Warroad Lakers
Encyclopedia
The Warroad Lakers were an American
Senior
ice hockey
team from Warroad, Minnesota
. The Lakers played in various Manitoba AHA
and Thunder Bay AHA
senior and intermediate leagues and were granted special eligibility for the Allan Cup
and Hardy Cup
by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
. The Lakers were three-time Allan Cup
Canadian
National Champions, one-time Allan Cup National Finalists, one-time Hardy Cup
Canadian National Champions, and one-time Hardy Cup National Finalists.
Intermediate "A" Champions in 1964, 1974, and 1977, Thunder Bay
Intermediate "A" Champions in 1963 and 1964, and Manitoba Intermediate "A" Champions in at least 1971, 1974, and 1977. They were also Thunder Bay Senior "A" Champions in 1965 and Manitoba Senior "A" Champions in at least 1969, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.
At the 1974 Hardy Cup
, the Lakers faced the Ottawa District Hockey Association
's Embrun Panthers
. The Lakers swept them 3-games-to-none to win their only Hardy Cup
. Three years later, the Lakers faced New Brunswick
's Campbellton Tigers
at the 1977 Hardy Cup
, but fell 3-games-to-1.
The Warroad Lakers are only the second American team in Allan Cup
history to be Canadian National Senior "AAA" Champions. They won the 1994 Allan Cup
on home ice, the next year they won the 1995 Allan Cup
in Stony Plain, Alberta
, and then won the 1996 Allan Cup
in Unity, Saskatchewan
to become the only team in history to win three consecutive Allan Cups. A season later, the Lakers failed to defeat the Powell River Regals
in the 1997 Allan Cup
final, which would have given them four in a row if won.
In 1998, after finding themselves without a league to play in, the Warroad Lakers were forced to fold.
Around 2001, the team was resurrected and named the Warroad Islanders. They competed in the 2002 Allan Cup
but failed to get out of the round robin. In 2003, the Islanders failed to get past the Ile des Chenes North Stars (who won the 2003 Allan Cup
) in the Manitoba playdowns. Soon after, the team fell off the competitive hockey map.
All three of the Lakers' Allan Cup winning teams have been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Senior
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....
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...
team from Warroad, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. The Lakers played in various Manitoba AHA
Hockey Manitoba
Hockey Manitoba is the governing body of all amateur ice hockey in Manitoba, Canada. Hockey Manitoba is a branch affiliate of Hockey Canada. Hockey Manitoba was founded in 1914 as the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association.-Leagues:...
and Thunder Bay AHA
Hockey Northwestern Ontario
Hockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
senior and intermediate leagues and were granted special eligibility for the 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:...
and Hardy Cup
Hardy Cup
The W. G. Hardy Trophy, more commonly referred to as the Hardy Cup, was the Canadian national Intermediate "A" ice hockey championship from 1967 until 1984. From 1985 until 1990, the Hardy Cup was the Canadian national senior championship for Senior "AA" after senior and intermediate hockey were...
by the 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....
. The Lakers were three-time 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:...
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...
National Champions, one-time Allan Cup National Finalists, one-time Hardy Cup
Hardy Cup
The W. G. Hardy Trophy, more commonly referred to as the Hardy Cup, was the Canadian national Intermediate "A" ice hockey championship from 1967 until 1984. From 1985 until 1990, the Hardy Cup was the Canadian national senior championship for Senior "AA" after senior and intermediate hockey were...
Canadian National Champions, and one-time Hardy Cup National Finalists.
History
The Lakers were Western CanadaWestern Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
Intermediate "A" Champions in 1964, 1974, and 1977, 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...
Intermediate "A" Champions in 1963 and 1964, and Manitoba Intermediate "A" Champions in at least 1971, 1974, and 1977. They were also Thunder Bay Senior "A" Champions in 1965 and Manitoba Senior "A" Champions in at least 1969, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.
At the 1974 Hardy Cup
1974 Hardy Cup
The 1974 Hardy Cup was the 1974 edition of the Canadian intermediate senior ice hockey championship.-Final:Best of 5*Warroad 7 Embrun 3*Warroad 4 Embrun 3*Warroad 9 Embrun 1-Teams:*Northern Ontario: Lively Cyclones...
, the Lakers faced the Ottawa District Hockey Association
Ottawa District Hockey Association
The Ottawa District Hockey Association is the governing body of a variety of ice hockey Junior leagues and a minor hockey system based out of the Greater Ottawa area and Southwestern Quebec...
's Embrun Panthers
Embrun Panthers
The Embrun Panthers are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team based in Embrun, Ontario. They play in the National Capital Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. The Lakers swept them 3-games-to-none to win their only Hardy Cup
Hardy Cup
The W. G. Hardy Trophy, more commonly referred to as the Hardy Cup, was the Canadian national Intermediate "A" ice hockey championship from 1967 until 1984. From 1985 until 1990, the Hardy Cup was the Canadian national senior championship for Senior "AA" after senior and intermediate hockey were...
. Three years later, the Lakers faced New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
's Campbellton Tigers
Campbellton Tigers
The Campbellton Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Campbellton, New Brunswick. They play in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. The team plays their home games at the Memorial Civic Center.-Season-by-season record:-External links:**...
at the 1977 Hardy Cup
1977 Hardy Cup
The 1977 Hardy Cup was the 1977 edition of the Canadian intermediate senior ice hockey championship.-Final:Best of 5*Campbellton 4 Warroad 3*Campbellton 5 Warroad 3*Warroad 7 Campbellton 2*Campbellton 6 Warroad 3...
, but fell 3-games-to-1.
The Warroad Lakers are only the second American team in 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:...
history to be Canadian National Senior "AAA" Champions. They won the 1994 Allan Cup
1994 Allan Cup
The 1994 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1993-94 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Warroad Lakers in Warroad, Minnesota. The 1994 tournament marked the 86th time that the Allan Cup has been awarded....
on home ice, the next year they won the 1995 Allan Cup
1995 Allan Cup
The 1995 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1994-95 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Stony Plain Eagles in Stony Plain, Alberta...
in Stony Plain, Alberta
Stony Plain, Alberta
Stony Plain is a large town in rural Alberta, Canada, just west of Edmonton.Stony Plain is a rapidly growing town with strong historical roots. It is located west of Spruce Grove and surrounded by Parkland County. The town is governed by one mayor and six councillors. The region is dominated by...
, and then won the 1996 Allan Cup
1996 Allan Cup
The 1996 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1995-96 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Unity Miners in Unity, Saskatchewan...
in Unity, Saskatchewan
Unity, Saskatchewan
-Area statistics:*Lat 52°26′ N*Long 109°10′00″ W*Dominion Land Survey Section 18, Township 40, Range 22, West of the 3rd Meridian*Time zone UTC−6-Location:-See also:*List of towns in Saskatchewan...
to become the only team in history to win three consecutive Allan Cups. A season later, the Lakers failed to defeat the Powell River Regals
Powell River Regals
The Powell River Regals are a Canadian Senior ice hockey team from Powell River, British Columbia. The Regals play an independent schedule under the supervision of BC Hockey. The Regals are 3-time Allan Cup National Champions, 1-time Allan Cup National Finalists, and 1-time Hardy Cup National...
in the 1997 Allan Cup
1997 Allan Cup
The 1997 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1996-97 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Powell River Regals in Powell River, British Columbia...
final, which would have given them four in a row if won.
In 1998, after finding themselves without a league to play in, the Warroad Lakers were forced to fold.
Around 2001, the team was resurrected and named the Warroad Islanders. They competed in the 2002 Allan Cup
2002 Allan Cup
The 2002 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 2001-02 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Powell River Regals in Powell River, British Columbia...
but failed to get out of the round robin. In 2003, the Islanders failed to get past the Ile des Chenes North Stars (who won the 2003 Allan Cup
2003 Allan Cup
The 2003 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 2002-03 Senior "AAA" season. The event was hosted by the Dundas Real McCoys in Dundas, Ontario...
) in the Manitoba playdowns. Soon after, the team fell off the competitive hockey map.
All three of the Lakers' Allan Cup winning teams have been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...
.
Notable alumni
- Jim HenryJim HenryJim Henry may refer to:*Jim Henry , one of the leaders of the Mason Henry Gang in California in the American Civil War 1864-1865*Jim Henry , former Major League Baseball player*Jim Henry , former American Olympic diver...
- Julian KlymkiwJulian KlymkiwJulian Klymkiw is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1958–59 NHL season.-External links:...
- Dave Richardson
- Clarence SchmidtClarence SchmidtClarence Schmidt was locally and nationally renowned “outsider artist” — an iconic pioneer of monumental environmental sculpture...
- Art StrattonArt StrattonArthur Stratton is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 95 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers.-Awards and achievements:...
- Roger ChristianRoger ChristianRoger "Hot Dog Rog" Christian was a radio personality and lyricist who wrote several songs for The Beach Boys, mostly about cars, including "Ballad of Ole' Betsy", "Car Crazy Cutie", "Cherry, Cherry Coupe", "Don’t Worry Baby", "In the Parkin' Lot", "Little Deuce Coupe", "No-Go Showboat", "Shut...
- Bill ChristianBill ChristianWilliam David Christian is a retired ice hockey player. He led the United States to a gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998. His son, Dave Christian, was a...
- Dave ChristianDave ChristianDavid William Christian is a retired American professional ice hockey forward, who comes from a family of hockey players. His father Bill and uncle Roger were members of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the gold medal. Another uncle, Gordon, was a member of the 1956 U.S. Olympic Hockey...
- Henry BouchaHenry BouchaHenry Charles Boucha is a retired American professional ice hockey centerman who played 247 games over 6 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies whose career was cut short by eye injury...
- Blaine Comstock
- Chad EricksonChad EricksonChad Carlyle Erickson is a retired ice hockey goaltender who played two games in the National Hockey League, both for the New Jersey Devils in 1991–92. He won one game, lost the other and had a 4.50 goals against average. He never returned to the NHL, but played for numerous minor league teams...
- Wyatt SmithWyatt SmithWyatt Smith is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He most recently played center with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
- Larry Olimb
- Allan Hangsleben