History 1993 Memorial Cup Champions THE NAME While the Soo Greyhounds have only been members of the Ontario Hockey League since 1972-73, the name dates back to just shortly after the First World War. According to local hockey historian, Wilf Ross, an un-named Soo team was to begin competing in the nowdefunct Upper-Penninsula Hockey League. Officials considered having a name selected by the general public, but the team s coach, George MacNamara, had an idea of his own. He apparently asked that the team be called the Greyhounds because "a Greyhound is much faster than a wolf," a reference made to the already established rival club, the Sudbury Wolves. The team competed for just a few seasons in the Upper-Penninsula League before moving in the N.O.H.A. Senior "A" loop. The team won the Allan Cup in the 1924 season, and many believe should have won the Cup the year previous as well. Besides MacNamara, other coaches of the Greyhounds included the likes of Bun Cook and Don Grosso. The team competed in the senior ranks for several seasons before the formation of the N.O.H.A. Junior "A" League. It is this version of the Greyhounds which immediately preceeded the current OHL Greyhounds. Entered the OHL: The Soo Greyhounds entered the OHL in time for the 1972-73 Season. This upcoming year mark s the club s 42 nd season of Major Junior Hockey. Memorial Cup Championships (1): 1993 The Hounds defeated the Peterborough Petes 4-2 to be crowned National Champions, on home-ice at the now defunt, and demolished Memorial Gardens. OHL League Championships (3): 1984-85, 1990-91, 1991-92 Division Championships (9): 1980-81, 82-83, 84-85, 90-91, 91-92, 92-93, 96-97, 2004-05, 07-08 Ross says that the only other name he can remember attached to a Soo team prior to the Greyhounds were the "Marlboroughs". Three MacNamara brothers, George, Howard, and Harold played on that team, as well as the legendary Newsy Lalonde. It is not clear how the team colours came to be red and white. HISTORY OF THE TEAM Mention the Greyhounds in a hockey context any place in Canada, even internationally, and people will say "Sault Ste. Marie." That s because the Greyhounds are as synonymous with Sault Ste. Marie, as the Maple Leafs are with Toronto, the Generals with Oshawa, and the Oilers with Edmonton. Their popularity and success span many years, but three distinct eras, beginning just after World War I, deserve particular attention. The first era culminated with NOHA senior championships in 1921, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The 1924 team went on to win the Allan Cup. That team was the only Allan Cup winner from Sault Ste. Marie, and this we should record the names of the players on that great club, as well as the executive members: from the Sault area were Bill Phillips, Babe Donelly, Gloomy Lessard and Art Nichols; Stan Brown, Bun Cook, Flat Walsh, Dutch Cain, Johnny Woodruff, Garney Campbell and Jim Fahey were imports. George McNamara, who starred on earlier Greyhound teams playing defense, was coach. He went on to found one of Canada s largest construction companies. J.D. Jones was president along with executive members Jim Gemmell, W.J. Edward, J.D. Tipton (father of Tom Tipton) and Harry
Woods. Fred Morgan was the trainer. Remember, in those days, the Allan Cup was as prestigious as the Stanley Cup. The next era coincided with the opening of the Memorial Gardens in 1950, (although in 1948, Erzi Guiliani led a team of home brews to a NOHA victory. Erzi s Greyhounds had played out of the Pullar Stadium and in an Upper Peninsula hockey league prior to entering NOHA playoffs). The Greyhounds of the Memorial Gardens, coached by Don Grosso, began in 1950 and won the NOHA senior championship that year, losing to the Toronto Marlies who went on to win the Allan Cup. In 1951 the Greyhounds repeated as NOHA champions, losing to the Owen Sound Mercuries in a close series with Owen Sound winning the Allan Cup. Many of the same Owen Sound players, the same year, captured the Mann Cup in Lacrosse. In 1952 the Greyhounds won their third straight championship, but this time lost to Stratford who had the famed line of Flick, Flannigan and Roth. Stratford eventually advanced to the Allan Cup finals but lost to Fort Frances. In 54 the Greyhounds had won their League by a dozen points or so, but were upset in the playoffs by Sudbury who progressed to the Allan Cup finas against Penticton. Sudbury led the series three games to one, but lost it 4-3 with Penticton and the three Warwick brothers becoming folk heroes as they went on to win the World Hockey championship. It was generally agreed that Sudbury had a better team than Penticton (all of the playoff games were played in Penticton) and the Greyhounds, through their regular season, had a better team than Sudbury. In 55 the Greyhounds won the NOHA senior title for a final time, but lost in a seven game series that went the limit with Kitchener, who eventually won the Allan Cup and represented Canada at the World Championships in Cortina the next year. Most hockey observers feel that the 55 team was the best senior hockey club to ever represent the Sault. The Senior Greyhounds eventually gave way to the Eastern Professional Hockey League and Sault Thunderbirds, but the name came back with a vengeance in 1962. That year, Angelo Bumbacco, Lloyd Prokop, Phil Suraci, and the late Pat Esposito and Dr. Bill Kelly founded the Sault Junior Greyhounds, who began competition in a tier-two junior A league with the Sudbury Wolves, North Bay Trappers, Espanola Eagles, and Garson- Falconbridge Native Sons. Later, Jim McAuley, Dr. Allan Lalonde, and Mike Suraci were added to the team s executive board. From 1962 to 1972 the "Hounds" finished in first place five times and won the league championship twice. Along the way, they played a memorable series against the Montreal Canadiens of the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds were all home brews, and the Canadiens had one of the most formidable junior teams of all time led by the line of Gil Perrault, Rene Robert, and Rick Martin - who all played later for Buffalo in the National Hockey League. Although the Greyhounds were outclassed in the series, they won a trememdously exciting game (4-3 at the Memorial Gardens) and endeared themselves to the entire community. In that same time period, and after winning the League championship, they lost out to the Cornwall Royals in a seven game series which saw the final game go into overtime. The series was an amazing achievement but, at the same time, a terrible disappointment to the club. The coaches in that era were Abbie Nacarato, Walter Dubas, and Abbie Carricato. All had great success. The trainer was Nick Della Penta, and the Manager was "Mr. Hockey" in Sault Ste. Marie, Angelo Bumbacco. In 72 another new era was ushered in when the Greyhounds entered the Ontario Hockey League, the most prestigious junior league in Canada. The original directors were joined by Frank Caputo and Frank Sarlo. Abbie Carricato carried over as a coach for a while, and then was succeeded by Jim Farelli, Muzz MacPherson, Paul Theriault, Terry Crisp, Don McAdam and Don Boyd. However, it was the period with Terry Crisp as coach - later to become NHL Coach of the Year with the Stanley Cup winning Calgary Flames - and Sam McMaster as manager, that the Greyhounds had their greatest successes.
In 1981 they were the Lyden division champions; in 1983, the Emms division champions, and in 1985 they captured the Ontario Hockey League championship and entered the Memorial Cup tournament (Prince Albert becoming the champions). In 1986 the club was sold to Phil Esposito and a group of investors from New York. Don Boyd stayed on as coach and general manager, and in 1987, was replaced as coach by Ted Nolan. In 88-89, the club reverted to local ownership when it was repurchased by a group headed by Dr. Shunock, who matched a one-million dollar offer made by Compuware of Detroit. This was the culmination of an emotional "Save the Greyhounds" campaign. It saw the community and city founders rally together in support of the club and also marked the arrival of Sherry Bassin. Going back, the tier-two team sent all sorts of players to university on scholarships. To name a few, Ed Bumbacco, the late John Jaggers, Ken MacKenzie, Ray Delorenzi (who is now a physician), and Louis Caputo, now the vice president of an insurance company in San Jose. Jim Pollock, Darcey Keating, John Campbell, Tim Dool, Don Muio, Jullio Francella and Bill Slewidge also received scholarships. The late Wayne Maki, Tony Esposito, Ivan Boldirev and Jerry Korab all had distinguished NHL careers, while Ted Nolan and Jim Willey had NHL careers cut short by injuries. Brian Gualazzi and Mike O Neill took the Canadian university route with the two of them now local lawyers. Arthur Rutland, Don Kurylo, Bobby Smith, and Bob Tombari were other names that starred in that period. When you look at the names of the Greyhounds from the Ontario Hockey League era who went on to the National Hockey League, you find superstars, all-stars, and solid performers such as Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Craig Hartsburg, Charlie Simmer, Ron Francis, Paul Woods, Greg Millen, Gord Dinnen, Troy Mallette, Jim Pavese, Wayne Presley, Bob Probert, Doug Shedden, Jack Valiquette, Rick Tocchet, John Vanbiesbrouck and Rob Zettler were local boys, while John Vanbiesbrouck and Craig Hartsburg (among others) married Sault Ste. Marie girls. Religion binds a society in a universal outlook of creation. In the Sault, hockey binds the community in a collective sense of identity. Hockey provides a common experience, and therefore a common bond in a farflung and regionally diverse nation. It provides us with common touchstones, legends, lore and heroes - the veritable stuffing of society. Nothing can stir the emotions and passions of this traditionally reserved country like hockey can. Our game transcends being a mere game. It approaches the reverential, just like religion, and defines and embodies our life values. It teaches us that determination and hard work, and effectively using our God-given talent, will spell success. It stresses the importance of melding individual ability with team effort, and it teaches us to set goals and strive for them diligently, even in the face of adversity. Hockey gives the youth who play it a prescription for life: work hard and you will win. Have fun at what you do, and life will be more enjoyable. Stand up for yourself and your team mates and you will survive. Yes, Hockey, Sault Ste. Marie and the Greyhounds are synonymous. THE PERFECT SEASON; 1984-85 If you think back to the 1984/85 edition of the Greyhounds names like Groulx, Bonar, Oliverio, King, Probert, Beukeboom, and Zettler to name a few, are sure to come to mind. A name which might have faded through the years is that of Chris Brant. Not a name that comes to mind easily but one that will forever be in the history books of the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. It was his overtime goal at 4:20, past London Knights goaltender, Jeff Resse that the Soo Greyhounds entered into the Ontario and Canadian Hockey League s record books. A perfect season at home; 33-0. How fitting that 20 years later, it would be a team from London who would make the fans of the Soo Greyhounds hold their collective breath. During the 2004-2005 season the London Knights seemed destined for perfection. Thanks to the Mississauga IceDogs who tied the powerful Knights on London ice on an October 22nd evening, the record set by the 1984-85 edition of the Soo Greyhounds was safe to stand for another season.
Oh what a team that was in 1984-85, moulded by General Manager Sam McMaster and coached by future Stanley Cup winning NHL coach, Terry Crisp. It had the likes of Rookie of the year, Derek King and 50-goal scorers Graeme Bonar and Wayne Groulx. Team Captain Chris Felix along with other future NHLers Jeff Beukeboom and Rob Zettler were on defense while Marty Abrams shared the netminding duties with Scott Mosey (acquired before the trade deadline from Guelph). Not only was the team perfect at home, they represented the Ontario Hockey league at the Memorial Cup that season in Shawinigan/Drummondville losing in the semi-finals to the eventual champions the Prince Albert Raiders. Not many people can say that they are perfect, but for 33 home games during a remarkable season, these players can truly say they were. 1993 MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS The Memorial Cup is the most sought after trophy in junior hockey, and it s rich tradition has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The original name of the trophy was the OHA Memorial Cup, as it was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March 1919 in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in World War I. Initially, it was awarded to the national junior champion in Canada and later to signify Junior "A" supremacy beginning in 1934 when junior hockey in Canada was divided into "A" and "B" classes. In 1971, when Junior A Hockey was divided into major junior and Tier II junior A, the Memorial Cup was again awarded to the higher category, given to the major junior champion. In 1972, a round robin tournament format replaced the old play-down system to decide the champion. Since then, the champions of the Western, Quebec Major Junior and Ontario Hockey leagues meet each spring in a roundrobin series with the top two teams playing off in a sudden-death game for the cup. The Memorial cup became an international trophy as the tournament was held outside Canada for the first time when the Portland Memorial Colliseum was the site for the 1983 championships. The host Winter Hawks took home the title that year to become the first-ever non-canadian winner. Again in 1986, Portland hosted the event as well in Seattle in 1992. In 1991, the Spokane Chiefs became just the second U.S. based team to win the title. MAY 23, 1993 - Soo Greyhounds Win Memorial Cup! The proudest moment in the Soo Greyhounds history took place on May 23, 1993 when the club won it s first ever Memorial Cup Championship. The Hounds, who entered as the host team, defeated the OHL champion Peterborough Petes 4-2 in front of over 4500 fans at the Sault Memorial Gardens. Other teams participating in the event included the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) and Laval Titan (QMJHL) The Greyhounds, coached by Ted Nolan, earned the right to host the Memorial Cup by defeating the Peterborough Petes in a Super Series. Forwards Chad Penney and Ralph Intranuovo were the Soo s top scorers during the round-robin event with 7 points each. Penney had 5 goals and 2 assists while Intranuovo, the tournament s Most Valualbe Player, had 3 goals and 4 assists. Kevin Hodson was the tournament s top goaltender as he posted a 3.00 goals against average in 4 games. Hodson, Penney, Intranuovo, and defenseman Drew Bannister were all named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team. The 1993 event was the Soo s fourth appearance in franchise history at the prestigeous Memorial Cup tournament. They were also participants in 1985 in Shawinigan/Drummondville, 1991 in Quebec City and 1992 in Seattle. ROSTER Drew Bannister, Brad Baber, Dan Cloutier, Sean Gagnon, Aaron Gavey, Wade Gibson, Kiley Hill, Kevin Hodson, Ralph Intranuovo, Rick Kowalsky (Captain), Tom MacDonald, Neal Martin, Mark Matier, David Matsos, Jodi Murphy, Perry Pappas, Oliver Pastinsky, Chad Penney, Jarret Reid, Gary Roach, Steve Sullivan, Jeff Toms, Dan Tanevski, Briane Thompson, Joe VanVolsen, Sherwood Bassin (Director of Operations), Ted Nolan (Head Coach), Dan Flynn (Assistant Coach)
RETIRED JERSEYS There are five banners hanging from the rafters of the Essar Centre that are significantly different than all the rest. They haven t been put there because of an accomplishment of the team but rather for the personal contribution five individuals made to the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. There was something that set them apart from all the rest. Wayne Gretzky, Craig Hartsburg, Ron Francis, John Vanbiesbrouck and most recently ADAM FOOTE, are among a special group of four that have had their Greyhound jerseys retired. #5 Adam Foote Adam Foote was selected by the Soo Greyhounds in the 1988 OHL Priority Selection. A defenceman from Whitby, Ontario, Foote posted 38 points (7 goals and 31 assists) in his rookie season with the Greyhounds. He played for three seasons with the Hounds playing in 186 games, scoring 37 goals and 125 assists. In his final season, he helped the Hounds capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup and appeared in the Memorial Cup. In a Greyhounds jersey, he was known as a fearless leader, willing to sacrifice anything for his teammates and always taking on the opponent s best forwards. When Eric Lindros did not want to play for the Soo Greyhounds in 1990 Foote took it personally, a true testament to what being a Soo Greyhound meant to him. In 1989, the Quebec Nordiques drafted Foote 22nd overall in the NHL Entry Draft. He had a successful career in the NHL, playing his last game with the Colorado Avalanche on April 10, 2011. Foote won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in 1996 and 2000. He also won an Olympic gold medal with team Canada in 2002 and a World Cup in 2004. Foote now resides in Denver, Colorado with his wife Jennifer and two sons, Callan and Nolan. He will forever be a part of Soo Greyhounds history. The number five is where it belongs, in the rafters of the Essar Centre with the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Craig Hartsburg, Ron Francis, and John Vanbiesbrouck. #99 Wayne Gretzky At the age of 16, Wayne Gretzky made the move from his southern Ontario home of Brantford, Ontario to this Northern Ontario hockey hotbed. And despite playing only one season (1977-78) for the Hounds, then members of the Ontario Major Junior A League, Gretzky entertained the fans with his offensive prowess along with hitting one mark that has not been surpassed to this day. In 63 games in a Greyhound uniform, Gretzky grabbed 70 goals and 112 assists, good for 182 points. It s those 182 points that have remained untouched, and still stand as a franchise record for most points. He was also named league rookie of the year. Following his single season for the Hounds, Gretzky would move on to the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA for the following season. It is from there the Hall of Famer would enjoy an NHL career in Edmonton, Los Angeles and St. Louis before playing his final game as a member of the New York Rangers in 1998-99. #10 Ron Francis He s a hometown boy who had the opportunity to play for his hometown team. And not only did Ron Francis leave his mark on this franchise, he continues to leave it on this community as well. Francis tenure as a Soo Greyhound started in the 1980-81 season. As a major junior rookie he averaged over a point per game; 69 points in 64 games played (26 goals, 43 assists). Ron would return for his second season in 1981-82, but his time with the Hounds would get cut short when he was called up to join the NHL s Hartford Whalers after 25 games. Hartford was the team that
called up to join the NHL s Hartford Whalers after 25 games. Hartford was the team that drafted him earlier that summer in the first round - fourth overall. In total, his OHL career would last 89 games and 117 points. A 24-year NHL career would follow, seeing the Soo product make stops in Hartford (10 seasons), Pittsburgh (8 seasons), Carolina (6 seasons) and then a final stop in Toronto in 2003/2004. He won numerous NHL awards including the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, Frank J. Selke Trophy and King Clancy Memorial Trophy along with the ultimate prize - the Stanley Cup - TWICE! The Carolina Hurricanes retired Ron s jersey in 2006, just before he was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Hall of Fame. Ron currently resides in North Carolina with his family. #4 Craig Hartsburg A defenceman from Stratford, Ontario, Craig Hartsburg first dawned the Greyhounds red and white in the 1975/76 OHL season after being picked in the first round. After posting 28 points in that rookie season, Hartsburg would later become the captain of the 76/77 edition of the team. That year he would increase his point output to 93 points (29 goals and 64 assists) and would also be rewarded with the Max Kaminsky trophy as the league s best defenceman. Following one season in the WHA with the Birmingham Bulls, Craig would move into the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars in 1979-1980. That is where Craig would start and end his pro playing career accumulating 98 goals and 315 assists along with being named to the "25-year Dream Team" for the North Stars organization. For the next 17 years up until the present, "Hartsy" would assume coaching duties amongst the NHL and OHL. He has been named the CHL Coach of the Year, and OHL Coach of the Year twice. Craig has a summer home east of the Soo and is an Assistant Coach of the NHL s Columbus Blue Jackets. #1 John Vanbiesbrouck "Beezer" as he is more commonly known, played three seasons for the Soo Greyhounds from 1980-81 season thru 1982-83. It was during that time he accumulated a win-loss record of 82 wins, 49 losses and 4 ties. The Detroit, Michigan native was a recipient of a number of OHL accolates including the F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy (1981) as the first-year goaltender with the best GAA, the co-winner of the Dave Pinkney award (1982) for duo with the best GAA along with being named to the OHL s 2nd All-Star team in 1982 and OHL s 3rd All-Star team in 1981. A twenty-year NHL career would follow; split between the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and ending with the New Jersey Devils. John is a former owner and coach of the Greyhounds.