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58-668: The Barrie Flyers junior team was founded in 1945 by Leighton "Hap" Emms . The franchise was soon affiliated with the Boston Bruins of the NHL . Barrie quickly became a powerhouse in the OHA. They appeared in the Memorial Cup three times, losing the first time in 1948, then winning twice, in 1951 and 1953. The Emms family relocated the team to Niagara Falls in 1960 where the team continued to win and played for 12 seasons, then relocated to Sudbury to become

116-539: A 33-year presence in the Ontario Hockey Association , as the owner of the Barrie Flyers , Niagara Falls Flyers , and St. Catharines Black Hawks between 1945 and 1978. Teams that Emms coached or owned appeared in eight Memorial Cup tournaments, winning four Memorial Cups. He was nicknamed " Happy Emms " due to the sour look on his face, which was later shortened to " Hap Emms ". Emms started his career as

174-584: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

232-507: A game against Toronto, Emms ordered his players to wear their jerseys backwards and play with their sticks upside down in protest. The Toronto Marlboros won 14–0, Emms was fined $ 1,000, and suspended for one year by league commissioner Tubby Schmalz . By the 1973–74 season, Emms had built the Black Hawks into a championship team. They finished second place in the regular season, then went undefeated in all three OHA playoff rounds to capture

290-788: A left winger playing junior ice hockey from 1921 to 1925. He signed as a free agent with the Montreal Maroons on November 10, 1926. He spent the next two seasons splitting time between the Maroons and the Stratford Nationals of the Canadian Professional Hockey League . Emms then moved to the Windsor Bulldogs in the International Hockey League , for two seasons, and scored 21 goals both seasons. Emms

348-692: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

406-629: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

464-799: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

522-685: The 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships . There are four levels of Junior hockey in the Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following

580-866: The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for the Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

638-597: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

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696-788: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

754-653: The George Richardson Memorial Trophy , to represent Eastern Canada in the 1951 Memorial Cup playoffs. When the Citadels refused to play game five in Barrie, George gave them an ultimatum to play or forfeit the series. Quebec decided to play too late to arrive by train, but arrived half an hour late after flying. George scheduled game seven on neutral ice at Maple Leaf Gardens , despite protests from Flyers' coach Hap Emms who claimed that his team only agreed to resume

812-661: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

870-772: The Hamilton Spectator Trophy with 69 points. Niagara Falls defeated the Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons in the OHA finals to win its first J. Ross Robertson Cup in its new city, and the fifth for Emms. The Flyers defeated the Espanola Eagles in the Eastern Canada finals, to advance to the 1963 Memorial Cup played in Edmonton, but lost to the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games. Two seasons later, Emms led

928-469: The National Hockey League (NHL): Hap Emms Leighton Alfred Emms (January 12, 1905 – October 23, 1988) was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, team owner, and general manager, during nearly 60 years in hockey. Emms played 17 seasons of professional hockey as a left winger and a defenceman , including 10 seasons and 320 games in the National Hockey League . After playing, Emms had

986-498: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

1044-754: The Pittsburgh Hornets in the IAHL for two seasons. Emms joined the Omaha Knights in the American Hockey Association , as a player-coach . Emms scored 19 goals in the 1939–40 season, and led his team to the AHA finals. Emms broke his leg part way through the 1941–42 season. He remained on the team as coach, and led the Knights to the AHA championship. After a couple years off from hockey, Emms returned to coach

1102-592: The St. Boniface Canadiens in a best-of-seven series. The Barrie Flyers were a dominant team during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and one of a few clubs to win multiple Memorial Cup championships. The Flyers won the Ontario championship 4 times, the Eastern Canadian championship 3 times, and the national championship twice. Memorial Cup appearances George Richardson Memorial Trophy appearances J. Ross Robertson Cup appearances List of Flyers' alumni who played in

1160-570: The St. Louis Flyers of the American Hockey League in the 1944–45 season, and played the final two games of his career. Six games into the 1945–46 season, Emms left St. Louis to return home. Emms founded the Barrie Flyers in his hometown of Barrie, in the Ontario Hockey Association . From 1945 to 1960, Emms was head coach and owner of the Flyers, and the team was sponsored by the Boston Bruins . Barrie won its first J. Ross Robertson Cup in

1218-597: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

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1276-581: The 1965–66 and 1966–67 seasons Emms was the general manager of both the NHL Bruins, and the Niagara Falls Flyers. Emms succeeded Lynn Patrick as only the third GM in the Bruins' 41-year history to that point. Emms brought in such players as Bernie Parent, Pit Martin , John "Pie" McKenzie , Gerry Cheevers , Gilles Marotte and Gary Doak to the Bruins. He also promoted Harry Sinden to coach in 1966, and

1334-463: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

1392-503: The Black Hawks for two more seasons in St. Catharines, missing the playoffs both times. Emms' time in St. Catharines produced several NHL players including, Wilf Paiement , Gary McAdam , Rick Hampton , Ken Breitenbach , Garry Lariviere , Rick Adduono , and Dave Gorman . Emms relocated the team to Niagara Falls at the end of the 1975–76 season, becoming the second incarnation of the Niagara Falls Flyers. In his last two seasons, his team missed

1450-582: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

1508-732: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

1566-641: The Eastern Canada finals, Barrie lost to the Montreal Royals . Emms rebuilt the team in 1950, and then finished first place in the OHA in 1951. The Flyers returned to the OHA finals, beating the Toronto Marlboros. The Flyers won the Eastern Canada title versus the Quebec Citadels, and won the 1951 Memorial Cup versus the Winnipeg Monarchs . The Flyers finished first place in the OHA in 1953. Emms

1624-406: The Flyers from Barrie, and operated the franchise from Niagara Falls, Ontario from 1960 to 1972. Emms slowly relinquished coaching duties to others, but continued as team owner, and general manager. The Niagara Falls Flyers were still sponsored by the Bruins until the direct NHL sponsorship of junior clubs halted in 1967. In the Flyers third season, the team finished first place in the OHA, winning

1682-492: The Flyers in 1972. In his first season with the new club, Emms was suspended by the league for an incident involving the Toronto Marlboros' Mark Napier , who had signed a professional contract to play for the Toronto Toros . The World Hockey Association contract was not to take effect until after Napier's junior season was complete, but Emms felt it was wrong to have what he deemed a professional playing in junior hockey. During

1740-555: The Flyers to another first-place finish with 81 points, and a second Hamilton Spectator Trophy. Niagara Falls defeated the Toronto Marlboros in the OHA finals, and advanced to a rematch with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 1965 Memorial Cup , also played in Edmonton. Emms won his third Memorial Cup as his Flyers prevailed in five games. Three season later, Emms had another championship team. The Flyers finished fourth place in

1798-683: The J. Ross Robertson Cup versus the Peterborough Petes . It was Emms' eighth and final OHA title as a general manager. In the 1974 Memorial Cup played in Calgary at the Stampede Corral , the Black Hawks faced the Regina Pats , and the Quebec Remparts . Emm's team won its first game 4–1 over Quebec, then lost to Regina 4–0. In the semifinal game, St. Catharines was defeated 11–3 by Quebec. He led

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1856-582: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

1914-562: The Niagara Falls Flyers while his father managed. Emms was known for smoking a pipe, being frugal with money, and fined players for cursing. He suffered a stroke in 1983, which left him unable to walk or talk. He died of heart failure on October 22, 1988, in Niagara Falls. Emms was interred at Barrie Union Cemetery. Emms received the Ontario Hockey Association Gold Stick Award in 1955. The Emms Family Award

1972-588: The OHA, but marched through the playoffs to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup versus the Kitchener Rangers , the seventh for Emms. Niagara won the Eastern Canada final versus the Verdun Maple Leafs . Four of the five games in the 1968 Memorial Cup were played at Emms' home rink, the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena . The Flyers won all four games on home ice for their second Memorial Cup title, and

2030-582: The Quebec Citadels. Barrie won its second national title, defeating the St. Boniface Canadiens in the 1953 Memorial Cup . Emms next seven seasons were not as successful, but his team did reach the 1956 OHA finals. Some notable players Emms coached on the Barrie Flyers included brothers Dick Cherry and Don Cherry , Real Chevrefils , Marv Edwards , Ray Gariepy , Howie Glover , Leo Labine , Wayne Maxner , Gilles Mayer , Don McKenney , Paul Meger , Doug Mohns , Jim Morrison , Ron Stewart , Orval Tessier , Jerry Toppazzini , and Ed Westfall . Emms moved

2088-424: The Sudbury Wolves. Barrie won the right to play for the cup by defeating the Windsor Spitfires for the OHA championship, and the Montreal Nationales to win the Richardson Trophy as eastern Canadian representatives. The Flyers were runners up for the Memorial Cup in 1948 played at Maple Leaf Gardens . They were swept by the Port Arthur West End Bruins (now Thunder Bay) in a best-of-seven series. The series

2146-520: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

2204-433: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

2262-449: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

2320-412: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

2378-422: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

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2436-484: The departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected

2494-427: The evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up

2552-640: The fourth for Emms. After 1968, many of the players graduated to higher leagues, and the Flyers struggled for the next four seasons, missing the playoffs twice, and winning only one playoff series. In 1972, Emms sold the Flyers, and the team was relocated to become the Sudbury Wolves . Notable Niagara Falls Flyers players are: Don Awrey , Jim Lorentz , Rick Ley , Don Marcotte , Barry Wilkins , Rosaire Paiement , Steve Atkinson , Bill Goldsworthy , Jean Pronovost , John Arbour , Gilles Marotte , Bernie Parent , Doug Favell , Derek Sanderson , Brad Selwood , Phil Roberto , Tom Webster , and Phil Myre . During

2610-413: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

2668-402: The playoffs twice, but developed future Hall of Famer Mike Gartner . In his final draft as a general manager in 1977, Emms had the opportunity to draft Wayne Gretzky with the second overall pick, but chose Steve Peters instead. Emms sold the Flyers to Reg Quinn in 1978, and retired from hockey. Emms coached his son Paul Emms, and nephew Don Emms on the Barrie Flyers. Paul Emms later coached

2726-465: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

2784-421: The same division, was created at the same time. Since the 1994–95 OHL season , it is awarded to the team winning the central division. Junior ice hockey Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 21 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship . The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from

2842-462: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

2900-401: The series if game seven was played in Barrie. The Flyers won the Memorial Cup in 1951 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They swept the Winnipeg Monarchs in a best-of-seven series. Barrie won the right to play for the cup by defeating the St. Michael's Majors for the OHA championship. The Flyers won the Memorial Cup in 1953 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They defeated

2958-412: The third season of play, defeating the original Windsor Spitfires in the finals. In the Eastern Canada finals, the Flyers won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy versus the Montreal Nationales. The Flyers played in the 1948 Memorial Cup , losing to the Port Arthur West End Bruins. Barrie repeated as OHA champions the following season, defeating the Toronto Marlboros for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. In

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3016-502: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

3074-407: Was donated in 1973 by Emms, as an annual award to recognize the OHL Rookie of the Year. The Hap Emms Memorial Trophy was created in 1975, to recognize the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup tournament. From the 1975–76 OMJHL season until the 1993–94 OHL season , the more westerly of the league's two divisions was named the Emms Division in his memory. Likewise, the Emms Trophy for winning

3132-425: Was involved in controversy during the OHA playoffs in 1953, when he refused to play a Sunday playoff game for religious reasons, and when he had a goal judge handcuffed and removed from Barrie Arena . Despite the incidents, Emms' Flyers won its fourth J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1953, defeating the Toronto St. Michael's Majors , and then won its third George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canada champions versus

3190-410: Was not happy, and asked Jack Adams to release him. Emms signed as a free agent by Boston Bruins on, October 28, 1934, and switched to playing defence. He played only 11 games with the Bruins, and was traded to New York Americans on December 14, 1934. He played three more seasons in New York, and was traded to Detroit on February 13, 1938, ending his NHL career. Emms played on Detroit's farm team,

3248-424: Was the general manager during Bobby Orr 's first season in the National Hockey League. The Bruins were in the midst of an eight-year slump, and failed to make the playoffs during Emms' two seasons. Emms and the Bruins mutually ended his management, and he returned to the Niagara Fall Flyers. Emms was replaced by his assistant, Milt Schmidt . Emms purchased the St. Catharines Black Hawks immediately after selling

3306-433: Was traded to New York Americans on May 14, 1930. In 1930–31, Emms played his first full NHL season at the age of 25, in 44 games with the New York Americans. He started the 1931–32 season with Americans, was traded to the Detroit Falcons on December 29, 1931, then played briefly with New Haven Eagles in the Canadian–American Hockey League , before being called back up to the NHL. He played three seasons in Detroit, but

3364-408: Was very physical and bitter between the teams. After the third game, Emms threatened that the Flyers would not continue to play without a change in referees. The series ultimately continued with the same referees. Barrie won the OHA championship defeating the Toronto Marlboros . Canadian Amateur Hockey Association vice-president W. B. George oversaw the Flyers versus Quebec Citadels series for

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