ort William Hurricanes represented region at first-ever event in Oshawa back in ‘74
THUNDER BAY – The 2019 TELUS Cup Canadian National Midget Championship, April 22-28, at the Fort William Gardens, will mark the 45th year of this prestigious event, but just the second time it will be staged in Thunder Bay.
The 2019-host Thunder Bay Kings, in conjunction with Hockey Canada, Hockey Northwestern Ontario and the Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association, continue to recognize past clubs from the Lakehead that competed for a national title.
Dubbed the Wrigley Cup in its initial years, the first-year Canadian midget championship was held in Oshawa, Ont., back in 1974.
Earning the right to represent the Thunder Bay Amateur Hockey Association (HNO) at the 12-team tourney, four and a half decades ago, was the Fort William Hurricanes.
Coached by the late Joe MacArthur, who was a member of the 1939 Allan Cup Canadian Senior Championship-winning Port Arthur Bearcats side, the Hurricanes were among 12 teams from across the country that competed.
Facing some stiff competition, the Herks were one of five clubs that finished tied for eighth overall with a 1-4 record.
Their only victory came against the Kingston Realtors (4-2), who went on to capture the silver medal, falling to the Verdun Leafs of Quebec in the final. (5-3).
Named Most Valuable Player at the ’74 Wrigley was Kingston’s Ken ‘The Rat’ Linseman, who went on to play 13-plus years in the National Hockey League with four different clubs, including six seasons with the Boston Bruins.
Among the players on the Hurricanes roster were future Allan Cup winners, with the Thunder Bay Twins, in Tim Pagee, Larry Naismith and Jamie McDonald.
As for this year’s event-host Thunder Bay major midget Kings, they’ll commence their quest on the TELUS Cup trail next week as the Hockey Northwestern Ontario AAA Branch Championships get underway as they take on the rival Kenora Thistles in a best-of-five series.
Game 1 and 2 will be held in Kenora March 15-16 before the match-up shifts to Fort William First Nation Arena for Game 3, and if necessary, 4 & 5, March 22-24.
The winner there will then move on to represent the region at the West Regional, April 4-7, in Tisdale, Sask.
Joining the HNO champion and the host Tisdale Trojans at the four-team event will be the title holders from the Manitoba and Saskatchewan AAA Hockey Leagues.
Should the Kings advance to the regional and make it to either the final or win it, then the finalist and/or champion will also head to Thunder Bay for the TELUS Cup.
TELUS Cup game ticket packages and volunteer information are both available via the organization’s website at thunderbaykings.com.
1973 Fort William Hurricanes
STAFF
Head coach: Joe MacArthur
Assistant coach: Rick Dykes
Trainer: Rod Skirving
PLAYERS
Larry Naismith; Raymond Off; Dave Beitz; Dave Krasnichuk; Russ Wakewich; Terry Bevilaqua; Murray Wasylenko; John Doughty; Jerry Oleksuk; Chris Kubinec; Jamie McDonald; Jerry Bannon; Joe Raynak; Mitchell Roman; Tommy Kinsman; Tom Irwin; Tim Pagee; Dave Kabernick
HNO AAA Midget District Championship
Thunder Bay major midget Kings vs. Kenora Thistles
Best-of-five series
Game 1: Friday, March 15 – 8:30 p.m. (Kenora Rec. Centre)
Game 2: Saturday, March 16 – 2 p.m. (KRC)
Game 3: Friday, March 22 – 7:30 p.m. (Fort William First Nation Arena)
Game 4*: Saturday, March 23 – 1 p.m. (FWFNA)
Game 5*: Sunday, March 24 – 1 p.m. (FWFNA)
* – if necessary
