The Haze FM

Majors History

 

 

The St. Michael’s Majors organization has enjoyed a long, storied history.  However, what many fans may not realize is that the team didn’t always go by the name “Majors.”  The team was founded in 1907 when St. Michael’s College School implemented its hockey program.  They were the school’s senior team and competed in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA)’s junior loop.  It didn’t take long for their reputation to spread as the team won the Allan Cup as Canadian amateur champions in 1910.

 

During the 1933-34 season, the OHL divided its junior rank into ‘A’ and ‘B’ classifications.  This is when the “Majors” name was born as they continued to compete in the higher category while the newly-formed St. Michael’s Buzzers joined the ‘B’ group.

 

Success came quickly for the Majors in Canada’s new junior hockey landscape.  They captured their first Memorial Cup (which had been awarded since 1919) in 1934, defeating the Edmonton Athletic Club two games to none.  This came after enjoying an undefeated regular season.

 

The next title came in 1945, except this time the Majors had the home crowd on their side as the Memorial Cup tournament was held at Maple Leaf Gardens.  They defeated the Moose Jaw Canucks four games to one with Joe Primeau at the helm.

 

In the 1946 Memorial Cup, the Majors held a 3-2 lead in games over the Winnipeg Monarchs.  However, the Monarchs won games six and seven by identical 4-2 scores to capture the crown.

 

The Majors bounced back the following season, with 1947 representing their third straight trip to the Memorial Cup.  As was the case in 1945, the Majors broke the hearts of Moose Jaw Canucks fans once again, winning four straight games to bring the Cup back to Toronto.

 

The team would return to the Memorial Cup in 1961, this time behind the coaching of Father David Bauer.  They endured a hard-fought championship series against the hometown Edmonton Oil Kings, prevailing in six games after opening up a three games to none lead.  Goaltender Gerry Cheevers proved to be the difference as he was spectacular between the pipes for the Majors.

 

The team then disbanded as Father Bauer felt that the grueling schedule and rough play conflicted with the school’s ideals.  They competed in the Metro Junior A League in 1961-62, but completely discontinued the program thereafter.

 

Thankfully, the club was revived in August of 1996 when the Majors were awarded expansion status by the Ontario Hockey League.  They resumed play for the 1997-98 season with a St. Michael’s College group of individuals at the helm.

 

As is to be expected, the club struggled during its first three seasons, failing to make the playoffs each time, as they attempted to gain their footing in the competitive league.  However, the situation quickly reversed as the team reached the Eastern Conference Final in four straight seasons, beginning in 2001, under the direction of coach Dave Cameron. 

 

The club is now owned by school alumnus (and Ottawa Senators owner) Eugene Melnyk, who purchased the team in 2001.  And, they commemorated their tenth modern-era season by donning a special, baby-blue jersey for the 2006-07 campaign.

 

With Dick Duff’s inclusion in 2006, there are now thirteen members of the Majors family that have become members of the hallowed Hockey Hall of Fame: Bobby Bauer, Father David Bauer, Gerry Cheevers, Murray Costello, Duff, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Dave Keon, Ted Lindsay, Frank Mahovlich, Reg Noble, Joe Primeau and Frank Rankin.