1971 Memorial Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1971 Memorial Cup was a best-of-three series between the Quebec Remparts
of the Quebec Junior Hockey League
(QJHL) and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Hockey League
(WCHL). Quebec won the series in two games, both held at the Colisee de Quebec, to win the first Memorial Cup
championship in the city's history.
The national playdowns were marred by controversy as the Remparts advanced to the championship series when the Ontario Hockey Association
's (OHA) St. Catharines Black Hawks
forfeited the eastern championship series after five games rather than return to Quebec City for a sixth game in the face of a hostile and violent crowd and threats from the Front de libération du Québec
. The Remparts then refused a challenge from the Oil Kings for the national championship as as result of disagreements on player eligibility and travel subsidies. The two teams resolved their differences in time for an abbreviated best-of-three series to be held rather than the typical best-of-seven.
(CAHA) reorganized junior hockey prior to this season, splitting the top level into two tiers. The OHA, QJHL and WCHL formed the "Major Junior" rank. The Memorial Cup became the national championship of the new tier. The remaining teams and leagues remained in the Junior A rank. A new championship, the Manitoba Centennial Trophy, was created for teams at this level.
The Memorial Cup tournament remained in an east vs. west format for 1971. The champions of the OHA and QJHL were to play for the Eastern championship and then face the WCHL winner for the national title. This format lasted only one year, as for 1972, the CAHA reorganized the Memorial Cup into a three-team round-robin tournament between the winner of each league.
, who in 1970–71
set league records with 103 goals and 209 points. He added another 22 goals in the playoffs to lead Quebec to the QJHL's President's Cup
championship. In a best-of-seven series for the Eastern championship, they faced OHA champion St. Catharines, led by Marcel Dionne
, who was the Ontario league's top scorer with 143 points. The teams split the first two games, held in St. Catharines, before the Remparts took a 2–1 series lead in the third game, held in Quebec. The game was violent at times with over 102 penalties in minutes given out by the referee – 77 to the Black Hawks.
Quebec moved to within one win of winning the series with a 6–1 victory in game four, also held in Quebec. As with the third game, the Black Hawks attempted to intimidate their smaller Remparts opponents physically. The crowd grew increasingly hostile towards the visitors, pelting the players with eggs, potatoes and golf balls, while one fan threw a knife. Dionne's parents were assaulted in the stands over the fact that he had left the Quebec league to play in Ontario. Mike Bloom inadvertently struck a police officer with his stick trying to hit a fan who spat on him. The Black Hawk players were escorted out of the building by police following the game as a mob of angry fans threw bottles at them and then milled around the team's motel until the early hours of the following morning. Threats were made against the players by the Front de libération du Québec
, a group that precipitated the October Crisis
of 1970 that resulted in the Canadian government declaring martial law
.
The fifth game was held in a neutral location. St. Catharines defeated Quebec 6–3 at Maple Leaf Gardens
in Toronto, but refused to return to Quebec City for the sixth and seventh games. The Black Hawks offered to play the remainder of the series in Montreal, which the Remparts refused. Fearing for their safety, the players voted to forfeit the sixth game, giving the series and George Richardson Memorial Trophy
to Quebec.
and 43-goal scorers Darcy Rota
and Dan Spring
. They won the Western Canada Hockey League championship over the Flin Flon Bombers
four games to one, with one tie. They had previously eliminated the New Westminster Bruins
in five games and then the Calgary Centennials
in six.
It was the first Western championship for the Oil Kings since they made seven consecutive appearances in the Memorial Cup between 1960 and 1966. Their streak ended when they helped create the WCHL in 1966 over the objection of the CAHA who declared them outlaws and ineligible to compete for the national championship. The WCHL gained CAHA sanction prior to the 1970–71 season, allowing the Oil Kings to return to the Memorial Cup Final.
Oil Kings' owner, general manager and coach, Bill Hunter, implored the eastern leagues to participate in a championship series calling it the "burning ambition" of all Canadian junior players while invoking the actions of the government during the October Crisis: "If the Prime Minister wants to do something right for the west for a change, he'll use the War Measures Act to enforce a Memorial Cup final." The Oil Kings negotiated with the Remparts after the latter team won the eastern title. They finally agreed to play a best-of-three series, all games in Quebec, for the national championship.
Edmonton was met by a much different crowd when they arrived in Quebec City than the one St. Catharines faced. A crowd of 2,000 people welcomed the Oil Kings at the airport as they arrived. Quebec won the first game easily, 5–1, on the strength of four points by Lafleur. The Remparts then won the title with a 5–2 victory in the second game before a crowd of 11,401. It was the fist Memorial Cup championship for the Remparts, and the first for Quebec City.
in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft three weeks after winning the Memorial Cup. He won five Stanley Cup
championships in Montreal as part of a Hall of Fame
career. Lafleur's teammates Jacques Richard, Andre Savard, Richard Grenier and Charlie Constantin also went on to play in the National Hockey League
.
Darcy Rota
, Tom Bladon
and Phil Russel went on to long NHL careers after graduating from the Oil Kings. Dave Kryskow
, Ron Jones and John Rogers
also went on to play in the NHL after leaving Edmonton. Marcel Dionne
was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Kings
from the St. Catharines Black Hawks in 1971 and played 18 years before joining Lafleur in the Hall of Fame.
, Michel Deguise, Pierre Deguay, Paul Dion, Raynald Fortier, Serge Gaudreault, Rejean Giroux
, Richard Grenier
, Yves Lacroix, Guy Lafleur
, Jean Lamarre, Rene Lambert, Bill Landers, Jean Landry, Jacques Locas, Richard Perron, Pierre Roy
, Jacques Richard
, Andre Savard
. Coach: Maurice Filion
.
Québec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...
of the Quebec Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QJHL) and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WCHL). Quebec won the series in two games, both held at the Colisee de Quebec, to win the first Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship in the city's history.
The national playdowns were marred by controversy as the Remparts advanced to the championship series when the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's (OHA) St. Catharines Black Hawks
St. Catharines Black Hawks
The St. Catharines Black Hawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1962 to 1976. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
forfeited the eastern championship series after five games rather than return to Quebec City for a sixth game in the face of a hostile and violent crowd and threats from the Front de libération du Québec
Front de libération du Québec
The Front de libération du Québec was a left-wing Quebecois nationalist and Marxist-Leninist paramilitary group in Quebec, Canada. It was active between 1963 and 1970, and was regarded as a terrorist organization for its violent methods of action...
. The Remparts then refused a challenge from the Oil Kings for the national championship as as result of disagreements on player eligibility and travel subsidies. The two teams resolved their differences in time for an abbreviated best-of-three series to be held rather than the typical best-of-seven.
National playdowns
The Canadian Amateur Hockey AssociationHockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
(CAHA) reorganized junior hockey prior to this season, splitting the top level into two tiers. The OHA, QJHL and WCHL formed the "Major Junior" rank. The Memorial Cup became the national championship of the new tier. The remaining teams and leagues remained in the Junior A rank. A new championship, the Manitoba Centennial Trophy, was created for teams at this level.
The Memorial Cup tournament remained in an east vs. west format for 1971. The champions of the OHA and QJHL were to play for the Eastern championship and then face the WCHL winner for the national title. This format lasted only one year, as for 1972, the CAHA reorganized the Memorial Cup into a three-team round-robin tournament between the winner of each league.
East championship
The Remparts were led by Guy LafleurGuy Lafleur
Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...
, who in 1970–71
1970–71 QMJHL season
The 1970–71 QMJHL season was the second season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 62 games each in the schedule. The league dissolves East and West Divisions. The Frank J...
set league records with 103 goals and 209 points. He added another 22 goals in the playoffs to lead Quebec to the QJHL's President's Cup
President's Cup (QMJHL)
The President's Cup is awarded annually by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the league's playoffs champion.--Winners—Teams that went on to win the Memorial Cup are listed in bold font.-External links:* List of trophy winners....
championship. In a best-of-seven series for the Eastern championship, they faced OHA champion St. Catharines, led by Marcel Dionne
Marcel Dionne
Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers...
, who was the Ontario league's top scorer with 143 points. The teams split the first two games, held in St. Catharines, before the Remparts took a 2–1 series lead in the third game, held in Quebec. The game was violent at times with over 102 penalties in minutes given out by the referee – 77 to the Black Hawks.
Quebec moved to within one win of winning the series with a 6–1 victory in game four, also held in Quebec. As with the third game, the Black Hawks attempted to intimidate their smaller Remparts opponents physically. The crowd grew increasingly hostile towards the visitors, pelting the players with eggs, potatoes and golf balls, while one fan threw a knife. Dionne's parents were assaulted in the stands over the fact that he had left the Quebec league to play in Ontario. Mike Bloom inadvertently struck a police officer with his stick trying to hit a fan who spat on him. The Black Hawk players were escorted out of the building by police following the game as a mob of angry fans threw bottles at them and then milled around the team's motel until the early hours of the following morning. Threats were made against the players by the Front de libération du Québec
Front de libération du Québec
The Front de libération du Québec was a left-wing Quebecois nationalist and Marxist-Leninist paramilitary group in Quebec, Canada. It was active between 1963 and 1970, and was regarded as a terrorist organization for its violent methods of action...
, a group that precipitated the October Crisis
October Crisis
The October Crisis was a series of events triggered by two kidnappings of government officials by members of the Front de libération du Québec during October 1970 in the province of Quebec, mainly in the Montreal metropolitan area.The circumstances ultimately culminated in the only peacetime use...
of 1970 that resulted in the Canadian government declaring martial law
War Measures Act
The War Measures Act was a Canadian statute that allowed the government to assume sweeping emergency powers in the event of "war, invasion or insurrection, real or apprehended"...
.
The fifth game was held in a neutral location. St. Catharines defeated Quebec 6–3 at Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
in Toronto, but refused to return to Quebec City for the sixth and seventh games. The Black Hawks offered to play the remainder of the series in Montreal, which the Remparts refused. Fearing for their safety, the players voted to forfeit the sixth game, giving the series and George Richardson Memorial Trophy
George Richardson Memorial Trophy
The George T. Richardson Memorial Trophy was presented annually from 1932 until 1972 by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association to the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" Champions. The trophy is named in honour of George T. Richardson, an Allan Cup winner with Queen’s University in 1909...
to Quebec.
West championship
In the west, The Edmonton Oil Kings were led by 60-goal scorer Don KozakDon Kozak
Donald "Crazy" Kozak is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played 437 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.- External links :...
and 43-goal scorers Darcy Rota
Darcy Rota
Darcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League...
and Dan Spring
Dan Spring (ice hockey)
Dan Spring was is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft...
. They won the Western Canada Hockey League championship over the Flin Flon Bombers
Flin Flon Bombers
The Flin Flon Bombers are a junior ice hockey team and current member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League , and are based in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. The team moved and became the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1978, but the Flin Flon Bomber name was retained...
four games to one, with one tie. They had previously eliminated the New Westminster Bruins
New Westminster Bruins
The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981...
in five games and then the Calgary Centennials
Calgary Centennials
Calgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977...
in six.
It was the first Western championship for the Oil Kings since they made seven consecutive appearances in the Memorial Cup between 1960 and 1966. Their streak ended when they helped create the WCHL in 1966 over the objection of the CAHA who declared them outlaws and ineligible to compete for the national championship. The WCHL gained CAHA sanction prior to the 1970–71 season, allowing the Oil Kings to return to the Memorial Cup Final.
Memorial Cup final
Both the QJHL and OHA had announced they would not face a Western Champion over the WCHL's use of overage players. None the less, the Oil Kings extended a challenge to the Eastern champion and proposed a best-of-seven series to open in the east, then move to Edmonton for two games and then finish out east. The eastern leagues were also upset that the CAHA offered a $10,000 travel subsidy to the western champion for the Memorial Cup vs. $6,000 to the eastern champion.Oil Kings' owner, general manager and coach, Bill Hunter, implored the eastern leagues to participate in a championship series calling it the "burning ambition" of all Canadian junior players while invoking the actions of the government during the October Crisis: "If the Prime Minister wants to do something right for the west for a change, he'll use the War Measures Act to enforce a Memorial Cup final." The Oil Kings negotiated with the Remparts after the latter team won the eastern title. They finally agreed to play a best-of-three series, all games in Quebec, for the national championship.
Edmonton was met by a much different crowd when they arrived in Quebec City than the one St. Catharines faced. A crowd of 2,000 people welcomed the Oil Kings at the airport as they arrived. Quebec won the first game easily, 5–1, on the strength of four points by Lafleur. The Remparts then won the title with a 5–2 victory in the second game before a crowd of 11,401. It was the fist Memorial Cup championship for the Remparts, and the first for Quebec City.
Players
Lafleur was hailed by the fans in Quebec as the best junior player in the world, and was selected first overall by the Montreal CanadiensMontreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft three weeks after winning the Memorial Cup. He won five Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championships in Montreal as part of a Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
career. Lafleur's teammates Jacques Richard, Andre Savard, Richard Grenier and Charlie Constantin also went on to play in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Darcy Rota
Darcy Rota
Darcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League...
, Tom Bladon
Tom Bladon
Thomas George "Bomber" Bladon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. He won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers in 1974 and 1975...
and Phil Russel went on to long NHL careers after graduating from the Oil Kings. Dave Kryskow
Dave Kryskow
David Roy Kryskow is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.Originally drafted by the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, Kryskow played in Chicago for parts of two seasons. Left exposed for the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft, he was claimed by the Washington Capitals...
, Ron Jones and John Rogers
John Rogers (ice hockey)
Alfred John Rogers is a retired Canadian ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars.- Career statistics :-External links:...
also went on to play in the NHL after leaving Edmonton. Marcel Dionne
Marcel Dionne
Marcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers...
was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
from the St. Catharines Black Hawks in 1971 and played 18 years before joining Lafleur in the Hall of Fame.
Winning roster
Michel Briere, Charles ConstantinCharles Constantin
Charles Constantin is a former professional ice hockey left winger. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the second round, 24th overall, of the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft. He was also drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League; however, he never played in that league...
, Michel Deguise, Pierre Deguay, Paul Dion, Raynald Fortier, Serge Gaudreault, Rejean Giroux
Rejean Giroux
Rejean Giroux is a retired Canadian ice hockey right winger who played for the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association.- Career statistics :-External links:...
, Richard Grenier
Richard Grenier (ice hockey)
Richard Grenier was a professional ice hockey player who played 10 games in the National Hockey League and 34 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Quebec Nordiques and New York Islanders....
, Yves Lacroix, Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur
Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...
, Jean Lamarre, Rene Lambert, Bill Landers, Jean Landry, Jacques Locas, Richard Perron, Pierre Roy
Pierre Roy
Pierre Roy is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 316 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Cincinnati Stingers, and New England Whalers.He is also a French author who teaches at Sherbrooke elementary.- References :...
, Jacques Richard
Jacques Richard
Jacques A. G. Richard was a professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Buffalo Sabres, and Quebec Nordiques. After an impressive junior career, Richard was considered a potential NHL superstar, but failed to live up to the promise. Trouble...
, Andre Savard
Andre Savard
André Savard is a retired former professional ice hockey center. He and his wife, Marie-France, have two sons, Patrick and Dany.-Playing career:...
. Coach: Maurice Filion
Maurice Filion
Maurice Filion is a former Canadian ice hockey coach. He was head coach of the Quebec Nordiques in 1981 as well as two other occasions when the franchise was in the World Hockey Association.-Coaching record:...
.