The
St. Catharines Teepees were a
junior ice hockeyJunior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the
Ontario Hockey AssociationThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
from 1947 to 1962. The team was based in
St. Catharines, OntarioSt. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in Ontario, Canada, with 97.11 square kilometres of land...
,
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
The St. Catharines Teepees were born in 1947 when local businessman George Stauffer, president and GM of
Thompson Products Ltd., purchased the St. Catharines Falcons team for $2500 from
Rudy PilousRudy Pilous was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Pilous won a Stanley Cup coaching the Chicago Black Hawks in 1960–61, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985 in the builder category.-Playing career:Pilous played junior ice hockey in the Manitoba...
and named the team after the company's initials.
During the fifteen years the Teepees played, they developed into a powerhouse in the OHA. St. Catharines finished in first place 5 years in a 6 year span, and won the league championship twice. The team also produced 5 league leading scorers and 3 MVPs in the same period. The Teepees won the
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1954 and 1960.
In 1961-62 the Teepees, no longer owned by Thompson Products, were in financial trouble and the
Chicago Black HawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
came to their rescue. In 1962-63, the Teepees became the
St. Catharines Black HawksThe St. Catharines Black Hawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1962 to 1976. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
and would remain so until the team moved to Niagara Falls in 1976.
1954 Memorial Cup
St. Catharines, still coached by Rudy Pilous, won the right to play for the Cup by defeating the
Toronto MarlborosThe Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club, commonly known as the Toronto Marlboros, was founded in 1903. It operated a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association and Ontario Hockey League from 1904 to 1989...
in seven games for the OHA championship, and the Quebec Frontenacs to win the Richardson Trophy as eastern Canadian representatives. The Teepees won the
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1954 played at
Maple Leaf GardensMaple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
. They defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 4 games to 0 with one tie game, in a best-of-seven series.
Game 1 St. Catharines 8 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 2 St. Catharines 5 vs. Edmonton 3
Game 3 St. Catharines 4 vs. Edmonton 1
Game 4 St. Catharines 3 vs. Edmonton 3
Game 5 St. Catharines 6 vs. Edmonton 2
1960 Memorial Cup
St. Catharines was now coached by
Max KaminskyThe Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of...
and Rudy Pilous was the team manager for the 1960 Memorial Cup rematch versus the Edmonton Oil Kings. On the road to the Cup, the Teepees defeated the
Toronto St. Michael's MajorsThe Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
for the OHA championship, and the Brockville Canadiens to win the Richardson Trophy as eastern Canadian representatives. The series against Brockville was decided in the 8th game after each team had won three games each with a tie game.
The 1960
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
opened up at the Garden City Arena with remaining games played at
Maple Leaf GardensMaple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
. The Teepees defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings for the second time in the Memorial Cup, 4 games to 2 in a best-of-seven series.
Game 1 St. Catharines 3 vs. Edmonton 5
Game 2 St. Catharines 6 vs. Edmonton 2
Game 3 St. Catharines 9 vs. Edmonton 1
Game 4 St. Catharines 3 vs. Edmonton 9
Game 5 St. Catharines 9 vs. Edmonton 6
Game 6 St. Catharines 7 vs. Edmonton 3
Championships
The St. Catharines Teepees are one of a few clubs to win multiple
Memorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championships. In total the Teepees won the Memorial Cup, the
George Richardson Memorial TrophyThe George T. Richardson Memorial Trophy was presented annually from 1932 until 1972 by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" Champions. The trophy is named in honour of George T. Richardson, an Allan Cup winner with Queen’s University in 1909...
, the
J. Ross Robertson CupThe J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
and the
Hamilton Spectator TrophyThe Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58....
twice each.
- Memorial Cup
- 1954 Champions vs. Edmonton Oil Kings
- 1960 Champions vs. Edmonton Oil Kings
- George Richardson Memorial Trophy
- 1954 Champions vs. Quebec Frontenacs
- 1960 Champions vs. Brockville Canadiens
|
- J. Ross Robertson Cup
- 1952 Lost to Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters
- 1954 OHA Champions vs. Toronto Marlboros
- 1955 Lost to Toronto Marlboros
- 1957 Lost to Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters
- 1960 OHA Champions vs. St. Michael's Majors
- Hamilton Spectator Trophy
- 1957-1958 70 points (32 wins, 6 ties)
- 1958-1959 83 points (40 wins, 3 ties)
|
Players
There have been 54 Teepees alumni play in the NHL. Four of those would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. St. Catharines also had three MVPs and five scoring champions with a six year span.
Award winners
Red Tilson TrophyThe Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War...
(Most Outstanding Player)
- 1953-54 - Brian Cullen
- 1954-55 - Hank Ciesla
- 1958-59 - Stan Mikita
|
Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
(Scoring Champion)
- 1953-54 - Brian Cullen
- 1954-55 - Hank Ciesla
- 1957-58 - John McKenzie
- 1958-59 - Stan Mikita
- 1959-60 - Chico Maki
|
Hall of Famers
- Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
(1961-1962)
- Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
(1955-1957)
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- Stan Mikita
Stanislav "Stan" Mikita , is a Slovak-born Canadian retired professional ice hockey player, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 1961, he won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he played his entire career.-Early life:Mikita was born in Sokolče, Slovak Republic...
(1956-1959)
- Pierre Pilote
Joseph Albert Pierre Paul Pilote is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. After playing junior hockey for the St. Catharines Teepees in the Ontario Hockey Association, Pilote played minor professional hockey for the Buffalo Bisons in the American Hockey League. Pilote played 890 games in...
(1950-1952)
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NHL alumni
- Buddy Boone
Carl “Buddy” Boone was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 34 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins in 1957-58.-Awards and achievements:...
- John Brenneman
John Gary Brenneman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. In 159 NHL career games, he scored 21 goals and 19 assists as a left winger....
- Wayne Brown
- Gord Byers
- Hank Ciesla
Henry Edward "Hank" Ciesla is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 269 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers....
- Norm Corcoran
Norman Corcoran is a retired a Canadian ice hockey forward.Corcoran began his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1949 and also played with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks. He left the NHL following the 1956 season and retired from hockey in 1966.- External links :...
- Roger Crozier
Roger Allan Crozier was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals....
- Barry Cullen
Charles Francis "Barry" Cullen is a former professional ice hockey right winger who played five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings from 1955 to 1960....
- Brian Cullen
Brian Joseph Cullen is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Cullen began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1954. He also played for the New York Rangers...
- Ray Cullen
Raymond Murray Cullen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 313 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, and Vancouver Canucks...
- Ian Cushenan
Ian Robertson Cushenan is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman spliting time between the National Hockey League and minors from 1956 to 1966....
- Norm Defelice
Norm Defelice is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He played for the Boston Bruins of the NHL.-External links:...
- Denis DeJordy
Denis Emile DeJordy , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played goal for four NHL teams, most notably the Chicago Black Hawks.-Playing career:...
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- Marv Edwards
Marvin Wayne Edwards is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender.Edwards started his National Hockey League career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1968. He would also play with the Toronto Maple Leafs and California Golden Seals. He retired after the 1974 season.- External links :...
- Roy Edwards
Allan Roy Edwards was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 206 games in the National Hockey League. He was born in Seneca Township, Ontario. On June 6, 1967 Pittsburgh Penguins selected him in the expanstion draft, but traded Edwards to the Detroit Red Wings the next day...
- Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
- Gerry Foley
Gerald James Foley is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 142 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs.-External links:...
- Vic Hadfield
Victor Edward Hadfield is a retired professional ice hockey player. One of the most popular players in New York Rangers history, Hadfield had a sixteen-year career in the NHL, tallying 323 goals and 389 assists with 1154 penalty minutes in 1002 career games with the Rangers and the Pittsburgh...
- Murray Hall
- Duke Harris
George Francis "Duke" Harris is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League during the 1967–68 season with the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played in the WHA from 1972–75 with the Chicago Cougars and Houston Aeros.-External...
- Wayne Hillman
Wayne James Hillman was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played in the World Hockey Association for the Cleveland Crusaders...
- Ken Hodge
Kenneth Raymond Hodge, Sr. is a retired hockey player for the NHL Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers.-Playing career:...
- Cecil Hoekstra
Cecil Thomas "Cec" Hoekstra is a former ice hockey left winger. He played in 4 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens...
- Ed Hoekstra
Edward Adrian Hoekstra was a retired professional ice hockey player. He played in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and also played in the WHA with the Houston Aeros. He is the brother of Cecil Hoekstra.-External links:...
- Brent Hughes
Brent Hughes is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Kansas City Scouts...
- Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
- Dennis Hull
Dennis William Hull is a retired professional ice hockey left winger, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League...
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- Doug Jarrett
Douglas William Jarrett is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He was a defenceman in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers. He periodically does work on behalf of the Chicago Blackhawk Alumni Association.-External links:...
- Chico Maki
Ronald "Chico" Maki is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Maki started his National Hockey League career with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1961. He would play his entire career with the Black Hawks and would retire after the 1976 season. He would win one Stanley Cup with Chicago in...
- Frank Martin
Francis William Martin was a professional ice hockey player who played 282 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks...
- Ab McDonald
Alvin Brian "Ab" McDonald is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.McDonald began his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1958 and retired in 1972. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues...
- Jack McIntyre
John Archibald "Jack" McIntyre was a professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:...
- John McKenzie
- Stan Mikita
Stanislav "Stan" Mikita , is a Slovak-born Canadian retired professional ice hockey player, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 1961, he won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he played his entire career.-Early life:Mikita was born in Sokolče, Slovak Republic...
- Ellard O'Brien
Ellard "Obie" O'Brien is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins.-External links:...
- Pierre Pilote
Joseph Albert Pierre Paul Pilote is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. After playing junior hockey for the St. Catharines Teepees in the Ontario Hockey Association, Pilote played minor professional hockey for the Buffalo Bisons in the American Hockey League. Pilote played 890 games in...
- Dan Poliziani
Daniel Poliziani is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played four National Hockey League games for the Boston Bruins during the 1958–59 NHL season.-External links:...
- Poul Popiel
Poul Peter Popiel is a retired NHL defenceman, and head coach. He played in the OHA, AHL, WHA, NHL, CPHL, and IHL. He played a brief 12 games in the IHL with the Muskegon Mohawks, then halfway through the year, he retired and became the head coach...
- Matt Ravlich
Matthew Joseph Ravlich is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Ravlich started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins. He would also play with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and Los Angeles Kings. His career would last from 1963 to 1973.-External links:*...
- Doug Robinson
- Len Ronson
Leonard Keith Ronson is a retired professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and Oakland Seals.-Playing career:-External links:...
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- Ken Schinkel
Kenneth Calvin "Whitey" Schinkel is a retired professional ice hockey right wing and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:After a junior career ending with the St...
- Don Simmons
- Bill Speer
Francis William Speer was a professional ice hockey player who played 135 games in the World Hockey Association and 130 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Lindsay, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades, and New Jersey...
- George Standing
George Michael Standing was a professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Minnesota North Stars.- References :...
- Fred Stanfield
Frederic William Stanfield is a former professional ice hockey left winger who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1964 until 1978.Stanfield played 914 career NHL games, scoring 211 goals and 405 assists for 616 points...
- Jack Stanfield
John "Jack" Stanfield is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played a single game in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks...
- Pat Stapleton
- Art Stratton
Arthur Stratton is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 95 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers.-Awards and achievements:...
- Red Sullivan
- Skip Teal
Alan Leslie "Skip" Teal was a professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Boston Bruins during the 1954–55 NHL season. He is the older brother of Vic Teal, who also played in only one NHL game.-External links:...
- Jerry Toppazzini
Jerome J. "Topper" Toppazzini is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...
- Zellio Toppazzini
Zellio Louis Peter Toppazzini was a professional ice hockey player who played 123 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Black Hawks...
- Moose Vasko
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Yearly results
Regular Season
| Season |
Games |
Won |
Lost |
Tied |
Points |
Pct % |
Goals
For |
Goals
Against |
Standing |
| 1947-48 |
36 |
19 |
17 |
0 |
38 |
0.528 |
137 |
155 |
6th OHA |
| 1948-49 |
48 |
25 |
20 |
3 |
53 |
0.552 |
191 |
198 |
4th OHA |
| 1949-50 |
48 |
27 |
17 |
4 |
58 |
0.604 |
269 |
211 |
3rd OHA |
| 1950-51 |
54 |
23 |
24 |
7 |
53 |
0.491 |
200 |
192 |
6th OHA |
| 1951-52 |
54 |
30 |
23 |
1 |
61 |
0.565 |
249 |
229 |
5th OHA |
| 1952-53 |
56 |
31 |
20 |
5 |
67 |
0.598 |
219 |
234 |
4th OHA |
| 1953-54 |
59 |
42 |
15 |
2 |
86 |
0.729 |
308 |
211 |
1st OHA |
| 1954-55 |
49 |
32 |
15 |
2 |
66 |
0.673 |
260 |
176 |
1st OHA |
| 1955-56 |
48 |
28 |
17 |
3 |
59 |
0.615 |
219 |
197 |
1st OHA |
| 1956-57 |
52 |
25 |
25 |
2 |
52 |
0.500 |
184 |
193 |
3rd OHA |
| 1957-58 |
52 |
32 |
14 |
6 |
70 |
0.673 |
246 |
174 |
1st OHA |
| 1958-59 |
54 |
40 |
11 |
3 |
84 |
0.769 |
257 |
175 |
1st OHA |
| 1959-60 |
48 |
25 |
19 |
4 |
54 |
0.562 |
209 |
191 |
2nd OHA |
| 1960-61 |
48 |
18 |
24 |
6 |
42 |
0.438 |
167 |
204 |
5th OHA |
| 1961-62 |
50 |
19 |
23 |
8 |
46 |
0.460 |
194 |
206 |
3rd OHA |
Playoffs
- Complete results prior to 1960 are currently unavailable.
- 1960-61 Lost to St. Michael's Majors 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
- 1961-62 Lost to Hamilton Red Wings 9 points to 3 in OHA semi-finals.
Arena
The St. Catharines Teepees played in the Garden City Arena in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario from 1947-1962, as did their predecessors the Falcons.