Hamilton Tiger Cubs

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Hamilton Tiger Cubs
CityHamilton, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey Association
Operated1953 (1953)–1960
Home arenaHamilton Forum
Franchise history
1946–1953Windsor Spitfires
1953–1960Hamilton Tiger Cubs
1960–1974Hamilton Red Wings
1974–1978Hamilton/St. Catharines Fincups
1978–1984Brantford Alexanders
1984–1988Hamilton Steelhawks
1988–1996Niagara Falls Thunder
1996–presentErie Otters

The Hamilton Tiger Cubs were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from 1953 to 1960. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, playing home games at the Hamilton Forum.

History

In 1953, the Windsor Spitfires were sold and relocated becoming the Hamilton Tiger Cubs.[1] The Tiger Cubs played home games at the Hamilton Forum.[2]

In the 1953–54 OHA season, goaltender Dennis Riggin received the Dave Pinkney Trophy for the lowest team goals against average.[3]

In the 1957–58 OHA season, centre Murray Oliver received the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHA's most valuable player.[4] In the same season, the Tiger Cubs reached the OHA finals for the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and were defeated by the Toronto Marlboros four games to none, with a tied game.[5]

The Tiger Cubs had three last-place finishes in the OHA standings within five seasons as of 1960, and were rumored to become the Red Wings.[6] Renamed the Hamilton Red Wings as of the 1960–61 OHA season, they were affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings.[7]

Notable alumni

Jerry Sullivan was an All-American centre for the Michigan Tech Huskies in 1962.[8] Defenceman Henry Åkervall played for the Canada men's national team at the 1964 Winter Olympics.[9]

Brian Kilrea later coached junior hockey, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.[10] Pat Quinn coached several teams in the National Hockey League and the Canada men's national team, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.[11]

List of National Hockey League or World Hockey Association alumni:[12]

Season-by-season results

Regular season and playoffs results:[17]

Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions OHA champions OHA finalists
SeasonRegular seasonPlayoffs
GPWLTPtsPctGFGAFinish
1953–545831243650.5602222083rd OHAWon quarterfinal (Guelph Biltmores) 3–0[18]
Lost semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 3–0–1[19]
1954–554921235470.4801811735th OHALost quarterfinal (Guelph Biltmores) 3–0[20]
1955–564813305310.3231712507th OHADid not qualify
1956–575224262500.4811701915th OHALost quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 3–1[21]
1957–585227187610.5872001762nd OHAWon quarterfinal (Peterborough Petes) 3–1–1[22]
Won semifinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 2–1–2[23]
Lost OHA final (Toronto Marlboros) 4–0–1[24]
1958–595411358300.2781672297th OHADid not qualify
1959–604810344240.2501582517th OHADid not qualify

References

  1. "Hamilton Wins Bid For Junior Hockey Franchise". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. July 17, 1943. p. 12.
  2. Jordan, Kevin (June 14, 2020). "Hamilton Forum, Hamilton Red Wings". The OHL Arena Guide. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  3. Campbell, Gordon (March 23, 1954). "Those Cubs Lie In Wait If Dukes Beat 'Shirts: Irish Invade Teeptown". Toronto Star. p. 13.
  4. "Murray Oliver Of Hamilton Cubs Wins Jr. A Trophy". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 8, 1958. p. 15.
  5. Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.
  6. Lautens, Gary (June 16, 1960). "The Gab Bag". The Hamilton Spectator. p. 18.
  7. "New Look For Juniors". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. September 3, 1960. p. 17.
  8. "1961-1962 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  9. Hank Akervall Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com Archived September 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) Honoured Members: Brian Kilrea". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  11. "Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) Honoured Members: Pat Quinn". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  12. "Hamilton Tiger Cubs all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  13. "Hillary Menard–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  14. "George Ranieri–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  15. "Wayne Rivers–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  16. "Len Ronson–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  17. "Hamilton Tiger Cubs Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  18. "Hamilton Tips Hatters, 4–3, To Cop Series". Windsor Star. The Canadian Press. March 22, 1954. p. 28.
  19. "Marlies Qualify". Ottawa Journal. The Canadian Press. April 5, 1954. p. 18.
  20. "Bilts Oust Cubs, TeePees take 3–0 lead Over Irish". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 2, 1955. p. 8.
  21. "Wild Brawl Features Final Game of Cubs-Dukes' Series". St. Catharines Standard. The Canadian Press. March 12, 1957. p. 18.
  22. "Petes KO'D By Ti-Cubs". St. Catharines Standard. The Canadian Press. March 14, 1958. p. 20.
  23. "Hamilton Holds St. Mikes to Tie". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 25, 1958. p. 10.
  24. Golla, Jim (April 4, 1958). "Marlboros Win Title, 7–1". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. p. 26.