The Guelph Platers were a

junior ice hockey Junior hockey is a level of competitive ice hockey generally for players between 16 and 21 years of age. Junior hockey leagues in the United States and Canada are considered amateur (with some exceptions) and operate within regions of each cou ...

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 overag ...

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 ...

, and

Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League 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 ...

. 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 attract ...

in 1989. The franchise played in the Guelph Memorial Gardens.

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

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 The Thunder Bay Beavers were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were 1972 National Centennial Cup quarter-finalists, losing to the eventual winner G ...

of the now defunct Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League. 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 Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, Charlottetown was an unincorporated town until it was incorporated as a city in ...

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 Jun ...

. 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 of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. 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, 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 ...

of the

Central Junior A Hockey League The Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior 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 Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 1975 Biltmores were bolsterted on defence by late season pick-up Craig Hartsburg of Minnesota North Stars fame. Following the season, the Biltmores were bought by the Holody family, the owners of a local

electroplating Electroplating, also known as electrochemical deposition or electrodeposition, is a process for producing a metal coating on a solid substrate through the reduction of cations of that metal by means of a direct electric current. The part to be ...

company. The Holodys changed the team name to the Guelph Holody Platers. In 1975, the Biltmores of the

(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 Ca ...

's wealthy Holody family, the owners of a local

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, 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 The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, ...

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 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 The Canadian Hockey League (CHL; french: Ligue canadienne de hockey ‒ LCH) is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canada-based major junior ice hockey leagues. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey L ...

. In 1986, the Guelph Platers caught the entire

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 by defeating the Belleville Bulls 8 points to 4 in the final. Guelph travelled to the Memorial Cup that year, bringing home the national championship to complete their Cinderella season.

Memorial Cup 1986

The Memorial Cup 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, but were switched to

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...

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 (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 (QMJHL Champs. Guelph finished first in the round-robin and took a bye to the finals, where they would play the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL 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 The Bill Long Award is presented in recognition and appreciation of an individual who has made an outstanding contribution, and distinguished service to the Ontario Hockey League. The recipient must be or have been actively engaged in junior hockey ...

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 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 ...

Frank L. Buckland Trophy final appearances: 1978 (won), 1979 (won), 1982 (won) :

Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is the governing body for the majority of junior and senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey As ...

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 ...

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

Centennial Cup final appearances: 1972 (won), 1975 (lost), 1978 (won), 1982 (lost) : J. Ross Robertson Cup final appearances: 1986 (won) : Memorial Cup 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. *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 Kirk Christopher Muller (born February 8, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for 19 seasons from 1984–85 until 2002–03. He was also the head coach of the National Hockey League ...

, Jack Ferguson Award (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, Jack Ferguson Award 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 s ...

(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 thereaf ...

(Most Outstanding Defenceman) *''1986–87'' - John McIntyre, Bobby Smith Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year)

Retired numbers

18 -

Paul Fendley 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 ...

, a member of the

's Guelph CMC's who died in an on-ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens 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 Georgetown is a large unincorporated community in the town of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada, in the Regional Municipality of Halton. The town includes several small villages or settlements such as Norval, Limehouse, Stewarttown and Glen William ...

was a member of the 1971-72 Guelph CMC's who died as a result of an on ice accident at Guelph Memorial Gardens 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 Adam Creighton (born June 2, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 708 career National Hockey League games after winning the Memorial Cup in 1984 as a member of the Ottawa 67's. Career He played professionally for ...

Dan Gratton Daniel Gratton (born December 7, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the 10th overall pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft The 1985 NHL Entry Draft was the 23rd NHL Entry Draft. It ...

Steve Guenette Steven P. Guenette (born November 13, 1965) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 35 games in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames. Playing career Guenette signed with the Penguin ...

* Craig Hartsburg * Brian Hayward * Todd Hlushko *

Kerry Huffman Kerry Huffman (born January 3, 1968) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques and Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is currently a profession ...

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 Brian John MacLellan (born October 27, 1958) is a Canadian former ice hockey forward and the general manager of the Washington Capitals. He played in the National Hockey League with five teams between 1983 and 1992, winning the Stanley Cup in 1 ...

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 Al MacIsaac (born October 10, 1967) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey executive and player. He is the former Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He was employed by the Ch ...

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 ...

* 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 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 Anthony Gerry Cassolato (born May 7, 1956) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He began his professional career in 1976 in the World Hockey Association, first with the San Diego Mariners and then the Birmingham Bulls. Af ...

Joe Contini Joseph Mario Contini (born January 29, 1957) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey forward who played 68 games in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota North Stars. Junior career Born in Galt, Ontario, Contini ...

* Craig Hartsburg *

Yearly results

Regular season

Playoffs

''SOJHL Years'' *1971 ''Lost Final'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

Chatham Maroons The Chatham Maroons are a junior ice hockey team based in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). The Maroons were the 1970 Western Ontario Junior A Champions and 1973 Sout ...

''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 The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Canada, Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey L ...

, Won

1972 Centennial Cup The 1972 Centennial Cup is the second Tier II Junior "A" 1972 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Western Canadian Champions and the Eastern Canadian ...

'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

St. Thomas Barons The St. Thomas Stars are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. History Junior ice hockey in St. Thomas began in 1961 with ...

''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 The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (often shortened to Soo Greyhounds) are a Junior ice hockey#Major junior, major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the GFL Memorial Gardens. The present team was ...

(

NOJHA The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey Association (NOJHA) was a Junior A ice hockey league based in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. The league lasted from 1962 until 1972 and competed for the Memorial Cup from 1962 until 1970 and the Manitoba Centennia ...

) ''3-games-to-none'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

(

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 wa ...

) ''4-games-to-2'' :Guelph CMC's defeated Charlottetown Islanders (Independent) ''4-games-to-none'' HDM TROPHY CHAMPIONS :Guelph CMC's defeated Red Deer Rustlers (

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'' :

defeated Guelph CMC's ''4-games-to-3 with 1 tie'' *1974 ''Lost Quarter-final'' :

defeated Guelph CMC's ''4-games-to-none with 1 tie'' *1975 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won

, Lost

1975 Centennial Cup The 1975 Centennial Cup is the fifth Tier II Junior "A" 1975 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Western Canadian Champions and the Eastern Canadian C ...

'' :Guelph CMC's defeated

Welland Sabres The Welland Sabres are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team that were based out of Welland, Ontario and was a part of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Season-by-season results Playoffs *1971 ''Lost Semi-final'' : Detroit Jr. ...

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

''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 (

) ''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

semi-final'' :Guelph Platers defeated

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

''4-games-to-none'' SOJHL CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated North Bay Trappers (

) ''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 The Owen Sound Greys were a series of junior ice hockey teams based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The original Greys, in their early years, won the 1924 and 192 ...

''4-games-to-2 with 1 tie'' :Guelph Platers defeated Collingwood Blues ''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 ...

(

) defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-3'' ''OPJHL Years'' *1978 ''Won League, Won

, Won

1978 Centennial Cup The 1978 Centennial Cup is the eighth Tier II Junior "A" 1978 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The Royal Bank Cup, Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Abbott Cup/Western Canadian Champions ...

'' :Guelph Platers defeated Wexford Raiders ''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 The Pembroke Lumber Kings are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League and are the winningest team in CCHL (formerly CJHL) history as well as 2011 Royal Bank Cup National Jun ...

( 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 (

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 of ...

) ''4-games-to-none'' CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS *1979 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won

, 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 of ...

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

''4-games-to-none'' :Guelph Platers defeated Dixie Beehives ''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 ice hockey#Junior 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 200 ...

(

) ''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 The Brampton Warriors are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, Central Junior B Hockey League, Metro Junior B Hockey League, and Metro Junior A ...

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

''4-games-to-3'' : Belleville Bulls defeated Guelph Platers ''4-games-to-1'' *1982 ''Won League, Won OHA Buckland Cup, Won

, Won Eastern Canada Championship, Lost

1982 Centennial Cup The 1982 Centennial Cup is the 12th Junior "A" 1982 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Abbott Cup/Western Canadian Champions and the Eastern Canadian ...

'' :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, 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 ...

(

NOJHL The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league and member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup ...

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

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

( CJHL) ''4-games-to-none'' DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS :Guelph Platers defeated Moncton Hawks (

NBJHL The New Brunswick Junior Hockey League (NBJHL) was a Canadian Junior ice hockey league in the province of New Brunswick. The NBJHL was in competition for the Callaghan Cup and Centennial Cup as a Junior A league. History Possibly founded in 1969 ...

) ''4-games-to-1'' EASTERN CANADA CHAMPIONS : Prince Albert Raiders (

) 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 Guelph Memorial Gardens 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, On ...

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