Barrie Flyers

Barrie Flyers
CityBarrie, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey Association
Operated1945 (1945)–1960
Home arenaBarrie Arena
ColoursWhite, black and gold
Parent clubBoston Bruins
Franchise history
1945–1960Barrie Flyers
1960–1972Niagara Falls Flyers
1972–presentSudbury Wolves
Championships
Playoff championships1951 Memorial Cup
1953 Memorial Cup

The Barrie Flyers were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from 1945 to 1960. Based in Barrie, Ontario, the Flyers played home games at the Barrie Arena.[1] The team was operated by Hap Emms as a farm team of the Boston Bruins, won the J. Ross Robertson Cup four times as OHA champions, and won the Memorial Cup as junior champions of Canada in 1951 and 1953.

History

The Barrie Flyers joined the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) junior A division for the 1945–46 OHA season.[2][3] The Flyers were owned and managed by Hap Emms,[4] and were established as a farm team to the St. Louis Flyers of the American Hockey League.[3]

By the 1947–48 season, the Flyers has become a farm team for the Boston Bruins.[5] Barrie defeated the Windsor Spitfires for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.[6] Barrie then defeated the Montreal Nationales to win the George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canadian champions. In the 1948 Memorial Cup, the Flyers lost to the Port Arthur West End Bruins in a best-of-seven series played at Maple Leaf Gardens. The series 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.[7]

In the 1948–49 season, Barrie won the OHA championship versus the Toronto Marlboros,[6] then lost to the Montreal Royals in the Eastern Canada final.[8] Despite having won the OHA championship, Emms felt that operating the team in Barrie was not financially viable with renovations to their arena to increase capacity from 2,700 to 5,000.[9]

1951 Barrie Flyers

In the 1950–51 season, the Bruins established a second farm team in the Waterloo Hurricanes, but gave priority to the Barrie Flyers for receiving prospects.[10] Barrie won the OHA championship again versus the Toronto Marlboros.[6] Canadian Amateur Hockey Association vice-president W. B. George oversaw the Flyers versus Quebec Citadelles series for 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.[11][12] 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 the series if game seven was played in Barrie.[13] The Flyers won the 1951 Memorial Cup played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They swept the Winnipeg Monarchs in a best-of-seven series.[14]

In the 1952–53 season, Barrie won the OHA championship versus the Toronto St. Michael's Majors.[6] The Flyers won the 1953 Memorial Cup in 1953 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba, defeating the St. Boniface Canadiens in a best-of-seven series.[15]

In 1955, the Flyers received five Boston Bruins' prospect players from the defunct Galt Black Hawks.[16] In the 1955–56 season, Barrie reached the OHA finals and lost to the Toronto Marlboros.[6]

In 1960, the Flyers relocated to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Emms stated that it was financially impossible to operate in Barrie and that the arena's new roof would not be ready for the next season. During the 1959–60 season, the Flyers had an average attendance of 1,400 fans per game. Emms previously considered relocating the team to North Bay, Ontario, but opted for Niagara Falls based on prospective attendance figures and a larger population nearby.[17]

Players

Award winners

Notable alumni

List of Flyers' alumni who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) or World Hockey Association:[20]

Season-by-season results

Regular season and playoffs results:[24]

Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions Memorial Cup finalists League champions League finalists
SeasonRegular seasonPlayoffs
GPWLTPtsPctGFGAFinish
1945–46288182180.308891717th OHADid not qualify
1946–473517162360.5141291446th OHAWon quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 2–0[25]
Lost semifinal (Galt Red Wings) 2–1[26]
1947–483623130460.6391981163rd OHAWon quarterfinal (Stratford Kroehlers) 2–0[27]
Won semifinal (Galt Rockets) 3–2[28]
Won OHA final (Windsor Spitfires) 4–2[29]
Won Eastern Canada semifinal (Porcupine Combines) 3–0[30]
Won Eastern Canada final (Montreal Nationales) 3–0[31]
Lost 1948 Memorial Cup final (Port Arthur West End Bruins) 4–0[32]
1948–494828164600.6252081342nd OHAWon semifinal (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0[33]
Won OHA final (Toronto Marlboros) 4–0[34]
Won Eastern Canada semifinal (Porcupine Combines) 4–0[35]
Lost Eastern Canada final (Montreal Junior Royals) 4–0[36]
1949–504821243450.4691802175th OHAWon quarterfinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 3–2[37]
Lost semifinal (Guelph Biltmores) 3–1[38]
1950–515438142780.7222761611st OHAWon quarterfinal (Galt Black Hawks) 3–0[39]
Won semifinal (Windsor Spitfires) 3–0[40]
Won OHA final (Toronto Marlboros) 4–2[41]
Won Eastern Canada final (Quebec Citadelles) 4–3[42]
Won 1951 Memorial Cup final (Winnipeg Monarchs) 4–0[43]
1951–525322301470.4252252307th OHADid not qualify
1952–535637172760.6792581871st OHAWon semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 5–2[44]
Won OHA final (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 5–3[45]
Won Eastern Canada final (Quebec Citadelles) 4–1[46]
Won 1953 Memorial Cup final (St. Boniface Canadiens) 4–1[47]
1953–545925331510.4322602857th OHADid not qualify
1954–554918310360.3671692517th OHADid not qualify
1955–564820253430.4481792076th OHAWon quarterfinal (Kitchener Canucks) 4–3–1[48]
Won semifinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 3–2[49]
Lost OHA final (Toronto Marlboros) 4–1[50]
1956–575213372280.2691472186th OHALost quarterfinal (St. Catharines Teepees) 3–0[51]
1957–585118294400.3922012346th OHALost quarterfinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 3–1[52]
1958–595421276480.4441781925th OHALost quarterfinal (Peterborough Petes) 4–2[53]
1959–604824186540.562191723rd OHALost quarterfinal (Peterborough Petes) 3–1–2[54]

References

  1. ↑ Jordan, Kevin (December 7, 2019). "Barrie Arena, Barrie Colts". The OHL Arena Guide. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  2. ↑ "O.H.A. Demands Bond From Junior A Clubs". Ottawa Journal. British United Press. October 1, 1945. p. 21.
  3. 1 2 Dane, Bill (October 2, 1945). "Casual Comment on Sport". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. p. 10.
  4. ↑ "Leighton (Hap) Emms: Hockey man was mentor to youth". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. October 24, 1988. p. 17.
  5. ↑ Lapp and Macaulay (1997), p. 82
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.
  7. ↑ Lapp and Macaulay (1997), pp. 82–84
  8. ↑ Lapp and Macaulay (1997), pp. 84–86
  9. ↑ "Need Bigger Arena To 'Make A Go' of Flyers–Hap Emms". Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune. Welland, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 16, 1949. p. 14.
  10. ↑ Johnston, Lloyd (October 13, 1950). "Waterloo Junior Club Studded With Rookies". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. p. 30.; Johnston, Lloyd (January 22, 1951). "Head Scout Says Selke to Send Top Junior Talent to Kitchener". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. p. 13.
  11. ↑ "Popular Valley Figure: W. B. George Retiring From KAS Post". Ottawa Journal. September 24, 1960. p. 7.
  12. ↑ "On-Off Junior Series Finally Settled". Medicine Hat News. April 24, 1951. p. 3.
  13. ↑ "Smoke Still Rising: But Playoff Locations Settled". Lethbridge Herald. April 28, 1951. p. 17.
  14. ↑ Lapp and Macaulay (1997), pp. 91–93
  15. ↑ Lapp and Macaulay (1997), pp. 96–98
  16. ↑ "Ontario's Junior A Teams Start 49-Game Season, Memorial Cup Is Their Target". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. October 28, 1955.
  17. ↑ "Emms Passes Up North Bay, Shifts Team To Niagara". North Bay Nugget. The Canadian Press. August 16, 1960. p. 12.
  18. ↑ "Most Valuable Junior Player". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. April 19, 1949. p. 19.
  19. ↑ "2 Tossed Out As Marlboros Upset Barrie". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 9, 1951. p. 17.
  20. ↑ "Barrie Flyers all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Kelly Burnett–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Marv Edwards–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Wayne Maxner–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Statistics and History [OHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Barrie, Galt Move Ahead". Windsor Star. February 25, 1947. p. 19.
  26. ↑ "Galt, St. Mikes Make OHA Final". Standard-Freeholder. Cornwall, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 10, 1947. p. 10.
  27. ↑ "Stratford Eliminated". Ottawa Journal. February 24, 1948. p. 23.
  28. ↑ "Galt Rockets Sidelined by Barrie Flyers". The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune. The Canadian Press. March 8, 1948. p. 7.
  29. ↑ "Barrie Team Wins OHA Junior Title". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. March 22, 1948. p. 16.
  30. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Reign As Ontario Champs". The Sault Star. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 30, 1948. p. 11.
  31. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Gain Memorial Cup Finals". The Winnipeg Tribune. April 16, 1948. p. 18.
  32. ↑ Iszak, Wally (May 3, 1948). "Bruins Take Memorial Cup In Bitterly Contested Game". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. p. 18.
  33. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Oust Windsor In 4 Straight". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 3, 1949. p. 18.
  34. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Sweep Series; Now Meet North". North Bay Nugget. March 22, 1949. p. 11.
  35. ↑ "Barrie Ready For Next Set". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. April 4, 1949. p. 17.
  36. ↑ Bastable, Jim (April 18, 1949). "Junior Royals Defeat Barrie Flyers, Jump Into Next Round". Standard-Freeholder. Cornwall, Ontario. The Canadian Press. p. 10.
  37. ↑ "Flyers' Overtime Counter Spells End for St. Mike's". The Kingston Whig-Standard. The Canadian Press. March 4, 1950. p. 11.
  38. ↑ "2nd-Overtime Goal Puts Guelph Into 'A' Finals". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 11, 1950. p. 15.
  39. ↑ "Flyers Eliminate Galt Hawks By Winning Three Straight". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 20, 1951. p. 14.
  40. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Move Into Final, Ousting Spits Three Straight". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 29, 1951. p. 16.
  41. ↑ "Chevrefils Scores Clincher, Flyers Eliminate Marlies". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 11, 1951. p. 14.
  42. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Beat Citadelles To Win Eastern Hockey Title". The Evening Times-Globe. Saint John, New Brunswick. The Canadian Press. April 30, 1951. p. 16.
  43. ↑ Vickery, Al (May 9, 1951). "Barrie Flyers End Series, Capture Cup". Standard-Freeholder. Cornwall, Ontario. The Canadian Press. p. 17.
  44. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Oust Marlies; St. Mike's Thrash Galt 9–3". North Bay Nugget. The Canadian Press. March 26, 1953. p. 19.
  45. ↑ "Irish Ousted By Barrie In 8th Game, 5–3". Niagara Falls Review. Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 13, 1953. p. 14.
  46. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Capture Eastern Canadian Title". The Evening Tribune. The Canadian Press. April 23, 1953. p. 17.
  47. ↑ "Flyers Win Memorial Cup". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. May 7, 1953. p. 28.
  48. ↑ "Barrie Flyers Top Kitchener 6–2". The Moncton Daily Times. The Canadian Press. March 15, 1956. p. 14.
  49. ↑ "Flyers Blank Majors, Will Meet Marlies". Niagara Falls Review. Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 26, 1956. p. 14.
  50. ↑ "Marlies Cop 2nd Straight Junior Title". Windsor Star. The Canadian Press. April 5, 1956. p. 27.
  51. ↑ "Teepees In Semifinals: Knockout Flyers 6–3". The Evening Tribune. The Canadian Press. March 11, 1957. p. 10.
  52. ↑ "St. Michael's Ousts Flyers On 9–1 Win". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 13, 1958. p. 28.
  53. ↑ "Scotty's Petes Advance". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. March 14, 1959. p. 9.
  54. ↑ "Petes, Teepees Win Quarterfinal Series". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 11, 1960. p. 8.

Sources

  • Lapp, Richard M.; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
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