Doug Prusky becomes coach of Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with Jean Claude Cyr as captain for 1977-78 NIHL season

Doug Prusky, who had starred as a player at all levels in Chapleau hockey became the coach of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with the 1977-78 season, the team's third in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League (NIHL) while veteran player, Jean Claude (JC) Cyr became the captain.

Doug was well known to Chapleau hockey fans as an outstanding player with the Junior "B" Huskies and the Intermediate "A" Huskies, until an injury cut short his playing career. He also played on the championship Bantam teams coached by Dave Futhey and David Mizuguchi.

Under the new bench boss, the Huskies established themselves as top contenders winning their two season openers on the road  defeating the Hearst Lumberkings 11-4 and Calvert GMs 6-2.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that "with a new coach, new captain, several new players and the team stalwarts from the past season",  the wins were "a fine beginning (for Doug) as "the team had never won their first games since entering the league." Graham Bertrand was back as trainer.

The newspaper said that JC Cyr, the new captain played "sparkling hockey in both games and was rewarded for his efforts with five goals."

Glen Cappellani, who had returned home after a stint in the United States Hockey League showed that his semi-pro experience had really helped his game as he came up with "scintillating saves" in both games. Glen would share goaltending duties with David McAdam, who had been the team's stalwart since its beginning.

Steve Prusky, Doug's brother was also home after playing in the USHL and demonstrated the experience he had gained since leaving Chapleau where he had also been a star defenceman. "... (Steve) has the ability to control a hockey game from the blueline...," the Sentinel noted.

Other new faces were Ron Larcher and Gary Legros from the Junior "B" Huskies, Paul Scheer, joining his high scoring brother Bill on the team, and Rick Walker and Danny Homerodean from southern Ontario.

Other players on the roster  included veterans Jamie Doyle, Pat Swanson, Ted Swanson, Dave McMillan, Tom Laframboise, Paul McDonald, Ray Larcher, Richard Lacroix, George Card  and Keith McAdam. Terry Woermke, Danny Vaughan, Moe Poirier and Ted Zajac would also be on the team.

Before the season was too old, John Tavella, of Wawa, joined the team. At the time, John held the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior "A" (Tier One) League record  for most goals and assists in a single season set while playing for the Soo Greyhounds in the 1975-76 season -- 67 goals and 70 assists.

John had also been the 10th round draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens but had decided not to play in their farm system. john Simons of Wawa, who had also played for the Soo Greyhounds joined the team for the 1978-79 season.

In the regular season of 30 games, the Huskies enjoyed tremendous success under Doug's guidance, winning 24, losing four and tying two but for the third year in a row they met their archrivals the Timmins Northstars in the semi-finals, and lost with the Timmins team going on to become league champions.

But the foundation had been laid, and in the 1978-79 season playing in the new Moore Arena, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre, with Doug returning as coach, the Huskies finally defeated the Northstars in the semi-finals, which to the team and Chapleau hockey fans seemed the equivalent of winning the Stanley Cup. They lost in the finals to Kirkland Lake Blue Devils. 

Doug beside bed at the Summerfest races

It would be the final season for the team in the NIHL which continued for several more years until it folded in the 1980s as the "baby boomers" grew older and players were no longer readily available.

After Doug succeeded me as coach, the Sentinel reported that fans and players wondered if I was now more excitable as manager than I had been as coach. As I went through files putting this rough draft of the Intermediate "A" Huskies history focusing on Doug's time as coach, and who was on the team, I really don't know. What I do know though, is that despite ups and downs, it was an awesome experience to have been part of the team and be able to live the great moments we all shared. Thanks guys, and a special thanks to Doug Prusky.

Doug, retired now from the Canadian Pacific Railway, lives in Chapleau with wife Tina (Cappellani) and daughter Mya where he is president of the Chapleau Figure Skating Club.

Happy New Year to all. My email is mj.morris@live.ca