Port Arthur Bearcats
Encyclopedia
The Port Arthur Bearcats (also known as the Bear Cats) were an amateur men's senior ice hockey
team based in Port Arthur
, Ontario
(now part of the city of Thunder Bay
). Port Arthur were champions Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
four times, and were chosen once to represent Canada
as the Canada national men's ice hockey team at international competitions
. The team won the Silver Medal in the 1936 Winter Olympics
. In 1987 the 1936 team was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
.
The Port Arthur team played several season without nicknames over its history, with several generic names applied to the team including the Port Arthur Ports, Port Arthur Hockey Club, and the Port Arthur Seniors. The team ceased due to World War II
in 1943.
There was a revival
in 1945 with a new Port Arthur Bearcats club that operated until the merger of Port Arthur and Fort William and creation of the Thunder Bay Twins
in 1970.
for the Stanley Cup
in a 1911 challenge, losing 13–4 in a one game showdown on March 16, 1911. Port Arthur won three Allan Cup
titles during the 1920s, as Canada's senior ice hockey
champions. Port Arthur won the silver medal
in Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics
, finishing runners-up to Great Britain. Port Arthur won its fourth Allan Cup in 1939.
:
Three alumni from Port Arthur Shipbuilders also played in the NHL:
Seven alumni from the revived Port Arthur Bearcats also played in the NHL:
Senior ice hockey
Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition for players too old to play junior ice hockey. The top senior amateur teams in Canadian leagues compete annually for the Allan Cup....
team based in Port Arthur
Port Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur was a city in Northern Ontario which amalgamated with Fort William and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay in January 1970. Port Arthur was the district seat of Thunder Bay District.- History :...
, 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....
(now part of the city of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
). Port Arthur were champions Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
four times, and were chosen once to represent 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...
as the Canada national men's ice hockey team at international competitions
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
. The team won the Silver Medal in the 1936 Winter Olympics
1936 Winter Olympics
The 1936 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1936 in the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Germany also hosted the Summer Olympics the same year in Berlin...
. In 1987 the 1936 team was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1978 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, is dedicated to the people of Northwestern Ontario who have achieved greatness in any kind of sport....
.
The Port Arthur team played several season without nicknames over its history, with several generic names applied to the team including the Port Arthur Ports, Port Arthur Hockey Club, and the Port Arthur Seniors. The team ceased due to 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...
in 1943.
There was a revival
Revival (sports team)
In sports, a revival of a sports team is the naming of a new franchise or club in a sports league after a defunct franchise or club in a possibly defunct league.Sports teams names or nicknames are copyrighted in North America and elsewhere...
in 1945 with a new Port Arthur Bearcats club that operated until the merger of Port Arthur and Fort William and creation of the Thunder Bay Twins
Thunder Bay Twins
The Thunder Bay Twins were a Canadian Amateur Senior and Professional ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The Twins won five Allan Cups as National Senior Champions from 1970 until 1991.-Merger:...
in 1970.
Championships
Port Arthur played the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for the 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...
in a 1911 challenge, losing 13–4 in a one game showdown on March 16, 1911. Port Arthur won three Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
titles during the 1920s, as Canada's senior ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
champions. Port Arthur won the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
in Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics
At the 1936 Winter Olympics, Great Britain won the men's ice hockey competition. While only one player on the team was born in Canada, nine of the thirteen players on the roster grew up in Canada, and eleven had played previously in Canada.-Medalists:...
, finishing runners-up to Great Britain. Port Arthur won its fourth Allan Cup in 1939.
1936 Olympic team roster
- Maxwell DeaconMaxwell DeaconMaxwell Arnold Deacon was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.Deacon was a member of the 1936 Port Arthur Bearcats, which won the silver medal for Canada in ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics...
- Hugh Farguharson
- Kenneth Farmer-Horn
- James HaggartyJames HaggartyJames Timothy "Jimmy" Haggarty was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics. He later played five games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens...
- Walter KitchenWalter KitchenWalter "Pud" Kitchen was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics. As owner of the horse Hail To Patsy, he won the 1969 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs....
- Raymond MiltonRaymond MiltonRaymond Bernard "Ray" Milton was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics....
- Francis MooreFrancis Moore (ice hockey)Francis William "Dinty" Moore was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics. He was born in Port Colborne, Ontario and died in Morgan's Point, Ontario...
- Herman MurrayHerman MurrayHerman Murray was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.Murray was the Captain of the 1936 Port Arthur Bearcats, which won the silver medal for Canada in ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics. He scored five goals in eight matches at that tournament...
- Arthur NashArthur NashW. Arthur "Jakie" Nash was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics as a member of the Canadian ice hockey team, which won the silver medal....
- David Neville
- Alexander SinclairAlexander SinclairAlexander "Alex" Sinclair was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics....
- Ralph St. GermainRalph St. GermainRalph E. Saint Germain was a Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.Although St...
- William 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...
NHL alumni
Twenty-five alumni from Port Arthur also played in the National Hockey LeagueNational 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...
:
- Cliff BartonCliff BartonClifford John Barton was an American professional ice hockey right winger. Barton played three seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Quakers, and New York Rangers....
, Bill BrydgeBill BrydgeWilliam Henry Beatty Brydge was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 368 games in the National Hockey League . He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Cougars and the New York Americans. He was born in Renfrew, Ontario.- External links :*...
, Marty BurkeMarty BurkeMartin Alphonsos Burke was a defenceman in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Black Hawks. He was on two Stanley Cup championship teams in 1930 and 1931 with Montreal.- External links :...
, Lorne ChabotLorne ChabotLorne "Chabotsky" Chabot was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:Lorne played in the National Hockey League from 1926 to 1937. During this time, he played for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Black Hawks, Montreal Maroons, and New York Americans...
, Art ChapmanArt ChapmanJohn Arthur Chapman was a Canadian ice hockey forward. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Chapman started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1930. He would also play for the New York Americans and retire after the 1940 season...
, Bob Connors, Danny CoxDanny Cox (ice hockey)Daniel Smith "Silent Danny" Cox was a professional ice hockey forward who played 321 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Falcons, and New York Rangers.- External links :...
, Jimmy Creighton, Gus ForslundGus ForslundGustaf Oliver Forslund was a professional ice hockey right wing player. In the 1932–33 season, he became the first Swedish-born player in the National Hockey League....
, Gord Fraser, Alex GrayAlex GrayAlexander Gray was a Canadian ice hockey right winger for the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1927 to 1933.-Early life:...
, Jim Haggarty, Edgar LapradeEdgar LapradeEdgar Louis "Beaver" Laprade is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He was born in Port Arthur, Ontario...
, Norm LarsonNorm LarsonNorm Larson was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He played 89 NHL games for the New York Americans, Brooklyn Americans, and New York Rangers. He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.-External links:*...
, James Jarvis, Frank NighborFrank NighborJulius Francis "Pembroke Peach" Nighbor was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and National Hockey Association and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, Toronto Blueshirts of the NHA and Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific...
, Bud PoileBud PoileNorman Robert "Bud" Poile was a professional ice hockey player, coach, general manager, and league executive.-Overview:Poile was born in Fort William, Ontario and played junior hockey for the Fort William Rangers...
, Albert PudasAlbert PudasJuho Albert Pudas was a Finnish-Canadian hockey player and coach. He was the first Finnish-born hockey player in the National Hockey League and possibly in North America...
, Charlie Sands, Red SpoonerRed SpoonerAndrew George 'Red' Spooner was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1929–30 NHL season.-External links:...
, Butch Stahan, 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...
, Alex WellingtonAlex WellingtonAlexander "Duke" Wellington was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played one game in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Bulldogs during the 1919–20 NHL season.-External links:*...
, Phat WilsonPhat WilsonGordon Allan "Phat" Wilson was a Canadian amateur ice hockey forward who won the Allan Cup three times as a member of the Port Arthur Bearcats...
, Steve WojciechowskiSteve Wojciechowski (ice hockey)Stephen Wojciechowski , also known as Steve Wochy, is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played 54 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. He was born in Fort William, Ontario....
Three alumni from Port Arthur Shipbuilders also played in the NHL:
- Pete BackorPete BackorPeter Backor was a professional ice hockey defenceman who played briefly for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL.-Career:...
, Dick KotanenDick KotanenRichard "Dick" Kotanen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1950–51 NHL season.-External links:...
, Norm LarsonNorm LarsonNorm Larson was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He played 89 NHL games for the New York Americans, Brooklyn Americans, and New York Rangers. He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.-External links:*...
Seven alumni from the revived Port Arthur Bearcats also played in the NHL:
- Bart Bradley, Steve HrymnakSteve HrymnakSteve Hrymnak is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 18 games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings.-External links:...
, Dick KotanenDick KotanenRichard "Dick" Kotanen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1950–51 NHL season.-External links:...
, Jim McLeod, Rudy MigayRudy MigayRudolph Joseph Migay is a retired a Canadian ice hockey forward.Migay began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1949...
, Gord WilsonGord WilsonGordon Allan Wilson was a professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins.- References :...
, Benny WoitBenny WoitBenedict Francis Woit was a National Hockey League defenceman of the 1950s.-Playing career:Woit made his presence known as a junior while playing for the Port Arthur Flyers and Bruins of the TBJHL and the St. Mike's Majors of the OHA. He began playing for the Indianapolis Capitals of the AHL for...
Season-by-Season Standings
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | ||
| 1915-16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 8 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1916-22 | Statistics Not Available | ||||||||||
| 1922-23 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | |||||||
| 95 | 57 | 22 | 2nd MSHL | ||||||||
| 1923-24 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 16 | 3rd MTBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1924-25 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 0 | |||||||
| 24 | 2nd MTBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1925-26 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
| 28 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1926-27 | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | |||||||
| 21 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1927-28 | 21 | 6 | 14 | 1 | |||||||
| 56 | 97 | 13 | 3rd MTBSHL | ||||||||
| 1928-29 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 1 | |||||||
| 25 | 2nd MTBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1929-30 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
| 25 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1930-31 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 2 | |||||||
| 21.5 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1931-32 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 1 | |||||||
| 23 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1932-33 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | |||||||
| 28 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1933-34 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |||||||
| 41 | 34 | 17 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1934-35 | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | |||||||
| 23 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1935-36 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | |||||||
| 54 | 7 | 14 | 2nd 1936 Olympics | ||||||||
| 1936-37 | Statistics Not Available | ||||||||||
| 1937-38 | 26 | 10 | 14 | 2 | |||||||
| 85 | 103 | 22 | 3rd IAHL | ||||||||
| 1938-39 | 23 | 14 | 6 | 3 | |||||||
| 31 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1939-40 | 23 | 13 | 8 | 2 | |||||||
| 28 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1940-41 | Statistics Not Available | ||||||||||
| 1941-42 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 101 | 51 | 28 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1942-43 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 45 | 41 | 8 | 1st PASHL | ||||||||
| 1943-45 | Folded for WW2 | ||||||||||
| 1945-46 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 45 | 44 | 8 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1946-47 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
| 19 | 1st IAHL | ||||||||||
| 1947-48 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 51 | 45 | 12 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1948-51 | No Regular Season | ||||||||||
| 1951-52 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0 | |||||||
| 64 | 107 | 8 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1952-53 | 22 | 5 | 17 | 0 | |||||||
| 61 | 149 | 8 | 3rd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1953-54 | 30 | 10 | 20 | 0 | |||||||
| 20 | 3rd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1954-55 | 45 | 14 | 30 | 1 | |||||||
| 29 | 3rd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1955-56 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||
| 37 | 34 | 9 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1956-57 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1957-58 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1958-60 | No Regular Season | ||||||||||
| 1960-61 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 45 | 29 | 12 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1961-62 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 14 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||||
| 1962-63 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |||||||
| 60 | 67 | 12 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1963-64 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | |||||||
| 80 | 74 | 27 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1964-65 | 24 | 11 | 9 | 4 | |||||||
| 90 | 91 | 26 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1965-66 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 1 | |||||||
| 65 | 107 | 10.5 | 4th TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1966-67 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 3 | |||||||
| 57 | 67 | 9 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1967-68 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | |||||||
| 84 | 53 | 20 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1968-69 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| 85 | 39 | 22 | 1st TBSHL | ||||||||
| 1969-70 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | |||||||
| 54 | 84 | 4 | 2nd TBSHL | ||||||||
See also
- Canada men's national ice hockey team
- Ice hockey at the 1936 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 1936 Winter OlympicsAt the 1936 Winter Olympics, Great Britain won the men's ice hockey competition. While only one player on the team was born in Canada, nine of the thirteen players on the roster grew up in Canada, and eleven had played previously in Canada.-Medalists:...