1978–79 OMJHL season

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.Demise of WHA 'would aid juniors' July 19, 1978 Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg, Manitoba 85 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jul-19-1978-1598339/ 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.Bassett says he's going to hound junior hockey July 20, 1978 Brandon Sun Brandon, Manitoba 6 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jul-20-1978-1598302/ 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".Junior owners file suit September 21, 1978 Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg, Manitoba 80 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-sep-21-1978-1598340/ 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.Beagan takes on a host of problems November 16, 1978 Brandon Sun Brandon, Manitoba 7 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-nov-16-1978-1598305/ 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.Ontario board has a message for the breweries January 11, 1979 Brandon Sun Brandon, Manitoba 11 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-11-1979-1619262/ 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.Jim Coleman Coleman Jim Jim Coleman (journalist) January 24, 1979 Medicine Hat News Medicine Hat, Alberta 12 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-24-1979-1619261/ Beagan's tenure with the OHL ended after 42 days, and he described his relationship in dealing with contract negotiations as "rocky".https://www.uscho.com/2011/09/22/checking-in-former-ccha-commissioner-bill-beagan/ Checking In: Former CCHA commissioner Bill Beagan Mackinder Matt September 22, 2011 U.S. College Hockey Online March 27, 2020 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.Beagan wants total control May 15, 1982 Brandon Sun Brandon, Manitoba 9 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-may-15-1982-1619249/ Sherwood Bassin from the Oshawa Generals was named the interim commissioner for the remainder of the season.Bell Aaron 2007–08 Information Guide and Player Register Ontario Hockey League 2007 Toronto, Ontario 12 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 1 z-Peterborough Petes 68 46 19 3 95 341 245 2 y-Sudbury Wolves 68 40 27 1 81 397 361 3 y-Oshawa Generals 68 37 30 1 75 367 326 4 x-Ottawa 67's 68 30 38 0 60 319 344 5 x-Kingston Canadians 68 26 38 4 56 265 306 6 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 68 26 42 0 52 317 415 Emms Division Rank Team GP W L T PTS GF GA 1 z-Niagara Falls Flyers 68 43 21 4 90 361 243 2 y-London Knights 68 37 29 2 76 310 287 3 y-Windsor Spitfires 68 32 35 1 65 323 322 4 x-Kitchener Rangers 68 29 35 4 62 316 356 5 x-Toronto Marlboros 68 27 40 1 55 308 351 6 Brantford Alexanders 68 23 42 3 49 281 349 Scoring leaders Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Mike Foligno Sudbury Wolves 68 65 85 150 98 Tom McCarthy Oshawa Generals 63 69 75 144 98 Art Rutland Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 65 59 80 139 82 Brian Gualazzi Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 68 74 60 134 42 Paul Reinhart Kitchener Rangers 66 51 78 129 57 John Goodwin Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 68 43 86 129 20 Dave MacQueen Sudbury Wolves 65 60 66 126 98 Gary Dillon Toronto Marlboros 59 57 63 120 40 Sean Simpson Ottawa 67's 59 42 76 118 12 Blair Barnes Windsor Spitfires 67 42 76 118 195 Playoffs The quarterfinal series between the London Knights and Windsor Spitfires originally ended with a 9-7 series victory for Windsor, but legal disputes over the eligibility of London forward Dean Hopkins after not being ejected from game 5 for spearing (instead getting a 5 minute major penalty) in the resulting 3-3 tie, and the further outcome of the series with Windsor winning three straight games, led to the OMJHL throwing the series out and advancing both teams to the semifinals. There, both teams faced the Niagara Falls Flyers in a round robin series to determine the Emms Division finalist. The initial semifinal series between Niagara Falls and Windsor alone had begun with a 3-3 tie, but that game was thrown out to resolve London's protests over the prior series.Committee-room feud now shifts to arena in bizarre OHA mess Juby Jordan April 11, 1979 Ottawa Citizen 31 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/461216714/ 1/1/1/1 First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals J. Ross Robertson Cup Leyden Division Emms Division 200px E4 Kitchener Rangers 6 E5 Toronto Marlboros 0 L4 Ottawa 67s 4 L5 Kingston Canadians 6 L1 Peterborough Petes 9 L5 Kingston Canadians 5 L2 Sudbury Wolves 8 L3 Oshawa Generals 2 L1 Niagara Falls Flyers 8 L4 Kitchener Rangers 6 L2 London Knights 7 L3 Windsor Spitfires 9 L1 Peterborough Petes 8 L2 Sudbury Wolves 2 E1 Niagara Falls Flyers 10 E2/3 London & Windsor 3/5 L1 Peterborough Petes 8 E1 Niagara Falls Flyers 6 Emms Division Finals Teams GP W L T GF GA Pts Niagara Falls Flyers 6 5 1 0 24 14 10 Windsor Spitfires 7 3 3 1 26 29 5 London Knights 7 1 5 1 24 33 3 Awards J. Ross Robertson Cup: Peterborough PetesHamilton Spectator Trophy: Peterborough PetesLeyden Trophy: Peterborough PetesEmms Trophy: Niagara Falls FlyersRed Tilson Trophy: Mike Foligno, Sudbury WolvesEddie Powers Memorial Trophy: Mike Foligno, Sudbury Wolves Matt Leyden Trophy: Gary Green, Peterborough PetesJim Mahon Memorial Trophy: Mike Foligno, Sudbury WolvesMax Kaminsky Trophy: Greg Theberge, Peterborough PetesDave Pinkney Trophy: Nick Ricci and Glen Ernst, Niagara Falls FlyersEmms Family Award: John Goodwin, Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsF.W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy: Nick Ricci, Niagara Falls FlyersWilliam Hanley Trophy: Sean Simpson, Ottawa 67's See also List of OHA Junior A standings List of OHL seasons 1979 Memorial Cup 1979 NHL entry draft 1978 in sports 1979 in sports References External links HockeyDB 1977–78 OMJHL season 1979–80 OMJHL season OHL seasons Category:Ontario Hockey League seasons OMJHL