The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (often shortened to Soo Greyhounds ) are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League . The Greyhounds play home games at the GFL Memorial Gardens . The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association . The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey teams based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , Canada, since 1919.
41-635: The first Greyhounds team formed in 1919, playing in the now defunct Upper-Peninsula League. The team's coach was George McNamara . 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 . A couple of seasons later, the Greyhounds switched to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association Senior "A" division. The team won
82-592: A big, rugged defenceman, was in high demand among Canadian professional clubs, playing with four clubs in four leagues from 1908 to 1913. McNamara was one of the best open ice checkers of his day. He would help the Toronto Blueshirts win the 1914 Stanley Cup . His professional hockey career was interrupted in 1916 when he enlisted in the Canadian Army during the First World War , along with brother Harold. He
123-408: A few games, coach Muzz MacPherson suggested wearing two nines would be better than one. From that season on, Gretzky always wore the legendary # 99. 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 20-year-old player Bobby Smith . Gretzky was awarded
164-651: 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
205-703: The Allan Cup championship in 1924 . George and Howard founded the McNamara Construction Company and developed it into a prosperous firm. He died in Miami , Florida on March 10, 1952. He was inducted posthumously into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. Ar%C3%A9na Jacques Plante The Arena Jacques Plante was a 2,524-seat (total capacity 3,700) multi-purpose arena in Shawinigan , Quebec , Canada. It
246-704: 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
287-624: 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 . Jarret Reid led Sault Ste. Marie in scoring through
328-671: The Emms Family Award as the rookie of the year, and the William Hanley Trophy as most gentlemanly player. 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 played against the host team Shawinigan Cataractes , the QMJHL champion Verdun Junior Canadiens , and
369-526: The Sault Memorial Gardens from 1962 to 2006, the Greyhounds moved into their new home, the Steelback Centre, for the 2006–07 season. In June 2008, the arena was renamed The Essar Centre , following the purchase of naming rights by Essar Steel Algoma . In the 2007–08 OHL season , the Greyhounds had their best regular season since 1985 , going 44–18–2–4, with a long undefeated streak to begin
410-680: The Sault Ste. Marie Marlboros of the International Hockey League during the 1906–1907 season. George and his brother, Howard, also briefly a member of the Soo Marlboros, were known as the "Dynamite Twins" because of their bone-crunching body checks. The International Hockey League folded in 1907 when a purely amateur game in Canada finally gave way to professional leagues and the top Canadian players were lured back to Canada to play. McNamara,
451-586: 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
SECTION 10
#1733085516606492-753: The Toronto Marlies of the AHL . On July 10, 2015, Drew Bannister was named head coach of the Greyhounds. He would leave after the 2017–18 season to become the head coach of the San Antonio Rampage in the AHL. Bannister had led the Hounds to an overall 136–50–13–5 record, two West Division titles, and was named OHL and CHL coach of the year in 2018. While in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League ,
533-534: The 1925–26 season. After the season, several players joined the professional ranks and the team folded. In 1929, a junior Greyhounds team was organized, competing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League . The juniors won the league championship four consecutive years from 1928 to 1931, and added a fifth title in 1942. Junior hockey in Sault Ste. Marie came to an abrupt end in 1945, when the Gouin Street Arena
574-558: The Greyhounds in 1989 but chose not to play for them (eventually being traded to 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, Trevor Koopmans, and future NHLers Adam Foote and tough guys Bob Boughner , and Denny Lambert . Other members to move onto
615-648: 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, five Hamilton Spectator Trophy titles, three J. Ross Robertson Cup titles, and one Memorial Cup title. Terry Crisp
656-1125: The Hockey Hall of Fame. CHL Rookie of the Year CHL Top Draft Prospect Award CHL Goaltender of the Year Red Tilson Trophy Most Outstanding Player Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Scoring Champion Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Top Scoring Right Winger Max Kaminsky Trophy Most Outstanding Defenceman OHL Goaltender of the Year Jack Ferguson Award First Overall Draft Pick Dave Pinkney Trophy Lowest Team GAA George McNamara George Andrew McNamara (August 26, 1886 – March 10, 1952)
697-522: 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
738-459: 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
779-459: 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. 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 to
820-601: The NHL included Drew Bannister , 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
861-581: 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 Oshawa captain Eric Lindros , who had originally been drafted by
SECTION 20
#1733085516606902-608: 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. The Greyhounds season of 1990–91 marked an incredible turnaround from seventh place
943-498: The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds picked a 16-year-old Wayne Gretzky , standing at 5 ft 8 in (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 teammate Brian Gualazzi. Gretzky then chose # 14 instead. After
984-748: The Senior A championship in 1921, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The 1924 Greyhounds also won the Allan Cup , becoming the only team from Sault Ste. Marie to do so. In October 1925, the club received an offer from New York to play as the Knickerbockers in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League. The Greyhounds joined the Central Amateur Hockey Association, a division of the United States Amateur Hockey Association for
1025-441: 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
1066-557: The classic logo. Centre Joe Thornton was the 1995–96 OHL rookie of the year and was the first player in the history of the franchise to be drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft . He was selected by the Boston Bruins . In the 2001–02 season, former Greyhound defenceman Craig Hartsburg took over as head coach after coaching stints in the NHL. Hartsburg was named the OHL coach of
1107-560: The duration of the war, and was Mentioned in Dispatches and promoted to major before being discharged and returning to Canada in March 1919. After returning from the service, McNamara became the coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (a team which he is credited for naming because "a greyhound is faster than a wolf" in reference to the local rivals, the Sudbury Wolves) and led the team to
1148-491: 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. In the 1992–93, the Greyhounds won their third consecutive Emms division title. They narrowly beat out
1189-488: The playoffs for the first time since 2004. After several trades in the organization had shown a shift to rebuilding the team, Dave Torrie (General Manager), took over head coaching duties with the firing of Denny Lambert in January 2011. Later that same year Dave Torrie was also relieved of his duties and replaced with Kyle Dubas as general manager. The fans also welcomed back Mike Stapleton as new Head Coach for next season, but
1230-539: 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, the Petes prevailed 4 games to 1, spoiling the Greyhounds chances of a third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup. Joining the Greyhounds and Petes in
1271-613: The season before, to finishing first place and winning the Emms division . General manager Sherwood Bassin put together pieces for coach Ted Nolan to win. Bassin was awarded Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL, was named both the OHL Executive of the Year , and the CHL Executive of the Year in 1991. The Greyhounds swept both playoff series and earned a second round bye to reach
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-582: The tournament, but gained valuable experience for next season. The 1991–92 Greyhounds repeated as winners of the Emms division. Sault 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
1353-486: The year that season, then left the team to join the coaching staff of the Philadelphia Flyers . Replacing Hartsburg was former Greyhound netminder, and part-owner of the team, John Vanbiesbrouck . Vanbiesbrouck was forced to resign as coach during the season as a result of racist comments he had made about team captain, Trevor Daley . Hartsburg returned as coach midway through the 2004–05 season. After playing at
1394-514: The year. The Greyhounds also had their longest post season run since 1994 , making it to the conference finals before losing to the Kitchener Rangers in five games. In the 2008–09 season, assistant coach Denny Lambert assumed head coaching duties after Craig Hartsburg left to become head coach of the NHL's Ottawa Senators . Assistant coach Toots Kovacs also left the team and was replaced by Mike Stapleton and Nick Warriner. The Greyhounds missed
1435-459: Was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a member of the 1914 Toronto Blueshirts Stanley Cup champions. His brothers Harold and Howard also played professional ice hockey. McNamara was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. When McNamara was a youngster, his family moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and it was in the Soo that he first learned the game of hockey. McNamara made his professional hockey debut playing with
1476-626: Was a member of the 228th Battalion team that played in the National Hockey Association before being ordered overseas on February 10, 1917. McNamara helped organize the Battalion's hockey team, and coached the junior affiliate. As many of the members of the 228th Battalion had rail construction and operation experience, it was re-designated as the 6th Battalion of the Canadian Railway Troops . McNamara served in this capacity for
1517-666: Was built in 1937. It was home to the Shawinigan Cataractes Ice hockey team . The arena is named in honour of Jacques Plante ; formerly, the building was known as the Shawinigan Municipal Auditorium . In 2008, the building was closed in favour of the new Centre Bionest located adjacent to the Arena Jacques Plante. 46°32′36″N 72°44′42″W / 46.5432°N 72.7450°W / 46.5432; -72.7450 This article about
1558-528: Was destroyed by fire. The senior Greyhounds team was revived in 1948. The new team played out of a temporary home at Pullar Stadium, in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, U.S.A., 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. The current Greyhounds Junior A franchise
1599-614: Was fired and replaced on December 3, 2012, by Sheldon Keefe. After the 2014–15 OHL season , the Greyhounds had taken the Hamilton Spectator Trophy while setting a franchise record in regular season points. During the 2015 playoffs, the Greyhounds had their run ended by Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters in the Western Conference Finals. After one of the teams best seasons, head coach Sheldon Keefe had signed with
1640-558: Was founded in 1962 as a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). The team's founders were Angelo Bumbacco, Lloyd Prokop, Phil Suraci, Pat Esposito and Bill Kelly. During the Greyhounds ten seasons in the NOJHL, they never had a losing season, and won the league championship three times. In 1972, the Greyhounds entered the Ontario Hockey Association as a Major Junior A expansion team. The original founders served as directors, joined by Frank Caputo and Frank Sarlo. Angelo Bumbacco died on October 27, 2020, aged 88. In 1977 ,
1681-454: Was twice voted the OHL Coach of the Year, winning the Matt Leyden Trophy in 1982-83 and 1984–85. Craig Hartsburg won the award in 2001–02. Most recently Drew Bannister won the award in 2017–18. List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses. Since Sault Ste. Marie joined the OHA in 1972, the Greyhounds have sent 77 alumni onto play in the NHL. Three of those ( Paul Coffey , Ron Francis and Wayne Gretzky ) have been inducted into