Kenora Thistles (1926–1940)
Encyclopedia
The Kenora Thistles were a Manitoba Junior Hockey League
team playing in the Canadian
town of Kenora, Ontario
, on the Manitoba
border.
-eligible Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League
.
The 1926 regional playoffs put them up against Fort Frances in the semi-final. Kenora won the games 5-1 and 6-1 to earn a berth into the region finals. In the final, the Thistles lost to the Fort William Juniors 4-2 and 4-0 to end their season. In 1927, the Thistles squared off with the Port Arthur West End Juniors in a two game series for the region. Port Arthur won 6-5 and 5-1 to take the series.
The Thistles first season of league play had them win the regular season crown of the TBJHL. In the playoffs, with a direct berth to the league final, the Thistles played the Fort William Juniors. They lost the first game 4-3, but won the second game 5-3 to take the series. In the Memorial Cup Eastern semi-final, the Thistles had to play the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
's Elmwood Millionaires
. Kenora won both games 3-2 to play in the Eastern final. Up against the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
's Regina Pats
, the Thistles fell 8-0 in game one but only managed to win game two by a score of 4-3, thus eliminating them from a chance at the Memorial Cup
.
In their second TBJHL season, the Thistles came in first again. They ended up against the Fort William Juniors in the finals, beating them 1-0 and tying them 2-2 to win the regional playoffs. In the Eastern Memorial Cup semi-final, the Thistles again met up with the MJHL's Elmwood Millionaires. They won game one 4-3, but fell 3-1 in game two and were eliminated.
Their third and final TBJHL season had them finish in second place behind the Fort William Legion. In the semi-final, the Thistles were up against the Port Arthur Juniors. They won game one 3-2, but objected to the second game's refereeing and were ejected from the playoffs by the league. This would be their last game in the TBJHL.
In 1930, the Thistles were accepted into the South Division of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
which would cut back on their travel as all the teams in the South Division were from Winnipeg, Manitoba. After winning the division in just their third season, the Thistles were forcefully moved to the more distant North Division. Despite the travel, the Thistles took their first league title in 1934. The Thistles would end up losing the Abbott Cup
semi-final to the Port Arthur West Ends 9-goals-to-8 in two games.
From 1936 until 1939 the Thistles suffered, three consecutive losing seasons left them financially in trouble.
The 1939-40 season was a great season for the Thistles. They won the league by defeating the Elmwood Maple Leafs 3-games-to-none in the league final, then won the Abbott Cup
as Western Canadian champions. In the Abbott Cup semi-final, the Thistles defeated the Port Arthur Juniors 2-games-to-1. In the final, they defeated the Edmonton Athletic Club Roamers with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties. In the their first and only Memorial Cup
appearance, the Thistles and Oshawa Generals
marked the second time two teams from Ontario
would square off for the Memorial Cup. The Generals won game one 1-0, and game two 4-1. The Thistles rebounded and won game three 4-3, but lost game four 4-2 and the series 3-games-to-1 to the Generals.
In the summer of 1940, it became apparent that they would not have the numbers or the money to continue competing during World War II
and folded.
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
team playing in the Canadian
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...
town of Kenora, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, on the Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
border.
History
The Kenora Thistles junior hockey club was founded in 1925 in a local Northern league with Keewatin and Norman. The Thistles participated in the Thunder Bay regional playoffs as an independent team. In 1927, they moved to the Memorial CupMemorial 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...
-eligible Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League
Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League
The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was a Canadian Junior ice hockey league that existed from circa 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region....
.
The 1926 regional playoffs put them up against Fort Frances in the semi-final. Kenora won the games 5-1 and 6-1 to earn a berth into the region finals. In the final, the Thistles lost to the Fort William Juniors 4-2 and 4-0 to end their season. In 1927, the Thistles squared off with the Port Arthur West End Juniors in a two game series for the region. Port Arthur won 6-5 and 5-1 to take the series.
The Thistles first season of league play had them win the regular season crown of the TBJHL. In the playoffs, with a direct berth to the league final, the Thistles played the Fort William Juniors. They lost the first game 4-3, but won the second game 5-3 to take the series. In the Memorial Cup Eastern semi-final, the Thistles had to play the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
's Elmwood Millionaires
Elmwood Millionaires
The Elmwood Millionaires is a now defunct Canadian Junior Hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Millionaires, based in Elmwood, Manitoba, won 5 straight Turnbull Cup Championships as Manitoba Junior ‘A’ Champions, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 & 1931, and a 6th in 1936. The 1929 Elmwood...
. Kenora won both games 3-2 to play in the Eastern final. Up against the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of age or younger, the SJHL's 12 teams play in two divisions: the Bauer and Sherwood conferences...
's 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 Thistles fell 8-0 in game one but only managed to win game two by a score of 4-3, thus eliminating them from a chance at 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 their second TBJHL season, the Thistles came in first again. They ended up against the Fort William Juniors in the finals, beating them 1-0 and tying them 2-2 to win the regional playoffs. In the Eastern Memorial Cup semi-final, the Thistles again met up with the MJHL's Elmwood Millionaires. They won game one 4-3, but fell 3-1 in game two and were eliminated.
Their third and final TBJHL season had them finish in second place behind the Fort William Legion. In the semi-final, the Thistles were up against the Port Arthur Juniors. They won game one 3-2, but objected to the second game's refereeing and were ejected from the playoffs by the league. This would be their last game in the TBJHL.
In 1930, the Thistles were accepted into the South Division of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
which would cut back on their travel as all the teams in the South Division were from Winnipeg, Manitoba. After winning the division in just their third season, the Thistles were forcefully moved to the more distant North Division. Despite the travel, the Thistles took their first league title in 1934. The Thistles would end up losing the Abbott Cup
Abbott Cup
The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada....
semi-final to the Port Arthur West Ends 9-goals-to-8 in two games.
From 1936 until 1939 the Thistles suffered, three consecutive losing seasons left them financially in trouble.
The 1939-40 season was a great season for the Thistles. They won the league by defeating the Elmwood Maple Leafs 3-games-to-none in the league final, then won the Abbott Cup
Abbott Cup
The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada....
as Western Canadian champions. In the Abbott Cup semi-final, the Thistles defeated the Port Arthur Juniors 2-games-to-1. In the final, they defeated the Edmonton Athletic Club Roamers with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties. In the their first and only 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...
appearance, the Thistles and 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...
marked the second time two teams from Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
would square off for the Memorial Cup. The Generals won game one 1-0, and game two 4-1. The Thistles rebounded and won game three 4-3, but lost game four 4-2 and the series 3-games-to-1 to the Generals.
In the summer of 1940, it became apparent that they would not have the numbers or the money to continue competing during 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...
and folded.
Season-by-Season record
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1925-26 | Independent | Lost Regional Final | ||||||||
| 1926-27 | Independent | Lost Regional Final | ||||||||
| 1927-28 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| 61 | 26 | 20 | 1st TBJHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1928-29 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| 18 | 1st TBJHL | Won League | ||||||||
| 1929-30 | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| 23 | 2nd TBJHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||||
| 1930-31 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | ||||||
| 31 | 37 | 14 | 3rd MJHL | |||||||
| 1931-32 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||||||
| 17 | 23 | 10 | 2nd WinJHL | |||||||
| 1932-33 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| 32 | 23 | 14 | 2nd MJHL-S | |||||||
| 1933-34 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 | ||||||
| 24 | 2nd MJHL | Won League | ||||||||
| 1934-35 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| 78 | 45 | 27 | 2nd MJHL | |||||||
| 1935-36 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 1 | ||||||
| 40 | 57 | 13 | 8th MJHL | |||||||
| 1936-37 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 1 | ||||||
| 48 | 74 | 11 | 8th MJHL | |||||||
| 1937-38 | 22 | 1 | 19 | 2 | ||||||
| 39 | 104 | 4 | 9th MJHL | |||||||
| 1938-39 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 2 | ||||||
| 69 | 62 | 20 | 5th MJHL | |||||||
| 1939-40 | 24 | 15 | 5 | 4 | ||||||
| 98 | 66 | 34 | 2nd MJHL | Won League, Won AbC Abbott Cup The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada.... |
||||||
Notable alumni
- John GallagherJohn Gallagher (ice hockey)John James Gallagher was a professional ice hockey player who played 204 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Montreal Maroons, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Americans. He help the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1937.-References:...
- Bill JuzdaBill JuzdaWilliam Juzda was a Canadian professional ice hockey defencemen from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers of the National Hockey League and won two Stanley Cups with the Leafs in 1949 and 1951. Although not a prolific goal scorer Juzda built a reputation...
- Doug LewisDoug Lewis (ice hockey)Douglas Lewis was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 3 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.-External links:*...
- Jake MilfordJake MilfordJohn Calverley "Jake" Milford was a general manager in the National Hockey League....
- Babe PrattBabe PrattWalter "Babe" Pratt was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman/left winger who played for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League.Babe was an important member of two Stanley Cup winning teams, the 1940 Rangers and 1945 Maple Leafs...
- Chuck RaynerChuck RaynerClaude Earl "Charlie, Chuck" Rayner was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played 9 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Americans and New York Rangers...
- Stu SmithStu SmithStu Smith is a former professional American football player who played running back for two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers....
- Bill ThomsonBill ThomsonWilliam Ferguson Thomson was an ice hockey player who was born in Troon, Scotland. He represented Canada in the 1936 Winter Olympics, winning the silver medal...
- Jimmy Ward
- Aubrey WebsterAubrey WebsterAubrey Webster was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played two seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Quakers and Montreal Maroons.-External links:*...