 2 games to 1 and hopes to finish the series at the Warrior Arena. Game four, the Knights struggled through the 1st period, but came back and with help from defenceman Leon Corbet scoring a key goal to keep their season alive, the Warriors was all over Knights goalie Keith Corbet in the 3rd period, but Keith was a brick wall as he stops 21 shots as the last buzzer hit and the Knights even the series with a 5-3 win and heads back to Verdun for game number five. The Knights are determined to win on home ice, and with Rene Hebert scoring 2 goals, 2 assists, and Leon Corbet with his 2 goals, 3 assists helped Verdun Knights win the game five 6-2 and win the series 3 to 2 heading to the Bronz Cup finals against the Titans.

1978 Bronz Cup Championship (best 4 of 7 games)

1st Trois-Rivieres Titans vs. 3rd Verdun Knights: Game one at the Aréna de Trois-Rivières where the Titans took care of business as they took the win 4-1 over the Knights thanks to Jaune Fredette with 2 goals and 1 assist. Game two was the same score, 4-1, but this time it’s Paul Dupree who made 3 goals and 1 assist. Game three, the Titans thought they got lead 4-1 after the 1st period when the 2nd period started that where Knights played a good game as Leon Corbet made 2 goals and 3 assists as Verdun Knight wins it 6-4 final in hopes to keep it up and tie the series. In-game four, the Knights gave it all, but the Titans kept the game their way as they won the game in overtime 4-3. Trois-Rivieres Titans took it to the Knights with help from both Jaune Fredette and Paul Dupree as they win 6-1 and become back-to-back Bronz Cup Champions and will take a trip to Toronto for the 1978 Valor Cup tournament.

1977-78 AQHL Season

 

Standings

1. Trois-Rivieres Titans

2. Drummondville Les Rouges

3. Verdun Knights

4. Cape Breton Warriors

5. Laval Tigers

6. Portland Clippers

7. Moncton Bears

8. Fredericton Vikings

9. New Glasgow Highlanders

10. Shawinigan Voltages

11. Sherbrooke Loups

Season Story

The Shawinigan Voltages opened the first game of their inaugural season with a 3-1 loss to the Verdun Knights in front of a sold-out Voltage Arena. The first game shows some good signs for the city as, believe it or not, the city is getting a brand new arena in the next two years. “Things are indeed looking up here in Shawinigan.” Volts Owner Pierre Leflar said.

With being the bottom of the league, the Sherbrooke Loups made some moves to help them down the road. The Loups traded some players, but the most significant trade they did is traded the last member of the 1974 Valor Cup champions forward Paul Dupree to the Trois-Rivieres Titans for both 1st Round and 2nd Round picks for the 1978 draft.

 The Fredericton Vikings made some good moves, but two of their top 3 players get the call up from the pros, which hurt the team. Luckily the team barely finished 8th with help from forward Sam Brady, who made 20 goals; 45 points this season kept the team from looking at the playoffs from the outside.

Both the Titans and the Les Rouges battled for 1st place in the league as they fought back and forth. Still, in one game, the Les Rouges suffered a 4-2 loss to the Portland Clippers that cost their chance to keep up with the Titans as Drummondville finished 2nd place just 10 points behind the Titans as they finish 1st for the second straight season.

1978 OMJHA Playoffs

 Round 1 (best 3 of 5 games)

1st Kitchener Generals vs. 8th Owen Sound Arrowbirds: The Arrowbirds may have squeeze in the 8th place, but they are no match as the Generals took care of them in all three games with Patrick Herbco leading the way with 9 goals, 13 assists in 3 games, and the defensive duo of Neil Kelly, and Bill Walls kept the Arrowbirds offence from scoring.

2nd Kitchener Legionnaires vs. 7th Oakville Oaks: Game one was controversial as three of four goals made by the Oaks shouldn’t be counted due to numbers of Oaks players bumping, hooking, to even slashing Legionnaires goalie Ben Chandler, head coach Lenny McLeish was not happy with the referees as Legion lost 4-3. After that, the Oaks couldn’t score a goal in games 2 to 4 as the Legionnaire shut them out and sent the Oakville Oaks packing for the season in four games.

3rd Barrie Admirals vs. 6th Guelph Crusaders: The Admirals took game 1 in Barrie with a 3-1 win over the ownerless Crusaders. In-game 2, the Crusaders tie it 3-3 after being down 2-0 going into the 3rd period. In overtime, Guelph’s forward Rob Bell score it top corner as the Crusaders even the series one apiece in Guelph. Back at Barrie for game 3, it was back and forth as the game is tie 2-2. In the third period, Admirals Leo Jackson scored 3 goals straight with 12 minutes left in the game as the Admirals went on and won game 3 with a score of 5-2. Game 4 is where many believe would be the last game in Guelph as there are no local businesses interested in buying the team, so that means the league will move on to plan “B” to sell the team to relocate. In hopes to try to extend more home games, the Crusaders played their “A” game as they scored 3 unanswered goals in the 2nd period the Admirals couldn’t recover as the Guelph Crusaders wins game four 4-2, after the game the Crusaders made a salute to the fans in the  Guelph Memorial Auditorium as many felt that it is indeed the last game the Crusaders ever played in Guelph. Back in Barrie, it’s winner take all game 5, and the victor will go to the second round. In contrast, the loser goes home, Crusaders lead 2-0 after the first period, but the rest of the game was all Admirals as they score 4 goals 2 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd period as Barrie win both the game 4-2 and the series 3-2 as the Admirals moves on to the 2nd Round.

4th Oshawa Diamonds vs. 5th Waterloo Maroons: Despite the Maroons' swept the Diamonds in the season, Oshawa got their payback by sweeping them in the playoffs. Game one, Diamonds took the Maroons down 4-1. In-game two, the Maroons got shutout big time by the Diamonds 5-0. Game three Waterloo had a lead 2-0 going into the 3rd period until Diamonds forward Greg Banks made two goals and two assists and helped the team complete the sweep over the Maroons with a 4-2 win and moving on to the 2nd Round.

Round 2 (best 3 of 5 games)

1st Kitchener Generals vs. 4th Oshawa Diamonds: In Kitchener, both battle back and forth in game one where after the buzzer sounds off in the 3rd period, the game is tied at 4 apiece heading into overtime, with 1:39 left in the 2nd overtime, Greg Banks shot the puck top corner for his 3rd goal of the game and the Diamonds takes game one over the Generals 5-4. The rest of the series went downhill for the Diamonds as the Generals took game two 4-2, then 5-1 in game three, and in-game four, the Generals finish the Diamonds off with a 6-1 score. Once again, the Generals are heading to the Smyth Cup championship to win the series 3 to 1.

2nd Kitchener Legionnaires vs. 3rd Barrie Admirals: The Legionnaires took game number one 5-3 after being behind 3-0 after the 1st period. Game two was the same; the Admirals had the lead after the 1st period but fell apart in the 2nd period and could not come back in the 3rd as the Legionnaires win it 4-2. In-game three, the Admirals had a 4-0 lead after the 2nd period; Legionnaires John Herbco, who has been quiet for the whole series, scored 2 goals and 3 assists as they came back and swept the series 3 to none over the Barrie Admirals. The Admirals coach Leon Thomas said, “We played a good series, but we couldn’t finish the job, but next year we will be ready.” As for the Legionnaires, they are heading to the Smyth Cup championship for the third year in a row.

1978 Smyth Cup championship (best of 4 of 7 games)

1st Kitchener Generals vs. 2nd Kitchener Legionnaires: For the second year in a row, it is a battle of Kitchener as both the Generals and Legionnaires face each other for the Smyth Cup title. In-game one, the Legionnaires were all over the Generals as they win it 4-2. It was the same in game two, but it was a close game as it was 1-1 going into the 3rd period; John Herbco scored the tie-breaker goal with 3:20 left in the game as the Legionnaires take a 2 to 0 series lead. Game three is where the Generals bounce back as Patrick Herbco made 1 goal, 3 assists as the Generals take it 4-2. In game four, the Generals face against a different Legionnaires as John Herbco suffers a torn muscle on his left arm, defence Joe Harley twisted his right knee, and goalie Ben Chandler hurt his back from game three. The Generals took the chance and win it 5-2 to tie the series 2 apiece. Game five, the Generals dominated the Legionnaires with a 7-1 win to take a 3 to 2 series lead. Game six John Herbco, Joe Harley, and Ben Chandler are back from their injuries, but it would not be good enough as the Generals won game 4-1, win the series 4 games to 2, won their second straight Smyth Cup title and headed to the Valor Cup tournament.

One day after the Smyth Cup Championship, the OMJHA announced that the Crusaders hockey team got sold to Businessman Ryan Byron Sr., the founder of “Clear Honey Inc” in Buffalo, New York. Senior said that the Buffalo Falls Arena is the perfect place to house the team. For the first time in OMJHA history, the league will have an American team be part of it. As for the city of Guelph, they banned Jack Doan and his company from being in Guelph for good. “It’s a sad day that this had to end bitterly in Guelph, but a new era in Buffalo that are hungry for a hockey market to thrive in,” Said OMJHA president Franklin Name.

1977-78 OMJHA Season

 Standings

1. Kitchener Generals

2. Kitchener Legionnaires

3. Barrie Admirals

4. Oshawa Diamonds

5.  Waterloo Maroons

6. Guelph Crusaders

7. Oakville Oaks

8. Owen Sound Arrowbirds

9. Milton Micmacs

10. Burlington Metros

11. Orangeville O’s

12. Peterborough Braves

Season story

It was a big two days for both Peterborough Braves and Orangeville O’s as both played home and home games against each other. The first game between the two was at Orangeville Arena as the O’s wins the home opener 3-2, and O’s forward Jack Blackbell was the 1st star with two goals and one assist. The second game was big for the folks in Peterborough as they felt like its homecoming, and it shows it as the Braves beat the O’s 4-2 thanks to the 1st star of that game Shawn Steel with a hat-trick. Both teams finished in the bottom 2 with almost the same record, but the O’s got the season series match-up better than the Braves with 3-1-0.

One of the biggest news that did not sit well for the OMJHA, mainly the Milton Micmacs was forward Sam Warner, signed a deal with SWOHL’s Flint Fury. Questions about how it went wrong between the player and the Micmacs, sources say that the Micmacs had the money ready for Sam until suddenly the money was gone to make it worse for the team. They lost good players to injuries and call-ups from the Pro hockey clubs. The Micmacs once had a 12-game winning streak and hit 4th place in the first half of the season but hit a 15-game losing streak in the second half and finished 9th.

The 1977-78 season was the best season that the Barrie Admirals have ever performed. With the help of captain Ross Silverman leading the team and Leo Jackson’s 30 goals, 75 points season and rookie goalie Stan Cole playing like he isn’t a rookie with 25 wins and ten shutouts in 35 games he played skyrocketed the Admirals to finished third place.

Things came from bad to worse for both the Guelph Crusaders and team owner Jack Doan as, for some odd reason, the league fee didn’t when through, and the city of Guelph isn’t happy about it. Jack took both the league and the bank that does the league’s banking to court. However, Jack has the advantage, but the lack of proof both the league and the bank won the court battle with that the OMJHA made an 11 team owner vote by the score of 8-3 Jack Doan's ownership of the Guelph Crusaders is no longer his anymore. Unhappy with the decision, Jack Doan quote, “Mark my words, this league will regret taking this team away from me.” As for the team’s fate in Guelph, that depends on whether anyone is willing to buy the team and keep them in the city. If there is no offer on the table, then the team will be up for sale for relocation.

1978 WCLH Playoffs

 1st Round (best 3 of 5)

1st Fargo Owls vs. 8th Medicine Hat Hawks: Game 1 was back and forth until, in the 3rd period, behind 3-2 Hawks, Sam Park got a breakaway and beat Owls goalie Nate Benn to tie the game 3-3. It took two overtimes to end game 1 as the Owls James Morry scored a top corner with 5:21 left in the 2nd overtime. Game 2 was all Owls as they would beat the Hawks 4-1, then the Owls blank the Hawks 5-0 in game 3 to finish the series in 3 games.

2nd Kenora Pioneers vs. 7th Saskatoon Cats: Pioneers head coach Leo Newton said, “This is our series, plain and simple.” Those words motivated the team as Kenora did more than sweep the Cats in three games. They also kept the Cats from scoring goals as Pioneers goalie Zack Mick shut Saskatoon out in all three games.

3rd Abbotsford Forest Kings vs. 6th Moose Jaw Wings: Game 1 was essential for the Wings, with forward Shawn Ryan scoring 2 goals and 2 assists, defencemen Herb Williams shutting down the Forest Kings offence, and rookie forward Joe Robin playing like he is the veteran with 1 goal, 4 assists as the Wings beats Forest Kings 5-2. Abbotsford got a wake-up call from game 1, so they turned it around in-game number 2 as forward Grey Bushey led the way with 2 goals, 1 assist and forward Rick Queen made 3 assists as Forest Kings took it 3-1 to even the series one apiece. Forest Kings got themselves on a roll as Grey Bushey scored a hat-trick which would be it as Abbotsford won it 3-1 to take the lead in the series 2-1. Game 4 was a must-win for the Wings as they played just like game 1 as Shawn Ryan made 2 goals, 3 assists as Moose Jaw won it over Abbotsford with a 6-3 final to tie the series 2-2. In-game number 5, the first two periods were even between the two, but when period number 3 started, it was all Moose Jaw as Herb Williams shocked everyone as he scored his first-ever goal. After that, three other Wings players score goals as the Moose Jaw Wings win game 5 with a score of 6-2 and win the series 3-2.

4th Nanaimo Sharks vs. 5th Brandon Buffalos: The drama in Brandon shows it as both Luke James and Paul Cole tried to put their difference aside, but it wasn’t enough as Nanaimo swept the Buffalos in 3 games, all thanks to forward Luke Stillman with 4 goals, and 8 assists in 3 games, also international junior star Kenta Takamachi played great with 5 goals, 4 assists in 3 games. “With my players step their game up to another level, it’s just what we needed to be ready for round 2.” Sharks head coach Sam McLee said at the press conference after game 3.

Round 2 (best 3 of 5)

1st Fargo Owls vs. 6th Moose Jaw Wings: This is the rematch between Fargo and Moose Jaw from last year's playoffs; unlike that year was round 1, this year; it is round 2. Moose Jaw shocked the Owls with a 4-1 win in front of a sold-out Fargo Center in-game one. “We played awful plain and simple I didn’t need to tell my players they know it, and they’ll find a way to turn this around quickly.” Owls head coach Rich Gibs said after the game. The Owls turned it around in games 2 and 3 thanks to goalie Shawn Paxton who let in just 2 of 61 shots he took. Forward Dick Bartram lead the way with 4 goals and 2 assists in two games for the Owls to take the series lead 2-1. Game four is where the event that everyone would call “the comeback” after two periods, the Wings were leading 5-1, but in the third period, Fargo was starting to play like a must-win mode as Dick Bartram scores a hat-trick, followed by defence Jack Moore, and forward Justin Ash to break a tie with 1:07 left in the third period, the Owls went defence mode as Moose Jaw players were shooting pucks all over goalie Frank Watson as they held on until the game clock hit zero. The Fargo Owls completes the comeback with a 6-5 to win game four and the series 3-1.

2nd Kenora Pioneers vs. 4th Nanaimo Sharks: Both teams play hard; Kenora took game one 3-2, the Sharks took game two with a 4-2 win, Kenora bounced back in game three 4-1 victory, but in-game four the Pioneers thought that they’re going to win it but two late goals made by both Curtis Samford, and George Rogers to win it 4-3 to even the series 2 apiece. In-game number 5, the Pioneers suffer a huge heartbreaker. Goalie Zack Mick injured his hip during the first period; Zack finished the period but didn’t come back in the second as he got replaced by backup Luke Osborne, and the Sharks took the advantage and scored 4 unanswered goals as Nanaimo won game five 7-3 to win the series 3-2. “It was my call to sideline Zack. He was hurt real bad I don’t want to have him suffer a career-ending injury that will hunt both him, the team and me, so with that, we will fight another day, and we will be better.” Pioneers head coach Leo Newton said after losing game 5.

1978 Jade Trophy Championship (best 4 of 7)

1st Fargo Owls vs. 4th Nanaimo Sharks: The Fargo Owls are back in the finals for the second year, while the Nanaimo Sharks' last championship appearance was back in 1974 when they were the Greyhounds. In-game one, Fargo got off to a hot start as Dick Bartram did it again with 2 goals and 4 assists as the Owls won 7-4. Fargo took game two with Dick Bartram, who made 3 goals and 5 assists as they blew out Nanaimo 8-2 final to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 was a game-changer for the Sharks as Kenta Takamachi scored a hat-trick, his playoff career first, leading the Sharks to a 4-2 win. The Sharks would continue to roll as Luke Stillman made 1 goal and 4 assists as Nanaimo beat Fargo 5-2 to even the series 2-2. Game five is a must-win for both teams. Many said that “if you win game 5, you win the whole series!” That is what the Owls did as Justin Ash and Dick Bartram each scored a goal and kept the Sharks from scoring as the Owls took game five 3-1. Game number six is where the Owls have the answers, while the Sharks do not as the final score is the Owls 3, Sharks 2 as Fargo wins the series 4-2, and the 1978  Jade Trophy Champions, and they will make the trip to Toronto for 1978 Valor Cup Tournament for the second year in a row.

1977-78 WCLH Season

 

Standings

1. Fargo Owls

2. Kenora Pioneers

3. Abbotsford Forest Kings

4. Nanaimo Sharks

5. Brandon Buffalos

6. Moose Jaw Wings

7. Saskatoon Cats

8. Medicine Hat Hawks

9. Lethbridge Cougars

10. Swift Current Battalion

Season Story

October 7, 1977, marks the Swift Current Battalion inaugural season opener that fans have been waiting for as the team played against the Moose Jaw Wings. Battalion rookie forward Ron Gratton scored his first goal in his WCLH career, and he would add 3 assists to give the team their first win in the team’s history. Swift Current would add 12 more wins and end at last place, but the mayor of Swift Current said, “This team is here to stay long term!”

One of many big stories that were all talks about was a trade between Kenora and Saskatoon that suppose to be a win for the Cats as they received forward Jake Folk and defence Reggie Gordy. At the same time, the Pioneers end up getting goalie Zack Mick and a 2nd round pick. Unhappy that he got traded lit a fire inside Zack as he got the chance to start for the Pioneers and went on a roll with a 24-5-1 in 30 games and gave the team a 2nd place finish. While the Cats fell apart in the second half with top key players being injured to even Kevin Vale, Sam Fritz, and Matthew Edwards got the call up from their own pro hockey clubs as Saskatoon finished 7th to make things not sit well for the Cats, they have a playoff match up with the Pioneers.

The team that had their ups and downs was the Brandon Buffalos; in the first half of the season, the team played very well to even placing in 1st until in the second half, where things went downhill. Tim Woods, the teams head coach, had problems trying to keep the team together, mainly with 14 games losing streak that led to a locker room fight between forward Luke James and defence Paul Cole; with that, the team’s chemistry was not there as the Buffalos ended the season in 5th.

For the second year in a row, the Fargo Owls took 1st place in the league with what would be a new record of 43-5-2. To add more records by the Owls, goalie Nate Benn made 15 shutouts out of 30 games.

1977 CIHA off-season

 OMJHA Expansion Draft

As the expansion draft happening, many teams had trade offers to both Peterborough and Orangeville draft picks to keep their players from being drafted by one of two teams. Kitchener Generals had 4 players on target, including Patrick Herbco, so the team traded 1st round, 4th round and 5th round to Orangeville. As for Peterborough, they received 2nd and 3rd rounds from the Generals, and it worked as the Generals kept their players from being drafted while other teams just traded only the 4th and 5th round draft picks. One team that took the expansion draft hard was the Burlington Metros that lost 8 players.

Orangeville O’s

1: F – Shawn Andersons, Burlington

2: G – Jack Glenn, Waterloo

3: F – Shane Lane, Guelph

4: D – Jim Hall, Kitchener Legionnaires

5: F – Will Steel, Milton

Peterborough Braves

1: D – Lenny Haynes, Waterloo

2: F – Herb Edwards, Milton

3: F – Jack Blackbell, Barrie

4: D – Chris Watson, Oshawa

5: G – Thomas Marsden, Owen Sound

AQHL Expansion Draft

With only one team added to the league, the teams can breathe a little, mainly with Drummondville that successfully traded their 2nd and 3rd round pick to the Voltages in hopes of keeping their roster together and stay with the Titans in the standings next season. Both Moncton and Fredericton lost their key players to the expansion draft despite offering draft picks to the Voltages to turn them down.

Shawinigan Voltages

1: F – Rick Dennis, Moncton

2: G – Kevin Garfield, Fredericton

3: D – Jean Lacombe, Laval

4: D – Vincent Leroux, Sherbrooke

5: F – Guy Beirnes, Verdun

1977 AQHL Draft

New Glasgow Highlanders hit the jackpot with the first two picks in hand. They waste no time and make their picks. The Highlanders' first pick from Halifax, Nova Scotia forward Kyle Patrick, who has been on every team’s radar for some time as he shows some potential, is the son of Halifax hockey legend Ronald Patrick. The team’s second pick from Quebec City, Quebec Guy Dubois a defenceman who can not only hit hard but also, he can score goals too, which will give the team the chance to go to the playoffs finally. The Clippers pick from Montreal, Quebec forward Paul Benoit is just what the team needs in the hope of a deep playoff run.

1977 OMJHA Draft

There was an almost trade between the Metros and the Arrowbirds. The asking price from the Arrowbirds was too much for the Metros, so the deal fell apart. Milton Micmacs first pick is forward Kevin Bedford from Guelph, which should be a plus for Milton mainly after helping the Guelph Jr. B hockey club wins the all Ontario hockey championship with 30G, 55A, 85 points in 40 game season along with 20G, 35A, 55 points in the playoffs. The 2nd pick made by the Metros is Eddie Baxter, a defenceman from Port Colborne who became an excellent enforcer for the Aurora Jr. B hockey club and could give more strength to the Metro’s defence come the 1977-78 season. The Oakville Oaks takes forward Derek Dunn from Collingwood, the Owen Sound AAA Major hockey club top scorer with 30 goals in 40 games, is just what the Oaks need to improve scoring that they lack most of the 1976-77 season.

1977 WCLH Draft

At the draft, the new owner of the Swift Current hockey team, Patrick Cox, announced the team’s name would be called the Battalion. After that, they made their first pick, and they take forward from Regina, SK Ron Gratton, who may not be a scorer but is the best playmaker making 65 assists during the 1976-77 season with the Yorkton Jr. B hockey club. Medicine Hat Hawks select goalie Mark Eire from Cranbrook, B.C. Mark played very well with 15 wins in 20 games, and his save % is way above the .500 mark. 3rd pick made by the Moose Jaw Wings is Joe Robin, a forward from Vancouver, B.C. Joe’s playmaking style will help the Wings play better offence come 1977-78 season.

News

CIHA

The Valor Cup tournament returns to Toronto and will be played at the Toronto Metro Complex, home of the Toronto Pro Hockey club. “You know when you hit the big times where you can showcase top junior players across the North in a pro hockey arena,” said CIHA president Joseph McGeorge.

AQHL

Trois-Rivieres Titans had a scare during the 1977 pro hockey draft where their 5 players are on the list. Luckily only Mark Lewis and Jac LeClair got drafted. “I hope these two come back and play with us, but it’s not that easy. I hope they have a great future in the pros.” Said Titans GM Jacques Norm.

With Shawinigan Voltages set to play for the 1977-78 season, John Rome announced the name for his team come 1978-79 season will be the Manchester Americans as he stood in front of the brand new rebuild Manchester Forum. As the hype for two new teams is all talks, both Paul Name and the owners discuss splitting the league into two divisions. If that happens, that means the playoffs could change the format the way is.

OMJHA

With two more teams set for the 1977-78 season, there were talks of adding more expansion teams, but there have been issues with some teams not paying the league fee full. Some organizations said that some money was taken from them, questions were not being answered; even Franklin Name had a hard time answering them. Thanks to this problem, talks of future expansions are put to the side for now.

Jack Doan was having paying issues with the league even though his team is making money. He claims that someone has been taking his money, so the city of Guelph put their money in to have another season in the league.

With his son, John could be the next number 1 pick in the pro hockey draft next year, and Patrick is making every scout keeping an eye on him. Gerald Herbco has noticed that his sons could have a pro hockey career down the road and his dairy farm business getting busier, he decides to put the Generals up for sale. The buyer is the team’s GM Todd Holmes, who has more interest in the team than anyone else, and Todd hopes to purchase the team before the 1979-80 season.

WCLH

With the relocation of North Battleford Crusaders to Swift Current and renamed the Battalion now out of the way, the league announced two new teams would be added for the 1978-79 season. First, to be part of the association from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The second is from Billings, Montana. Both will show off the name, logos, and jerseys come 1978 off-season.

With Cliff Burns now no longer eligible to play juniors level next season, most of the top players on the roster are pretty much-going pro soon, and long-time head coach Martin White retired. They decide to rebuild the team from the ground up by getting some top picks in hopes of being ready for the 1980-81 season in time for the 75th anniversary of their existence. In the progress of the rebuild, the team promoted Edward Smith from assistant coach to head coach. Also, the team traded forward Nick Verdon, defenceman John Pool, and 5th round picks to the Abbotsford Forest Kings for goalie Ross Davis, forward Ryan Lou Finn, and 2nd round pick. “It’s going be not so pretty for the next three years, but in the end, we will be built and ready for a darn good run.” Cougars GM Frank Finley said.

1977 Valor Cup tournament

 

1977 Valor Cup tournament: Winnipeg, MA

Teams: Fargo Owls, Kitchener Generals, Trois-Rivieres Titans.

Standings

Trois-Rivieres Titans: 4W, 0L.

Kitchener Generals: 2W, 2L.

Fargo Owls: 0W, 4L.

Story:

The Fargo Owls may become the first American team to be part of the Valor Cup tournament, but they became the first team to be eliminated after going winless. For the third time in four years that a 3rd seed team finish the round-robin round winless.

Kitchener Generals had a half and half tournament with 2 wins and 2 losses, but Patrick Herbco helped the team stay in the competition with crucial game playing with scoring goals and assisting teammates in advancing to the finals.

The Trois-Rivieres Titans dominated the whole tournament finished 4-0 and made a Valor Cup record of 20 goals while just letting in just 3 goals.

The Valor Cup Finals was what everyone thought was supposed to be a one-sided final, but the Titans faced a different Generals.

In the first period, the Titans take the lead by scoring 3 goals within 10 minutes, then only 2 minutes left; in the first period, the Generals Cal Winston scores a goal with help from Patrick Herbco.

The second period was all Generals game playing as Patrick Herbco scored 2 goals within 4 minutes to tie the game until 4 minutes left in the second Allen Guay broke the tie game with a long shot and hit the top corner.

The third period is where things get rougher for both goalies as they took shots like crazy from everywhere. 10 minutes left, Patrick hit a hat trick to tie the game at four apiece. With 1 minute left, controversy struck the Generals with what many fans call it “the high stick goal” as Andre Doucet lift his stick high enough to tip the puck in the net, the Generals claim it was a high stick to the Titans defence Andre is 6”11, while Generals goalie Sam Rogers is 5”10 so it is hard to call a high stick penalty. The Titans win it 5-4 final and complete their historic season as they are the 1977 Valor Cup Champions, and Mark Lewis is named MVP of the 1977 Valor Cup.

1976-77 AQHL Season

 

Standings

1. Trois-Rivieres Titans

2. Cape Breton Warriors

3. Drummondville Les Rouges

4. Moncton Bears

5. Verdun Knights

6. Fredericton Vikings

7. Laval Tigers

8. Portland Clippers

9. New Glasgow Highlanders

10. Sherbrooke Loups

Story:

AQHL President Paul Name announced that Shawinigan is the new team to join the league come 1977-78 season. After the number of nicknames for the team, the Voltages were voted the best name for the team. They will show off the logo and the jerseys during the off-season.

The Clippers' rookie forward, Frank Logan, had a hay day this season, putting in 30 goals, 75 points. Despite that, the Clippers lost some key players to injuries, even losing 20-year-old defence Rick Cooper to the Pittsburgh Pro Hockey club as he got called up mid-season for a playoff push. With that, Portland finished 8th place and got swept by the Titans in 3 games.

New Glasgow Highlanders got so many bad lucks this season. Assistant coach Frank Jensen suffered a heart attack and was forced to retire from coaching. Then goalie coach Vince Davidson got busted for speeding downtown and putting some players riding with him in danger; a week after that, he was fired. Lastly, the head coach of the team, Bill Cooper, did not do a good job at coaching and got let go in mid-season; the Highlanders hired Doug Reid to take over. The result they finished 9th place, but it did show some better results down the road. GM Ray Carter worked on redeeming himself (and save his job) by trading away defence Tim Jones, forward Will Bradley, and both 2nd and 3rd round pick to Sherbrooke for 16-year-old goalie Pierre Meloche and 1st round pick gives the Highlanders the first two picks for the 1977 draft.

Trois-Rivieres Titans show everyone why they guarantee a 1st place finish. All the rebuild they did has paid off with 5 players sitting in the top 10 in points leaders, forward Jim Goff was named MVP of AQHL, goalie Max Hebert played excellently and made a record of 15 shutouts. The Titans finished with 38-1-1, one of the best records in team history.

The Titans continue their historic season by beating Drummondville Les Rouges in 4 games to win the 1977 Bronz Cup. With that win, the Valor Cup is the team’s final piece to the puzzle to complete history in the making.

1976-77 OMJHA Season

 

Standings

1. Kitchener Legionnaires

2. Kitchener Generals

3. Waterloo Maroons

4. Owen Sound Arrowbirds

5. Oshawa Diamonds

6. Guelph Crusaders

7. Barrie Admirals

8. Oakville Oaks

9. Burlington Metros

10. Milton Micmacs

Story:

A lot of buzzes are happening this season, with new teams coming next season. Orangeville announced the name for their team would be known as the “O’s.” Over at Peterborough, they will be named the “Braves” after the original Braves club the played the OMJHA from 1948 to 1962. Both teams will reveal their logo and jerseys during the off-season.

The Generals Patrick Herbco had a grand rookie season, with 30 goals, 65 points, just 5 points shy of even his brother’s rookie year record. However, on January 31st, 1977, Patrick makes a record of 10 points in one game with 5 goals and 5 assists in the Generals 10-2 win over the Micmacs.

 The Barrie Admirals made a big surprise in the league by making it to their first playoffs ever thanks to winning 7 of the last 10 games with the help of forward Leo Jackson and forward Ross Silverman. In the playoffs, they ran out of gas as they got eliminated by the Generals in 3 games.

The battle of Kitchener heats up in a big way as both teams try to claim the top spot in the league. After 4 games between each other, both tie with 1-1-2, and to even the same record of 37-1-2, the only thing that kept the Generals from taking 1st place is the goals. The Legionnaires were 5 goals more to take 1st place over the Generals.

The Generals may not get the top spot in the league, but they became the top of the mountain as they beat the Legionnaires in 6 games to win the Smyth Cup title and will take a lovely trip to Winnipeg for the Valor Cup.

1976-77 WCLH Season

 

Standings

1. Fargo Owls

2. Saskatoon Cats

3. Kenora Pioneers

4. Nanaimo Sharks

5. Abbotsford Forest Kings

6. Brandon Buffalos

7. Lethbridge Cougars

8. Moose Jaw Wings

9. Medicine Hat Hawks

10. North Battleford Crusaders

Story:

The downfall of the Cougars has begun with losing their 1st 15 games until they finally get their 1st win of the season. But their luck would turn around when the Vancouver Pro Hockey Club assigned Cliff Burns to the team, and they went on winning the last ten games and finished 7th. However, they got swept by the Cats in 3 games in the playoffs.

The Fargo Owls made history as they became the first American team to finish 1st in the WCLH by winning 33 games, followed by losing just 2 and 5 ties.

On February 15, 1977, a piece of bombshell news hit both the league and the town of North Battleford as the Crusaders owner Ron Jackins officially sold the team to businessman Patrick Cox. He would go on and announced that the team would move from North Battleford to Swift Current in a brand-new arena called “Swift Current Veteran Memorial Centre” this is excellent news for Swift Current. Still, horrible news for North Battleford as no one cannot agree on a new arena deal at all. “This is one of the things that we let the past get into our heads and fall apart, I mean, we were the 1960 Jade Trophy champions, and we can’t seem to work together to build this team better and put funds in a better arena.” Former Crusaders player Neal England said after the news broke. The team finishes last and will start the 1977-78 season in Swift Current.

One of the best series ever played happened in the 2nd round was Saskatoon Cats vs. Kenora Pioneers. They battled all five games, and all of them were overtimes, and in-game five, the Cats' left-winger Pete Quinn scored the overtime winner with the score of 2-1 to win and move on to the Jade Trophy finals.

Fargo kept their historic run to the finals as they beat the Saskatoon Cats in 6 games. Led by the Owls' top scorer Tom Gregson made 9 goals and 21 points as the Owls become the first American team to win the Jade Trophy title and will make a trip up north to Winnipeg for the 1977 Valor Cup tournament.

1976 Valor Cup Tournament

 

1976 Valor Cup Tournament: Vancouver B.C.

Teams: Lethbridge Cougars, Kitchener Legionnaires, Moncton Bears.

Standings

Lethbridge Cougars: 3 W, 1 L.

Kitchener Legionnaires: 3 W, 1 L.

Moncton Bears: 0 W, 4 L.

Story:

This year's tournament was a successful showcase for both the Cougars and Legionnaires performed great as both teams finished in a tie for first place with three wins, one loss. As for the Bears, not so much as they finish a 0-4 record, and as the tournament rules go, if the last place team ends without a win, they are eliminated.

The Valor Cup Final was an epic back and forth game. In the first period, the Cougars draw first blood with Cliff Burns scoring two goals, followed by Herb Holmes putting in a goal to make it 3-1. The second period was a turning point for the Legionnaires where goalie Jake Phillips came in after Kirk Smith twisted his knee late in the first; Jake played so well it gave John Herbco to score with one minute left in the second to make 3-2. The third period is where John Herbco shines as he sets up a pass to defence Leon Kirkland as he slaps it and goes past goalie Tony Will into the net, and the game is tied 3-3 as the third period hits zero. For the first time in Valor Cup history, the finals will be decided in overtime. Shots after shots save after saves. With 3:50 minutes to go in overtime, John Herbco dash through two defensemen then shoots the puck and scores the Valor Cup clincher goal. As the Legionnaires celebrate a 4-3 overtime win, both Jake Phillips and Tony Will shake hands with each other in respect for their performance. The 1976 Valor Cup MVP John Herbco raises the Valor Cup as the Legionnaires become the first OMJHA team to win it all.

1976 Off-season

 

1976 WCLH Draft

Moose Jaw selects forward Kyle Ferrell of Edmonton, AB. Brandon Buffalos takes Pat Myles, a forward from Prince Albert, SK. The 3rd pick to the Nanaimo Sharks after a trade with Medicine Hat Hawks as they received forward Alex Jorden. The Sharks pick goalie Max Tayler of Surrey, B.C.

1976 OMJHA Draft

Ever since the Diamonds and Generals trade, some top teams offer players for draft picks, but both the Micmacs and the Admirals would not budge as they made their picks. Micmacs choose Milton local forward Bo Chapman. The Admirals select forward Shawn Greene of Barrie. The Generals wasted no time and picked forward Patrick Herbco of Thamesville. With Pat and some good players on their roster, the Generals are set for a deep run. Generals GM Todd Holmes said, "Get ready for a dynasty in the making!"

1976 AQHL Draft

Saint John, New Brunswick local forward Frank Logan becomes a Clipper as Portland took him 1st overall. Sherbrooke Loups rebuild continues as they take Christian Dupont, a forward from Saint-Jerome, QC. Trois-Rivieres Titans pick JP Laflamme, a forward from downtown Trois-Rivieres as he would be one of many locals to represent Trois-Rivieres for a deep run as team co-owner. Lance Chouinard said, "This is it! It is all or nothing for us, and we must finish first place no ifs or buts about it.

News

After a big meeting with owners within all three leagues during the Valor Cup tournament in Vancouver, they all agreed and sign in print that Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the location for the 1977 Valor Cup. The arena will be the Winnipeg Memorial Centre, formerly home of the Manitoba Pro Hockey Club.

Also, in the meeting, the owners had agreed to increase the numbers of games for both the season and in the playoffs, but only the 1976-77 playoff games will rise from the best 2 of 3 games in rounds 1 and 2 to the best 3 of 5, and the finals will be from the best 3 of 5 now the best 4 of 7 games. The season will increase from 40 games to 50 games a year later in 1977-78, just in time for the CIHA 5th anniversary.

 As speaking of 1977-78, the OMJHA have announced that they will be adding two more teams in their league. OMJHA will welcome Peterborough and Orangeville. For Orangeville, it is an excellent opportunity for the city. As for Peterborough, it is a significant return to the league as the city was once part of the OMJHA; from 1946 until 1961, the team folded from low attendants to high prices for travelling. "Today is a great day for both cities to be part of the top tier league," said OMJHA President Franklin Name.

The OMJHA is not the only league to add more teams; the AQHL is also adding two teams to the league but in a different way. 1977-78 season, the league welcomes Shawinigan, QC. While a year later, Manchester, New Hampshire, joins in, making them the 2nd American team to be part of the AQHL. John Rome said, "this is what this city needs after losing a minor pro hockey team that was part of the city in almost 40 years. Finally, we can have a team that we can cheer and enjoy the good old game of hockey."

WCLH got a taste of international flavour as the Nanaimo Sharks signs Kenta Takamachi, a forward from Osaka, Japan, who moved to Vancouver with his Uncle. "He played outstanding hockey in his homeland," said GM Paul Rowe, "but it's a risk to take from word of mouth, but after his tryout, I feel that this could pay off for us down the road."

The town of Lethbridge would hear one of sad news the Cougars star Cliff Burns got drafted 1st overall by the Vancouver Pro Hockey club, along with Tony Will got drafted in 2nd round by the Minnesota Pro Hockey club, and Shane Louis by the Denver Pro Hockey club in the 3rd round. With those three key players going pro and some other players they got could go pro or commit to a college, the writing is on the wall for the team being the top of the league. "This one will be a tough road for us, but we have been there and overcome it. This one will test us, and we will prevail," Cougars GM Rick Hill said.

In OMJHA, two teams made one of the most significant trades ever as Burlington Metros gets forward Thomas Marksman, defence Joe Edwards and Backup goalie Jake Mills. While the Waterloo Maroons received forward Sam O'Brian, defence Luke Stevenson, and goalie Roger Stevenson, this became a turning point for both teams. For the Maroons, it's a need in the hope of staying in contender form for the Smyth Cup. As for the Metros, they realize they need an overhaul after 5 top players from their roster got drafted in the Pro Hockey League draft.

1975-76 AQHL Season

 

Standings

1. Drummondville Les Rouges

2. Cape Breton Warriors

3. Moncton Bears

4. Fredericton Vikings

5. Verdun Knights

6. Laval Tigers

7. Portland Clippers

8. Trois-Rivieres Titans

9. Sherbrooke Loups

10. New Glasgow Highlanders

Story:

The Titans show some good progress from their previous season to make it bigger for them; they even beat the defending Bronz Cup champions Les Rouges twice. Those two wins help the Titans finished 8th place and enter the playoffs, where they gave Drummondville a run for their money. In the end, the Titans fell one win short as they got eliminated by the Les Rouges 2 games to 1.

The league would witness one of the most lopsided trades in history. The Highlanders traded forward Sam Wilkinsburg, goalie Nathen Williams and 1st round pick to the Portland Clippers for forward Paul Frank, forward Tim Keith, and 5th round pick. The trade looks good on paper, but Frank got injured and was out for the season, while Tim got the call to play for Denver Pro Hockey club; with them out, New Glasgow finished the last place and with the 1st round pick belongs to the Clippers the Highlanders are outside looking in. For the Clippers, it was not much improvement, but with the 1st pick in their hand, things are looking up in a big way.

Despite losing two games in the season series to an 8th seeded team, the Les Rouges squeezed in 1st place with a 3-1 win over the Verdun Knights and thanks to Fredericton Vikings 4-2 win over Cape Breton Warriors.

In the 1st round, it all top seed teams moving on, but in the 2nd round, both the league and the top 2 teams received a shocking upset. The first place Drummondville Les Rouges lost both games 2 and 3 to fourth place Fredericton Vikings after winning a 9-0 blowout win in game 1. Second place Cape Breton Warriors got swept by third-place Moncton Bears. What's worse for the Warriors, they got outscored by the Bears with a total score of 10-4 in 2 games.

In the all New Brunswick series, both teams went back and forth until game number 5. It was all Moncton where Forward Rick Wilson scored two big goals in the 3rd period as the Bears win the series and become the first maritime team to win the Bronz Cup.

1975-76 OMJHA season

 

Standings

1. Kitchener Legionnaires

2. Waterloo Maroons

3. Burlington Metros

4. Kitchener Generals

5. Guelph Crusaders

6. Oakville Oaks

7. Owen Sound Arrowbirds

8. Oshawa Diamonds

9. Barrie Admirals

10. Milton Micmacs

Story:

Before the season starts, the Diamonds made a vital trade with the Generals. The Diamonds get forward Greg Lewis in, the 2nd round and 3rd round. While the Generals take 1st round, 5th round and forward Jack Hillmen. This trade benefits the Generals as they finished 4th place, while the Diamonds take 8th place and show better things to come soon in Oshawa.

The big news that happened was the Milton Micmacs as the team fired head coach Jim Jackson after winning only 2 out of the first 20 games. Shawn Harper became the team's new coach as they would win four more games and finish in tenth place.

With all rumours about teams being relocated during the off-season, the Owen Sound Arrowbirds are not on the list as the city agreed in adding more years to the arena lease. Trevor Thunder, the team's owner, hopefully, makes enough money to build a new arena and keep the team in Owen Sound. 

Another Coaches change in the league happened in Waterloo; the Maroons hire Louis Kelly to coach after Ron Pool stepped down for personal reasons as the team finished 2nd with a big 15-game winning streak.

In his second season with the Legionnaires, John Herbco became the team's captain after Roger Walton got the call to play for the New York pro hockey club. John steps up to the plate as the team leader and leads them to 35 wins, two losses, and three ties skyrocketing to 1st place. John would win the scoring title, best forward player, MVP and was named number 2 of the pro hockey's top prospect player of the year.

John Herbco and the Legionnaires would roll through the playoffs and swept the Metros in 3 games to win the Smyth Cup, their first since 1965. The Legion has punched its ticket to Vancouver for the 1976 Valor Cup.