1978-79 OMJHA Season

 

Standings

Hero Division

1. Kitchener Generals

2. Barrie Admirals

3. Oshawa Diamonds

4. Burlington Metros

5. Milton Micmacs

6. Oakville Oaks

Steel Division

1. Kitchener Legionnaires

2. Orangeville O’s

3. Waterloo Maroons

4. Owen Sound Arrowbirds

5. Buffalo Bees

6. Peterborough Braves

Story

During the pre-season, the OMJHA announced that there are now two divisions in the league, six teams each. The names are the Hero division and the Steel division, named after two original teams that were once part of the league from the beginning, the Toronto Heros and the Hamilton Steel.

October 20, 1978, the Buffalo Bees played their season opener at Owen Sound as they won 3-1 over the Arrowbirds. On November 1, 1978, the Buffalo Bee's first home opener at the sold-out Regal Forum in Buffalo, New York, the Bees lost in overtime 4-3 to the Burlington Metros. The Bees finished 5th in the Steel Division.

The Oakville Oaks had a lousy season; they had 15 games losing streak, the longest losing streak in team history as the team finished 12th overall with just 9 wins. From winning the 1974-75 Smyth cup and getting his contract extended to 1978-79 dead last finish and his contract terminated, as Gary Russo was no longer part of the team, the Oaks will announce a new head coach later on in the off-season.

The Orangeville O’s surprised everyone with a significant improvement thanks to their draft picks to even mid-season trades. They had the highest 14-game winning streak, finished 2nd in the Steel division and hopefully go deep into the playoffs.

The Defending Champions Kitchener Generals had a slow start by losing the first six games; they finished the first half of the season 10-10-5. In the last 25 games, the Gens went through very well with a 19-2-4, including crucial wins they need to stay on top of both Barrie Admirals and Oshawa Diamonds in the Hero Division.

After losing the Smyth Cup last year, the Legionnaires were not the favourite to head back to the finals to the lowest point of not making it to this season's playoffs. To add more log to the fire after the Pro Hockey draft in the off-season, John Herbco didn’t get drafted at all even though he performed gracefully at the pro hockey tryout camp, nothing which did not sit well for John. Still, he knows the only way for him to get noticed by the pros is that the Legionnaires must win both the Smyth Cup and the Valor Cup. John racked up goals and points like crazy as he made the season record of 126 points (48 goals, 78 assists). Within those 48 goals, he made a hat-trick streak record of 9 games. With his performance and other players stepping up their game, the Legionnaires finished 1st place in the Steel Division and league overall.

Both Milton Micmacs and the Burlington Metros went back and forth for the 4th spot in the Hero Division. Both had the same record after 48 games until the final 2 games the Metros got the better over the Macs as the Metros beat the Diamonds and the Admirals where they had no chance of winning those games while the Macs, who thought they got easy 2 wins but lost those two games to the Braves and the Oaks. After that, the Macs are out, and the Metros are in the playoffs.

1979 WCLH Playoffs

 

1st Round (best 4 of 7 games)

1st east Fargo Owls vs. 4th west Nanaimo Sharks

The Sharks entered in Fargo with hopes of at least giving the Owls a hard time and getting payback from losing the Jade Trophy finals last season. The Sharks did until the 3rd period, where Owls forward Kirk Cooper scored two straight goals as the Owls took game 1 with a 4-2. Game 2 at the Fargo Center was filled with fans capacity as the Owls won it 4-1 thanks to Dick Bartram, who made three straight goals. Far west in Nanaimo, the Sharks turn themselves around after losing 2 games in Fargo as Sharks overage star Kenta Takamachi did not score any goals but did make six assists as Nanaimo claimed game three with a 6-2 win over the Owls. The Owls had been kicking themselves since losing game three, trialling behind 4-2 Owls Justin Ash scored two big goals with 1:36 left in the 3rd period, the clock went zero as the 3rd period ended as both teams ended headed to overtime. After two overtimes heading into the 3rd overtime, Dick Bartram made one of the most challenging shots that some never thought would get in the net, but it did as the Owls won game four 5-4 in three overtimes. Back at Fargo, it was all Owls as Dick Bartram, Jack Moore, and Justin Ash each scored 2 goals as the Owls took both games five 6-3 and the series 4 games to 1.

1st west Abbotsford Forest Kings vs. 4th east Brandon Buffalos

Game 1 in Abbotsford, the Forest Kings, took this game into their hands as Grey Bushey scored 4 goals and 4 assists in a 9-1 blowout over the Buffalos. The Buffalos had something going in the first 10:00, but penalties by both Luke James and Paul Cole both argued with each other inside the penalty box. What's worse for both they did not know that their penalties had already expired by almost 3 minutes. After that, the Forest Kings won game two 5-0. All five of those were powerplay goals. The first two games in Abbotsford Arena were sold out. At Brandon Rink, it was almost empty as fans lost faith in the Buffalos after an embarrassing first two-game loss. Paul Cole did step his game up with 1 goal and 2 assists, and so did Luke James with his 2 goals and 1 assist, but it wasn’t enough as Abbotsford won game three 8-6. Two days before game four, both Luke James and Paul Cole had an interview as they still blamed each other, the coaches, to even their teammates, including goalie Max Van-Kelly, the blame on Max became the straw that broke the camel's back, Max requested and approved to sit out game four along with 5 other top players, the coaches scrambled to borrowed some players from Jr.B level just to play the game. Both the 1st and 2nd period was all Forest Kings leading the game 5-0, during the 2nd intermission once again both Luke James and Paul Cole tried to be leaders but it didn’t work out as some Jr.B players literally walked out of the locker room leaving the two behind. In the 3rd period, nothing changed at all; as the final minutes started to tick away, some of the Buffalos fans began to chant, “THANK YOU, ABBOTSFORD!” “THANK YOU, ABBOTSFORD!” Across the empty arena, as the clock hit all zeros, the game ended with a score of 9-0, and the Buffalos' season was over. Many fans are happy and hoping that the higher-ups can do something about the team and hopefully get rid of both Luke James and Paul Cole for good. As the self-destruction of Brandon Buffalos hit the news, the Abbotsford Forest Kings celebrated their 2nd first-round playoff series win in 3 years, and the first series sweeper won 4 games to 0.

2nd west Medicine Hat Hawks vs. 3rd east Saskatoon Cats

Led by Hawks forward Sam Baylis scored 2 goals in the second period after a slow game playing in the first period, the third period was all defence by the Hawks as they take game one 3-0. Pretty much the same as game one but this time, the Cats finally score a playoff goal since game five of the 1977 Jade Trophy championship. Forward Wayne Osbourne scored 2 goals, and 1 assist as the Cats win game two 3-0. In Saskatoon, the Cats had a 2-0 lead after the first period; both the second and the third period were all Medicine Hat as Sam Baylis did not score goals but made 4 assists as the Hawks regained the series lead with a 4-2 game three win. The Cats snap themselves back in the game as defence Kyle Allen scored a goal to make it 1-0 in the middle of the second period, and the Cats' defences and goalie Glenn Shaw became a brick wall as the Hawks could not find a way to score as the Cats even the series with the 1-0 game four wins. Game five back in Medicine Hat, the Hawks are hoping to retake the series lead, but the Cats had other ideas as the Cats crank the volume down with a 4-2 win in front of a sold-out crowd as the Cats could have the chance to win the series in game six. Going into game six, the Hawks knew that they must win, or they go home. Forward Paul Leonard scored 2 goals with two minutes left in the first period. Sam Baylis joined in the scoring with a goal of his own in the second period. The Cats forward Ian Walters scored a goal, but it was not enough as the Hawks won game six 3-1 to tie the series three apiece and head over to Medicine Hat for game seven. In the seventh game in Medicine Hat, the fans inside the Auditorium were loud as it shook the Cats badly in the first period as the Hawks' top players were shooting from all different spots until the second period came. The Hawks broke through as they took the lead 4-1 at the end of the second. The third period could have been the Cats' comeback, behind 5-4 forward Derrick Vale skated beside Hawks goalie Luke McIsaac tap the puck in the net, but before he touches the puck, he trips the goalie, and the referee saw it and called goaltending interference, and after that, it went downhill for the Cats as Hawks defence Herb Edwards scored an empty net as the Hawks win game seven 6-4 and win the series 4 games to 3.

2nd east Kenora Pioneers vs. 3rd west Moose Jaw Wings

Both in game one and game two of the series were all Kenora as goalie Zack Mick was a brick wall shutting out the Wings 3-0 and 5-0. The crowd at the Sky Centre is as hype as ever, and rightfully so in game three, first period Wings forward Kyle Ferrell scored 2 goals within the first five minutes; in the second-period defence, Eric McQueen rocked Pioneers forward Curtis Samford cleanly and went to the locker room but did not came back for the rest of the game as in the third period Wings scored two more goals and game three is in the books as Moose Jaw wins it 4-2. The Kenora Pioneers dominated games four and five with a 5-2 and 4-0 to finish the series over the Moose Jaw Wings 4 games to 1.

2nd Round (best 4 of 7 games)

1st east Fargo Owls vs. 2nd west Medicine Hat Hawks

Fargo really dominated the Hawks in a big way in both games one and two, where Kirk Cooper scored 5 goals, and 8 points within those two games with scores of 4-2 and 5-0. In game 3 in Medicine Hat, the Hawks tried to turn things around with a 3-1 lead going into the third period; Owls Justin Ash scored two unanswered goals with 1:20 left in the third, the Hawks were all over the Owls Nate Benn until the clock hit zero and both teams are going to overtime, 10:33 into the overtime Dick Bartram of the Owls made one of biggest slap-shot that heard from around the world and passed by Hawks goalie Joe Wickham as the Owls came back and wins game three 4-3 in overtime. Game 4 is back in Medicine Hat; if the Hawks win, they keep the series going. If they lose and the Hawks's season is over, period number one Hawks Sam Baylis and Herb Edwards both scored a goal to take the lead 2-0, second period Sam Baylis add another goal for the lead until 5:45 left in the period Owls Justin Ash scored a goal in hopes to give themselves something to work with, as the third period began it was all the Owls as they made four straight goals with the additions of Jack Moore scored the empty netter and game four is over with the score of 6-3 as the Owls sweeps the Hawks 4 games to 0 and headed to the Jade Trophy final for the third time in a row.

1st west Abbotsford Forest Kings vs. 2nd east Kenora Pioneers

The Forest Kings played very well in the first two games with scores of 4-3 and 3-2 to take the series lead in two, with the help from Grey Bushey, who scored 4 goals and 4 assists within those two games. In-game 3, the Pioneers made a goalie change before the game started at Kenora, which did not sit well with Zack Mick. The move by the Pioneers worked as they gave the Forest Kings a hard time all game until the clock hit zero in the third period with the score of 4-4. In overtime with 4:45 left, Pioneers backup goalie Roger Ashton twisted his knee in an attempt to make a save, which he did. Still, Forest King forward Jack Littlewood got the rebound and scored the O/T winner 5-4, which put the Kenora Pioneers in a very tough spot, down 3-0 in the series. Between three games to none, Pioneers head coach Leo Newton put Zack Mick back in the net. Zack was a brick wall all game with 49 shots made and saved them all; late in the third, Pioneers Curtis Samford scored 2 unanswered goals to give Kenora the victory score of 2-0 to stay alive in the series. Both game five and six was all Kenora as Zack Mick was holding his ground very well letting in just 2 goals in both games, while forward Jake Walters scored 6 goals in both games and defence Oscar Reed made 4 assists within those two games. Both teams will play game seven to see who will go to the 1979 Jade Trophy finals. The Kenora Pioneers came back from three games to none to force a game seven in Abbotsford. In the first, the Forest Kings did everything they could, and with 2:16 left in the first period, Forest Kings forward Shawn Naugle scored a goal to give Abbotsford a 1-0 lead after the first. As the second period started, right off the bat Pioneers, Jake Walters scored two straight goals in thirty seconds, and Zack Mick stood his ground with 35 out of 36 shots he took in two periods. Late in the third period, the Forest Kings ran out of gas as the Pioneers scored two more goals as the Kenora Pioneers became the first team in WCLH history to come back from 3 games to 0 deficit and win the series 4 games to 3.

1979 Jade Trophy finals

 1st east Fargo Owls vs. 2nd east Kenora Pioneers

In an all-east division final in Fargo, the Owls are ready to claim their third straight title. However, the Pioneers had good momentum going after the 7 games series they went through as the Pioneers shocked both the Owls and the fans in the Fargo Center as Kenora won 1-0 game one overtime. The Owls tried to find a way to break the wall of Pioneers Zack Mick, which in the second period they did and by the end of the second, the Owls were in the lead of 1-0, third-period things got rough for the Owls as the game was tied 1-1 with 34 seconds left Owls Justin Ash set up a move that threw Zack Mick way off from his position then Justin pass the puck to a way wide open Jack Moore to finish the job but just when Jack just about to shoot when he felt a pain shot right up his right leg only to discover he twisted his right ankle despite he fought through the pain and shoot the puck it missed the net as the buzzer sounded to end the third period in a tie and for the second game in a row it will be decided in overtime, four minutes into the overtime Jake Walters took the puck and put it in the net to give the Pioneers a 2-1 overtime win to take 2 games to none lead over the defending Jade Trophy champions. Game three at the Kenora Arena is jam pack full as the fans are all hype for the Pioneers to win it all, as all three periods came and went with a score of 2-2 tie going into the overtime, after two overtimes with 10:40 into the third overtime Kirk Cooper after making 22 shots all game his 23rd shot was the overtime winner as the Owls win 3-2 in three overtimes. Back in Kenora, the game was back and forth as the game was tied 1-1 and once again, both teams headed to overtime, but 2:15 into the first overtime defence Pat Colts dumped the puck down in hopes to help Pioneers forwards make the change which did more than that, Owls Nate Benn was going to get the puck when it curves away from the boards, slid passed Nate and went into the net as Pat’s clearing the puck became the game-winner as Kenora wins game four 2-1 and just one win away from becoming the Jade Trophy champions. The Owls are hoping to turn things around mostly in hopes of winning game five in Fargo. All game was all goaltending magic between Owls Nate Benn and Pioneers, Zack Mick, as they stopped every shot, as the third period came to an end, it was a 0-0 tie which once again both are going to overtime, first overtime was Nate Benn out save Zack 15-10, but Zack one up on Nate in the second overtime 20-10. Before the third overtime began, Zack was on top of Nate in saves with 67-59, but it all came to an end as Owls Justin Ash scored the winner 1-0 in three overtimes; Zack’s 74 saves would be a record, but in WCLH rule that the only way to make official is that the Pioneers win that game, with the Owls win Nate’s 68 saves will be the official record. “We did great in this game, but we didn’t finish the job like they did; all we need to do is to rest up and ready for game six in Kenora.”

Pioneers head coach Leo Newton said at the press conference. Just like games three and four, the Kenora Arena was jam-packed for game six. In the first period began the Owls tried to quiet the crowd down with a goal by Kirk Cooper; as the second period started, Pioneers Jake Walters and Curtis Samford both each scored a plan to make it 2-1, the third period was all Kenora as the Pioneers scored two more, the Owls did score but only one, the fans in the Kenora Arena was so loud that both teams did not know the clock already hit zero as the final score was 4-2. The series won 4 games to 2. Emotions poured out as the Pioneers celebrated. Traditionally the team captain would be the first to lift the Jade Trophy, but Pat Colts decided instead of himself he had Zack Mick to skate over to receive the Trophy from James Name. The WCLH president congrats Zack and his team and wishes them luck as once they are done celebrating, they are heading over to Ottawa for the 1979 Valor Cup Tournament.

1978-79 WCLH Season

Standings

East Division

1. Fargo Owls

2. Kenora Pioneers

3. Saskatoon Cats

4. Brandon Buffalos

5. Swift Current Battalion

6. Portage la Prairie Magic

West Division

1. Abbotsford Forest Kings

2. Medicine Hat Hawks

3. Moose Jaw Wings

4. Nanaimo Sharks

5. Lethbridge Cougars

6. Billings Trains

Story:

October 16, 1978, is where the Billings Trains made their inaugural season opener against the defending Jade Trophy champion the Fargo Owls at the Star Sky Sports Complex in Billings, Montana. The game went well until the end of the third period when the Owls rookie forward Greg Pearce scored 2 goals to give Fargo a 4-2 win and ruined the Trains home opener. The Trains rebound from that loss winning just 12 victories out of 50 games, just 1 less win behind the Cougars in the west division.

As speaking for the west division, it has been lukewarm. Both Moose Jaw and Nanaimo struggled off the gate, and if it were not for the division split, both would be placed 9th and 10th overall. Abbotsford was the only good team in the west with a 35-11-4 record to finish 1st; overall, the Forest Kings placed 3rd.

October 20, 1978, after the team's first six games on the road, the Portage la Prairie Magic made their home opener at the Jaune Durocher Memorial Arena against the Kenora Pioneers. It was not a magical night for the Magic as they got blown out by the Pioneers with a score of 8-2. The Magic would finish last place overall with only just 9 wins out of 50 games.

Both the Fargo and Kenora battled back and forth for the top spot in the East division; in the end, it is all about head to head as the Owls top the Pioneers with the season series record of 3-1-1.

The Brandon Buffalos drama continues between Luke James and Paul Cole which has been hurting the team all season. What is bad about it is some players on the team demand to be traded to a different team. "This team has become a dysfunctional group. We tried to make peace between these two but to no avail. This morale we got now can't get any lower than it is; straight up, we don't deserve to be in this year's playoffs." Buffalos forward Fred Hale said in an interview after the Buffalos lost one of the worst games of the season to the Swift Current Battalion 9-2.

Many hockey fans and critics questioned the division alignment. Moose Jaw Wings is placed in the West and Swift Current Battalion in the East divisions. Moose Jaw is on the east side, while the Swift Current is on the west. WCLH President James Name explains the reason for it is that it was set by the birthplace of the owners' Moose Jaw owner Jack Green was born in Maidstone SK, while Swift Current owner Patrick Cox came from Yorkton SK to James is fitting to set the division like that.

As the 1978-79 season ended, the 8 teams that are in the playoffs will get a surprise as President James Name announced that the playoff format would be an international style meaning that the 1st seed east division Fargo Owls will battle against the 4th seed west division Nanaimo Sharks a rematch from last season Jade Trophy finals, 1st seed west Abbotsford Forest Kings vs. 4th seed east Brandon Buffalos, 2nd seed west Medicine Hat Hawks vs. 3rd seed east Saskatoon Cats and 2nd seed east Kenora Pioneers vs. 3rd seed west Moose Jaw Wings. "This year, playoffs are going to be fun to watch for everyone," James said at the press conference.

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.