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1977 Memorial Cup

The1977 Memorial Cupoccurred May 8–14 at thePacific ColiseuminVancouver,British Columbia.It was the 59th annualMemorial Cupcompetition and determined themajor junior ice hockeychampion of theCanadian Hockey League(CHL). Participating teams were the winners of theOntario Major Junior Hockey League,Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueandWestern Hockey Leaguewhich were theOttawa 67's,Sherbrooke CastorsandNew Westminster Bruins.New Westminster won their first Memorial Cup, defeating Ottawa in the final game.

1977 Memorial Cup
Tournament details
Venue(s)Pacific Coliseum
(Vancouver,British Columbia)
DatesMay 8–14, 1977
Teams3
Final positions
ChampionsNew Westminster Bruins(WHL)(1st title)
←1976
1978→
Silver bowl trophy with two large handles, mounted on a wide black plinth engraved with team names on silver plates.
The Memorial Cup trophy

Teams

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QMJHL TeamOMJHL TeamWCHL TeamHost City

New Westminster Bruins

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TheNew Westminster Bruinscoached byPunch McLean,represented theWestern Canada Hockey Leagueat the 1977 Memorial Cup. This marked the Bruins third consecutive appearance at the tournament. The Bruins finished the1976-77season in first place in the West Division with a 47–14–11, earning 105 points. The high-scoring team earned 363 goals during the season, which ranked them second in the WCHL. The Bruins were also the top ranked defensive club in the league, allowing only 216 goals. In the post-season, the Bruins defeated theVictoria Cougarsin a four-game sweep during the WCHL quarter-finals. In the WCHL semi-finals, New Westminster defeated thePortland Winter Hawksfour games to one, earning a trip to the final round. In thePresident's Cupfinals against the top rankedBrandon Wheat Kings,New Westminster defeated the Wheat Kings four games to one to win their third consecutive WCHL title, earning a berth into the 1977 Memorial Cup.

The Bruins offense was led byMark Lofthouse,who scored 54 goals and 112 points in 70 games, ranking seventh in league scoring. Lofthouse was a top prospect heading into the1977 NHL Entry Draft,where he would be selected by theWashington Capitalswith the 21st overall pick. Lofthouse continued his hot scoring in the playoffs, scoring a team high 10 goals in 14 games. DefensemanBrad Maxwellwas another to prospect on the Bruins. In 70 games, Maxwell scored 21 goals and 79 points. Maxwell led the club in post-season scoring with seven goals and 22 points in 14 games. He would be selected by theMinnesota North Starsin the first round, seventh overall at the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. DefensemanBarry Beckwas another highly sought prospect for the Bruins. In 61 games, Beck scored 16 goals and 62 points. At the upcoming 1977 NHL Entry Draft, Beck was selected second overall by theColorado Rockies.Beck was named theTop Defensemanin the league.Stan Smylscored 35 goals and 66 points in 71 games, as he began getting attention for the1978 NHL Entry Draft.Ray Creasywas acquired from theFlin Flon Bombersearly in the season. In 48 games, Creasy scored 30 goals and 66 points. In goal,Blaine Petersonappeared in 46 games, earning a record of 26-10-4 with a 3.33 GAA and a.898 save percentage.

The 1977 Memorial Cup was the Bruins third trip to the tournament in team history. In1975,New Westminster lost to theToronto Marlborosin the final game. In1976,the Bruins returned to the final game of the tournament, where they lost to theHamilton Fincups.

Ottawa 67's

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TheOttawa 67'srepresented theOntario Major Junior Hockey Leagueat the 1977 Memorial Cup. The 67's were the top team in the Leyden Division, earning a record of 38–23–5, getting 81 points and winning theLeyden Trophy.Ottawa scored 348 goals during the season, ranking them fourth in the OMJHL. The 67's allowed 288 goals, which ranked them fifth in the league. During the post-season, the 67's defeated theSault Ste. Marie Greyhoundsfour games to zero, with a tie, during the Leyden Division semi-finals. In the next round, Ottawa was pushed to the limit by theKingston Canadians,as they won the series four games to three, with another game tied, during the Leyden Division finals. The 67's faced theLondon Knightsfor theJ. Ross Robertson Cup.Ottawa defeated London four games to two to capture the OMJHL championship, earning a berth into the 1977 Memorial Cup.

Bobby Smithled the 67's offence, scoring a team high 65 goals and 135 points in 64 games, finishing third in league scoring. In 19 playoff games, Smith scored 16 goals and 32 points to lead the club. Smith became a top prospect for the 1978 NHL Entry Draft after his spectacular season.Tom McDonellscored 35 goals and 89 points in 66 games to finish second in club scoring, whileTim Higginsalso scored 35 goals, while earning 87 points in 66 games. DefencemanDoug Wilsonwas another top prospect on the 67's. Wilson scored 25 goals and 79 points in 48 games. He was selected by theChicago Black Hawkswith the sixth overall pick in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft.Bob Dalywas the 67's starting goaltender, however, the London Knights loaned their goaltender,Pat Riggin,to Ottawa for the tournament.

The 1977 Memorial Cup was the first appearance by the 67's in team history.

Sherbrooke Castors

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TheSherbrooke Castorsrepresented theQuebec Major Junior Hockey Leagueat the 1977 Memorial Cup. The Castors finished in first place in the Lebel Division with a record of 40–23–9, earning 89 points. The Castors scored 392 goals during the regular season, ranking them second in the league. The club allowed 311 goals, the third fewest in the QMJHL. In the post-season, the Castors had an early scare, as theLaval Nationalpushed the Castors to a seventh game before Sherbrooke won the series four games to three during the QMJHL quarter-finals. In the QMJHL semi-finals, the Castors defeated theCornwall Royalsfour games to one, with another game ending in a tie, advancing to the league finals. In the final round, Sherbrooke defeated the top rankedQuebec Rempartsfour games to one to win thePresident's Cupand earn a berth into the 1977 Memorial Cup.

The Castors offense was led byJere Gillis,as he emerged as one of the top prospects for the upcoming 1977 NHL Entry Draft. Gillis scored 55 goals and 140 points in 72 games, finishing in sixth in league scoring.Ron Carterscored a team high 77 goals, and finished second in team scoring with 127 points in 72 games. Carter led the Castors with 12 goals and 30 points in 18 playoff games. Seventeen year old rookieRick Vaivescored 51 goals and 110 points in 68 games, winning theMichel Bergeron Trophy,which is awarded to the QMJHL Rookie of the Year.Richard Sevignywas the Castors starting goaltender. In 64 games, he earned a record of 34-18-9 with a GAA of 4.14 and a save percentage of.863.

The 1977 Memorial Cup was the Castors second appearance at the tournament. At the 1975 Memorial Cup, Sherbrooke finished in third place after going winless in two games.

Round-robin standings

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Pos Team Pld W L GF GA
1 Ottawa 67's(OMJHL) 4 3 1 21 13 Advanced to final
2 New Westminster Bruins(WHL) 4 3 1 18 14
3 Sherbrooke Castors(QMJHL) 4 0 4 7 19
Source:[citation needed]

Scores

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Round-robin

  • May 8 New Westminster 7–6 Ottawa
  • May 9 New Westminster 4–2 Sherbrooke
  • May 10 Ottawa 6–1 Sherbrooke
  • May 11 Ottawa 4–3 New Westminster (OT)
  • May 12 New Westminster 4–2 Sherbrooke
  • May 13 Ottawa 5–2 Sherbrooke

Final

  • May 14 New Westminster 6–5 Ottawa

[1]

Winning roster

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Bruce Andres,Barry Beck,Jerry Bell,Randy Betty,Ray Creasy,Larry Dean,Doug Derkson,Don Hobbins,John-Paul Kelly,Mark Lofthouse,Brad Maxwell,Dave Orleski,Blaine Peterson,Randy Rudnyk,Stan Smyl,Carl Van Harrewyn,Carey Walker,Brian Young,Miles Zaharko.Coach:Ernie McLean[2]

Award winners

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All-star team

References

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  1. ^"MemorialCup.ca - Tournament Results".Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2018.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  2. ^"MemorialCup.ca - Winning Rosters".Archived fromthe originalon September 10, 2017.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
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