The Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters were a junior ice hockey

Junior ice hockey

Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...

 team in 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....

 from 1940 to 1942, and 1947 to 1960. The team was often known as the "Biltmores" and sponsored by the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company, and played home games at the Guelph Memorial Gardens

Guelph Memorial Gardens

The Guelph Memorial Gardens was an arena located in Guelph, Ontario. It was originally built in 1948 out of the remnants of a nineteenth-century building that had housed the Royal Winter Fair. The Gardens hosted various hockey teams over the years, including the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters, Guelph...

.

History

The Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters were a brief note in junior hockey history, but left an impression on the game during 13 years of operation. The team that was sponsored by a local manufacturer in the Royal City would capture a national championship, several provincial titles, and send four men onto the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The team was founded as the Guelph Indians

Guelph Indians

The Guelph Indians were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1936 to 1940. After four seasons of play, the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company became the team's sponsors, and the team changed names to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. Guelph's best season was 1937-38, when they...

 for the 1936-37 season. After four seasons, the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company became the team's sponsors. After two more seasons of play, the team was put on hiatus for World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. The team was resurrected in 1947 as a farm team for the New York Rangers

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

 of the NHL and coached by former Rangers forward Alf Pike until the end of 1954. Eddie Bush

Eddie Bush

Edward Webster Bush was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played two seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, and who coached for one season in the National Hockey League for the Kansas City Scouts.-External links:...

, a former NHL defencman would take over the coaching duties from 1954 onwards.

The Biltmore Hat Company rewarded any player scoring three of more goals in one game the choice of hats at their factory, bringing new meaning to the term "hat trick." Some sources credit this as the origin of the term. http://www.funtrivia.com/ask.cfm?action=details&qnid=46526

After running into financial trouble in 1960, new ownership renamed the team the Guelph Royals

Guelph Royals (hockey)

The Guelph Royals were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1963. The team was based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and played home games at the Guelph Memorial Gardens. They were affiliated with the NHL New York Rangers...

, after the city's nickname. Three years later the team moved becoming the Kitchener Rangers, taking the name of the parent club from the NHL.

Championships

The Mad Hatters won the 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...

 in 1952 as national junior ice hockey champions of Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, and the 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...

 as eastern Canadian champions the same year. Guelph won the J. Ross Robertson Cup

J. Ross Robertson Cup

The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...

 three times as OHA champions.

J. Ross Robertson Cup 1942 Lost to Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League... 1950 Defeated Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The... 1952 Defeated St. Catharines Teepees St. Catharines Teepees The St. Catharines Teepees were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1947 to 1962. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:... 1957 Defeated St. Catharines Teepees Memorial Cup 1952 Defeated Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...

George Richardson Memorial Trophy 1950 Lost to Montreal Junior Canadiens 1952 Defeated Montreal Junior Canadiens 1957 Lost to Ottawa Junior Canadiens

Memorial Cup of 1952

The Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters played in the best-of-seven series for the Memorial Cup of 1952 versus the Regina Pats

Regina Pats

The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...

, the Abbott Cup champions of Western Canada hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...

.

Guelph that year broke the OHA record for single season scoring with 341 goals in a 54 game schedule, which was 34 goals more than the previous mark. Ken Laufman set on OHA record at the time with 139 points. Guelph defeated the Montreal Junior Canadiens in a six game series for the Eastern Canadian final.

The Mad Hatters won the first game on home ice at the Guelph Memorial Gardens by a score of 8 to 2. The rest of the series would be played 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. Guelph won the next two games 4 to 2 and 8 to 2. The Biltmores completed the series sweep in game four posting a 10 to 2 triumph to win the Memorial Cup.

Players

Four alumni of the Mad Hatters would be inducted into the Hockey 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...

. They are Andy Bathgate

Andy Bathgate

Andrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...

, Rod Gilbert

Rod Gilbert

Rodrigue Gabriel Gilbert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He played right wing on the GAG line that also featured Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle...

, Harry Howell

Harry Howell (hockey player)

Henry Vernon Howell is a former professional hockey player and longtime star for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League...

 and Jean Ratelle

Jean Ratelle

Joseph Gilbert Yvon "Jean" Ratelle is a former Canadian ice hockey player and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. It has often been said of Jean Ratelle that he was so consistently effective at a high level of play day in and day out that he has been overlooked by some as one of the greatest to...

. Players who also had impressive NHL careers are Dean Prentice

Dean Prentice

Dean Sutherland Prentice is a retired professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League for 22 seasons between 1952–53 and 1973–74...

 and Ron Murphy

Ron Murphy

Robert Ronald Murphy is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played for the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins over the course of an 889-game NHL career....

 with the New York Rangers.

Award winners

Red Tilson Trophy Red Tilson Trophy The Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War... Most Outstanding Player in the OHA 1955-1956 - Ron Howell

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St... Scoring Champion of the OHA 1951-1952 - Ken Laufman, 139 points 1956-1957 - Bill Sweeney, 106 points

NHL alumni

Paul Andrea Paul Andrea Paul Lawrence Andrea is a former ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, California Golden Seals, and Buffalo Sabres... Andy Bathgate Andy Bathgate Andrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:... Frank Bathgate Frank Bathgate Frank Bathgate is a retired Canadian ice hockey centre. He played in 2 NHL games for the New York Rangers.-External links:... Danny Belisle Danny Belisle Daniel George Belisle is a former Canadian ice hockey player and coach. After his junior hockey career, he was signed by the New York Rangers, but his entire National Hockey League career would only last four games during the 1960–61 NHL season... William "Chick" Chalmers Wally Clune Wally Clune Walter James Clune was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 5 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.-External links:... Bob Cunningham Bob Cunningham (ice hockey) Robert Graham Cunningham is a retired professional ice hockey centre. He played 4 games for the New York Rangers.-External links:... Herb Dickenson Herb Dickenson John Herbert Dickenson is a retired Canadian ice hockey left winger. He played in the NHL for the New York Rangers.-External links:... Marc Dufour Marc Dufour Marc Dufour is a Canadian ice hockey player. He played for the Springfield Kings, the Los Angeles Kings, the Vancouver Canucks, the St. Paul Rangers, the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Blades, and the Baltimore Clippers.... Lorne Ferguson Lorne Ferguson Lorne Ferguson was professional ice hockey left winger who played 422 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Palmerston, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Black Hawks....

Lou Fontinato Lou Fontinato Louis "Leapin' Louie" Fontinato was a defenceman in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers from 1954 to 1961 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1961 to 1963.-NHL career:... Bruce Gamble Bruce Gamble Bruce George Gamble was a professional ice hockey goaltender who played 10 seasons in the NHL between 1962 and 1972, with some years in the minor leagues in between... Rod Gilbert Rod Gilbert Rodrigue Gabriel Gilbert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He played right wing on the GAG line that also featured Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle... Gerry Goyer Gerry Goyer Gerry Goyer was a professional ice hockey player who played 40 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Chicago Black Hawks. He was also a member of the Allan Cup champion Belleville McFarlands in 1957-58.- References :... Aldo Guidolin Aldo Guidolin Aldo Reno Guidolin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 182 games in the National Hockey League, mainly for the New York Rangers, as well as the in the AHL for 13 years. He now lives in Southern Ontario.-External links:... John Holota Harry Howell Harry Howell (hockey player) Henry Vernon Howell is a former professional hockey player and longtime star for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League... Ron Howell Ron Howell Ronald John Howell was a running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1955–1962. Howell won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1958 and the Gruen Trophy as the outstanding rookie in the CFL East in 1954... Al LeBrun Al LeBrun Albert Ivan LeBrun is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played six games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers.-External links:... Joe Levandoski Joe Levandoski Joseph Thomas Levandoski was a professional ice hockey player who played eight games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers.- References :...

Tony Licari Tony Licari Anthony Licari is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played nine games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings.-Playing career:... Willie Marshall Willie Marshall William "The Whip" Marshall is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Marshall played his entire National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would play in the NHL over the course of four seasons. Marshall is also the highest scorer in the American Hockey League and has played... Clare Martin Shep Mayer Shep Mayer Edwin "Shep" Mayer was a professional ice hockey player who played twelve games in the National Hockey League. Born in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, he played with the Toronto Maple Leafs.- References :*... Bill McCreary Sr. Sandy McGregor Sandy McGregor Donald Alexander "Sandy" McGregor was a professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers.- References :... Rollie McLenahan Rollie McLenahan Roland Joseph McLenahan was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 60 games in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick.-External links:*... Mike McMahon, Jr. Hillary Menard Hillary Menard Hillary Gilbert "Minnie" Menard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played in one National Hockey League game for the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1953–54 NHL season.-External links:... Ron Murphy Ron Murphy Robert Ronald Murphy is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played for the New York Rangers, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins over the course of an 889-game NHL career....

Bob Plager Bob Plager Robert Bryant Plager is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for fourteen seasons from 1964–65 until 1977–78. He had two brothers, Bill and Barclay, who also played in the NHL.... Dean Prentice Dean Prentice Dean Sutherland Prentice is a retired professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League for 22 seasons between 1952–53 and 1973–74... Jean Ratelle Jean Ratelle Joseph Gilbert Yvon "Jean" Ratelle is a former Canadian ice hockey player and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. It has often been said of Jean Ratelle that he was so consistently effective at a high level of play day in and day out that he has been overlooked by some as one of the greatest to... Leo Reise Jr. Doug Robinson Leon Rochefort Leon Rochefort Leon Joseph Fernand Rochefort is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centerman who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for seven clubs... Eddie Shack Eddie Shack Edward Steven Phillip Shack , also known by the nicknames "The Entertainer" and "The Nose" is a retired Canadian hockey player who played for six National Hockey League teams from 1959 to 1975,Shack was born in Sudbury, Ontario... Glen Sonmor Glen Sonmor Glen Sonmor is a former professional hockey player, scout and coach.-Early life:In high school, Sonmor played for Moose Jaw and was a multi-sport star; playing point guard in basketball, quarterback in football and left wing in hockey, as well as pitching in semi-pro baseball... Ron Stewart Ron Stewart Ronald George Stewart is a retired professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1952 to 1973, as well as an NHL coach.- Hockey career:... Bill Sweeney Gilles Villemure Gilles Villemure Gilles Villemure is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for the New York Rangers and Chicago Black Hawks in the 1960s and 1970s.-Playing career:...

Yearly results

Played as Guelph Indians, 1936-40.

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	Pct %	Goals For	Goals Against	Standing
1936-37	Data unavailable.
1937-38	Data unavailable.
1938-39	14	7	5	2	15	0.536	30	38	2nd Group 1
1939-40	20	10	8	2	22	0.550	88	61	4th OHA
1940-41	16	11	5	0	22	0.688	85	75	2nd OHA
1941-42	24	13	11	0	26	0.542	100	115	3rd OHA
1947-48	36	12	23	1	25	0.347	144	168	8th OHA
1948-49	48	20	26	2	42	0.438	169	221	7th OHA
1949-50	48	26	18	4	56	0.583	189	157	4th OHA
1950-51	54	31	16	7	69	0.639	256	194	3rd OHA
1951-52	54	37	13	4	78	0.722	341	197	2nd OHA
1952-53	56	22	32	2	46	0.411	212	244	7th OHA
1953-54	59	26	31	2	54	0.458	248	268	6th OHA
1954-55	49	32	15	2	66	0.673	211	158	2nd OHA
1955-56	48	25	20	3	53	0.552	262	195	3rd OHA
1956-57	52	37	12	3	77	0.740	237	143	1st OHA
1957-58	52	13	34	5	31	0.298	137	223	7th OHA
1958-59	54	23	18	13	59	0.546	220	226	3rd OHA
1959-60	48	19	21	8	46	0.479	197	185	6th OHA