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.[1]
A couple of 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, 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.[2] The Greyhounds joined the Central Amateur Hockey Association, a division of the United States Amateur Hockey Association for the 1925–26 season.[3] 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 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.
Modern era
The current Greyhounds Junior A franchise 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.[4]
Wayne Gretzky 1977–78
In 1977, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds picked a 16-year-old Wayne Gretzky, standing at 5ft 8in (173cm) and weighing 155 pounds (70kg), 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 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.[5]
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 the Emms Family Award as the rookie of the year, and the William Hanley Trophy as most gentlemanly player.
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.
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 Oshawa captain Eric Lindros, who had originally been drafted by 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 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 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 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.
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. Jarret 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, 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.[8] 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. 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 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 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 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 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.[9]
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, five Hamilton Spectator Trophy titles, three J. Ross Robertson Cup titles, and one Memorial Cup title.
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 the Hockey Hall of Fame.
There are six 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 and 1925. Bill Cook was inducted in 1952, while Bun wasn't inducted until 1995 in the defunct Veteran category. Tony Esposito played for the Greyhounds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) during the 1962–63 season, and was inducted into the Hall in 1988.
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.
1999–2000 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.
2007–08 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
2008–09 Out of playoffs.
2009–10 Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
2010–11 Out of playoffs.
2011–12 Out of playoffs.
2012–13 Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
2013–14 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
2014–15 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
2015-16 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
2016-17 Defeated Flint Firebirds 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
2017-18 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals. Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in conference finals. Lost to Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 2 in finals.
2018-19 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
2019–20 Out of playoffs.
2020–21 Cancelled.
2021-22 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Flint Firebirds 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
2022–23 Out of playoffs.
2023-24 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Uniforms and logos
The Greyhounds colours are predominantly red and white, with uniforms in a style very similar to the Detroit Red Wings. 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 three seasons of their existence.[citation needed]
From 1996 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. For the 2009-10 switchover to the Reebok Edge jersey system, the Greyhounds returned to their classic jerseys from the 1970s and early 80s, including removing black & silver from their logo. In 2013, the team switched to jerseys identical to those of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings.[citation needed]
The Greyhounds have used third jerseys since 2006, when the team introduced a black third jersey with a "Soo Greyhounds" script logo, as well as red, white, and grey trim, and stars around the waist. The jersey was slightly updated for its 2010 return after the Reebok Edge switchover, but was completely replaced in 2013 in favour of a simpler red third jersey with the running greyhound as the main logo, and a white nameplate with red lettering.[citation needed]
Arenas
Sault Memorial GardensGFL Memorial Gardens with old Steelback Centre logo
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 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan was used until a new indoor facility was built. The Greyhounds returned to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan again in 1979, playing for about a month at Taffy Abel Arena on the campus of Lake Superior State University due to emergency roof repairs at the Gardens.[citation needed]
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 28, 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.[11]
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. The Rangers have won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions in 1981, 1982, 2003 and 2008. They have appeared in six Memorial Cups, advancing to the final game of the tournament each of those six years. They are two-time Memorial Cup champions.
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.
The Guelph Storm are a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.
The Sudbury Wolves are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ice hockey team based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
The Plymouth Whalers were a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They played out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, a suburb of Detroit until 2015 when they were relocated to Flint, Michigan.
The Saginaw Spirit are a major junior ice hockey team based in Saginaw, Michigan. They are members of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of the Major Junior leagues of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). In 2024, the team won the Memorial Cup, their first championship since the franchise moved to Saginaw in 2002, and became only the third American team to win the Memorial Cup.
The Windsor Spitfires are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1971, the franchise was promoted to the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League for the 1975–76 season. An unrelated Windsor Spitfires team, founded in 1946, moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953, and later became the Erie Otters in 1996.
The Detroit Junior Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons from 1992 to 1995. The Jr. Red Wings were based in Detroit, Michigan.
Owen Sound Platers was a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Owen Sound, Ontario. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, then was sold to new owners who renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.
The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's until 1972, the Biltmore Mad Hatters until 1975, and then took on the name Platers. The Platers were promoted to the Ontario Hockey League in 1982 and moved to Owen Sound in 1989. The franchise played in the Guelph Memorial Gardens.
The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
The Wayne Gretzky Trophy is awarded annually to the champion of the Western conference playoffs in the Ontario Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1999. The winning team competes for the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the OHL finals versus the Bobby Orr Trophy winner.
The Brantford Alexanders were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League from 1978 to 1984. The team was based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
The 2001–02 OHL season was the 22nd season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Erie Otters defeated the Barrie Colts for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The 1982–83 OHL season was the third season of the Ontario Hockey League. The Niagara Falls Flyers move to North Bay, Ontario, becoming the Centennials. The Guelph Platers are granted an expansion franchise. Fifteen teams each played 70 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
The 1993 Memorial Cup took place 15–23 May 1993, at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It was the 75th annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
The 1992 Memorial Cup occurred May 9–17 at the Coliseum in Seattle. It was the 74th annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the Western Hockey League host Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League which were the Verdun Collège Français, Kamloops Blazers and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Kamloops won their first Memorial Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating Sault Ste. Marie in the final game on Zac Boyer's game-winning goal with 14 seconds remaining in regulation time.
The 1991 Memorial Cup occurred May 11–19 at the Colisée de Québec in Quebec City, Quebec. It was the 73rd annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens and runner-up Drummondville Voltigeurs, as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Spokane Chiefs. The original host team, the Beauport Harfangs, dropped out after finishing 26-40-4 in the 1990–91 QMJHL season and failing to qualify for the playoffs. Spokane, led by the high-scoring duo of Pat Falloon and Ray Whitney, dominated the tournament and won their first Memorial Cup, defeating Drummondville 5-1 in the final game. The Chiefs became the second American team to win the Memorial Cup.
The 1990 Memorial Cup occurred May 5–13 at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. It was the 72nd annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the Ontario Hockey League champion Oshawa Generals and runner-up Kitchener Rangers, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Laval Titan and Kamloops Blazers. The original host team, the short-lived Dukes of Hamilton, were forced to drop out after only winning eleven games in the 1989–90 OHL season. Oshawa won their 4th Memorial Cup, defeating Kitchener in the final game.
The 1985 Memorial Cup took place on May 11–18 at the Shawinigan Municipal Auditorium in Shawinigan, Quebec and at Centre Civique in Drummondville, Quebec. It was the 67th annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The tournament was originally only to be played in Shawinigan, but support columns in the seats of the ancient Auditorium made televising the games impossible and the tournament was moved to Drummondville after the second game. Participating teams were the host team Shawinigan Cataractes, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Verdun Junior Canadiens, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Prince Albert Raiders. Prince Albert won their first Memorial Cup, defeating Shawinigan in the final game.
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