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EspañolSAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS
The 'Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds' name has been used by several ice hockey teams based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario since 1919. The current "Soo Greyhounds" team of the Ontario Hockey League, were founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds play home games at the Steelback Centre.
Early years
The first Greyhounds team formed in 1919, playing in the now defunct Upper-Peninsula League. The team's coach was George MacNamara. He suggested the team be called the Greyhounds since, ''"a greyhound is much faster than a wolf."'' That reference was to the already established rival club, the Sudbury Wolves.[1]
A couple seasons later, the Greyhounds switched to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association Senior "A" division. The team won the Senior A championship in 1921, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The 1924 Greyhounds also won the Allan Cup, the only team from Sault Ste. Marie to do so.
The senior Greyhounds folded and 1927, and were replaced the following season by a junior team of the same name, competing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The juniors won the league championship four consecutive years from 1928 to 1931, and a fifth title in 1942. Junior hockey in Sault Ste. Marie came to an abrupt end in 1945 when the Gouin Street Arena was destroyed by fire.
The senior Greyhounds team was revived in 1948. The new team played out of a temporary home at Pullar Stadium until the Memorial Gardens opened in 1949. The senior Greyhounds won the NOHA championship four times in 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1955. This team folded, along with the league after the 1958-59 season.
Modern Era
The current Greyhounds Junior A franchise was founded in 1962 as a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team's founders were Angelo Bumbacco, Lloyd Prokop, Phil Suraci, Pat Esposito and Dr. Bill Kelly. The Greyhounds played for ten seasons in the NOJHL. They were extremely successful, never having a losing season, and winning the league championship three times. In 1972, the Greyhounds entered the Ontario Hockey Association as a Major Junior A expansion team. The original directors were joined by Frank Caputo and Frank Sarlo.
Wayne Gretzky, 1977-78
In 1977, the Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds picked a 16 year old Wayne Gretzky, standing at 5'8" (173 cm) and weighing 155 pounds (70 kg), with the third pick in the Ontario Midget Draft. He was still small in stature, but would have a big impact on the game.
Gretzky requested to wear # 9 for his idol Gordie Howe, but that number was already taken by linemate Brian Gualazzi. Gretzky then chose # 19 instead. After a few games, coach Muzz MacPherson suggested wearing two nines would be better than one. From that season on, Gretzky has always worn the legendary # 99.[2]
In 63 games that year, he set the Greyhounds all-time record, scoring 70 goals and had 112 assists for a total of 182 points. Gretzky would have won the scoring title, except for a 192 point season by Bobby Smith. Gretzky was awarded the Emms Family Award as the rookie of the year, and the William Hanley Trophy as most gentlemanly player.
The Terry Crisp years as coach
The year after Gretzky departed, the Greyhounds hired Terry Crisp to coach. Under his guidance, the Greyhounds would win three division titles, finish first place overall three times, and win the league championship his final season.
In his second year at the helm, the Soo won its first Leyden division title, posting 47 wins, and winning its first Hamilton Spectator Trophy as best in the league. The Greyhounds lost to the Kitchener Rangers in the league finals, 9 points to 3. It was the first of five consecutive seasons that the Greyhounds and the Rangers would meet in the playoffs. Next season, the Greyhounds switched to the Emms Division, but would lose out to Kitchener in the semi-finals.
Crisp's team would win its new division in 1983, and finish first overall in the OHL for the second time. This time in the playoffs, they would eliminate the Rangers in the semi-finals, ultimately losing to the Oshawa Generals in the finals, a team which would become a future rival. Despite a rebuilding year in 1983-84, the Soo reached the semi-finals again, but fell to their rival Kitchener.
The 1984-85 OHL season would be historical for Sault Ste. Marie. The Greyhounds won their third Hamilton Spectator Trophy in 5 years, and second Emms division title. The Greyhounds also set a Canadian Hockey League record, winning all 33 of their home games that season, a record that still stands. The same year, the Greyhounds set the OHL record for 109 points in a season that stood for 19 years. In the playoffs, the Soo eliminated rival Kitchener in four straight games in the first round. After a second round bye, the Greyhounds beat out the Hamilton Steelhawks 9 points to 1 to reach the finals again. Sault Ste. Marie won its first J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Peterborough Petes 9 points to 5.
Memorial Cup, 1985
After winning the OHL championship, the Greyhounds travelled to Shawinigan, Quebec to compete in the Memorial Cup tournament, for the national junior hockey title. The Greyhounds would play against the host team Shawinigan Cataractes, the QMJHL champion Verdun Junior Canadiens, and the WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders.
The Greyhounds were led by future NHLers, Jeff Beukeboom, Chris Felix, Derek King, Wayne Presley, Bob Probert and Rob Zettler. Leading scorers in the regular season were Wayne Groulx, Graeme Bonar and Sault Ste. Marie native Mike Oliverio.
The Greyhounds won the first game on May 11 in Shawinigan versus the home team, by a score 4-3, in front of 3,276 fans. Televising games from the Aréna Jacques Plante in Shawinigan proved difficult due to roof support pillars around the ice surface. After two games in Shawinigan, the remainder of the tournament was played in the Centre Marcel Dionne in Drummondville, Quebec.
The Greyhounds won their first game in Drummondville 6-3 over Verdun, with two goals from Derek King. Their first loss of the tournament came in game three, losing 8-6 to the Prince Albert Raiders. With the loss, the Cataractes, Raiders and Greyhounds would all finish the round-robin with two wins and a loss. Shawinigan earned a spot in the finals on best goals for and against difference, with Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Albert to have a rematch in the semi-final game. On May 16, the Greyhounds lost again to the Raiders.
| '1985 Memorial Cup scores' | |||||
| Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 4 | Shawinigan | 3 | Aréna Jacques Plante |
| Round-robin | Shawinigan | 6 | Prince Albert | 2 | Aréna Jacques Plante |
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 6 | Verdun | 3 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
| Round-robin | Prince Albert | 5 | Verdun | 3 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
| Round-robin | Prince Albert | 8 | S.S.Marie | 6 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
| Round-robin | Shawinigan | 5 | Verdun | 1 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
| Semi-final | Prince Albert | 8 | S.S.Marie | 3 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
| Championship | Prince Albert | 6 | Shawinigan | 1 | Centre Marcel Dionne |
Phil Esposito & the Eric Lindros conflict
After a major rebuilding 1985-86 season, the club was sold to Phil Esposito and a group of investors from New York. Esposito and was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, and briefly played for the Sault Thunderbirds in the 1961-62. Don Boyd was named as coach and general manager.
After two mediocre seasons, Sherwood Bassin was hired to be the new general manager. Part way through through the 1988-89 season, Ted Nolan was hired to take over coaching duties. Sault Ste. Marie missed the playoffs that year, and were in financial trouble.
Owner Phil Esposito, put the Greyhounds up for sale just three years after purchasing the team.
On May 17, 1989, Esposito and fellow investors were offered $600,000 USD for the team, by Peter Karmanos, Jr. of Compuware. The proposed sale would have seen the Greyhounds relocated to Detroit, Michigan, becoming part of the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors program. The offer was turned down. The Greyhounds' owners looked to increase the value of their franchise in the upcoming OHL Draft on May 27, 1989.
The Greyhounds selected highly touted prospect Eric Lindros, from the St. Michael's Buzzers. Lindros refused to report to Sault Ste. Marie, and parents protested the selection on behalf of their son, claiming that it would not be good for his education and development to be so far away from his home in Toronto, Ontario.
After the Greyhounds drafted Lindros, the offer from Compuware was increased to $1 Million USD. Upon hearing about the proposed sale, the community members of Sault Ste. Marie rallied together in an emotional "Save the Greyhounds" campaign. Local suitors were found in a group headed by Dr. Shunock, who matched the latest offer made by Karmanos and Compuware, to keep the team in the Soo.
The Greyhounds waited out whether or not Lindros would report. In January 1990, the OHL changed its rules, allowing first round draft picks to be traded during their initial season in the league. Greyhounds general manager Bassin used connections with his former club to trade Lindros to the Oshawa Generals. In the trade, Sault Ste. Marie would receive: three players (Mike DeCoff, Jason Denomme, and goalie Mike Lenarduzzi), two second round draft picks in 1990 and 1991, and $80,000 CDN cash.
At the time it was the biggest trade in junior hockey history. The trade would help both teams in the future, and would play an important role in the 1990-91 OHL championship. Bassin was awarded the Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL in 1990, and later the OHL Executive of the Year in 1991.
Memorial Cup, 1991
The Greyhounds season of 1990-91 marked an incredible turnaround from seventh place the season before, to finishing first place and winning the Emms division. The Greyhounds swept both playoff series and earned a second round bye to reach the OHL finals against the defending champions, the Oshawa Generals.
The J. Ross Robertson Cup finals had many subplots due to the big trade between the clubs in the previous season. Added to the mix was Joe Busillo, an overager picked up from Oshawa, who won the Memorial Cup with the Generals the previous year. Fans from the Soo were still very bitter towards Lindros, who was now the captain of the Generals. The Soo crowd loudly jeered Lindros every time he was on the ice during the championship series. The Greyhounds upset the heavily favoured defending champions in a six game series, winning the last game on home ice.
The Greyhounds were led in scoring by Colin Miller, Tony Iob, and future NHLers Adam Foote and tough guy Denny Lambert. Other members to move onto the NHL included Drew Bannister, Bob Boughner, Ralph Intranuovo, Brad Tiley and
goaltenders Kevin Hodson and Mike Lenarduzzi.
The 1991 Memorial Cup was hosted by the QMJHL in Quebec City at the Colisée de Québec. Their opponents would be the WHL champion Spokane Chiefs, and the QMJHL finalists Drummondville Voltigeurs and the champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The Greyhounds did not win a game in the tournament, but gained valuable experience for next season.
| '1991 Memorial Cup scores' | |||||
| ''All games played at the Colisée de Québec.'' | |||||
| Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-robin | Drummondville | 4 | S.S.Marie | 2 | |
| Round-robin | Spokane | 7 | Drummondville | 3 | |
| Round-robin | Chicoutimi | 2 | S.S.Marie | 1 | |
| Round-robin | Spokane | 7 | Chicoutimi | 1 | |
| Round-robin | Spokane | 8 | S.S.Marie | 4 | |
| Round-robin | Drummondville | 5 | Chicoutimi | 3 | |
| Semi-final | Drummondville | 2 | Chicoutimi | 1 | |
| Championship | Spokane | 5 | Drummondville | 1 | |
Memorial Cup, 1992
The 1991-92 Greyhounds repeated as winners of the Emms division. Saulte Ste. Marie earned a first round bye in the playoffs, then defeated the Kitchener Rangers and Niagara Falls Thunder to return to the league finals. The Greyhounds won their third J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating their northern counterparts, the North Bay Centennials in a seven game series.
The Greyhounds were led by captain Rick Kowalsky, and in scoring by Jarrett Reid's 53 goals and also had two players with 100 point seasons, Colin Miller and Ralph Intranuovo. The Soo also gained a midseason boost and more toughness, acquiring future NHLer Chris Simon in a trade with the Ottawa 67's.
The 1992 Memorial Cup was hosted by the WHL in Seattle, Washington at the Seattle Center Coliseum. Their opponents would be the WHL champion Kamloops Blazers, the QMJHL champion Verdun Collège Français, and the host Seattle Thunderbirds.
The Greyhounds reversed their fortunes of the previous Memorial Cup, winning all three games of the round-robin, advancing directly to the tournament finals. Their opponent in the finals would be the Kamloops Blazers. The Greyhounds came back from an early 3-0 deficit 15 minutes into the game to tie the score at 3-3. Kamloops scored early in the third period for a 4-3 lead. Chris Simon then tied the game for Sault Ste. Marie with four minutes remaining to play. The game looked to be headed for overtime, until Kamloops' Zac Boyer scored on a breakaway with 14.6 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Blazers.
| '1992 Memorial Cup scores' | |||||
| ''All games played at the Seattle Center Coliseum.'' | |||||
| Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-robin | Seattle | 5 | Verdun | 3 | |
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 6 | Kamloops | 3 | |
| Round-robin | Kamloops | 4 | Verdun | 0 | |
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 4 | Verdun | 2 | |
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 3 | Seattle | 3 | |
| Round-robin | Kamloops | 3 | Seattle | 1 | |
| Semi-final | Kamloops | 8 | Seattle | 3 | |
| Championship | Kamloops | 5 | S.S.Marie | 4 | |
Memorial Cup, 1993
In the 1992-93, the Greyhounds won their third consecutive Emms division title. They narrowly beat out the Detroit Junior Red Wings by having more wins in the regular season despite both teams earning 81 points. The OHL revived the idea of a Super Series from six years previous to determine which team would host the Memorial Cup of 1993. The Greyhounds assured themselves of a third consecutive trip to the Memorial Cup, by sweeping the series versus the Leyden division champion Peterborough Petes. Jarrett Reid led Sault Ste. Marie in scoring through the playoffs, with 19 goals and 16 assists in 18 games.
After the Super Series ended, the regular playoffs started. Sault Ste. Marie earned the first round bye, then defeated the Owen Sound Platers and the Junior Red Wings to reach the finals against the Petes. This time, thee Petes prevailed 4 games to 1, spoiling the Greyhounds chances of a third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup. Joing the Greyhounds and Petes in the Memorial Cup would be the WHL champion Swift Current Broncos and the QMJHL champion Laval Titan.
The Greyhounds and the Petes both finished the Memorial Cup round-robin with two wins and a loss. Sault Ste. Marie earned a berth in the finals by having beaten the Petes in the round robin. The two teams would meet again in the tournament finals, playing in front a hometown crowd of 4,757 spectators at the Memorial Gardens on May 23. Sault Ste. Marie led 3-0 after the first period, and held on to win their first Memorial Championship, beating the Petes 4-2. The victory party continued on Queen St. late into the evening.
| '1993 Memorial Cup scores' | |||||
| ''All games played at the Sault Memorial Gardens.'' | |||||
| Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 3 | Laval | 2 | |
| Round-robin | Swift Current | 5 | S.S.Marie | 3 | |
| Round-robin | Peterborough | 6 | Laval | 4 | |
| Round-robin | Peterborough | 7 | Swift Current | 3 | |
| Round-robin | Laval | 4 | Swift Current | 2 | |
| Round-robin | S.S.Marie | 7 | Peterborough | 3 | |
| Tiebreaker | Laval | 4 | Swift Current | 3 | |
| Semi-final | Peterborough | 3 | Laval | 1 | |
| Championship | S.S.Marie | 4 | Peterborough | 2 | |
Recent years
The Greyhounds followed up their Memorial Cup winning season with a strong 1993-94 campaign finishing second place in the division. The Soo reached the semi-finals, but lost the Junior Red Wings in six games. After the season, coach Ted Nolan departed for the Hartford Whalers.
The following 1994-95 season, the Greyhounds finished last place in the league during a rebuilding season. In attempt to generate more sales, the Greyhounds redesigned their logo. It proved to be unpopular with the fans, and the team discontinued its use after the 1998-99 season, and went back to the classic logo.
Joe Thornton is considered to be the Greyhounds marquis player of the 1990s. He was the 1995-96 OHL rookie of the year and was the first player in the history of the Sault Greyhounds to be drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by the Boston Bruins.
In the 2001-02 season, former NHLer and Greyhound defenceman Craig Hartsburg returned to his junior team after coaching stints in the NHL. Hartsburg was named the OHL coach of the year that season, then went back to the NHL.
Replacing Hartsburg was former NHLer and Greyhound netminder, and part owner of the team, John Vanbiesbrouck. After being welcomed by open arms, Vanbiesbrouck was forced to resign as coach that year due to racial comments about team captain, Trevor Daley. Hartsburg returned as coach midway through the 2004-05 season.
After playing at the Sault Memorial Gardens from 1962 to 2006, the Greyhounds moved into their new home, the Steelback Centre for the 2006-07 season.
Championships
While in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Greyhounds won the McNamara Trophy as playoff champions in 1967, 1970, and 1972. The Greyhounds were also regular season champions six times and playoff finalists 4 times.
The Greyhounds also joined the Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes as the only OHL teams to make three consecutive appearances in the Memorial Cup. Since joining the OHL, Sault Ste. Marie has won a total of 8 division titles, three Hamilton Spectator Trophy titles, three J. Ross Robertson Cup titles, and one Memorial Cup title.
;Division Trophies ★ '1980-81' - Leyden Division ★ '1982-83' - Emms Division ★ '1984-85' - Emms Division ★ '1990-91' - Emms Division ★ '1991-92' - Emms Division ★ '1992-93' - Emms Division ★ '1996-97' - West Division ★ '2004-05' - West Division ;Hamilton Spectator Trophy ★ '1980-81' - 47 wins, 2 ties, 96 points ★ '1982-83' - 48 wins, 1 tie, 97 points ★ '1984-85' - 54 wins, 1 tie, 109 points | ;J. Ross Robertson Cup ★ '1981' Lost to Kitchener Rangers ★ '1983' Lost to Oshawa Generals ★ '1985' Champions vs. Peterborough Petes ★ '1991' Champions vs. Oshawa Generals ★ '1992' Champions vs. North Bay Centennials ★ '1993' Lost to Peterborough Petes ;Memorial Cup ★ '1985' 3rd place in Drummondville, Québec ★ '1991' 4th place in Québec City, Québec ★ '1992' Finalists vs. Kamloops Blazers ★ '1993' Champions vs. Peterborough Petes |
Coaches
Terry Crisp was twice voted the OHL Coach of the Year, winning the Matt Leyden Trophy in 1982-83 and 1984-85. Craig Hartsburg won the same award in 2001-02.
''List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.''
★ '1972-74' - Abbie Carricato (2) ★ '1974-75' - Angelo Bumbacco ★ '1975-77' - Muzz MacPherson (3) ★ '1977-78' - M.MacPherson & P.Theriault ★ '1978-79' - Paul Theriault (4) ★ '1979-85' - Terry Crisp (6) ★ '1985-86' - Don MacAdam ★ '1986-88' - Don Boyd (3) ★ '1988-89' - D.Boyd & T.Nolan ★ '1989-94' - Ted Nolan (6) | ★ '1994-95' - Dan Flynn ★ '1995-97' - Joe Paterson (2) ★ '1997-99' - Dave Cameron (2) ★ '1999-01' - Paul Theriault (4) ★ '2001-02' - Craig Hartsburg (3) ★ '2002-03' - J.Vanbiesbrouck & Steve Harrison ★ '2003-04' - Marty Abrams (2) ★ '2004-05' - M.Abrams & C.Hartsburg ★ '2005-07' - Craig Hartsburg (3) |
Players
Since the Sault Ste. Marie joined the OHA in 1972, the Greyhounds have sent 77 alumni onto play in the NHL. Two of those (Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky) have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
;Retired numbers
★ # 1 - John Vanbiesbrouck ★ # 4 - Craig Hartsburg | ★ # 10 - Ron Francis ★ # 99 - Wayne Gretzky |
Award Winners
'CHL Rookie of the Year' ★ ''1995-96'' - Joe Thornton 'CHL Top Draft Prospect Award' ★ ''1996-97'' - Joe Thornton 'CHL Goaltender of the Year' ★ ''2001-02'' - Ray Emery 'Red Tilson Trophy' Most Outstanding Player ★ ''1973-74'' - Jack Valiquette ★ ''1984-85'' - Wayne Groulx 'Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy' Scoring Champion ★ ''1973-74'' - Jack Valiquette (tied) ★ ''1975-76'' - Mike Kaszycki ★ ''1980-81'' - John Goodwin 'Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy' Top Scoring Right Winger ★ ''1996-97'' - Joe Seroski 'Max Kaminsky Trophy' Most Outstanding Defenceman ★ ''1976-77'' - Craig Hartsburg 'OHL Goaltender of the Year' ★ ''2001-02'' - Ray Emery | 'Jack Ferguson Award' First Overall Draft Pick ★ ''1986'' - Troy Mallette ★ ''1989'' - Eric Lindros 'Dave Pinkney Trophy' Lowest Team GAA ★ ''1981-82'' - Marc D'Amour & John Vanbiesbrouck ★ ''1984-85'' - Scott Mosey & Marty Abrams ★ ''1990-91'' - Mike Lenarduzzi & Kevin Hodson ★ ''1991-92'' - Kevin Hodson 'Emms Family Award' Rookie of the Year ★ ''1973-74'' - Jack Valiquette ★ ''1975-76'' - John Tavella ★ ''1977-78'' - Wayne Gretzky ★ ''1978-79'' - John Goodwin ★ ''1984-85'' - Derek King ★ ''1995-96'' - Joe Thornton 'F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy' Best Rookie GAA ★ ''1980-81'' - John Vanbiesbrouck ★ ''1983-84'' - Gerry Iuliano ★ ''1990-91'' - Kevin Hodson 'William Hanley Trophy' Most Sportsmanlike Player ★ ''1977-78'' - Wayne Gretzky ★ ''1980-81'' - John Goodwin |
Hockey Hall of Fame Members
There are five members of the Hockey Hall of Fame that have played for a team known as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Bill Cook and Bun Cook played for the Greyhounds of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) between 1921-1925. Tony Esposito played for the Greyhounds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) during the 1962-1963 season.
The current junior Greyhounds have two alumni inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame, they are Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey. Ron Francis will likely become the third alumni to be so honoured, when he becomes eligible for induction.
NHL Alumni
: '1919 to 1945, 1949 to 1958' ( NOHA )
★ Jack Bionda ★ Stan Brown ★ Eddie Burke ★ Francis Cain ★ Ed Chadwick ★ William "Chick" Chalmers ★ 'Bill Cook' ★ 'Bun Cook' | ★ Vic Desjardins ★ Bob Dill ★ Babe Donnelly ★ Alvin Fisher ★ Don Grosso ★ Jim Henry ★ Albert Holway ★ Ron Hurst | ★ Joe Klukay ★ Julian Klymkiw ★ Pentti Lund ★ Jim McBurney ★ Gerry Munro ★ Gerry Odrowski ★ Peanuts O'Flaherty ★ Merlyn Phillips | ★ Nels Podolsky ★ George Robertson ★ Ron Rowe ★ Harry Taylor ★ Flat Walsh ★ John Webster ★ Steve Wojciechowski |
: '1962 to 1972' ( NOJHL )
★ Ivan Boldirev ★ 'Tony Esposito' | ★ Jerry Korab ★ Wayne Maki | ★ Jim Wiley ★ Mike Zuke |
: '1972 to present' ( OHA / OMJHL / OHL )
Team Records
;Ontario Hockey League records for the Greyhounds. As of 2005-06 season.
| 'Team Records for a single season' | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most Points | 109 | 1984-85 |
| Most Wins | 54 | 1984-85 |
| Most Goals For | 412 | 1980-81 |
| Least Goals For | 188 | 2000-01 |
| Least Goals Against | 188 | 2004-05 |
| Most Goals Against | 415 | 1978-79 |
| 'Individual player records for a single season' | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Goals | Steve Gatzos | 78 | 1980-81 |
| Most Assists | Mike Kaszycki | 119 | 1975-76 |
| Most Points | Wayne Gretzky | 182 | 1977-78 |
| Most Points, rookie | Wayne Gretzky | 182 | 1977-78 |
| Most Points, defenseman | Chris Felix | 101 | 1984-85 |
| Best GAA (Goalie) | Kyle Gajewski | 2.55 | 2004-05 |
| ''Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played'' | |||
Yearly Results
Regular season
★ 1962 to 1972 in the NOJHL
★ 1972 to 1974 in the OHA
★ 1974 to 1980 in the OMJHL
★ 1980 to present in the OHL
'Legend: T' = Tie (2004-05 & previous), 'SL' = Shoot Out Loss (2005-06 & onward)
| 'Season' | 'Games' | 'Won' | 'Lost' | 'T/SL' | 'OTL' | 'Points' | 'Pct %' | 'Goals For' | 'Goals Against' | 'Standing' |
| 1962-63 | 40 | 28 | 11 | 1 | - | 57 | 0.713 | 195 | 105 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1963-64 | 40 | 20 | 18 | 2 | - | 42 | 0.525 | 179 | 202 | 4th NOJHL |
| 1964-65 | 40 | 24 | 15 | 1 | - | 49 | 0.613 | 247 | 172 | 2nd NOJHL |
| 1965-66 | 40 | 23 | 15 | 2 | - | 48 | 0.600 | 236 | 182 | 2nd NOJHL |
| 1966-67 | 40 | 30 | 10 | 0 | - | 60 | 0.750 | 290 | 153 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1967-68 | 40 | 24 | 14 | 2 | - | 50 | 0.625 | 175 | 141 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1968-69 | 48 | 34 | 12 | 2 | - | 70 | 0.729 | 236 | 152 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1969-70 | 48 | 34 | 11 | 3 | - | 71 | 0.740 | 317 | 195 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1970-71 | 48 | 32 | 14 | 2 | - | 66 | 0.688 | 295 | 187 | 2nd NOJHL |
| 1971-72 | 52 | 31 | 14 | 7 | - | 69 | 0.663 | 272 | 203 | '1st NOJHL' |
| 1972-73 | 63 | 11 | 42 | 10 | - | 32 | 0.254 | 244 | 396 | 10th OHA |
| 1973-74 | 70 | 24 | 40 | 6 | - | 54 | 0.386 | 295 | 352 | 9th OHA |
| 1974-75 | 70 | 25 | 36 | 9 | - | 59 | 0.421 | 312 | 367 | 10th OMJHL |
| 1975-76 | 66 | 27 | 26 | 13 | - | 67 | 0.508 | 341 | 319 | 5th Leyden |
| 1976-77 | 66 | 20 | 41 | 5 | - | 45 | 0.341 | 261 | 375 | 5th Leyden |
| 1977-78 | 68 | 26 | 32 | 10 | - | 62 | 0.456 | 330 | 346 | 5th Leyden |
| 1978-79 | 68 | 26 | 42 | 0 | - | 52 | 0.382 | 317 | 415 | 6th Leyden |
| 1979-80 | 68 | 22 | 45 | 1 | - | 45 | 0.331 | 281 | 379 | 6th Leyden |
| 1980-81 | 68 | 47 | 19 | 2 | - | 96 | 0.706 | 412 | 290 | '1st Leyden' |
| 1981-82 | 68 | 40 | 25 | 3 | - | 83 | 0.610 | 274 | 243 | 2nd Emms |
| 1982-83 | 70 | 48 | 21 | 1 | - | 97 | 0.693 | 363 | 270 | '1st Emms' |
| 1983-84 | 70 | 38 | 28 | 4 | - | 80 | 0.571 | 373 | 321 | 3rd Emms |
| 1984-85 | 66 | 54 | 11 | 1 | - | 109 | 0.826 | 381 | 215 | '1st Emms' |
| 1985-86 | 66 | 15 | 48 | 3 | - | 33 | 0.250 | 263 | 387 | 8th Emms |
| 1986-87 | 66 | 31 | 31 | 4 | - | 66 | 0.500 | 301 | 299 | 5th Emms |
| 1987-88 | 66 | 32 | 33 | 1 | - | 65 | 0.492 | 272 | 294 | 5th Emms |
| 1988-89 | 66 | 21 | 43 | 2 | - | 44 | 0.333 | 227 | 304 | 8th Emms |
| 1989-90 | 66 | 18 | 42 | 6 | - | 42 | 0.318 | 229 | 289 | 7th Emms |
| 1990-91 | 66 | 42 | 21 | 3 | - | 87 | 0.659 | 303 | 217 | '1st Emms' |
| 1991-92 | 66 | 41 | 19 | 6 | - | 88 | 0.667 | 335 | 229 | '1st Emms' |
| 1992-93 | 66 | 38 | 23 | 5 | - | 81 | 0.614 | 334 | 260 | '1st Emms' |
| 1993-94 | 66 | 35 | 24 | 7 | - | 77 | 0.583 | 319 | 268 | 2nd Emms |
| 1994-95 | 66 | 17 | 45 | 4 | - | 38 | 0.288 | 228 | 346 | 5th Western |
| 1995-96 | 66 | 38 | 23 | 5 | - | 81 | 0.614 | 312 | 254 | 3rd Western |
| 1996-97 | 66 | 39 | 17 | 10 | - | 88 | 0.667 | 309 | 220 | '1st Western' |
| 1997-98 | 66 | 20 | 39 | 7 | - | 47 | 0.356 | 232 | 296 | 5th Western |
| 1998-99 | 68 | 31 | 29 | 8 | - | 70 | 0.515 | 244 | 242 | 4th West |
| 1999-00 | 68 | 37 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 85 | 0.588 | 270 | 217 | 2nd West |
| 2000-01 | 68 | 23 | 38 | 4 | 3 | 53 | 0.368 | 188 | 256 | 5th West |
| 2001-02 | 68 | 38 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 86 | 0.632 | 237 | 200 | 2nd West |
| 2002-03 | 68 | 26 | 33 | 6 | 3 | 61 | 0.426 | 232 | 284 | 4th West |
| 2003-04 | 68 | 30 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 0.463 | 196 | 223 | 4th West |
| 2004-05 | 68 | 33 | 25 | 9 | 1 | 76 | 0.551 | 210 | 188 | '1st West' |
| 2005-06 | 68 | 29 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 66 | 0.485 | 201 | 213 | 4th West |
| 2006-07 | 68 | 37 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 82 | 0.603 | 227 | 219 | 3rd West |
Playoffs
★ '1962-63' Lost in semi-finals.
★ '1963-64' Lost in finals.
★ '1964-65' Lost in semi-finals.
★ '1965-66' Lost in finals.
★ '1966-67' McNamara Trophy Champions.
★ '1967-68' Lost in semi-finals.
★ '1968-69' Lost in finals.
★ '1969-70' McNamara Trophy Champions.
★ '1970-71' Lost in finals.
★ '1971-72' McNamara Trophy Champions.
★ '1972-73' Out of playoffs.
★ '1973-74' Out of playoffs.
★ '1974-75' Out of playoffs.
★ '1975-76' Defeated Oshawa Generals 6 points to 4 in first round.
Lost to Sudbury Wolves 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals.
★ '1976-77' Defeated Peterborough Petes 3 games to 1 in first round.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0, 1 tie in quarter-finals.
★ '1977-78' Defeated Kingston Canadiens 6 points to 4 in first round.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 9 points to 7 in quarter-finals.
★ '1978-79' Out of playoffs.
★ '1979-80' Out of playoffs.
★ '1980-81' Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 4 in division semi-finals.
Defeated Kingston Canadians 9points to 5 in division finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in finals.
★ '1981-82' Earned bye through first round. 2nd place in Emms.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in semi-finals.
★ '1982-83' Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
Lost to Oshawa Generals 9 points to 5 in finals.
★ '1983-84' Defeated Windsor Spitfires 6 points to 0 in first round.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 6 in semi-finals.
★ '1984-85' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in first round.
Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 9 points to 1 in semi-finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 9 points to 5 in finals. 'OHL CHAMPIONS'
Finished 'Memorial Cup' round robin tied for second place.
Lost to Prince Albert Raiders 8-3 in semi-final game.
★ '1985-86' Out of playoffs.
★ '1986-87' Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in first round.
★ '1987-88' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 2 in first round.
★ '1988-89' Out of playoffs.
★ '1989-90' Out of playoffs.
★ '1990-91' Defeated Dukes of Hamilton 4 games to 0 in first round.
Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in finals. 'OHL CHAMPIONS'
Finished 'Memorial Cup' round robin in 4th place.
★ '1991-92' Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 3 in finals. 'OHL CHAMPIONS'
Finished 'Memorial Cup' round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5-4 in championship game.
★ '1992-93' Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in super-series for right to host Memorial Cup. Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in finals.
Finished 'Memorial Cup' round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 4-2 in championship game. '''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'''
★ '1993-94' Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in division semi-finals.
Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 2 in semi-finals.
★ '1994-95' Out of playoffs.
★ '1995-96' Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
★ '1996-97' Defeated Detroit Whalers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
★ '1997-98' Out of playoffs.
★ '1998-99' Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
★ '1999-00' Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
★ '2000-01' Out of playoffs.
★ '2001-02' Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
★ '2002-03' Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
★ '2003-04' Out of playoffs.
★ '2004-05' Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
★ '2005-06' Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
★ '2006-07' Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Uniforms & Logos
The Greyhounds colours are predominantly red and white. Black and silver trim were added in the late 1980s, as well as four stars above the logo. Sault Ste. Marie has used their classic red circle logo with the running greyhound for all but four seasons of their existence.
From 1995 to 1999 the Greyhounds redesigned their logo (inset right), to what became known by fans as the "Ugly Dog" or "Snoopy" logo. Due to public backlash and a fan petition for its removal, the team discontinued its use and went back to the classic logo.
On November 1, 2006, the Greyhounds unveiled a third jersey seen here.
Arenas
The first home of the Greyhounds from 1919 to 1945 was Gouin Street Arena. The arena had wooden benches for 1,000 spectators. It was destroyed by fire in 1945. An outdoor rink at Pullar Stadium was used until a new indoor facility was built.
Sault Memorial Gardens
Sault Memorial Gardens
The Greyhounds played home games at the Sault Memorial Gardens from 1949 to 2006. The building was named for the war veterans of World War II. The Gardens hosted Memorial Cup games in 1978 and 1993, and the OHL All-Star Game in 1979. The last game at the Gardens was played on Tuesday, March 28th 2006. Demolition of the Gardens began on April 27, 2006. All that remains of the Gardens is the Memorial Tower, which is part of "Memorial Square". The red beacon of the Memorial Tower was preserved and continues to be lit on game days.
★ Sault Memorial Gardens - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
Steelback Centre
Steelback Centre
The Greyhounds moved to the new Steelback Centre for the 2006-07 OHL season. The new arena was built in the east parking lot of the Memorial Gardens, and is the largest such centre in Northern Ontario. Its naming rights were purchased by Steelback Brewery of Tiverton, Ontario. The inaugural game was played on October 11, 2006, resulting in a 2-1 loss to the Sudbury Wolves. The 2008 OHL All-Star Classic will be hosted in the Steelback Centre.
★ Steelback Centre - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
References
1. The Name: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2. 99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is "The Great One"
See also
★ List of ice hockey teams in Ontario
External links
★ www.soogreyhounds.com Official team web site
★ SooGreyhounds.net Fan Message Forum
★ Ontario Hockey League Official OHL web site
★ Canadian Hockey League Official CHL web site
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