Guelph Platers

Guelph Platers
City Guelph, Ontario
League Southern Ontario Junior A/
Ontario Provincial Junior A/
Ontario Hockey League
Founded 1968, Promoted to OHL in 1982
Home arena Guelph Memorial Gardens
Colours Red, yellow, and white
Championships 1986 Memorial Cup Champions
Franchise history
1968–1972 Guelph CMC's
1972–1975 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters
1975–1989 Guelph Platers
1989–2000 Owen Sound Platers
2000–present Owen Sound Attack
Previous franchise history
1968-1969 Guelph Imperials
1969-1970 Guelph Beef Kings (merged)

The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's until 1972, the Biltmore Mad Hatters until 1975, and then took on the name Platers. The Platers were promoted to the Ontario Hockey League in 1982 and moved to Owen Sound in 1989. The franchise played in the Guelph Memorial Gardens.

History

Pre-1970

The CMC's were founded as members of the Central Junior B Hockey League, now the Ontario Junior Hockey League, in 1968. In 1970, the CMC's merged with and took the place of the Guelph Beef Kings of the Western Junior "A" Hockey League (formerly the Western Division of the Big 10). The league was reincorporated into the Ontario Hockey Association and changed its name to the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League for the 1970-71 season. CMC stands for the name of a factory in Guelph that John Pergonie owned - Central Mechanical Contractors.

Southern Junior A
Logo until 1972

After two years playing in the SOJHL, the CMC's won the Junior 'A' league title, in the 1971-72 season. In the Ontario Championship, they took on the Thunder Bay Vulcans of the now defunct Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League. The CMC's were leading 3-games-to-2 (5-4, 5-4, 3-7, 0-7, 6-2) when they won the series by default after the Vulcans discontinued.

Moving onto the Eastern Canadian Final, the CMC's faced Charlottetown from the Island Junior Hockey League. The result of the series was a four game sweep (5-2, 6-3, 5-2, 5-2), in favour of Guelph.

Guelph travelled to the Centennial Cup versus the Red Deer Rustlers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The CMC's swept the Rustlers (4-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0), taking the National title. The team was coached by Bill Taylor and starred Paul Fendley, Doug Risebrough, and John Van Boxmeer.[1]

In 1972 the CMC's changed their names to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. The Biltmores won the SOJHL championship again in 1975, then defeatied the Smiths Falls Bears of the Central Junior A Hockey League in 6 games (8-3, 3-4, 7-2, 6-4, 3-6, 5-2) to reach the Centennial Cup finals a second time.

Logo 1972-75

The Biltmores were defeated 4-games-to-2 (3-4, 2-3, 4-1, 5-2, 6-3, 6-5 OT) by the Spruce Grove Mets of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 1975 Biltmores were bolsterted on defence by late season pick-up Craig Hartsburg of Minnesota North Stars fame.[1]

Following the season, the Biltmores were bought by the Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers.

In 1975, the Biltmores of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (SOJHL) were bought by Guelph, Ontario's wealthy Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers. The team remained in the SOJHL for the next two years, finishing first both times.

OHA Junior 'A' years

The SOJHL folded in 1977. Two of its four teams, Guelph and the Hamilton Mountain A's, became part of the Ontario Hockey Association Junior "A" League. The Platers, featuring future Montreal Canadiens goaltender Brian Hayward, won the 1977–78 Manitoba Centennial Trophy as national Junior 'A' champions. It was the second national title for the franchise, which had also won the Centennial Cup in 1972 as the CMC's.

In 1978–79, the Platers became the first team to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup as provincial champions. In the 1980–81 season, the Platers reached the Tier II championship for southern Ontario, but were defeated by another future OHL team, the Belleville Bulls. The 1981–82 season proved to be the last season for the Platers in the OHA-A. As they won their second Dudley Hewitt Cup, they were announced as the latest expansion team of the Ontario Hockey League.

OHL Major Junior years

After being turned down as an OHL expansion team in 1981, Guelph was approved the next year for the 1982–83 season. Guelph's first season in the OHL was dismal. The team set OHL records at the time for losing 63 of their 70 games, for most home and away losses, and most goals against in one season with 555. All of these records have since been surpassed by other teams in the Canadian Hockey League.

In 1986, the Guelph Platers caught the entire Canadian Hockey League off-guard. Led by coach Jacques Martin, the team reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history by finishing second in the Emms Division (Western Conference). The Platers continued their hard work through the playoffs, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating the Belleville Bulls 8 points to 4 in the final. Guelph travelled to the Memorial Cup that year, bringing home the national championship to complete their Cinderella season.

Memorial Cup 1986

The Memorial Cup championship of 1986 was hosted by the Western Hockey League, with games originally scheduled for New Westminster, British Columbia, but were switched to Portland, Oregon due to a hotel shortage caused by Expo '86. Their opponents would be the Portland Winter Hawks (hosts), Kamloops Blazers (WHL Champs) and the Hull Olympiques (QMJHL Champs.

Guelph finished first in the round-robin and took a bye to the finals, where they would play the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL for the championship. The surprise season ended with two pairs of surprise goals 11 and 13 seconds apart respectively. The Platers won the game 5-2 to capture the Memorial Cup.

Game 1 Hull Olympiques 7 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 5
Game 2 Guelph Platers 5 vs. Kamloops Blazers 3
Game 3 Portland Winter Hawks 6 vs. Guelph Platers 4
Game 4 Hull Olympiques 5 vs. Kamloops Blazers 4 (OT)
Game 5 Guelph Platers 3 vs. Hull Olympiques 1
Game 6 Kamloops Blazers 6 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 5
Tie-breaker Kamloops Blazers 8 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 1
Semi-final Hull Olympiques 9 vs. Kamloops Blazers 3
Final Guelph Platers 5 vs. Hull Olympiques 2

Fame was short-lived for the Platers however. The team suffered through more losing seasons with poor attendance. After the 1988–89 season, the Holodys moved the team to Owen Sound, Ontario, retaining the name "Platers". Alec Campagnaro was given the Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL in 1989.

Championships

SOJAHL Jack Oakes Trophy final appearances: 1971 (lost), 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (won)
OPJHL Frank L. Buckland Trophy final appearances: 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
Ontario Hockey Association Tier II All-Ontario final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
CJAHL Dudley Hewitt Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won) 1976 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
CJAHL Centennial Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (lost), 1978 (won), 1982 (lost)
J. Ross Robertson Cup final appearances: 1986 (won)
Memorial Cup final appearances: 1986 (won)

Coaches

Jacques Martin was a former NCAA goalie turned coach. In his one year in Guelph, he completely turned around the franchise making them into national champions. He was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the year in 1986. The following year he was hired as the head coach of the NHL St. Louis Blues.

Players

Award winners

Retired numbers

18 - Paul Fendley, a former member of the Guelph CMC's who died in an on-ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens in 1972. His number has not been issued to a player since, by the Guelph CMC's, Guelph Platers, or Guelph Storm. Paul Fendley's number was officially retired on Nov 15, 2008.

Paul Fendley of Georgetown, Ontario was a member of the 1971-72 Guelph CMC's who died as a result of an on ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens during Guelph's Centennial Cup 1972 victory. The 19-year-old player died at Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital on May 8, 1972, seventy-three hours after striking his head on the arena ice.

Fendley was checked by an opponent with 11 minutes to play in the game. He tried to catch his balance while still handling the puck and lost his helmet in the process, falling and striking the bare back of his head on the ice.

Fendley was the 1972 SOJHL Leading Scorer with 20 goals and 24 assists in 43 games. He also scored 14 goals and 18 assists in 26 playoff games before his accident. The game in which he was fatally injured was the final and clinching game of the Centennial Cup.[1]

NHL alumni

Platers
CMC's/Mad Hatters

Yearly results

Regular season

Season Games Won Lost Tied Points Pct % Goals
for 		Goals
against 		Standing
1968-69 36 12 16 8 32 0.444 127 152 6th CJBHL
1969-70 40 13 22 5 31 0.388 157 181 5th CJBHL
1970-71 44 23 16 5 51 0.580 235 209 3rd SOJHL
1971-72 56 41 10 5 87 0.777 261 140 1st SOJHL
1972-73 60 39 13 8 86 0.717 326 212 1st SOJHL
1973-74 62 34 24 4 72 0.581 343 258 4th SOJHL
1974-75 60 23 31 6 52 0.433 257 287 4th SOJHL
1975–766041 910920.7674002381st SOJHL
1976–77 35 23 5 7 53 0.757 243 118 1st SOJAHL
1977-785038 8 4800.8003601971st OPJHL
1978-79503312 5710.7102941861st OPJHL
1979-80442117 6480.5452151757th OPJHL
1980-81443210 2660.7502691872nd OPJHL
1981-825040 4 6860.8603281521st OJHL
1982–8370 7630140.100246555 8th Emms
1983–847020464440.314252366 7th Emms
1984–856621405470.356230332 7th Emms
1985–866641232840.636297235 2nd Emms
1986–876629352600.455275281 6th Emms
1987–886621405470.356249318 7th Emms
1988–896626328600.455257288 4th Emms

Playoffs

SOJHL Years

Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie
Detroit Jr. Red Wings defeated Guelph CMC's 3-games-to-2 with 2 ties
Guelph CMC's defeated St. Thomas Barons 4-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4-games-to-1 SOJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph CMC's defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (NOJHA) 3-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Thunder Bay Vulcans (TBJHL) 4-games-to-2
Guelph CMC's defeated Charlottetown Islanders (Independent) 4-games-to-none HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS
Guelph CMC's defeated Red Deer Rustlers (AJHL) 4-games-to-none CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Windsor Spitfires 4-games-to-none
Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's 4-games-to-3 with 1 tie
Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's 4-games-to-none with 1 tie
Guelph CMC's defeated Welland Sabres 4-games-to-1
Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons 3-games-to-2 with 2 ties
Guelph CMC's defeated Windsor Spitfires 4-games-to-3 with 1 tie SOJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph CMC's defeated Toronto Nationals (OPJHL) 4-games-to-2 BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph CMC's defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 4-games-to-1
Guelph CMC's defeated Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) 4-games-to-2 HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS
Spruce Grove Mets (AJHL) defeated Guelph CMC's 4-games-to-2
Guelph Platers defeated Welland Sabres 4-games-to-1
Guelph Platers defeated Chatham Maroons 4-games-to-none SOJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers (OPJHL) 4-games-to-1 BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 4-games-to-1
Rockland Nationals (CJHL) defeated Guelph Platers 4-games-to-3
Guelph Platers defeated Owen Sound Greys 4-games-to-2 with 1 tie
Guelph Platers defeated Collingwood Blues 4-games-to-none SOJHL CHAMPIONS
North York Rangers (OPJHL) defeated Guelph Platers 4-games-to-3

OPJHL Years

Guelph Platers defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-2
Guelph Platers defeated Royal York Royals 4-games-to-1 OPJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Degagne Hurricanes (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) 4-games-to-1
Guelph Platers defeated Charlottetown Eagles (IJHL) 4-games-to-2 HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) 4-games-to-none CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-1 OPJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Nickel Centre Native Sons 2-games-to-none BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay North Stars (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL) 4-games-to-2 DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS
Third and eliminated in 1979 Centennial Cup round robin (1-3)
North York Rangers defeated Guelph Platers 4-games-to-3
Guelph Platers defeated Brampton Warriors 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-3
Belleville Bulls defeated Guelph Platers 4-games-to-1
Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Richmond Hill Rams 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1 OJHL CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Onaping Falls Huskies (NOJHL) 3-games-to-none BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay Kings (TBJHL) 3-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) 4-games-to-none DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS
Guelph Platers defeated Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) 4-games-to-1 EASTERN CANADA CHAMPIONS
Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) defeated Guelph Platers 4-games-to-none
Platers transfer to Ontario Hockey League.

Arena

The Guelph Platers played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens located in downtown Guelph. The team and the arena played host to the OHL All-Star game in 1984. Demolition of the Gardens began in 2006.

The Imperials

The City of Guelph was unhappy with the fact that their Junior A team had been moved to Kitchener in 1963. Left with only the Guelph CMC's at the OHA Junior B level, the City jumped at the 1968 offer of the newly-renegade Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League to give the city a new Junior A team. After a pair of losing seasons and a name change to the Beef Kings, the league was reincorporated into the OHA as a Tier II Junior A league and the franchise being bought out by the CMC's. From that point on, the CMC's took the Beef King's place.

Season-by-season results

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
1968-69 56 23 32 1 - 232 276 47 4th WOJAHL
1969-70 57 21 35 1 - 206 286 43 4th WOJAHL

Playoffs

Brantford Foresters defeated Guelph Imperials 4-games-to-1
Brantford Foresters defeated Guelph Beef Kings 4-games-to-none

References

  1. 1 2 3 Archived March 24, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
Preceded by
Red Deer Rustlers		 Centennial Cup Champions
1972 		Succeeded by
Portage Terriers
Preceded by
Prince Albert Raiders		 Centennial Cup Champions
1978 		Succeeded by
Prince Albert Raiders


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