The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in

Guelph Guelph ( ; 2021 Canadian Census population 143,740) is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly east of Kitchener and west of Downtown Toronto, at the intersection of Highway 6, Highway 7 and Wel ...

, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the

Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overa ...

Ontario Junior Hockey League The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The league was listed as the 7th best d ...

, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's until 1972, the Biltmore Mad Hatters until 1975, and then took on the name Platers. The Platers were promoted to the

in 1982 and moved to

Owen Sound Owen Sound ( 2021 Census population 21,612) is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The county seat of Grey County, it is located at the mouths of the Pottawatomi and Sydenham Rivers on an inlet of Georgian Bay. The primary tourist attractio ...

in 1989. The franchise played in the

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, ...

History

Early years

The CMC's were founded as members of the Central Junior B Hockey League, now the

, in 1968. In 1970, the CMC's merged with and took the place of the Guelph Beef Kings of the Western Junior "A" Hockey League (formerly the Western Division of the Big 10). The league was reincorporated into the Ontario Hockey Association and changed its name to the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League for the 1970–71 season. CMC was an acronym for Central Mechanical Contractors.

Southern Junior A

After two years playing in the SOJHL, the CMC's won the Junior 'A' league title, in the 1971–72 season. In the Ontario Championship, they took on the Thunder Bay Vulcans of the now defunct

Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League wa ...

. The CMC's were leading 3-games-to-2 (5-4, 5–4, 3–7, 0–7, 6-2) when they won the series by default after the Vulcans discontinued. Moving onto the Eastern Canadian Final, the CMC's faced Charlottetown from the

Island Junior Hockey League The Island Junior Hockey League is a Junior "B" ice hockey league in Prince Edward Island, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. History Since being founded in 1996, the IJHL has been strictly a Junior "B" League—one tier below the Maritime Ju ...

. The result of the series was a four-game sweep (5-2, 6–3, 5–2, 5-2), in favour of Guelph. Guelph travelled to the Centennial Cup versus the

Red Deer Rustlers The Red Deer Rustlers were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League based in Red Deer, Alberta. They captured the inaugural Centennial Trophy in 1971. Their eight AJHL championships remains the second most in league history, ...

of the

Alberta Junior Hockey League The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) is an Alberta-based Junior A ice hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The re ...

. The CMC's swept the Rustlers (4-2, 3–2, 3–1, 3-0), taking the National title. The team was coached by Bill Taylor and starred Paul Fendley,

Doug Risebrough Douglas John Risebrough (born January 29, 1954) is a Canadian former player, coach, and general manager in the National Hockey League. In his 31 years in the NHL, he has been involved with the Stanley Cup Playoffs 25 times. He is currently a pro s ...

, and

John Van Boxmeer John Martin Van Boxmeer (born November 20, 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He has also served extensively as a hockey coach with various teams from 1984 to the present. Bio John Van Boxmeer was considered a top prospec ...

.
In 1972 the CMC's changed their names to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. The Biltmores won the SOJHL championship again in 1975, then defeated the

Smiths Falls Bears The Smiths Falls Bears are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. The team was an original member of the league, but then left Smiths Falls in 1976. The team then re ...

of the Central Junior A Hockey League in 6 games (8-3, 3–4, 7–2, 6–4, 3–6, 5-2) to reach the Centennial Cup finals a second time. The Biltmores were defeated 4-games-to-2 (3-4, 2–3, 4–1, 5–2, 6–3, 6-5 OT) by the

Spruce Grove Mets The St. Albert Saints were a junior ice hockey franchise based in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, for twenty-seven seasons from 1977 to 2004. Before 1977, the team played in nearby Spruce Grove as the Spruce Grove Mets, and in 2004 the team again m ...

of the

. The 1975 Biltmores were bolsterted on defence by late season pick-up

Craig Hartsburg Craig William Hartsburg (born June 29, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and head coach, who currently serves as an amateur scout and defense development coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ( ...

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

fame. Following the season, the Biltmores were bought by the Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers. In 1975, the Biltmores of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (SOJHL) were bought by

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

's wealthy Holody family, the owners of a local electroplating company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers. The team remained in the SOJHL for the next two years, finishing first both times.

OHA Junior 'A' years

The SOJHL folded in 1977. Two of its four teams, Guelph and the

Hamilton Mountain A's The Hamilton Mountain A's are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. History Originating as the Hamilton Red Wing B's, the team became the Hamilton ...

, became part of the Ontario Hockey Association Junior "A" League. The Platers, featuring future

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

Brian Hayward Brian George Hayward (born June 25, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who currently serves as a color analyst for Anaheim Ducks broadcasts on Prime Ticket/Fox Sports West and KDOC. Playing career Hayward played coll ...

, won the 1977–78

Manitoba Centennial Trophy The Centennial Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), which determines the national champion of junior A ice hockey. It is a ten-team round robin featuring the winners of ...

as national Junior 'A' champions. It was the second national title for the franchise, which had also won the Centennial Cup in 1972 as the CMC's. In 1978–79, the Platers became the first team to win the Dudley Hewitt Cup as provincial champions. In the 1980–81 season, the Platers reached the Tier II championship for southern Ontario, but were defeated by another future OHL team, the

Belleville Bulls The Belleville Bulls were a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 and based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. The team moved to Hamilton, Ontario ...

. The 1981–82 season proved to be the last season for the Platers in the OHA-A. As they won their second Dudley Hewitt Cup, they were announced as the latest expansion team of the Ontario Hockey League.

OHL Major Junior years

After being turned down as an OHL expansion team in 1981, Guelph was approved the next year for the 1982–83 season. Guelph's first season in the OHL was dismal. The team set OHL records at the time for losing 63 of their 70 games, for most home and away losses, and most goals against in one season with 555. All of these records have since been surpassed by other teams in the Canadian Hockey League. In 1986, the Guelph Platers caught the entire Canadian Hockey League off-guard. Led by coach Jacques Martin, the team reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history by finishing second in the Emms Division (Western Conference). The Platers continued their hard work through the playoffs, winning the

J. Ross Robertson Cup The J. Ross Robertson Cup is a Canadian ice hockey trophy. It is awarded annually in junior ice hockey to the champion of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. It was donated by John Ross Robertson to the Ontario Hockey Association in 1910, and ...

by defeating the

8 points to 4 in the final. Guelph travelled to the

Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup () is the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League, a consortium of three major junior ice hockey leagues operating in Canada and parts of the United States. It is a four-team round-robin tournament played between t ...

that year, bringing home the national championship to complete their Cinderella season.

Memorial Cup 1986

The

championship of 1986 was hosted by the

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior h ...

, with games originally scheduled for

New Westminster, British Columbia New Westminster (colloquially known as New West) is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It was founded by Major-General Richard Moody as the capita ...

, but were switched to

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the list of cities in Oregon, largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, Columbia rivers, Portland is ...

due to a hotel shortage caused by

Expo '86 The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo 86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from May 2 until October 13, 1986. The fair, the theme of which was "Transportation and Communicatio ...

. Their opponents would be the

Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL), one of three leagues making up the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Prior to the 2021-22 season, the Winterhawks split thei ...

(hosts),

Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team plays in the B.C. Division of the Western Conference, is based out of Kamloops, British Columbia, and play home games at Sandman Centre. The Blazers o ...

(WHL Champs) and the

Hull Olympiques The Gatineau Olympiques are a junior ice hockey, major junior ice hockey team based in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Starting with the 2021–22 season, the Olympiques play home games at Ce ...

(QMJHL Champs. Guelph finished first in the round-robin and took a bye to the finals, where they would play the

of the

QMJHL The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (french: Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec; abbreviated ''QMJHL'' in English, ''LHJMQ'' in French) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The le ...

for the championship. The surprise season ended with two pairs of surprise goals 11 and 13 seconds apart respectively. The Platers won the game 5–2 to capture the Memorial Cup. Fame was short-lived for the Platers however. The team suffered through more losing seasons with poor attendance. After the 1988–89 season, the Holodys moved the team to

, retaining the name "Platers". Alec Campagnaro was given the Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL in 1989.

Championships

SOJAHL The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League ...

Jack Oakes Trophy final appearances: 1971 (lost), 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (won) : OPJHL Frank L. Buckland Trophy final appearances: 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won) : Ontario Hockey Association Tier II All-Ontario final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won), 1976 (won), 1977 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won) :

CJAHL The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of Canadian junior A ice hockey leagues and teams and was formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior H ...

Dudley Hewitt Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (won) 1976 (lost), 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won) :

Centennial Cup The Centennial Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), which determines the national champion of junior A ice hockey. It is a ten-team round robin featuring the winners of ...

final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (lost), 1978 (won), 1982 (lost) :

final appearances: 1986 (won) :

final appearances: 1986 (won)

Coaches

Jacques Martin was a former NCAA goalie turned coach. In his one year in Guelph, he completely turned around the franchise making them into national champions. He was awarded the

Matt Leyden Trophy The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year. The award is chosen by fellow OHL general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club. Coaches receive five points for ...

as OHL Coach of the year in 1986. The following year he was hired as the head coach of the NHL

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the ...

. *1982–83 - Don McKee *1983–85 - Joe Contini *1983–85 - J.Contini, Mike Mahoney, Rob Holody *1985–86 - Jacques Martin *1986–87 - Gary Spoar, Rob Holody *1987–88 - Floyd Crawford *1988–89 - Ron Smith

Players

Award winners

*''1982'' - Kirk Muller,

Jack Ferguson Award The Jack Ferguson Award is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft. The trophy is named in honour of Jack Ferguson, a former director of OHL Central Scouting. Winners List of OHL first overall ...

(First Overall draft pick) & ''1982-83''

William Hanley Trophy The William Hanley Trophy is awarded annually by Ontario Hockey League to the most sportsmanlike player. It is named for Bill Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years. T ...

(Most Sportsmanlike player) *''1983'' - Trevor Stienburg,

First Overall draft pick) *''1985–86'' - Lonnie Loach,

Emms Family Award The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the Rookie of the Year (top first-year player) in the Ontario Hockey League. The winner is also nominated for the CHL Rookie of the Year. The award was donated by Hap Emms. Leighton "Hap" Emms was a c ...

(Rookie of the Year) *''1985–86'' - Steve Guenette,

Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the best overage player in the Ontario Hockey League, as selected by the teams' general managers. The trophy was donated by the trainers of the league in memory of Leo Lalonde, former chief ...

(Overage Player of the Year) *''1986–87'' - Kerry Huffman,

Max Kaminsky Trophy The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League to the most outstanding defenceman. The award is named in honour of Max Kaminsky, who coached the St. Catharines Teepees to the Memorial Cup in 1960 and died shortly thereaft ...

(Most Outstanding Defenceman) *''1986–87'' - John McIntyre,

Bobby Smith Trophy The Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year, who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. The trophy is named for Bobby Smith, a former Ottawa 67's player. It is symb ...

(Scholastic Player of the Year)

Retired numbers

18 - Paul Fendley, a member of the

Guelph CMC's The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's un ...

who died in an on-ice accident at

in 1972. His number has not been issued to a player since, by the Guelph CMC's, Guelph Platers, or Guelph Storm. Paul Fendley's number was officially retired on Nov 15, 2008. Paul Fendley of Georgetown, Ontario was a member of the 1971-72 Guelph CMC's who died as a result of an on ice accident at

during Guelph's Centennial Cup 1972 victory. The 19-year-old player died at Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital on May 8, 1972, seventy-three hours after striking his head on the arena ice. Fendley was checked by an opponent with 11 minutes to play in the game. He tried to catch his balance while still handling the puck and lost his helmet in the process, falling and striking the bare back of his head on the ice. Fendley was the 1972 SOJHL Leading Scorer with 20 goals and 24 assists in 43 games. He also scored 14 goals and 18 assists in 26 playoff games before his accident. The game in which he was fatally injured was the final and clinching game of the Centennial Cup.

NHL alumni

Platers * Brian Bradley *

Paul Brydges Paul Brydges (born June 21, 1965) is a Canadian former ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), centre. He played fifteen games in the National Hockey League for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1986–87 NHL season, 1986–87 season. He has also worked as ...

Steve Chiasson Steven Joseph Chiasson (April 14, 1967 – May 3, 1999) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman with the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes. Chiasson died in an automobile accident, w ...

* Adam Creighton * Dan Gratton * Steve Guenette *

* Todd Hlushko * Kerry Huffman *

Denis Larocque Denis "Denny" Larocque (born October 5, 1967), is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in 8 games for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hoc ...

Guy Larose Guy B. Larose (born July 31, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is the son of former NHL/WHA player Claude Larose. Playing career Larose was selected 2nd overall by the Guelph Platers in the 1984 Ontario Hockey League ...

Lonnie Loach Lonnie Loach (born April 14, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Loach spent the majority of his career in the IHL but also played briefly in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. ...

* Brian MacLellan *

Grant Martin Grant Michael Martin (born March 13, 1962 in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario) is a Canadian retired ice hockey player. Drafted in 1980 by the Vancouver Canucks, Martin also played for the Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially ...

* John McIntyre * Al MacIsaac *

George McPhee George McPhee (born July 2, 1958) is a Canadian ice hockey executive currently serving as the president of hockey operations for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). McPhee served general manager of the Washington Capital ...

* Kirk Muller * Mike Murray * Gary Roberts *

Warren Rychel Warren Stanley Rychel (born May 12, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League. He was hired as the head coach of the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League in 2019. P ...

* David Shaw *

Doug Shedden Douglas Arthur Shedden (born April 29, 1961) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He played in the National Hockey League between 1981 and 1991. After his playing career he became a coach, and worked in the minor leagues for several ...

* Ron Smith *

Trevor Stienburg Trevor Malcolm Stienburg (pronounced like "Steinberg"; nickname "Stieny" or "Mango", or “Big Mangzy”) (born May 13, 1966) is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Quebec Nordique ...

* Sean Whyte *

Rob Zamuner Robert F. Zamuner (born September 17, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, who played thirteen seasons in the NHL, most notably with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Playing career Zamuner played junior hockey for the Guelph Plat ...

CMC's/Mad Hatters *

Kirk Bowman Robert Kirk Bowman (born September 30, 1952) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey winger. He played 88 regular season games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map ...

* Scott Campbell * Tony Cassolato * Joe Contini *

Yearly results

Regular season

Playoffs

''SOJHL Years'' *1971 ''Lost Final'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons ''4-games-to-1 with 1 tie'' : Detroit Jr. Red Wings defeated Guelph CMC's ''3-games-to-2 with 2 ties'' *1972 ''Won League, Won Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy, Won 1972 Centennial Cup'' :Guelph CMC's defeated St. Thomas Barons ''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings ''4-games-to-1'' SOJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph CMC's defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds ( NOJHA) ''3-games-to-none'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Thunder Bay Vulcans (

TBJHL The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League ...

) ''4-games-to-2'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

Charlottetown Islanders The Charlottetown Islanders are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the Islanders play their home games at the Eastlink Centre, which has 3,717 arena se ...

(Independent) ''4-games-to-none'' HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS :Guelph CMC's defeated

(

AJHL The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) is an Alberta-based Junior A ice hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The reg ...

) ''4-games-to-none'' CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS *1973 ''Lost Final'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings ''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1971, the franchise was promoted to the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League for the 1975� ...

''4-games-to-none'' : Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's ''4-games-to-3 with 1 tie'' *1974 ''Lost Quarter-final'' : Chatham Maroons defeated Guelph CMC's ''4-games-to-none with 1 tie'' *1975 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy, Lost 1975 Centennial Cup'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Welland Sabres ''4-games-to-1'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Chatham Maroons ''3-games-to-2 with 2 ties'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

''4-games-to-3 with 1 tie'' SOJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph CMC's defeated Toronto Nationals ( OPJHL) ''4-games-to-2'' BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph CMC's defeated

Thunder Bay Eagles The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of the city of Thunder Bay). They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost ...

(

) ''4-games-to-1'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

( CJHL) ''4-games-to-2'' HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS :

(

) defeated Guelph CMC's ''4-games-to-2'' *1976 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy semi-final'' :Guelph Platers defeated Welland Sabres ''4-games-to-1'' :Guelph Platers defeated Chatham Maroons ''4-games-to-none'' SOJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers ( OPJHL) ''4-games-to-1'' BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

(

) ''4-games-to-1'' :

Rockland Nationals The Rockland Nationals are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Rockland, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League. The Rockland Nationals will begin play in 2017-18, after the Gloucester Rangers relocated to Rockland af ...

( CJHL) defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-3'' *1977 ''Won League, Lost OHA Buckland Cup'' :Guelph Platers defeated Owen Sound Greys ''4-games-to-2 with 1 tie'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Collingwood Blues Collingwood, meaning "wood of disputed ownership", may refer to: Educational institutions * Collingwood College, Victoria, an Australian state Prep to Year 12 school * Collingwood College, Durham, college of Durham University, England * Collin ...

''4-games-to-none'' SOJHL CHAMPIONS :

North York Rangers The North York Rangers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team located in the North York district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the South Division of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and were previously a part of the Metro Jun ...

( OPJHL) defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-3'' ''OPJHL Years'' *1978 ''Won League, Won Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy, Won 1978 Centennial Cup'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Wexford Raiders The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in the Downsview neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were known as the Wexford Raiders until the end of the 2005–06 season and are a part of Ontario Junior Hockey Le ...

''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers ''4-games-to-2'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Royal York Royals The Royal York Royals are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from North York, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. The team was based at Downsview Arena in the Downsview neighbourhood. The team wa ...

''4-games-to-1'' OPJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Degagne Hurricanes The Westfort Hurricanes were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Fort William, Ontario. The Herks were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were Abbott Cup finalists once. History In 1972, the Hurricanes broke away from the ...

(

) ''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings ( CJHL) ''4-games-to-1'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Charlottetown Eagles The Charlottetown Abbies were a Junior "A" team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They played in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Their home rink from 2003 to 2008 was the MacLauchlan Arena on the campus of UPEI. Before then, it wa ...

( IJHL) ''4-games-to-2'' HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Prince Albert Raiders The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. The team plays its hom ...

(

SJHL The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years ...

) ''4-games-to-none'' CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS *1979 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won Dudley Hewitt Cup, Lost 1979 Centennial Cup round robin'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Markham Waxers The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league o ...

''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Dixie Beehives Dixie Beehives are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Weston, Ontario, Canada, which is now part of Toronto, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Central Junior B Hockey League. Jr. A Beehive ...

''4-games-to-1'' OPJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Nickel Centre Native Sons The Nickel Centre Native Sons were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Garson, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League History The Native Sons originated in the NOHA Jr. B League. In thei ...

''2-games-to-none'' BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Thunder Bay North Stars The Thunder Bay North Stars are a junior A ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a member of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. History After the fall of the Thunder Bay Flyers in 2001, the Superior Internat ...

(

) ''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Hawkesbury Hawks The Hawkesbury Hawks are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). History The Hawks were formed by a group of local businessmen in March 1974. From 1974 until 1976 ...

( CJHL) ''4-games-to-2'' DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS :Third and eliminated in 1979 Centennial Cup round robin (1-3) *1980 ''Lost Quarter-final'' :

defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-3'' *1981 ''Lost Final'' :Guelph Platers defeated Brampton Warriors ''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated

''4-games-to-3'' :

defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-1'' *1982 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won Dudley Hewitt Cup, Won Eastern Canada Championship, Lost 1982 Centennial Cup'' :Guelph Platers defeated

''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated

Richmond Hill Rams The Richmond Hill Rams were a Junior ice hockey team based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Greater Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League. History Richmond Hill Rams The Rams were a resurrection of the Richmond Hill Rams of the ...

''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated

''4-games-to-1'' OJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Onaping Falls Huskies The Onaping Falls Huskies were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Onaping Falls, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). History As the Levack Miners, the team won the 1972 NOHA ...

( NOJHL) ''3-games-to-none'' BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated Thunder Bay Kings (

) ''3-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings ( CJHL) ''4-games-to-none'' DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated

Moncton Hawks The Moncton Hawks were a professional ice hockey team based in Moncton, New Brunswick. They played in the American Hockey League between 1987 and 1994, operating as a minor league affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. Home games were played at the ...

( NBJHL) ''4-games-to-1'' EASTERN CANADA CHAMPIONS :

(

) defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-none'' ;Platers transfer to Ontario Hockey League. *1982–83 Out of playoffs. *1983–84 Out of playoffs. *1984–85 Out of playoffs. *1985–86 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 8 points to 0 in first round.
Won quarter-final round robin vs. North Bay Centennials & Windsor Spitfires.
Defeated Windsor Spitfires 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
Defeated Belleville Bulls 8 points to 4 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
Finished first in round-robin of Memorial Cup. Earned bye to finals.
Defeated Hull Olympiques 5–2 in finals. ''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'' *1986–87 Lost to Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 1 in first round. *1987–88 Out of playoffs. *1988–89 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in first round.

Arena

The Guelph Platers played at the

located in downtown Guelph. The team and the arena played host to the OHL All-Star game in 1984. Demolition of the Gardens began in 2006. *'
Guelph Memorial Gardens
'' The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

The Imperials

The City of Guelph was unhappy with the fact that their Junior A team had been moved to Kitchener in 1963. Left with only the Guelph CMC's at the OHA Junior B level, the City jumped at the 1968 offer of the newly-renegade Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League to give the city a new Junior A team. After a pair of losing seasons and a name change to the Beef Kings, the league was reincorporated into the OHA as a Tier II Junior A league and the franchise being bought out by the CMC's. From that point on, the CMC's took the Beef King's place.

Season-by-season results

Playoffs

*1969 ''Lost Semi-final'' :

Brantford Foresters The Brantford Eagles were a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. On May 23, 2012, the Eagles were transplanted to Caledonia, O ...

defeated Guelph Imperials ''4-games-to-1'' *1970 ''Lost Semi-final'' :

defeated Guelph Beef Kings ''4-games-to-none''

References

{{OPJAHL Defunct Ontario Hockey League teams Sport in Guelph 1968 establishments in Ontario 1989 disestablishments in Ontario Ice hockey clubs established in 1968 Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 1989