The 1978–79 OMJHL season was the fifth season of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL). The Hamilton Fincups moved to Brantford, Ontario, becoming the Alexanders. Twelve teams each played 68 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Niagara Falls Flyers.

League business

OMJHL commissioner Tubby Schmalz stated in July 1978, that the NHL–WHA merger would be the best situation for junior hockey. He hoped for government intervention to protect the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League after the results of an inquiry into junior hockey were made public. He stated that the National Hockey League had abided by verbal agreement not to sign junior players, but the World Hockey Association (WHA) continued to target juniors for talent, and referred to the recent signing of 16-year-old Wayne Gretzky to a contract.[1] Schmalz contemplated legal action against Alan Eagleson and Birmingham Bulls owner John F. Bassett, for signing of junior-aged players under contract. Bassett felt that since players were 18 years old, they could be signed to a contract under Canadian laws.[2] The lawsuit against Eagleson and the Birmingham Bulls was announced in September 1978, on behalf of the London Knights and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and sued for "inducing breach of contract and wrongfully interfering with contractual relations".[3]

In November 1978, the OMJHL transitioned from a part-time commissioner's role into a full-time position. Schmalz retired as of December 15, 1978, and was succeeded by Bill Beagan who had been commissioner of the International Hockey League. He took over a league whose teams were facing attendance and financial issues. He stated the targeting younger talent by the WHA was a threat to junior ice hockey, and sought to convince professional leagues that they are undermining their own future by signing players too young.[4] In January 1979, Beagan felt the OMJHL would suffer from the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario ruling that breweries could no longer sponsor junior hockey, due to underage athletes on the teams.[5] The OMJHL stood to lose $200,000 combined from Molson Brewery and the Labatt Brewing Company. Beagan petitioned the Government of Ontario to overturn the decision, stating the breweries had been good corporate citizens by supporting sports in Ontario.[6]

Beagan's tenure with the OHL ended after 42 days, and he described his relationship in dealing with contract negotiations as "rocky".[7] He stated, "They hired me to be captain. When I got there, I found out I was to be the second mate". The Canadian Press reported that Beagan claimed he resigned from the OMJHL, whereas the league stated was fired after six weeks on the job. A settlement was subsequently reached out of court.[8] Sherwood Bassin from the Oshawa Generals was named the interim commissioner for the remainder of the season.[9]

1978-79 OMJHL season teams
Club City Arena Capacity Head coach
Leyden Division
Kingston Canadians Kingston, Ontario Kingston Memorial Centre 3,300 Jim Morrison
Oshawa Generals Oshawa, Ontario Oshawa Civic Auditorium 4,025 Bill White
Ottawa 67's Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa Civic Centre 9,000 Brian Kilrea
Peterborough Petes Peterborough, Ontario Peterborough Memorial Centre 4,000 Gary Green
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Sault Memorial Gardens 3,390 Paul Theriault
Sudbury Wolves Sudbury, Ontario Sudbury Community Arena 5,750 Andy Laing
Emms Division
Brantford Alexanders Brantford, Ontario Brantford Civic Centre 2,981 Dave Draper
Kitchener Rangers Kitchener, Ontario Kitchener Memorial Auditorium 5,679 Bob Ertel
London Knights London, Ontario London Gardens 5,000 Bill Long
Niagara Falls Flyers Niagara Falls, Ontario Niagara Falls Memorial Arena 3,633 Bert Templeton
Toronto Marlboros Toronto, Ontario Maple Leaf Gardens 16,316 Bill White
Windsor Spitfires Windsor, Ontario Windsor Arena 4,400 Wayne Maxner

Regular season

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched first round bye; z = clinched division title & first round bye

Leyden Division

Rank Team GP W L T PTS GF GA
1z-Peterborough Petes684619395341245
2y-Sudbury Wolves684027181397361
3y-Oshawa Generals683730175367326
4x-Ottawa 67's683038060319344
5x-Kingston Canadians682638456265306
6Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds682642052317415

Emms Division

Rank Team GP W L T PTS GF GA
1z-Niagara Falls Flyers684321490361243
2y-London Knights683729276310287
3y-Windsor Spitfires683235165323322
4x-Kitchener Rangers682935462316356
5x-Toronto Marlboros682740155308351
6Brantford Alexanders682342349281349

Scoring leaders

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Mike FolignoSudbury Wolves68658515098
Tom McCarthyOshawa Generals63697514498
Art RutlandSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds65598013982
Brian GualazziSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds68746013442
Paul ReinhartKitchener Rangers66517812957
John GoodwinSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds68438612920
Dave MacQueenSudbury Wolves65606612698
Gary DillonToronto Marlboros59576312040
Sean SimpsonOttawa 67's59427611812
Blair BarnesWindsor Spitfires674276118195

Playoffs

First round

Kitchener Rangers defeat Toronto Marlboros 3–0

Kingston Canadians defeat Ottawa 67's 3–1

Sudbury Wolves defeat Oshawa Generals 4–1

London Knights versus Windsor Spitfires (9 game series; series protested and both teams move on to next round)

Niagara Falls Flyers defeat Kitchener Rangers 4–3

Leyden division quarterfinals

Peterborough Petes defeat Kingston Canadians 4–2, 1 tie

Semifinals

Peterborough Petes defeat Sudbury Wolves 4–1

Niagara Falls Flyers (5-1-0) defeat Windsor Spitfires (2-3-1) and London Knights (1-4-1) in round-robin

J. Ross Robertson Cup

Peterborough Petes defeat Niagara Falls Flyers 4–3

Awards

J. Ross Robertson Cup:Peterborough Petes
Hamilton Spectator Trophy:Peterborough Petes
Leyden Trophy:Peterborough Petes
Emms Trophy:Niagara Falls Flyers
Red Tilson Trophy:Mike Foligno, Sudbury Wolves
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy:Mike Foligno, Sudbury Wolves
Matt Leyden Trophy:Gary Green, Peterborough Petes
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy:Mike Foligno, Sudbury Wolves
Max Kaminsky Trophy:Greg Theberge, Peterborough Petes
Dave Pinkney Trophy:Nick Ricci and Glen Ernst, Niagara Falls Flyers
Emms Family Award:John Goodwin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
F.W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy:Nick Ricci, Niagara Falls Flyers
William Hanley Trophy:Sean Simpson, Ottawa 67's

See also

References

  1. "Demise of WHA 'would aid juniors'". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. July 19, 1978. p. 85.Free access icon
  2. "Bassett says he's going to hound junior hockey". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. July 20, 1978. p. 6.Free access icon
  3. "Junior owners file suit". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. September 21, 1978. p. 80.Free access icon
  4. "Beagan takes on a host of problems". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. November 16, 1978. p. 7.Free access icon
  5. "Ontario board has a message for the breweries". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. January 11, 1979. p. 11.Free access icon
  6. Coleman, Jim (January 24, 1979). "Jim Coleman". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. p. 12.Free access icon
  7. Mackinder, Matt (September 22, 2011). "Checking In: Former CCHA commissioner Bill Beagan". U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. "Beagan wants total control". Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. May 15, 1982. p. 9.Free access icon
  9. Bell, Aaron (2007). 2007–08 Information Guide and Player Register. Toronto, Ontario: Ontario Hockey League. p. 12.
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