Chapleau Intermediate 'A' Huskies dominated regular season in 1977-78 but failed in playoffs

Bill Scheer with Ron Larcher on his right

When the Northland Intermediate Hockey League released its 1977-78 season statistics, it showed that the Chapleau Intermediate Huskies dominated several categories, according to the Chapleau Sentinel.

But, for the third successive year, the Huskies failed to defeat their arch rival Timmins North Stars in the semi-finals losing in six games. The North Stars went on to win the league championship.

In regular season play, the Huskies won 24 games, lost four and tied two for 50 points, a first place finish 18 points ahead of the Calvert GMs.

The North Stars were in third place with 14 wins, 13 losses and three ties. The Kapuskasing As had 30 points, based on 14 wins, 14 losses and two ties for fourth place.

The expansion Cochrane Commandos and Heasrt lumberkings did not make the playoffs.

Bill Scheer of the Huskies won the league scoring title with 41 goals and 43 assists for 84 points, while Ivan Fournier of Calvert was second with 43 goals and 39 assists.

Pat Swanson was in fourth spot in league scoring with 30 goals and 45 assists.

Paul Scheer, who was named league Rookie of the Year was in fifth spot with 22 goals and 46 assists. Paul also set a league record for assists.

David McAdam and Glen Cappellani of the Huskies had the best goaltending average in the league with a combined average of 3,70 goals against.

Paul, Bill, Pat and Jamie Doyle with 25 goals and 26 assists, were the only players on the Huskies to score more than 20 goals in regular season play. But David McMillan was close with 19 goals and 30 assists.

Jamie and Dave finished in 11th and 12th spots respectively in league scoring.

Tom Laframboise of the Huskies led the team penalty parade with 65 minutes followed by Pat with 63 placing both of them in the league top ten. 

However, the Huskies coached by Doug Prusky, were the second least penalized team in the league with 485 minutes while the North Stars led with 802 minutes. Kapuskasing was least penalized with 428 minutes.

According to league statistics Ted Swanson was the only member of the Huskies to play in every game of the schedule. In fact, Ted was the only player to participate in every game over the team's four years in the Northland League.

And, with the end of the 1977-78 season, the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena closed its doors after serving the community for 27 years. It was opened in February 1951 and the A.W. Moore Arena, named after "Mrs. Hockey" Moore, part of the Chapleau Recreation Centre was officially opened 37 years ago on June 29, 1978.

And please, after all these years, don't ask me "how come" the Huskies failed in the playoffs after such a  successful regular season. Even though I was the manager, I couldn't figure it out then, and all these years later, sure can't now. 

But I can tell you, they remain the best of the best to me 37 years later. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos by John Theriault

Chapleau Intermediate 'A' Huskies open 1977-78 Northland Intermediate Hockey League season with two wins on the road

The Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies seemed to have established themselves as a top contender as they opened their 1977-78 season on the road with two wins. 

It was the start of their third season in the Northland intermediate Hockey League, and with a new coach, new captain, several new players and the excellent play of team stalwarts from the previous season, they dumped the Hearst Lumberkings and Calvert GMs in convincing fashion -- 11-4 and 6-2 respectively.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that the season openers were "a fine beginning" for coach Doug Prusky as the team had never won their first games since entering the league for the 1975-76 season. 

Jean Claude Cyr had been named captain and played "sparkling hockey in both games and was rewarded for his efforts with a five goal performance."

Glen Cappellani was in goal for the locals in both games having been the backbone of the Junior "B" Huskies for several years followed by a stint in the United States Hockey League. The Sentinel reported that Cappellani's "semi-pro experience was most evident as he came up with scintillating saves" in both games. Danny Law of the Midgets was back up goaltender as David McAdam was unable to make the trip.

Steve Prusky was back in the lineup after three years in the USHL and demonstrated the experience he had gained since leaving Chapleau where he was a star defenceman. 

"Prusky has the ability to control a hockey game from the blueline", the article noted.

Ron Larcher, Bill Scheer

Other new faces in the Chapleau lineup were Ron Larcher and Gary Legros from the Junior "B" ranks; Paul Scheer who had moved to Chapleau from Burlington; Rick Walker, a solid defenceman from Brampton and Danny Homerodean a winger who had played for the Burlington Junior "B" Mohawks.

Ron Larcher, the speedy forward was on a line with his brother Raymond and team captain Cyr. The plan may have been to use them as checking line but they came up with nine points in the two games. Raymond and Jean Claude had been with the team since its beginning

Paul Scheer made his first appearances on a line with brother Bill, who had joined the Huskies for the 1976-77 season, and Pat Swanson. Paul came up with a goal and three assists.

By the end of the weekend Pat Swanson, another veteran from first game in the Northland league was off to a fast start with two goals and four assists led the team's point parade.

Danny Homorodean played right wing for Dave McMillan and Jamie Doyle, both veterans,  and this line came up with excellent performances accumulating 10 points over the weekend.

The Sentinel commented that "McMillan is a class centre always calculating his moves while Doyle is one hockey player who skates faster coming back down the ice to his zone than he moves offensively." (As an aside the comment about Jamie was so true and a hallmark of all his playing days but he was a great two way player.)

Legros and Walker were both on the blueline and came up with very solid performances with Legros a tough player who in his first two games gave every indication he will become a valuable addition to the roster.  Walker is a thinking defenceman with an excellent shot.

Bill Scheer, Pat Swanson, Trainer Graham Bertrand. Donkey baseball

Ted Swanson was back in the lineup for another year and his experience helped the newcomers. Ted had two excellent games sliding in fronts and setting up plays in great fashion. Ted never missed a game in the four years the team was in the Northland league.

In the Short Shots section of the article, the writer took a "shot" at me, commenting that "Players and fans on the trip are unable to decide if Mike Morris, now the manager, is more excitable now than when he was coaching." I had coached the team since it was founded in 1974-75 season the for two years in the Northland League. Within one week, thirty-six years later, I really don't know. 

Dave McMillan, Danny Vaughan, Paul McDonald

John Theriault took photos of the team on the ice and while involved in other community activities. Thanks for making them available John. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

John Tavella scores first goal in Moore Arena as Chapleau Intermediate 'A" Huskies down Valley East Crusaders in 1978

UPDATE: John Tavella died at age 59 on October 21, 2015.

The Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies inaugurated the Moore Arena at the Chapleau Recreation Centre,  on October 7 and 8, 1978 winning two exhibition games against the Valley East Crusaders.

With a crowd of more than 500 fans on hand for each game, the Huskies were "equal to the task" according to the Chapleau Sentinel, winning both games 6-4 and 5-4 respectively.

Doug Prusky, who had been a star with both the Chapleau Junior "B" and Intermediate "A" Huskies until an injury forced his retirement was entering his second year as coach of the Huskies. I was the manager.

David McAdam and Glen Cappellani shared goaltending duties.

John Tavella of Wawa, now playing for the Chapleau team, who had set an Ontario Hockey Association record for most points by a rookie when he played for the Sault Greyhounds, earned the honour of scoring the first goal in the Moore Arena at the 17:10 mark of the first period. Pat Swanson assisted.

The Sentinel reported that in the first game, Tavella and Jamie Doyle came through with "super performances culminating their efforts with two goals each.

RON LARCHER and the donkey

Entering their fourth year in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League, the Huskies, were playing the newest entry. The Crusaders were the 1977-78 Sudbury Intermediate League champions.

The first period ended in a 1-1 tie.

Doyle scored his first of the night in the second with assists going to Richard Lacroix and Bill Scheer. The Crusaders again tied the match but Ron Larcher scored on an unassisted effort, and the period ended 3-2 for the locals.

Ron Larcher, Bill Scheer on attack

But the Crusaders roared to the attack in the third pulling ahead by one goal.

Richard Lacroix, who had returned to the lineup after an absence started the comeback when he "put home one of his blasts" assisted by Larcher and Jacques Sylvestre. Fans were delighted to see Lacroix back with the Huskies. He had been the team's leading scorer and Rookie of the year during its first year of operation in 1975-76. Tavella scored his second of the night.

With six minutes left Doyle scored his second of the night assisted by Bill Scheer and Dave McMillan, which turned out to be the winning goal.

Veteran referee Jim Hong kept the game well under control handing out only minor penalties to both clubs.

Tavella was again the big marksman in the second game as he scored twice and earned one assist.

In the second game, Larcher opened the scoring for the Huskies after the Crusaders had taken the lead. Ted Swanson, who never missed a game in the team's four year history, assisted on Larcher's goal.

McMillan put the Huskies ahead with assists to Ted Zajac and Ted Swanson.

Although the Crusaders came back again, John Simon, also from Wawa, who had also played for the Sault Greyhounds, scored his first goal in a Chapleau uniform assisted by Tavella and Pat Swanson to give the locals a 3-2 edge at the end of the second period. Simon's son Chris played in the National Hockey League.

The Huskies in Summerfest bed race

In the third, the Crusaders tied the game, but Tavella put the Huskies back in front assisted by McMillan and then scored the winner assisted by Simon and George Card.

Barbara (Bowland) Groves advised that she sold the first ticket for the hockey game in the new Moore Arena. Barbara was the cashier and canteen manager until 1986, commenting "lots of hockey games." Thanks Barbara.

As an aside, while chatting with Graham Bertrand, co-chair of the Chapleau High School 90th anniversary reunion committee, he reminded me that the recreation centre had been officially opened on June 29, 1978, 34 years to the day of the beginning of the reunion.

BILL SCHEER, PAT SWANSON and GRAHAM!

in !978, Graham was the trainer for the Huskies, as well as serving as chair of Taste of the North the winter carnival and as a member of the Chapleau Recreation Centre. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photos courtesy of JOHN THERIAULT

JOHN THERIAULT PRESENTS THE CHAPLEAU INTERMEDIATE "A" HUSKIES - A TEAM FOR ALL SEASONS

The Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies, who came to be known simply as "The Intermediates" were important players, in community life, both on and off the ice, from their founding in 1974 until they played their last game in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League in 1979.

John Theriault kindly provided the photos you see here that capture part of what life was like with them during those years.

They were an integral part of my life, and I hope as you look at the photos, you will have fond memories of "The Intermediates" --- the team for all seasons!

Let me just add that while I am most closely associated with the team, it was Doug Prusky, who was either coaching  or managing the team, as we changed roles at times, that brought them their greatest on ice success.

I am bringing up the rear as the players participate in "A Taste of the North", the Chapleau Winter Carnival.

I am going to leave it to you to identify the players -- at least for the most part!

Rub a dub dub, three men in a tub.

The Intermediates participated in many summer activities, including the annual Summerfest sponsored by the Festival Chapleau Committee. Yes, that is Graham Bertrand on the right -- the team's trainer.

On the ice and on the ballfield behind the Chapleau Civic Centre, The Intermediates could always attract a crowd. Were you there watching RP?

Those donkeys could be ornery critters just like the Timmins North Stars. We faced them four times in the NIHL semi-finals and finally beat them in the fourth attempt. It was like we had won the Stanley Cup.

Looks like Ron Larcher has his work cut out for him here. In the background you can see the  golf clubhouse and Dr. G.E. Young's boathouse.

Over you go! Up! Up! And away!


When I was in first year at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1960, I was the organizer with some of my buddies of a bed push from London to Waterloo. We set a world record

The best we could do in Chapleau was have bed  races down main street. I got to ride on one bed and the guys made me wear a helmet.

Ernie Gilbert, a long time Chapleau councillor, and a great hockey fan, on the left, was Carnival King. I am there with Ernie and Bonhomme because at the time I was reeve (mayor) of Chapleau.

Once again to John Theriault, thanks for the memories and for letting me share your photos here.

I just can't resist closing with a comment Jamie Doyle made to me, "Chief, we were a real good hockey team, and would have been even better if we had ever had a practice with everyone there." Indeed Jamie, and that's a story for another day.

'Senseless acts' of hockey violence an issue in 1976 during controversial Northland Intermediate Hockey League playoff series between Chapleau Huskies and Timmins North Stars

Whenever the violence in hockey issue reaches a fever pitch as it has again recently with comments from Mario Lemieux, a star of the game and now owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, I go back to February 22, 1976, a Sunday afternoon at the McIntyre Arena in Timmins, where the Chapleau Intermediate 'A" Huskies were playing the Timmins North Stars in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League semi-finals.

The Huskies were in their first NIHL season, had squeaked into the fourth and last playoff position but were ahead of the North Stars, the first place finishers three games to one.

For those readers who will not remember those days, I was the coach and manager of the Huskies as well as serving as reeve of Chapleau.

At the opening faceoff I noticed that the North Stars were starting the game with five defencemen on the ice which for a moment seemed strange to me, I started with the line of Pat Swanson, David McMillan and Jamie Doyle who were leading the series in accumulated points. At the first stoppage of play I changed lines putting out George Swanson, Jean Claude Cyr and Raymond Larcher.

Then it began. George headed into the North Stars defensive zone where he received injuries that resulted in him leaving the game and being taken to hospital for treatment of a broken shoulder.

Within five minutes Dave McMillan took a high stick to the face, fell to the ice, was bleeding and was taken to the dressing room. No penalty was called and he did not return to play in that game.

It didn't take me long to figure out that the North Stars game plan was to intimidate us, although in a report on the game in the Timmins Daily Press, it was described as "aggressive tactics."

In the third period, Doug Prusky suffered a broken ankle after being attacked by a Timmins player who received a minor penalty for interference. Doug was taken to hospital. Richard Lacroix suffered a leg injury in the third period and insults were hurled at other players.

The Huskies lost the game 9-6 which resulted in a Daily Press headline "Stars Hammer Chapleau..." the understatement of all times.

I went to St. Mary's Hospital after the game and saw Doug and George.

I talked with Bill Moffat, the manager of the North Stars and advised him that I would consider the possibility of having criminal charges laid. Needless to say I was furious, but also deeply concerned about my players so I decided to stay in Timmins overnight and assess the options.

In due course I sent a night letter to the Attorney General of Ontario, Roy McMurtry, seeking advice on the possibility of undertaking criminal proceedings against a player or players of the Timmins North Stars as a result of the alleged incidents in the game.

I also advised James Aspin, secretary manager of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association and Donald Dewsbury, president of the NIHL, and returned to Chapleau, where the municipal council would address the matter before a sixth game was played at the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena.

After much debate, in which I did not participate, council agreed that the game could be played, but with a large police presence. That happened, and more than 1,400 fans packed the arena for the game.

Despite a truly valiant effort by the Huskies, we lost the series, and to this day, I have the utmost respect and admiration for each of those players who did their best to win it.

When we returned to Timmins for game seven, large banners greeted us, mostly focused on me.

Why did I take such action?

Here is what I said 36 years ago on February 26, 1976: "I believe I had no alternative. While I recognize that hockey is a physical contact sport, the point is reached when senseless acts of violence can no longer be tolerated without taking action.

"There are those who will dismiss the incidents as an aggressive brand of hockey, but when two players are hospitalized with serious injuries, and others forced to leave a game, and verbal abuse occurs, then I would submit that a most serious situation has developed."

William McMurtry, the brother of the attorney general, had written a report on violence in hockey in 1974. I have looked again at the major recommendations and don't think much has changed.

Three members of the North Stars were subsequently charged with assault but were found not guilty.

Notwithstanding the situation that developed at the end of the first year in the NIHL, the team held its first awards banquet with Doug Prusky as master of ceremonies, and honoured several players.

Goaltender David McAdam was named Most Valuable Player having played in all the 32 regular season games and the playoffs. In making the presentation, Keith "Buddy" Swanson said "every hockey team has a backbone and on this team it is David McAdam." He won the Wesmak Lumber Trophy.

Jamie Doyle, who was in his first year at Wilfrid Laurier University, and travelled home to play was named Most Valuable Player in the Playoffs. Jamie had 14 goals and 12 assists, including a league record six goals in a single game. Jim Young, the Timmins goaltender told me later, that "Jamie turned on the red light behind me so many times that I hada  sunburn on my neck."

Richard Lacroix, the team captain and leading scorer was named Rookie of the Year -- all players were eligible and rookies. Richard was another player who never missed a game all year. Ross Barlow and Steve Ward had donated a trophy. Richard also won the Leading Scorer award with 33 goals and 18 assists, the fourth highest in the league.

Ted Swanson, another player who also never missed a game was presented the Sportsman Hotel Trophy as Best Defenceman by Jack Houle.

Good luck to Mario Lemieux.
"plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose," as Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Kar wrote in 1849. My email is mj.morris@live.ca