The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (often shortened to Soo Greyhounds) are a

major junior 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 ...

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

team 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 ...

. The Greyhounds play home games at the

GFL Memorial Gardens The GFL Memorial Gardens, formerly the "Essar Centre", is a 4,928 seat sports and entertainment centre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It opened on September 29, 2006, replacing the now demolished Sault M ...

. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the

Northern Ontario Hockey Association The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is an ice hockey governing body for minor, junior and senior ice hockey. The NOHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada. The major league run by the NOHA is the Northern ...

. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey teams based in

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Sault Ste. Marie ( ) is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is at the St. Mary's River on the Canada–US border. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay. The Ojibwe, the indigenous Anishinaabe inhabitants of ...

, Canada, since 1919.

Early years

The first Greyhounds team formed in 1919, playing in the now defunct Upper-Peninsula League. The team's coach was

George McNamara George Andrew McNamara (August 26, 1886 – March 10, 1952) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a member of the 1914 Toronto Blueshirts Stanley Cup champions. His brothers Harold and Howard also played professional ice hockey. ...

. He suggested the team be called the Greyhounds since, ''"a greyhound is much faster than a wolf."'' That reference was to the already established rival club, the

Sudbury Wolves The Sudbury Wolves are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ice hockey team based in Greater Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Sudbury has had various hockey teams competing at the Junior ice hockey, junior and senior ice hockey levels of the game k ...

. A couple of seasons later, the Greyhounds switched to the

Senior "A" division. The team won the Senior A championship in 1921, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The 1924 Greyhounds also won the

Allan Cup The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men's ice hockey champions of Canada. It was donated by Sir Montagu Allan of Ravenscrag, Montreal, and has been competed for since 1909. The current champions are the ...

, becoming the only team from Sault Ste. Marie to do so. In October 1925, the club received an offer from

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

to play as the Knickerbockers in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League. The Greyhounds joined the Central Amateur Hockey Association, a division of the United States Amateur Hockey Association for the 1925–26 season. After the season, several players joined the professional ranks and the team folded. In 1929, a junior Greyhounds team was organized, competing in the

Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League 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 ...

. The juniors won the league championship four consecutive years from 1928 to 1931, and added a fifth title in 1942. Junior hockey in Sault Ste. Marie came to an abrupt end in 1945, when the Gouin Street Arena was destroyed by fire. The senior Greyhounds team was revived in 1948. The new team played out of a temporary home at Pullar Stadium, in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, U.S.A., until the Memorial Gardens opened in 1949. The senior Greyhounds won the NOHA championship four times, in 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1955. This team folded, along with the league, after the 1958–59 season.

Modern era

The current Greyhounds Junior A franchise was founded in 1962 as a member of the

. The team's founders were Angelo Bumbacco, Lloyd Prokop, Phil Suraci, Pat Esposito and Bill Kelly. The Greyhounds played for ten seasons in the NOJHL. They were extremely successful, never having a losing season, and winning the league championship three times. In 1972, the Greyhounds entered the

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 ...

as a Major Junior A expansion team. The original directors were joined by Frank Caputo and Frank Sarlo. Angelo Bumbacco died on October 27, 2020 aged 88.

Wayne Gretzky 1977–78

1977 Events January * January 8 – Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. * January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (now the Democratic R ...

, the Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds picked a 16-year-old

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

, standing at and weighing , with the third pick in the Ontario Midget Draft. He was still small in stature, but would have a big impact on the game. Gretzky requested to wear # 9 for his idol

Gordie Howe Gordon Howe (March 31, 1928 – June 10, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. From 1946 to 1980, he played 26 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and six seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA); his first 25 seaso ...

, but that number was already taken by teammate Brian Gualazzi. Gretzky then chose # 14 instead. After a few games, coach Muzz MacPherson suggested wearing two nines would be better than one. From that season on, Gretzky always wore the legendary # 99. In 63 games that year, he set the Greyhounds all-time record, scoring 70 goals and had 112 assists for a total of 182 points. Gretzky would have won the scoring title, except for a 192-point season by Bobby Smith. Gretzky was awarded the

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 ...

as the rookie of the year, and the

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 ...

as most gentlemanly player.

Memorial Cup, 1985

After winning the OHL championship, the Greyhounds travelled to

Shawinigan Shawinigan () is a city located on the Saint-Maurice River in the Mauricie area in Quebec, Canada. It had a population of 49,349 as of the 2016 Canadian census. Shawinigan is also a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality (TE) an ...

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

to compete in 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 ...

tournament, for the national junior hockey title. The Greyhounds played against the host team

Shawinigan Cataractes The Shawinigan Cataractes (french: Cataractes de Shawinigan) are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada. The Cataractes have been previously known as the Shawinigan Bruin ...

, the QMJHL champion

Verdun Junior Canadiens The Verdun Junior Canadiens were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 1984 to 1989. They played home games at the Verdun Auditorium, and won the President's Cup during the 1984–85 QMJHL season. History ...

, and the WHL champion

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 ...

. The Greyhounds were led by future

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

ers,

Jeff Beukeboom Jeffrey Scott Beukeboom (born March 28, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played as a defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers between 1986 and 1999 Playin ...

Chris Felix Christopher Robin Felix (born May 27, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for several seasons with the Washington Capitals, who signed him as a free agent in 1988. Over four NHL seasons he played 35 games with ...

Derek King Derek King (born February 11, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey Winger (ice hockey), left winger who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. King played 14 seasons in the ...

Wayne Presley Wayne Richard Presley (born March 23, 1965) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1984–85 until 1995–96. Biography Presley was born in Dearborn, Michigan and rai ...

Bob Probert Robert Alan Probert (June 5, 1965 – July 5, 2010) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. Probert played for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. While a successful player by some measures, including bei ...

and

Rob Zettler Rob Zettler (born March 8, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 14 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nash ...

. Leading scorers in the regular season were Wayne Groulx, Graeme Bonar and Sault Ste. Marie native Mike Oliverio. The Greyhounds won the first game on May 11 in Shawinigan versus the home team, by a score 4-3, in front of 3,276 fans. Televising games from the

Aréna Jacques Plante The Arena Jacques Plante was a 2,524-seat (total capacity 3,700) multi-purpose arena in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada. It was built in 1937. It was home to the Shawinigan Cataractes Ice hockey team. The arena is named in honour of Jacques Plante; fo ...

in Shawinigan proved difficult due to roof support pillars around the ice surface. After two games in Shawinigan, the remainder of the tournament was played in the

Centre Marcel Dionne The Centre Marcel Dionne is a 4,000 capacity (3,038 seated) multi-purpose arena in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. It is home to the Drummondville Voltigeurs Ice hockey team. It is named in honour of Marcel Dionne Marcel Elphège "Little Beaver ...

Drummondville Drummondville is a city in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, located east of Montreal on the Saint-François River. The population as of the Canada 2021 Census was 79,258. The mayor of Drummondville is Stéphanie Lacoste. Drummondville is ...

. The Greyhounds won their first game in Drummondville 6-3 over Verdun, with two goals from Derek King. Their first loss of the tournament came in game three, losing 8-6 to the Prince Albert Raiders. With the loss, the Cataractes, Raiders and Greyhounds would all finish the round-robin with two wins and a loss. Shawinigan earned a spot in the finals on best goals for and against difference, with Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Albert to have a rematch in the semi-final game. On May 16, the Greyhounds lost again to the Raiders.

Memorial Cup, 1991

The Greyhounds season of 1990–91 marked an incredible turnaround from seventh place the season before, to finishing first place and winning the

Emms division 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 overage ...

. General manager

Sherwood Bassin Sherwood Bassin (born August 14, 1939) is a Canadian ice hockey executive known primarily for 36 years of involvement in the Ontario Hockey League as a general manager, team owner and coach. Bassin successfully turned franchises around, and his ...

put together pieces for coach

Ted Nolan Theodore John Nolan (born April 7, 1958) is a Canadian former professional hockey left winger, former head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and Latvia men's national ice hockey team. From July 2017 until May 2018 he was head coach of the Poland men' ...

to win. Bassin was awarded

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, was named both the

OHL Executive of the Year The OHL Executive of the Year Award was given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League, whose team demonstrates success both on the ice, and at the administration level. It was first awarded in 1989–90 OHL season. The most rece ...

, and the

CHL Executive of the Year The CHL Executive of the Year award is given out annually to the top executive in the Canadian Hockey League. The award has not been conferred since 2002. Recipients are chosen from the winners of the respective constituent league awards: the OHL E ...

in 1991. The Greyhounds swept both playoff series and earned a second round bye to reach the OHL finals against the defending champions, the Oshawa Generals. 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 ...

finals had many subplots due to the big trade between the clubs in the previous season. Added to the mix was Joe Busillo, an overager picked up from Oshawa, who won the Memorial Cup with the Generals the previous year. Fans from the Soo were still very bitter towards Oshawa captain

Eric Lindros Eric Bryan Lindros (; born February 28, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Lindros was born in London, Ontario, but grew up in Toronto. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Oshawa Generals pr ...

, who had originally been drafted by the Greyhounds in 1989 but chose not to play for them (eventually being traded to the Generals). The Soo crowd loudly jeered Lindros every time he was on the ice during the championship series. The Greyhounds upset the heavily favoured defending champions in a six-game series, winning the last game on home ice. The Greyhounds were led in scoring by Colin Miller, Tony Iob, Trevor Koopmans, and future

ers

Adam Foote Adam Foote (born July 10, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, the current Assistant Coach of the Vancouver Canucks of National Hockey League, and the former head coach of the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League ...

and tough guys

Bob Boughner Robert Douglas Boughner ( ; born March 8, 1971), nicknamed "The Boogieman", is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently an associate coach for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). As head c ...

, and

Denny Lambert Denny Lambert (born January 7, 1970) is a former professional Canadian ice hockey player and member of the Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways, Batchewana First Nation. Lambert was drafted in the Ontario Hockey League where he played for the S ...

. Other members to move onto the NHL included

Drew Bannister Drew Bannister (born April 9, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and current coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds in the American Hockey League. He played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, Mighty ...

, Ralph Intranuovo,

Brad Tiley Bradley Phillip Tiley (born July 5, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Playing career Born in Markdale, Ontario, Tiley was drafted 84th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played junior hockey ...

and goaltenders

Kevin Hodson Kevin Hodson (born March 27, 1972) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Hodson played professionally in the National Hockey League, NHL and American Hockey League, AHL before ending his playing career in the Finlan ...

and

Mike Lenarduzzi Mike "Whopper" Lenarduzzi (born September 14, 1972) is a Canadian retired ice hockey goaltender. He played four games in the National Hockey League with the Hartford Whalers during the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons. The rest of his career, whic ...

. The 1991 Memorial Cup was hosted by the QMJHL in

Quebec City Quebec City ( or ; french: Ville de Québec), officially Québec (), is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Communauté métrop ...

at the

Colisée de Québec Colisée de Québec (later known as Colisée Pepsi) is a defunct multi-purpose arena located in Quebec City, Quebec. It was the home of the Quebec Nordiques from 1972 to 1995, during their time in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey ...

. Their opponents would be the WHL champion

Spokane Chiefs The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadi ...

, and the QMJHL finalists

Drummondville Voltigeurs The Drummondville Voltigeurs are a junior ice hockey team of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The franchise was originally granted for the 1982–83 season, and is based in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, playing its home games at th ...

and the champion

Chicoutimi Saguenéens The Chicoutimi Saguenéens are a junior ice hockey team which plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The team is based out of Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada (now a part of the city of Saguenay) and owned by the City of Saguenay. Th ...

. The Greyhounds did not win a game in the tournament, but gained valuable experience for next season.

Memorial Cup, 1992

The 1991–92 Greyhounds repeated as winners of the Emms division. Sault Ste. Marie earned a first round bye in the playoffs, then defeated the

Kitchener Rangers The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. The Rangers have won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL ...

and

Niagara Falls Thunder The Niagara Falls Thunder was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. History Niagara Falls became home to its third OHL franchise in 1988 upon the relocation of the H ...

to return to the league finals. The Greyhounds won their third J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating their northern counterparts, the

North Bay Centennials The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario. History The North Bay Centennials or "Cents" as they were popularly known, were named afte ...

in a seven-game series. The Greyhounds were led by captain

Rick Kowalsky Rick Kowalsky (born March 20, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 10th round (227th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Kowalsky played four seasons (1989 – 1993) of major ...

, and in scoring by Jarrett Reid's 53 goals and also had two players with 100 point seasons, Colin Miller and Ralph Intranuovo. The Soo also gained a midseason boost and more toughness, acquiring future NHLer

Chris Simon Christopher J. Simon (born January 30, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger, who played 20 seasons of ice hockey: 15 seasons in the NHL and 5 seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. He last played for Metallurg Novoku ...

in a trade with the

Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67's are a major junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that plays in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Established during Canada's Canadian Centennial, centennial year of 1967 and named in honour of this, the 67's c ...

. The 1992 Memorial Cup was hosted by the WHL in

Seattle, Washington Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...

at the

Seattle Center Coliseum Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is located north of Downtown Seattle in the entertainment complex known as Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World's Fair, for which it was or ...

. Their opponents would be the WHL champion

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 ...

, the QMJHL champion

Verdun Collège Français Verdun Collège Français were a junior ice hockey team from Verdun, Quebec, Canada. They were members of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1991 to 1994. Collège Français resurrected the dormant Quebec Remparts franchise in 1985 after a ...

, and the host

Seattle Thunderbirds The Seattle Thunderbirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in the city of Kent, Washington, south of Seattle. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League. They play their games at home in ac ...

. The Greyhounds reversed their fortunes of the previous Memorial Cup, winning all three games of the round-robin, advancing directly to the tournament finals. Their opponent in the finals would be the Kamloops Blazers. The Greyhounds came back from an early 3-0 deficit 15 minutes into the game to tie the score at 3-3. Kamloops scored early in the third period for a 4-3 lead. Chris Simon then tied the game for Sault Ste. Marie with four minutes remaining to play. The game looked to be headed for overtime, until Kamloops' Zac Boyer scored on a breakaway with 14.6 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Blazers.

Memorial Cup, 1993

In the 1992–93, the Greyhounds won their third consecutive Emms division title. They narrowly beat out the

Detroit Junior Red Wings The Detroit Junior Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League for three seasons from 1992 to 1995. The Jr. Red Wings were based in Detroit, Michigan. History The Compuware Ambassadors were renamed the Detroit Junior Red ...

by having more wins in the regular season despite both teams earning 81 points. The OHL revived the idea of a Super Series from six years previous to determine which team would host the Memorial Cup of 1993. The Greyhounds assured themselves of a third consecutive trip to the Memorial Cup, by sweeping the series versus the Leyden division champion

Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played at the Peterborough Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league. ...

. Jarret Reid led Sault Ste. Marie in scoring through the playoffs, with 19 goals and 16 assists in 18 games. After the Super Series ended, the regular playoffs started. Sault Ste. Marie earned the first round bye, then defeated the

Owen Sound Platers Owen Sound Platers was a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Owen Sound, Ontario. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, then was sold to new owners who renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack. History In 1989 the H ...

and the Junior Red Wings to reach the finals against the Petes. This time, the Petes prevailed 4 games to 1, spoiling the Greyhounds chances of a third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup. Joining the Greyhounds and Petes in the Memorial Cup would be the WHL champion

Swift Current Broncos The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos ...

and the QMJHL champion

Laval Titan The Laval Titan was one of the names used by a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) franchise that played in Laval, Quebec, Canada, between 1971 and 1998. History The Rosemont National began in the 1969–70 QM ...

. The Greyhounds and the Petes both finished the Memorial Cup round-robin with two wins and a loss. Sault Ste. Marie earned a berth in the finals by having beaten the Petes in the round robin. The two teams would meet again in the tournament finals, playing in front a hometown crowd of 4,757 spectators at the Memorial Gardens on May 23. Sault Ste. Marie led 3-0 after the first period, and held on to win their first Memorial Championship, beating the Petes 4-2. The victory party continued on Queen St. late into the evening.

Recent years

The Greyhounds followed up their Memorial Cup winning season with a strong 1993–94 campaign finishing second place in the division. The Soo reached the semi-finals, but lost to the Junior Red Wings in six games. After the season, coach Ted Nolan departed for the

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to ...

. The following 1994–95 season, the Greyhounds finished last place in the league during a rebuilding season. In attempt to generate more sales, the Greyhounds redesigned their logo. It proved to be unpopular with the fans, and the team discontinued its use after the 1998–99 season, and went back to the classic logo. Centre

Joe Thornton Joseph Eric Thornton (born July 2, 1979) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers of the ...

was the 1995–96 OHL rookie of the year and was the first player in the history of the franchise to be drafted first overall in the

NHL Entry Draft The NHL Entry Draft (french: Repêchage d'entrée dans la LNH) is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League (NHL) systematically select the rights to available ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirem ...

. He was selected by the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

. In the 2001–02 season, former Greyhound defenceman

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 ( ...

took over as head coach after coaching stints in the NHL. Hartsburg was named the OHL coach of the year that season, then left the team to join the coaching staff of the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

. Replacing Hartsburg was former Greyhound netminder, and part-owner of the team,

John Vanbiesbrouck John Vanbiesbrouck (born September 4, 1963), nicknamed "the Beezer" and "JVB", is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player. As a goaltender, he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. Vanbiesbrouc ...

. Vanbiesbrouck was forced to resign as coach during the season as a result of racist comments he had made about team captain,

Trevor Daley Trevor Daley (born October 9, 1983) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL and also serves as a hockey operations advisor for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played ...

. Hartsburg returned as coach midway through the 2004–05 season. After playing at the

Sault Memorial Gardens The Sault Memorial Gardens was a former ice hockey arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, for 57 years from 1949 to 2006. It was located in the heart of the downtown district at 169 Queen Street. The Gardens was one of the first Northern Ontario aren ...

from 1962 to 2006, the Greyhounds moved into their new home, the Steelback Centre, for the 2006–07 season. In June 2008, the arena was renamed The

Essar Centre The GFL Memorial Gardens, formerly the "Essar Centre", is a 4,928 seat sports and entertainment centre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It opened on September 29, 2006, replacing the now demolished Sault Memorial Gardens. The new ...

, following the purchase of naming rights by

Essar Steel Algoma Algoma Steel Inc. (formerly Algoma Steel; Essar Steel Algoma) is an integrated primary steel producer located on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Its products are sold in Canada and the United States as well as overseas ...

. In the

2007–08 OHL season The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the schedule, that started on September 19, 2007, and concluded on March 16, 2008. The Mississauga IceDogs relocated to the Gatora ...

, the Greyhounds had their best regular season since

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...

, going 44–18–2–4, with a long undefeated streak to begin the year. The Greyhounds also had their longest post season run since

1994 File:1994 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1994 Winter Olympics are held in Lillehammer, Norway; The Kaiser Permanente building after the 1994 Northridge earthquake; A model of the MS Estonia, which Sinking of the MS Estonia, sank in ...

, making it to the conference finals before losing to the Kitchener Rangers in five games. In the 2008–09 season, assistant coach Denny Lambert assumed head coaching duties after Craig Hartsburg left to become head coach of the NHL's

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

. Assistant coach Toots Kovacs also left the team and was replaced by Mike Stapleton and Nick Warriner. The Greyhounds missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004. After several trades in the organization have shown a shift to rebuilding the team, Dave Torrie (General Manager), took over head coaching duties with the firing of Denny Lambert in January 2011. Later that same year Dave Torrie was also relieved of his duties and replaced with

Kyle Dubas Kyle Dubas (born November 29, 1985) is a Canadians, Canadian ice hockey executive who is currently the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dubas spent his youth in various roles with the Sault Ste. Ma ...

as general manager. The fans also welcomed back Mike Stapleton as new Head Coach for next season, but was fired and replaced on December 3, 2012 by Sheldon Keefe. After the

2014–15 OHL season The 2014–15 OHL season was the 35th season of the Ontario Hockey League, in which twenty teams played 68 games each according to the regular season schedule, from September 24, 2014 to March 22, 2015. The Niagara IceDogs began play at their new ...

, the Greyhounds had taken the

Hamilton Spectator Trophy The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League to the team that finishes the regular season with the best record. The trophy was donated by ''The Hamilton Spectator,'' and first presented in the 1957–58 season. It ...

while setting a franchise record in regular season points. During the 2015 playoffs, the Greyhounds had their run ended by

Connor McDavid Connor Andrew McDavid (born January 13, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Oilers selected him first overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. McDavid spen ...

and the

Erie Otters The Erie Otters are a Major junior ice hockey team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Midwest division of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of only three American teams in the circuit. The team name refers to the North Am ...

in the Western Conference Finals. After one of the teams best seasons, head coach Sheldon Keefe had signed with the

Toronto Marlies The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies is owned by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, a c ...

of the AHL. On July 10, 2015,

was named head coach of the Greyhounds. He would leave after the 2017–18 season to become the head coach of the

San Antonio Rampage The San Antonio Rampage were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. The Rampage was primarily owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment throughout the team's existence. In 2020, the franchise was sold ...

in the AHL. Bannister had led the Hounds to an overall 136–50–13–5 record, two West Division titles, and was named OHL and CHL coach of the year in 2018.

Championships

While in the

, the Greyhounds won the McNamara Trophy as playoff champions in 1967, 1970, and 1972. The Greyhounds were also regular season champions six times and playoff finalists 4 times. The Greyhounds also joined the Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes as the only OHL teams to make three consecutive appearances in the

. Since joining the OHL, Sault Ste. Marie has won a total of 8 division titles, five

titles, three

titles, and one

title. ;Division Trophies * 1980–81 - Leyden Division * 1982–83 -

Emms Division 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 overage ...

* 1984–85 -

* 1990–91 -

* 1991–92 -

* 1992–93 -

* 1996–97 - West Division * 2004–05 - West Division * 2007–08 - West Division * 2013–14 - West Division * 2014-15 - West Division * 2016-17 - West Division * 2017-18 - West Division ;

* 1980–81 - 47 Wins, 2 Ties, 96 points * 1982–83 - 48 Wins, 1 Tie, 97 points * 1984–85 - 54 Wins, 1 Tie, 109 points * 2014-15 - 54 W, 12 L, 0 OTL, 2 SL, 110 points * 2017-18 - 55 W, 7 L, 3 OTL, 3 SL, 116 points ;

Wayne Gretzky Trophy The Wayne Gretzky Trophy is awarded annually to the champion of the Western conference playoffs in the Ontario Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1999. The winning team competes for the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the OHL finals versus the Bobb ...

* 2000 Lost to the

Plymouth Whalers The Plymouth Whalers were a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They played out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, a suburb of Detroit until 2015 when they were relocated to Flint, Michigan. History The Whalers ...

* 2008 Lost to the

* 2015 Lost to the

* 2018 Champions vs. the

;

* 1981 Lost to the

* 1983 Lost to the

Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor (commercial), sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. ...

* 1985 Champions vs. the

* 1991 Champions vs. the

* 1992 Champions vs. the

* 1993 Lost to the

* 2018 Lost to the

Hamilton Bulldogs The Hamilton Bulldogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that began to play in the 2015–16 OHL season, 2015–16 season. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the Bulldogs play their home games at FirstOntario Cent ...

;

* 1985 3rd place in

Drummondville, Québec Drummondville is a city in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, located east of Montreal on the Saint-François River. The population as of the Canada 2021 Census was 79,258. The mayor of Drummondville is Stéphanie Lacoste. Drummondville is ...

* 1991 4th place in

Québec City, Québec Quebec City ( or ; french: Ville de Québec), officially Québec (), is the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the metropolitan area had a population of 839,311. It is t ...

* 1992 Finalists vs. the

* 1993 Champions vs. the

Coaches

Terry Crisp Terrance Arthur Crisp (born May 28, 1943) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player. Crisp played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers be ...

was twice voted the OHL Coach of the Year, winning 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 ...

in 1982-83 and 1984-85.

won the award in 2001-02. Most recently

won the award in 2017-18. ''List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.''

Players

Since Sault Ste. Marie joined the OHA in 1972, the Greyhounds have sent 77 alumni onto play in the NHL. Three of those (

Paul Coffey Paul Douglas Coffey (born June 1, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for nine teams over 21 seasons in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among ...

Ron Francis Ronald Michael Francis Jr. (born March 1, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He is the general manager of the Seattle Kraken that inaugurated its first season in 2021. Drafted fourth overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, F ...

and

) have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

First round NHL entry draft picks

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

Darnell Nurse Darnell Nurse (born February 4, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nurse was selected by the Oilers seventh overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Dr ...

, 1st round, (7th overall)

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

Jared McCann Jared McCann (born May 31, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). McCann was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round (24th overall) of the 2 ...

, 1st round, (24th overall)

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...

Zachary Senyshyn Zachary Senyshyn (born March 30, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL). Senyshyn was selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round (15th overall) ...

, 1st round (15th overall)

2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...

Morgan Frost Morgan Frost (born May 14, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Frost was drafted in the first round, 27th overall, by the Flyers in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Gro ...

, 1st round (27th overall)

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

Barrett Hayton Barrett Hayton (born June 9, 2000) is a Canadian ice hockey centre currently playing for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 5th overall by the Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Playing career Minor and ma ...

, 1st round (5th overall)

Arizona Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

; Rasmus Sandin, 1st Round (29th overall)

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

Retired numbers

* # 1 -

* # 4 -

* # 5 -

* # 10 -

* # 99 -

Award winners

CHL Rookie of the Year The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League. It is chosen from the winners of; the Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year), the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year), an ...

* ''1995–96'' -

CHL Top Draft Prospect Award The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is given out every year to the top eligible prospect player in the Canadian Hockey League for the annual NHL Entry Draft. The award was first given in 1991, but not awarded from 2003 to 2005. The Quebec Major J ...

* ''1996–97'' -

CHL Goaltender of the Year The CHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given out annually to the top goaltender in the Canadian Hockey League. It is chosen from the winners of the league awards; the OHL Goaltender of the Year, the Del Wilson Trophy ( WHL), and the Jacques Pl ...

* ''2001–02'' -

Ray Emery Raymond Robert Emery (''né'' Nichols; September 28, 1982 – July 15, 2018) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for eleven seasons, between 2003 and 2015. Emery was chosen 99th over ...

Red Tilson Trophy The Red Tilson Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League to the most outstanding player (MVP) as voted by OHL writers and broadcasters. It was donated by ''The Globe and Mail,'' and first awarded in the 1944–45 OHA season by the O ...

Most Outstanding Player * ''1973–74'' - Jack Valiquette * ''1984–85'' -

Wayne Groulx Wayne Groulx (born February 2, 1965) is a Canadian born Austrian former ice hockey centre. During the 1984–85 NHL season, he played one game for the Quebec Nordiques. Groulx was drafted 172nd overall by the Nordiques in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft ...

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League to the player scoring the most points in the regular season. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of athlete and coach Eddie Power ...

Scoring Champion * ''1973–74'' - Jack Valiquette (tied) * ''1975–76'' -

Mike Kaszycki Michael John Kaszycki (born February 27, 1956) is a Canadian former ice hockey player. Biography As a youth, Kaszycki played in the 1968 and 1969 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the Toronto Christie minor ice hockey team. ...

* ''1980–81'' -

John Goodwin John Goodwin may refer to: Politicians *John Goodwin (Parliamentarian) (1603–1674), Member of Parliament for Reigate * John B. Goodwin (1850–1921), Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia in the late 1880s *John Noble Goodwin (1824–1887), 1st Governor of ...

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Ontario Hockey League since 1972, to the right winger who scores the most points in the regular season. The Peterborough Petes donated the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy in his memory to the top s ...

Top Scoring Right Winger * ''1996–97'' - Joe Seroski

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 * ''1976–77'' -

* ''2009-10'' -

Jake Muzzin Jacob Muzzin (born February 21, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draf ...

* ''2012-13'' - Ryan Sproul * ''2014-15'' -

Anthony DeAngelo Anthony "Tony" DeAngelo (born October 24, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played with the Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Carolina Hur ...

OHL Goaltender of the Year The Jim Rutherford Trophy is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted by coaches and general managers. The winner is also nominated for the CHL Goaltender of the Year award. From 1988 until 2019, the award was named the ...

* ''2001–02'' -

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 * ''1986'' -

Troy Mallette Troy Matthew Mallette (born February 25, 1970) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Mallette played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and the ...

* ''1989'' -

* ''2009'' -

Daniel Catenacci Daniel Catenacci (born March 9, 1993) is a Canadian-Italian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with HC Pustertal Wölfe in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Buf ...

Dave Pinkney Trophy The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded to the goaltenders of the Ontario Hockey League team that has the lowest goals against average. It has been awarded annually since 1949. Winners List of winners of the Dave Pinkney Trophy. See also * List of C ...

Lowest Team GAA * ''1981–82'' - Marc D'Amour &

* ''1984–85'' -

Scott Mosey Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Sask ...

Marty Abrams Marty may refer to: Names * Marty (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters, also includes stage names * Marty (surname), a list of people Places in the United States * Marty, California, a former settlement * Marty, ...

* ''1990–91'' -

* ''1991–92'' -

Rookie of the Year * ''1973–74'' - Jack Valiquette * ''1975–76'' -

John Tavella John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

* ''1977–78'' -

* ''1978–79'' -

* ''1984–85'' -

* ''1995–96'' -

F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy
Best Rookie GAA * ''1980–81'' -

* ''1983–84'' -

Gerry Iuliano Gerry is both a surname and a masculine or feminine given name. As a given name, it is often a short form (hypocorism) of Gerard, Gerald or Geraldine. Notable people with the name include: Surname *Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), fifth US vice pres ...

* ''1990–91'' -

Most Sportsmanlike Player * ''1977–78'' -

* ''1980–81'' -

Hockey Hall of Fame members

There are six members of the

Hockey Hall of Fame , logo = Hockey Hall of Fame Logo.svg , logo_upright = 0.5 , image = Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto.jpg , caption = The Hall's present location on Yonge Street since 1992 , map_type = , former_name = , established = 1943 , location = 30 Y ...

that have played for a team known as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Bill Cook William Osser Xavier Cook (October 8, 1895 – May 5, 1986) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played for the Saskatoon Crescents of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey Le ...

and

Bun Cook Frederick Joseph "Bun" Cook (September 18, 1903 – March 19, 1988) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach. He was an Allan Cup champion with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1924 before embarking on a 13-year professional ...

played for the Greyhounds of the

(NOHA) between 1921–1925. Bill Cook was inducted in 1952, while Bun wasn't inducted until 1995 in the defunct Veteran category.

Tony Esposito Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito (April 23, 1943 – August 10, 2021) was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender, who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 15 of those for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was one of t ...

played for the Greyhounds of the

(NOJHL) during the 1962–63 season, and was inducted into the Hall in 1988. The current junior Greyhounds have three alumni inducted into

. They are

and

, who were respectively inducted in 1999, 2004 and 2007 respectively.

NHL alumni

: 1919 to 1945, 1949 to 1958 (NOHA ) : 1962 to 1972 (NOJHL ) : 1972 to present (OHA / OMJHL / OHL)

Yearly results

Regular season

* 1962 to 1972 in the NOJHL * 1972 to 1974 in the OHA * 1974 to 1980 in the OMJHL * 1980 to present in the OHL Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

Playoffs

*1962–63 Lost in semi-finals. *1963–64 Lost in finals. *1964–65 Lost in semi-finals. *1965–66 Lost in finals. *1966–67 McNamara Trophy Champions. *1967–68 Lost in semi-finals. *1968–69 Lost in finals. *1969–70 McNamara Trophy Champions. *1970–71 Lost in finals. *1971–72 McNamara Trophy Champions. *1972–73 Out of playoffs. *1973–74 Out of playoffs. *1974–75 Out of playoffs. *1975–76 Defeated Oshawa Generals 6 points to 4 in first round.
Lost to Sudbury Wolves 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals. *1976–77 Defeated Peterborough Petes 3 games to 1 in first round.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0, 1 tie in quarter-finals. *1977–78 Defeated Kingston Canadiens 6 points to 4 in first round.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 9 points to 7 in quarter-finals. *1978–79 Out of playoffs. *1979–80 Out of playoffs. *1980–81 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 4 in division semi-finals.
Defeated Kingston Canadians 9points to 5 in division finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in finals. *1981–82 Earned bye through first round. 2nd place in Emms.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in semi-finals. *1982–83 Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
Lost to Oshawa Generals 9 points to 5 in finals. *1983–84 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 6 points to 0 in first round.
Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 6 in semi-finals. *1984–85 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in first round.
Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 9 points to 1 in semi-finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 9 points to 5 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
Finished Memorial Cup round robin tied for second place.
Lost to Prince Albert Raiders 8-3 in semi-final game. *1985–86 Out of playoffs. *1986–87 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in first round. *1987–88 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 2 in first round. *1988–89 Out of playoffs. *1989–90 Out of playoffs. *1990–91 Defeated Dukes of Hamilton 4 games to 0 in first round.
Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 4th place. *1991–92 Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 3 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5-4 in championship game. *1992–93 Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in super-series for right to host Memorial Cup. Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
Defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in finals.
Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
Defeated Peterborough Petes 4-2 in championship game. ''MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS'' *1993–94 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in division semi-finals.
Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 2 in semi-finals. *1994–95 Out of playoffs. *1995–96 Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals. *1996–97 Defeated Detroit Whalers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals. *1997–98 Out of playoffs. *1998–99 Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. *1999–2000 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference finals. *2000–01 Out of playoffs. *2001–02 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals. *2002–03 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. *2003–04 Out of playoffs. *2004–05 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals. *2005–06 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. *2006–07 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals. *2007–08 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference finals. *2008–09 Out of playoffs. *2009–10 Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. *2010–11 Out of playoffs. *2011–12 Out of playoffs. *2012–13 Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals. *2013–14 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. *2014–15 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 2 in conference finals. *2015-16 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals. *2016-17 Defeated Flint Firebirds 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals. *2017-18 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
Lost to Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 2 in finals. *2018-19 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals. *2019–20 Out of playoffs. *2020–21 Cancelled. *2021-22 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Flint Firebirds 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.

Uniforms and logos

The Greyhounds colours are predominantly red and white, with uniforms in a style very similar to the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

. Black and silver trim were added in the late 1980s, as well as four stars above the logo. Sault Ste. Marie has used their classic red circle logo with the running greyhound for all but three seasons of their existence. From 1996 to 1999 the Greyhounds redesigned their logo (inset right), to what became known by fans as the "Ugly Dog" or "Snoopy" logo. Due to public backlash and a fan petition for its removal, the team discontinued its use and went back to the classic logo. For the 2009-10 switchover to the

Reebok Edge Players in the National Hockey League wear equipment which allows their team affiliation to be easily identified, unifying the image of the team. Currently, a NHL uniform consists of a hockey jersey, hockey pants, socks, gloves, and a helmet. Bac ...

jersey system, the Greyhounds returned to their classic jerseys from the 1970s and early 80s, including removing black & silver from their logo. In 2013, the team switched to jerseys identical to those of the NHL's

. The Greyhounds have used third jerseys since 2006, when the team introduced a black third jersey with a "Soo Greyhounds" script logo, as well as red, white, and grey trim, and stars around the waist. The jersey was slightly updated for its 2010 return after the Reebok Edge switchover, but was completely replaced in 2013 in favour of a simpler red third jersey with the running greyhound as the main logo, and a white nameplate with red lettering.

Arenas

The first home of the Greyhounds from 1919 to 1945 was Gouin Street Arena. The arena had wooden benches for 1,000 spectators. It was destroyed by fire in 1945. An outdoor rink at Pullar Stadium in

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Sault Ste. Marie ( ') is the only city in, and county seat of, Chippewa County, Michigan, Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. With a population of 13,337 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the second-most populated ...

was used until a new indoor facility was built. The Greyhounds returned to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan again in 1979, playing for about a month at

Taffy Abel Arena Clarence "Taffy" Abel Arena is a 4,000-seat hockey arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the campus of Lake Superior State University. It is home to the Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey team of the Central Collegiate Hockey Associati ...

on the campus of

Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State University (colloquially Lake State, Lake Superior State, Soo Tech, and LSSU) is a public college in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is enrolls approximately 2,000 students. Due to its proximity to the Canadian border, and the ...

due to emergency roof repairs at the Gardens. The Greyhounds played home games at the

from 1949 to 2006. The building was named for the

war veteran A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in a particular job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in a military. A military vete ...

s of World War II. The Gardens hosted

games in 1978 and 1993, and the OHL All-Star Game in 1979. The last game at the Gardens was played on Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Demolition of the Gardens began on April 27, 2006. All that remains of the Gardens is the Memorial Tower, which is part of "Memorial Square". The red beacon of the Memorial Tower was preserved and continues to be lit on game days. The Greyhounds moved to the new

(formerly named the Steelback Centre and the

) for the

2006–07 OHL season The 2006–07 OHL season was the 27th season of the Ontario Hockey League. The OHL announced, a new rule titled "Checking to the Head," effective for this season. Also announced, the recently adopted National Hockey League rule on stick curvature ...

. The new arena was built in the east parking lot of the Memorial Gardens, and is the largest such centre in

Northern Ontario Northern Ontario is a primary geographic and quasi-administrative region of the Canadian province of Ontario, the other primary region being Southern Ontario. Most of the core geographic region is located on part of the Superior Geological Provi ...

. Its

naming rights Naming rights are a financial transaction and form of advertising or memorialization whereby a corporation, person, or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, object, location, program, or event, typically for a defined period of t ...

are currently held by

GFL Environmental GFL Environmental Inc. (also known as Green For Life or GFL) is a waste management company with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. GFL operates in all provinces in Canada, and currently employs more than 8,850 people. The company provides enviro ...

. The inaugural game was played on October 11, 2006, resulting in a 2-1 loss to the

. The 2008 OHL All-Star Classic was held at the Essar Centre during the 2007–08 season.Essar Centre - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
/ref>

Media

Since the 2009–10 season, Greyhounds' games have been broadcast on the radio by Rock 101 in neighbouring

, after previously airing on

Q104 Q104 can refer to: * Quran 104, the 104th chapter of the Islamic Holy book *Q104 (New York City bus) Radio stations * CFRQ-FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia * CKQV-FM in Vermilion Bay, Ontario * WQAL in Cleveland, Ohio * WAXQ in New York City * KBEQ KB ...

and CKCY. Most regular season and playoff games for the Greyhounds are broadcast on Shaw Spotlight in Sault Ste. Marie.

References

External links

* {{Ontario Sports Ontario Hockey League teams Sport in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Ice hockey clubs established in 1962 1962 establishments in Ontario