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Guelph Biltmores

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Guelph Biltmores
CityGuelph, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey Association
Operated1939 (1939)–1942
1947–1960
Home arenaGuelph Memorial Gardens
Parent clubNew York Rangers
Franchise history
1937–1939Guelph Indians
1939–1942Guelph Biltmores
1947–1960Guelph Biltmores
1960–1963Guelph Royals
1963–presentKitchener Rangers
Championships
Playoff championships1952 Memorial Cup

The Guelph Biltmores (formally the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters) were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from 1939 to 1942, and 1947 to 1960. The team previously played as the Guelph Indians, before sponsorship by the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company. The Biltmores won the 1952 Memorial Cup as the national junior champions, and won the J. Ross Robertson Cup three times as OHA champions.

History

[edit]

1937 to 1942

[edit]

The Guelph Indians began play during the 1937–38 OHA season and reached the playoffs finals for the J. Ross Robertson Cup, but lost to the Oshawa Generals.[1] Following the 1938–39 OHA season, seven players from the Indians went to the Detroit Red Wings training camp.[2]

Despite junior-aged players enlisting during World War II, Indians' team president Roy Mason planned to rebuild the team with physically bigger players, to compete with Oshawa Generals for the Memorial Cup.[3] During the 1939–40 OHA season, the team became known as the Guelph Biltmores. They were coached by Norman Himes, and had only two returning players from the previous season.[4] Due to natural ice in Guelph, the Biltmores played their first home game of the season at the Galt Arena Gardens.[5] The team was sponsored by the Guelph Biltmore Hat Company, which rewarded any player scoring three or more goals in one game, the choice of a hat in the tradition of a hat-trick.[6]

During the 1941–42 OHA season, Roy Mason reportedly wanted out of the hockey business, and had been losing money until the profits from the 1942 playoffs.[7] Mason felt that as long as a natural ice rink arena stood in Guelph, a rink with an artificial ice surface would unlikely be built.[8] Mason sold the Guelph Arena building in September 1942, for conversion to other purposes.[9] The team ceased operating and its players dispersed for the 1942–43 season.[10]

1947 to 1952

[edit]

The Biltmores were resurrected for the 1947–48 OHA season following a six-year hiatus. Coached by Bobby Bauer, they operated as a farm team of the New York Rangers, and began training at the Waterloo Memorial Arena.[11][12] The Biltmores returned to the OHA junior A division, despite not having a rink in Guelph,[13] and played home games at the Galt Arena Gardens.[14] Bauer resigned as coach in November 1947, and was succeeded by William "Jack" Sherry who played senior ice hockey with the Hamilton Tigers.[15][16]

The Biltmores opened a new rink in Guelph during the following season, played their first home game at Guelph Memorial Gardens on November 19, 1948, versus the Toronto Marlboros.[17][18] Ken Holmeshaw coached the Biltmores for the 1948–49 season, followed by Alf Pike for five seasons from 1949 to 1954.[19]

1952 Memorial Cup

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Silver bowl trophy with two large handles, mounted on a wide black plinth engraved with team names on silver plates.
The Memorial Cup trophy

The Biltmores placed second overall in the 1951–52 OHA season.[20] Guelph the OHA record for single season scoring with 341 goals in a 54-game schedule, which was 34 goals more than the previous mark. Ken Laufman set on OHA record at the time with 139 points.[21] Guelph won the OHA playoffs semifinal 4-games-to-2 versus the Toronto Marlboros,[22] then won its second J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHA junior playoffs champions by defeating the St. Catharines Teepees in five games.[1]

Moving into the national playoffs, Guelph won the Eastern Canada semifinal versus the Porcupine Combines in two consecutive games,[23]
then won the Eastern Canada championship final in six games versus the Montreal Junior Canadiens.[24] In the best-of-seven series for the 1952 Memorial Cup versus the Regina Pats, Guelph won the first game on home ice by a score of 8 to 2, then won three consecutive games at Maple Leaf Gardens to win the Memorial Cup.[24]

1952 to 1960

[edit]

Eddie Bush coached the Biltmores for six seasons from 1954 to 1960.[19]

In May 1960, Madison Square Gardens Corporation who owned the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) purchased the Biltmores as a farm team. Since "Biltmore" was considered a commercial name, the junior team was renamed.[25] The Biltmores became the Guelph Royals for the 1960–61 OHA season.[26]

Players

[edit]

Award winners

[edit]

Notable alumni

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Five alumni from the Guelph Indians later played in the National Hockey League (NHL); including Eddie Bush,[30] Lloyd Finkbeiner,[31] John Holota,[32] Alan Kuntz,[33] and Joe Turner.[34]

Four alumni of the Biltmores were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame; including Andy Bathgate (1949–1953),[35] Rod Gilbert (1957–1960),[36] Harry Howell (1949–1952),[37] and Jean Ratelle (1958–1960).[38] Alumnus Jim Connelly played for the Canada men's national ice hockey team at the 1960 Winter Olympics.[39]

List of Biltmores who played in the NHL or World Hockey Association:[40]

Season-by-season results

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Regular season and playoffs results:

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
1937–38161150220.68860522nd Group 2Won group semifinal (Kitchener Greenshirts) 2–0[53]
Won group final (Stratford Midgets) 3–2–2[54]
Lost OHA final (Oshawa Generals) 3–0[55]
1938–3914752150.53639382nd Group 1Lost quarterfinal (Toronto Young Rangers) 2–0[56]
1939–40201082220.55088614th OHALost semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 2–1[57]
1940–41161150220.68885752nd OHA (tie)Lost semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 3–2[58]
1941–422413110260.5421001153rd OHAWon quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 2–0[59]
Won semifinal (Toronto Young Rangers) 3–1[60]
Lost OHA final (Oshawa Generals) 3–2[61]
Team did not operate from 1942 to 1947
1947–483612231250.3471441688th OHADid not qualify
1948–494820262420.4381692217th OHADid not qualify
1949–504826184560.5831891574th OHAWon quarterfinal (St. Catharines Teepees) 3–2[62]
Won semifinal (Barrie Flyers) 3–1[63]
Won OHA final (Windsor Spitfires) 4–2[64]
Won Eastern Canada semifinal (Porcupine Combines) 4–1[65]
Lost Eastern Canada championship final (Montreal Junior Canadiens) 4–2[66]
1950–515431167690.6392561943rd OHALost quarterfinal (St. Catharines Teepees) 3–2[67]
1951–525437134780.7223411972nd OHAWon semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 4–2[22]
Won OHA final (St. Catharines Teepees) 4–1[68]
Won Eastern Canada semifinal (Porcupine Combines) 2–0[23]
Won Eastern Canada championship final (Montreal Junior Canadiens) 4–2[69]
Won 1952 Memorial Cup final (Regina Pats) 4–0[70]
1952–535622322460.4112122447th OHADid not qualify
1953–545926312540.4582482686th OHALost quarterfinal (Hamilton Tiger Cubs) 3–0[71]
1954–554932152660.6732111582nd OHAWon quarterfinal (Hamilton Tiger Cubs) 3–0[72]
Lost semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 3–0[73]
1955–564825203530.5522621953rd OHALost quarterfinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 3–0[74]
1956–575237123770.7402371431st OHAWon semifinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 4–0[75]
Won OHA final (St. Catharines Teepees) 4–2[76]
Lost Eastern Canada championship final (Ottawa-Hull Canadiens) 4–1–1[77]
1957–585213345310.2981372237th OHADid not qualify
1958–5954231813590.5462202063rd OHAWon quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 4–1[78]
Lost semifinal (Peterborough Petes) 3–0–2[79]
1959–604819218460.4791971856th OHALost quarterfinal (St. Catharines Teepees) 4–1[80]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.
  2. ↑ "Seven Members of Guelph Junior Club Go To Wings' Camp". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. August 19, 1939. p. 7.
  3. ↑ "Boss Mason Plans Powerful Jr. Team". Toronto Star. September 13, 1939. p. 13.; "Guelph Is Building Powerful Junior Club". Toronto Star. September 23, 1939. p. 7.
  4. ↑ "Guelph Biltmores Show Strong Team for Local Fixture". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. November 8, 1939. p. 12.; "Guelph Biltmores Ready for S.P.A." The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. November 20, 1939. p. 10.
  5. ↑ "Oshawa Generals Win Opening Tilt". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. December 22, 1939. p. 24.
  6. ↑ Thomson, Andrew M. (2008). "Biltmore Hats: A Brief History". Guelph Historical Society. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ Rose, Alan (April 2, 1942). "Sportographs". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. p. 12.
  8. ↑ "Guelph's Arena Is Likely To Go". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. May 19, 1942. p. 8.
  9. ↑ "Guelph Arena Sold; May Be Shut For War". Windsor Star. September 4, 1942. p. 20.
  10. ↑ McKenty, Vic (October 23, 1942). "Snapshots on Sport". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. p. 8.
  11. ↑ Odette, Dan (October 8, 1947). "Snapshots on Sport". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. p. 8.
  12. ↑ "Guelph Rushing Hockey Season: Start Practices September 15". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. August 22, 1947. p. 18.
  13. ↑ "Guelph Here Tomorrow". Windsor Star. January 16, 1948. p. 22.
  14. ↑ "Penalties Mount In Hurry As Guelph Trims Rangers". Windsor Star. January 16, 1948. p. 22.
  15. ↑ "Sherry Takes Over as Biltmore Coach". Toronto Star. December 3, 1947. p. 14.
  16. ↑ "Teepees Upset by Biltmores by 4 to 2 Count". St. Catharines Standard. December 29, 1947. p. 16.
  17. ↑ "Memorial Rink Opens tonight". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. November 19, 1948. p. 24.
  18. ↑ Jordan, Kevin (December 5, 2019). "Guelph Storm". The OHL Arena Guide. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 "Guelph Biltmores Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ "1951–52 Ontario Hockey Association Standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  21. ↑ Lapp, Richard M.; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  22. 1 2 "Bilts Kayo Marlies, Mercurys Fight Back To Humble Stratford". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. March 22, 1952. p. 33.
  23. 1 2 "Oust Porkies Two Straight, Hatters Now Meet Canadiens For Eastern Canada Title". The Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 5, 1952. p. 14.
  24. 1 2 Lapp, Richard M.; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. pp. 93–95. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
  25. ↑ "Rangers Buy Guelph Club". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. May 17, 1960. p. 9.
  26. ↑ Sharpe, Barry (October 27, 1960). "Junior "A" Hockey Season Opens on Two Fronts Tonight". St. Catharines Standard. The Canadian Press. p. 28.
  27. ↑ "Shower Bilts With Gifts At Guelph Party". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. May 9, 1952. p. 22.
  28. ↑ "Howell Wins Red Tilson Award: Rare Prize for Defenceman". The Sault Star. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 20, 1956. p. 12.
  29. ↑ "Sweeney Gets Three As Biltmores Drub Hapless Irish 6–2". St. Catharines Standard. March 9, 1957. p. 18.
  30. ↑ "Eddie Bush–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Lloyd Finkbeiner–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "John Holota–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Alan Kuntz–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Joe Turner–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Honoured Members–Player Inductee–Andy Bathgate". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Honoured Members–Player Inductee–Rod Gilbert". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Honoured Members–Player Inductee–Harry Howell". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Honoured Members–Player Inductee–Jean Ratelle". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Jim Connelly Biography and Olympic Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Guelph Biltmores all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Adam Brown–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Harry Dick–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Joe Levandoski–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Tony Licari–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Willie Marshall–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Clare Martin–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Shep Mayer is in the Air Force". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. November 14, 1942. p. 16.
  48. ↑ "Rollie McLenahan–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Hillary Menard–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Leo Reise Jr.–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Glen Sonmor–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Ron Stewart–Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Guelph Indians Register 5–0 Win Over K-W Greenshirts: Meet Midgets In Group Final". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. February 17, 1938. p. 11.
  54. ↑ "Guelph Wins Deciding Game From Midgets". Toronto Telegram. March 12, 1938. p. 25.
  55. ↑ "Oshawa Generals O.H.A. Junior 'A' Champs". The Sault Star. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 21, 1938. p. 7.
  56. ↑ "Hockey Scores". Ottawa Citizen. February 22, 1939. p. 10.
  57. ↑ Fitkin, Ed (March 11, 1940). "Dukes Oust Guelph, 11–4". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. p. 20.
  58. ↑ Fitkin, Ed (March 10, 1941). "Dukes Oust Guelph Juniors With 9–2 Victory: Climax Comeback In Decisive Style". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. p. 16.
  59. ↑ Morganson, Bunny (March 2, 1942). "Young Rangers Move Up In Junior 'A' Playoffs". Toronto Telegram. p. 19.
  60. ↑ "Guelph Wins Deciding Game in Semifinal". Toronto Telegram. March 9, 1942. p. 18.
  61. ↑ "Oshawa Tops Guelph and Qualifies To Meet St. Pat's in Semifinals". Ottawa Citizen. The Canadian Press. March 23, 1942. p. 14.
  62. ↑ "Guelph Biltmores Oust Teepees From Playoffs; Win Series Finale, 5–2". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 3, 1950. p. 17.
  63. ↑ "2nd-Overtime Goal Puts Guelph Into 'A' Finals". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 11, 1950. p. 15.
  64. ↑ "Guelph Captures First OHA Crown". Ottawa Journal. The Canadian Press. March 27, 1950. p. 19.
  65. ↑ Campbell, Gordon (April 10, 1950). "Lack Sparkle, Bilts Win: Tackle Jr. Canadiens Next". Toronto Star. p. 14.
  66. ↑ "Junior Canadiens To Play Regina Pats". The Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadian Press. April 24, 1950. p. 2.
  67. ↑ "Teepees Stage Primary Upset By Putting Bilts Out by 1–0; Meet Dukes in Semifinals". St. Catharines Standard. March 24, 1951. p. 14.
  68. ↑ "Bilt Rally Takes Junior 'A' Title". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. April 1, 1952. p. 12.
  69. ↑ "Guelph Beats Montreal To Gain Junior Final". The Albertan. Calgary, Albertan. The Canadian Press. April 19, 1952. p. 12.
  70. ↑ Swayze, Craig (May 3, 1952). "Guelph Biltmores Win Memorial Cup in Four Straight Games". The Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadian Press. p. 9.
  71. ↑ "Hamilton Tips Hatters, 4–3, To Cop Series". Windsor Star. The Canadian Press. March 22, 1954. p. 28.
  72. ↑ "Bilts Oust Cubs, TeePees take 3–0 lead Over Irish". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 2, 1955. p. 8.
  73. ↑ "Guelph Juniors Ousted By Toronto Marlboros". The Sault Star. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 12, 1955. p. 10.
  74. ↑ Hunt, Don (March 10, 1956). "Guelph Collapses Under Collegians' 2nd Period Drive". Toronto Telegram. p. 17.
  75. ↑ "Guelph Ousts St. Michael's; Play semifinal Winner". The Kingston Whig-Standard. The Canadian Press. March 18, 1957. p. 11.
  76. ↑ Campbell, Gordon (April 6, 1957). "The Bilts Are OHA Champions Once Again: Guelph Puts an end to Teepees' Dream of an OHA Crown". Toronto Star. p. 32.
  77. ↑ Lake, Stuart (April 22, 1957). "Ottawa Habs Enter Memorial Cup Finals: OHA Champions Eliminated For First Time Since 1950". Ottawa Journal. p. 18.
  78. ↑ "Fine Paid, Gilbert Paces 3–2 Bilt Win". Waterloo Region Record. Kitchener, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 13, 1959. p. 24.
  79. ↑ "Petes Beat Bilts, 2–0; Win Series". Standard-Freeholder. Cornwall, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 24, 1959. p. 14.
  80. ↑ "Petes, Teepees Win Quarterfinal Series". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. The Canadian Press. March 11, 1960. p. 8.
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