|
|
|
 |
The Herder Memorial Trophy
|
THE EVENING TELEGRAM TROPHY
The importing of players set up the situation that had The Evening Telegram Trophy donated for competition. During the past 46 years this award has a varied and rather interesting existence.
The NAHA established a provincial “B” competition when St. John’s decided not to enter Herder play because of the “imports”. The “B” section was for teams with no imports and since the Herder Family, which owned The Evening Telegram, had donated the original “A” championship trophy it was logical that the Herders be asked to provide the “B” championship trophy. Thus it was entitled The Evening Telegram Trophy.
In actual fact, the Evening Telegram Trophy was won as a provincial “B” championship award for only six seasons. A variety of situations were used to present the trophy after other seasons. It was “Eastern Division” award for two seasons, the “first place” award for 20 seasons and is now awarded for the “senior league team with the best record.”
Bell Island Miners won the Evening Telegram Trophy in 1954, 1955 and 1956 and the Grand Falls Bees were the winners in 1957, 1958 and 1959.
The trophy was retired in 1960 but reappeared as the Eastern Division award with Conception Bay CeeBees winning it in 1962 and Buchans taking it in 1963. It was retired again in 1964.
From 1968 to 1989, The Evening Telegram Trophy was presented to the team that finished first in the regular schedule of provincial senior hockey. It was retired again in 1990 when the senior league ceased to operate.
In 1993 The Evening Telegram Trophy was back in competition, going to the team with the best record among senior “A” leagues within the province.
The list of winners of The Evening Telegram Trophy is:
PROVINCIAL SENIOR “B” CHAMPIONS
1954
Gander, Grand Falls and Bell Island entered the first “B” competition for The Evening Telegram Trophy. Gander won two straight 5-2 and 5-4 over Grand Falls in the best-of- three-games semi-final.
Bell Island opened the finals on a 3-2 decision but Gander won 4-2 to even the count. The deciding contest went to Bell Island 6-4.
Members of the champion Bell Island Miners team included George Connors, Ed Ford, Dean Reeves, Riv Ford, Hap McDonald, Gord Skanes, Gordie Butler, Sam Atkins, Tom Cobb, Cyril Power, Bill Power, George Stone , Joe Penney, Hubert Power and Gerard Connors,
Gerry Connors was named MVP and Bob Lenihan of Gander was named Most
Outstanding Player.
1955
Bell Island opened its 1955 “B” play eliminating St. John’s All-stars 5-4 and
12-9 in the east playoffs. In the west semi-finals, Grand Falls eliminated Gander 7-4 and 7-3.
NAHA officials forced Bell Island to host the “B” finals at St. John’s Memorial Stadium and thousands of Island fans travelled to St. John’s for the three games that comprised the finals. There were more than 5,000 fans for each of the first two games and close to 6,000 fans turned up for the deciding contest.
Grand Falls opened the final 11- 4 over the Miners but Bell Island rebounded 7-3 on George Connors five goals in the second game and George Connors got his third goal in overtime as Bell Island took the title 5-4.
Members of the champion Bell Island Miners team included Joe Byrne, Cyril Power, Jack Petrie, Bill Power, Dean Reeves, Hubert Power, Tom Cobb, Gordie Butler, Mike Northcott, Joe Penney, George Connors, Gerard Connors, Leo Cole, Sam Atkins, Eddie Ford, Hap McDonald, Gordon Skanes and Steve Delaney.
George Connors was named MVP for Bell Island and Mun Pond was named MVP for Grand Falls.
1956
The Evening Telegram Trophy went back to Bell Island in 1956. In the semi-finals, Bell Island won15-5 in the opener but St. John’s took the second game 8-1. Bell Island advanced via a 15-1 decision in the third and deciding contest.
Bell Island took the provincial “B” championship by defeating Grand Falls 4-1 and 5-4 in the finals.
Bell Island defeated Shearstown 15-7 and 9-4 to advance to finals while St. John’s defeated Shearstown 9-1 and 8-2 and earned bye into finals.
Grand Falls defeated Corner Brook 5-4 and 7-4 to take the Western title.
Members of the three Bell Island teams that won the 1954, 1955 and 1956 provincial “B” championships included Joe Byrne, Cyril Power, Jack Petrie, Bill Power, Dean Reeves, Hubert Power, Tom Cobb, Gordie Butler, Mike Northcott, Joe Penney, George Connors, Gerard Connors, Leo Cole, Sam Atkins, Eddie Ford, Hap McDonald, Albert Ash, Riv Ford, Pat O’Brien, Hal Speppard, Neil Amadio, John Cahill, George Dalton, Gordon Skanes, Steve Delaney, Joe Pomeroy, Dr. Eagan and Monsignor Bartlett.
1957
With the “A” Herder Memorial Trophy awarded to Grand Falls as the only entry, Corner Brook opened the competition for the “B” Evening Telegram Trophy by eliminating Gander 5-3 and 3-1. Grand Falls moved into the final by taking Corner Brook 11-2 and 7-3.
Bell Island went back to the finals against Grand Falls winning 7-3 and 4-3 over St. John’s.
Grand Falls Bees swept Bell Island in four straight games in a final that was delayed by ice in the Bell Island Tickle that prevented Grand Falls from reaching the Island. Grand Falls won 5-3 and 15-5 at home but didn’t rack up 14-7 and 14-3 decisions on Bell Island until mid-April.
Members of the champion Grand Falls Bees team included Clobie Collins, Lindy Faulkner, Vic Grigon, Alex Faulkner, Jim Temple, Jim “Bucky” Hannaford, Cec Thomas, Clar Goulding,
1958
Grand Falls Bees were back as “B” champions as six centers competed for The Evening Telegram Trophy.
St. John’s took the eastern playdowns over Bell Island winning 3-0, 2-1 and 7-4 while Bell Island took the second game 6-2.
Grand Falls eliminated Corner Brook 11-2, 15-2 and 15-2 and Gander topped Buchans 7-3, 5-3 and 9-5 with Buchans winning game two 7-6. Grand Falls advanced via 11-3, 13-1 and 7-5 victories over Gander in the western finals.
The finals went to Grand Falls four games to one over St. John’s. At home Grand Falls won 6-4 and 8-1 and took 7-5 and 5-1 wins in St. John’s. The lone St. John’s win was 4-3.
Members of the champion Grand Falls Bees team included Jim “Sham” McInnis, Jim “Corp” Janes, Mun Pond, Terry Jesseau, Cec Thomas, Fred Foley, Harvey Howse, George Howse, Clar Goulding, Clobie Collins, Alex Faulkner, Lindy Faulkner, Wats Goobie, Jim “Bucky” Hannaford, Vic Grignon, Neil Knight, Jim Temple, Heber Rideout, Gerald “Markie” Andrews and playing-coach Wes “Bucko” Trainor.
1959
The Grand Falls Bees equaled the three consecutive string of “B” titles by winning the Evening Telegram Trophy for 1959. Seven teams took part.
In the East, Bell Island stopped Conception Bay CeeBees 8-1, 8-2 and 9-3 to sweep their semi-finals but St. John’s eliminated Bell Island 7-2, 12-0 and 5-2.
In the west, Buchans eliminated Corner Brook with 6-4, 7-5 and 3-2 wins in a series that went the full five games as Corner Brook won 5-2 and 4-1. Grand Falls stopped Gander 13-2, 8-3 and 6-1 after Gander won the first two games 8-4 and 6-1.
Grand Falls moved into the provincial finals 7-6, 10-5 and 10-4 over Buchans who won 8-6 in game three.
St. John’s opened the “B” finals 7-3 and 7-6 over Grand Falls and won game four 10-5 after a 6-2 Grand Falls decision in game three. The championship went to Grand Falls who tied the final on 8-2 and 5-3 wins. The 5-3 verdict was a replay of a protested 7-1 St. John’s win.
Upset over refereeing and other situations, St. John’s defaulted the seventh and deciding game and the “B” title to Grand Falls.
That was the final extended playoffs for The Evening telegram. Starting in 1962 it was awarded for a variety of reasons.
THE EVENING TELEGRAM TROPHY
EASTERN DIVISION WINNERS
1962 -- Conception Bay CeeBees
1963 – Buchans Miners
FIRST PLACE IN REGULAR PROVINCIAL SENIOR SCHEDULE
1968 – Grand Falls Cataracts
1969 – Gander Flyers
1970 – St. John’s Capitals
1971 – St. John’s Capitals
1972 – Grand Falls Cataracts
1973 – Corner Brook Royals
1974 – St. John’s Capitals
1975 – St. John’s Capitals
1976 – St. John’s Capitals
1977 – Corner Brook Royals
1978 – St. John’s Blue Caps
1979 – Gander Flyers
1980 – Gander Flyers
1981 – Grand Falls Cataracts
1982 – Gander Flyers
1983 – Stephenville Jets
1984 – Stephenville Jets
1985 – Stephenville Jets
1986 – Stephenville Jets
1987 – St. John’s Capitals
1988 – St. John’s Capitals
1989 – St. John’s Capitals
TEAM WITH BEST SENIOR “A” RECORD
1993 – Bell Island
1994 – Southern Shore Breakers
1995 – Southern Shore Breakers
1996 – St. John’s Capitals
1997 – Flatrock Flyers
1998 –
1999 –
2000 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
