Guelph Platers

Guelph Platers
CityGuelph, Ontario
League
Operated1968–1989
Home arenaGuelph Memorial Gardens
ColoursRed, yellow, and white
Franchise history
1968–1972Guelph CMC's
1972–1975Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters
1975–1989Guelph Platers
1989–2000Owen Sound Platers
2000–presentOwen Sound Attack
Previous franchise history
1968–1969Guelph Imperials
1969–1970Guelph Beef Kings (merged)
Championships
Playoff championships

The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A 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.

History

Early years

The CMC's were founded as members of the Central Junior B Hockey League, now the Ontario Junior Hockey League, in 1968. In 1970, the CMC's merged with and took the place of the Guelph Beef Kings of the Western Junior "A" Hockey League (formerly the Western Division of the Big 10). The league was reincorporated into the Ontario Hockey Association and changed its name to the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League for the 1970–71 season. CMC was an acronym for Central Mechanical Contractors.

Southern Junior A

After two years playing in the SOJHL, the CMC's won the Junior 'A' league title, in the 1971–72 season. In the Ontario Championship, they took on the Thunder Bay Vulcans of the now defunct Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League. The CMC's were leading 3-games-to-2 (5–4, 5–4, 3–7, 0–7, 6–2) when they won the series by default after the Vulcans discontinued.

Moving onto the Eastern Canadian Final, the CMC's faced Charlottetown from the Island Junior Hockey League. The result of the series was a four-game sweep (5–2, 6–3, 5–2, 5–2), in favour of Guelph.

Guelph travelled to the Centennial Cup versus the Red Deer Rustlers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The CMC's swept the Rustlers (4–2, 3–2, 3–1, 3–0), taking the National title. The team was coached by Bill Taylor and starred Paul Fendley, Doug Risebrough, and John Van Boxmeer.[1]

In 1972 the CMC's changed their names to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. The Biltmores won the SOJHL championship again in 1975, then defeated the Smiths Falls Bears of the Central Junior A Hockey League in 6 games (8–3, 3–4, 7–2, 6–4, 3–6, 5–2) to reach the Centennial Cup finals a second time.

The Biltmores were defeated 4-games-to-2 (3–4, 2–3, 4–1, 5–2, 6–3, 6–5 OT) by the Spruce Grove Mets of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 1975 Biltmores were bolsterted on defence by late season pick-up Craig Hartsburg of Minnesota North Stars fame.[1]

Following the season, the Biltmores were bought by the Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers.

In 1975, the Biltmores of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (SOJHL) were bought by Guelph, Ontario's wealthy Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The team name was changed to the Guelph Holody Platers, and team remained in the SOJHL for the next two years, finishing first both times.[2]

OHA Junior 'A' years

The SOJHL folded in 1977. Two of its four teams, Guelph and the Hamilton Mountain A's, became part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. The Platers, featuring future Montreal Canadiens goaltender Brian Hayward, won the 1977–78 Manitoba Centennial Trophy as national Junior 'A' champions. It was the second national title for the franchise, which had also won the Centennial Cup in 1972 as the CMC's.

In 1978–79, the Platers became the first team to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup as provincial champions. In the 1980–81 season, the Platers reached the Tier II championship for southern Ontario, but were defeated by another future OHL team, the Belleville Bulls. The 1981–82 season proved to be the last season for the Platers in the OHA-A. As they won their second Dudley Hewitt Cup, they were announced as the latest expansion team of the Ontario Hockey League.

OHL Major Junior years

After being turned down as an OHL expansion team in 1981, Guelph was approved the next year for the 1982–83 season. Guelph's first season in the OHL was dismal. The team set OHL records at the time for losing 63 of their 70 games, for most home and away losses, and most goals against in one season with 555. All of these records have since been surpassed by other teams in the Canadian Hockey League.

In 1986, the Guelph Platers caught the entire Canadian Hockey League off-guard. Led by coach Jacques Martin, the team reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history by finishing second in the Emms Division (Western Conference). The Platers continued their hard work through the playoffs, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating the Belleville Bulls 8 points to 4 in the final. Guelph travelled to the Memorial Cup that year, bringing home the national championship to complete their Cinderella season.

Memorial Cup 1986

The Memorial Cup championship of 1986 was hosted by the Western Hockey League, with games originally scheduled for New Westminster, British Columbia, but were switched to Portland, Oregon due to a hotel shortage caused by Expo '86. Their opponents would be the Portland Winter Hawks (hosts), Kamloops Blazers (WHL Champs) and the Hull Olympiques (QMJHL Champs.

Guelph finished first in the round-robin and took a bye to the finals, where they would play the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL for the championship. The surprise season ended with two pairs of surprise goals 11 and 13 seconds apart respectively. The Platers won the game 5–2 to capture the Memorial Cup.

Game Home Score Away Score
Game 1 Hull Olympiques 7 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 5
Game 2 Guelph Platers 5 vs. Kamloops Blazers 3
Game 3 Portland Winter Hawks 6 vs. Guelph Platers 4
Game 4 Hull Olympiques 5 vs. Kamloops Blazers 4 (OT)
Game 5 Guelph Platers 3 vs. Hull Olympiques 1
Game 6 Kamloops Blazers 6 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 5
Tie-breaker Kamloops Blazers 8 vs. Portland Winter Hawks 1
Semi-final Hull Olympiques 9 vs. Kamloops Blazers 3
Final Guelph Platers 5 vs. Hull Olympiques 2

Fame was short-lived for the Platers however. The team suffered through more losing seasons with poor attendance. After the 1988–89 season, the Holodys moved the team to Owen Sound, Ontario, retaining the name "Platers". Alec Campagnaro was given the Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL in 1989.

Championships

SOJAHL Jack Oakes Trophy final appearances: 1971 (lost), 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (won)
OPJHL Frank L. Buckland Trophy final appearances: 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
Ontario Hockey Association Tier II All-Ontario final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
CJAHL Dudley Hewitt Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won) 1976 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won)
CJAHL Centennial Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (lost), 1978 (won), 1982 (lost)
J. Ross Robertson Cup final appearances: 1986 (won)
Memorial Cup final appearances: 1986 (won)

Coaches

Jacques Martin was a former NCAA goalie turned coach. In his one year in Guelph, he completely turned around the franchise making them into national champions. He was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the year in 1986. The following year he was hired as the head coach of the NHL St. Louis Blues.

  • 1982–83 – Don McKee
  • 1983–85 – Joe Contini
  • 1983–85 – J.Contini, Mike Mahoney, Rob Holody
  • 1985–86 – Jacques Martin
  • 1986–87 – Gary Spoar, Rob Holody
  • 1987–88 – Floyd Crawford
  • 1988–89 – Ron Smith

Players

Award winners

Retired numbers

18 – Paul Fendley, a member of the SOJAHL's Guelph CMC's who died in an on-ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens in 1972. His number has not been issued to a player since, by the Guelph CMC's, Guelph Platers, or Guelph Storm. Paul Fendley's number was officially retired on Nov 15, 2008.

Paul Fendley of Georgetown, Ontario was a member of the 1971–72 Guelph CMC's who died as a result of an on ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens during Guelph's Centennial Cup 1972 victory. The 19-year-old player died at Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital on May 8, 1972, seventy-three hours after striking his head on the arena ice.

Fendley was checked by an opponent with 11 minutes to play in the game. He tried to catch his balance while still handling the puck and lost his helmet in the process, falling and striking the bare back of his head on the ice.

Fendley was the 1972 SOJHL Leading Scorer with 20 goals and 24 assists in 43 games. He also scored 14 goals and 18 assists in 26 playoff games before his accident. The game in which he was fatally injured was the final and clinching game of the Centennial Cup.[1]

NHL alumni

Platers

CMC's/Mad Hatters

  • List of alumni who played in the NHL or WHA:[9][10]

Season-by-season results

Season Games Won Lost Tied Points Pct % Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing Playoffs
1968–69 36 12 16 8 32 0.444 127 152 6th CJBHL
1969–70 40 13 22 5 31 0.388 157 181 5th CJBHL
1970–71 44 23 16 5 51 0.580 235 209 3rd SOJHL Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons 4-games-to-1 with 1 tie in semifinal
Detroit Jr. Red Wings defeated Guelph CMC's in final 3-games-to-2 with 2 ties
1971–72 56 41 10 5 87 0.777 261 140 1st SOJHL Guelph CMC's defeated St. Thomas Barons 4-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4-games-to-1 SOJHL champions
Guelph CMC's defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (NOJHA) 3-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Thunder Bay Vulcans (TBJHL) 4-games-to-2
Guelph CMC's defeated Charlottetown Islanders 4-games-to-none Dudley Hewitt Cup champions
Guelph CMC's defeated Red Deer Rustlers (AJHL) 4-games-to-none 1972 Centennial Cup champions
1972–73 60 39 13 8 86 0.717 326 212 1st SOJHL Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4-games-to-none
Guelph CMC's defeated Windsor Spitfires 4-games-to-none
Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's in finals 4-games-to-3 with 1 tie
1973–74 62 34 24 4 72 0.581 343 258 4th SOJHL Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's in quarterfinal 4-games-to-none with 1 tie
1974–75 60 23 31 6 52 0.433 257 287 4th SOJHL Guelph CMC's defeated Welland Sabres 4-games-to-1
Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons 3-games-to-2 with 2 ties
Guelph CMC's defeated Windsor Spitfires 4-games-to-3 with 1 tie SOJHL champions
Guelph CMC's defeated Toronto Nationals (OPJHL) 4-games-to-2 Buckland Cup champions
Guelph CMC's defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 4-games-to-1
Guelph CMC's defeated Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) 4-games-to-2 Dudley Hewitt Cup champions
Spruce Grove Mets (AJHL) defeated Guelph CMC's in 1975 Centennial Cup 4-games-to-2
1975–76 60 41 9 10 92 0.767 400 238 1st SOJHL Guelph Platers defeated Welland Sabres 4-games-to-1
Guelph Platers defeated Chatham Maroons 4-games-to-none SOJHL champions
Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers (OPJHL) 4-games-to-1 Buckland Cup champions
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 4-games-to-1
Rockland Nationals (CJHL) defeated Guelph Platers in Dudley Hewitt Cup semifinal 4-games-to-3
1976–77 35 23 5 7 53 0.757 243 118 1st SOJAHL Guelph Platers defeated Owen Sound Greys 4-games-to-2 with 1 tie
Guelph Platers defeated Collingwood Blues 4-games-to-none SOJHL champions
North York Rangers (OPJHL) defeated Guelph Platers in OHA Buckland Cup 4-games-to-3
1977–78 50 38 8 4 80 0.800 360 197 1st OPJHL Guelph Platers defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-2
Guelph Platers defeated Royal York Royals 4-games-to-1 OPJHL champions
Guelph Platers defeated Degagne Hurricanes (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) 4-games-to-1
Guelph Platers defeated Charlottetown Eagles (IJHL) 4-games-to-2 Dudley Hewitt Cup champions
Guelph Platers defeated Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) 4-games-to-none 1978 Centennial Cup champions
1978–79 50 33 12 5 71 0.710 294 186 1st OPJHL Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-1 OPJHL champions
Guelph Platers defeated Nickel Centre Native Sons 2-games-to-none Buckland Cup champions
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay North Stars (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL) 4-games-to-2 Dudley Hewitt Cup champions
Third place in 1979 Centennial Cup round robin (1–3)
1979–80 44 21 17 6 48 0.545 215 175 7th OPJHL North York Rangers defeated Guelph Platers in quarterfinal 4-games-to-3
1980–81 44 32 10 2 66 0.750 269 187 2nd OPJHL Guelph Platers defeated Brampton Warriors 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-3
Belleville Bulls defeated Guelph Platers in finals 4-games-to-1
1981–82 50 40 4 6 86 0.860 328 152 1st OJHL Guelph Platers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Richmond Hill Rams 4-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1 OJHL champions
Guelph Platers defeated Onaping Falls Huskies (NOJHL) 3-games-to-none Buckland Cup champions
Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay Kings (TBJHL) 3-games-to-none
Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) 4-games-to-none Dudley Hewitt Cup champions
Guelph Platers defeated Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) 4-games-to-1 Eastern Canada champions
Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) defeated Guelph Platers in 1982 Centennial Cup final 4-games-to-none
1982–83 70 7 63 0 14 0.100 246 555 8th Emms did not qualify
1983–84 70 20 46 4 44 0.314 252 366 7th Emms did not qualify
1984–85 66 21 40 5 47 0.356 230 332 7th Emms did not qualify
1985–86 66 41 23 2 84 0.636 297 235 2nd Emms Defeated Sudbury Wolves 8 points to 0 in first round.
Won quarter-final round robin vs. North Bay Centennials & Windsor Spitfires.
Defeated Windsor Spitfires 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
Defeated Belleville Bulls 8 points to 4 in OHL finals.
Defeated Hull Olympiques 5–2 in 1986 Memorial Cup finals.[16]
1986–87 66 29 35 2 60 0.455 275 281 6th Emms Lost to Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 1 in first round.[17]
1987–88 66 21 40 5 47 0.356 249 318 7th Emms did not qualify
1988–89 66 26 32 8 60 0.455 257 288 4th Emms Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in first round.[18]

Arena

The Guelph Platers played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens located in downtown Guelph. The team and the arena played host to the OHL All-Star game in 1984. Demolition of the Gardens began in 2006.[19]

The Imperials and Beef Kings

The Guelph Imperials played the new Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League in the 1968–69 season,[20] then played as the Guelph Beef Kings in the 1969–70 season.[21] After two seasons of coexisting with the Junior B level Guelph CMC's, the teams merged in 1970, playing in the OHA as a Tier II Junior A league.

Season-by-season results
Season GP W L T GF GA P Results Playoffs
1968–69 56 23 32 1 232 276 47 4th WOJAHL Lost semifinals 1–4 to Brantford Foresters
1969–70 57 21 35 1 206 286 43 4th WOJAHL Lost semifinals 0–4 to Brantford Foresters

References

  1. ^ a b c "National Champions". Shaw Communications. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Guelph Holody Platers Statistics and History [SOJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  3. ^ "Guelph Holody Platers all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  4. ^ "Guelph Platers all-time player list [OJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  5. ^ "Guelph Platers all-time player list [OHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  6. ^ "Brian MacLellan Hockey Stats and Profile". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  7. ^ "Grant Martin Stats And News". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  8. ^ "Doug Shedden Hockey Stats and Profile". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  9. ^ "Guelph C.M.C.'s all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  10. ^ "Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  11. ^ "Guelph C.M.C.'s Statistics and History [COJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  12. ^ "Guelph C.M.C.'s Statistics and History [SOJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  13. ^ "Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  14. ^ "Guelph Platers Statistics and History [OJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  15. ^ "Guelph Platers Statistics and History [OHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  16. ^ "1985–86 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  17. ^ "1986–87 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  18. ^ "1988–89 OHL Playoff Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  19. ^ Jordan, Kevin (December 5, 2019). "Guelph Storm". The OHL Arena Guide. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  20. ^ "Guelph Imperials Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  21. ^ "Guelph Beef Kings Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
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