Barrie Flyers

The Barrie Flyers were founded in 1945 by Hap Emms.^{[citation needed]}

In the 1947–48 season, Barrie defeated the Windsor Spitfires for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.^[2] Barrier then defeated the Montreal Nationales to win theGeorge Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canadian champions. In the 1948 Memorial Cup, the Flyers lost to the Port Arthur West End Bruins in a best-of-seven series played at Maple Leaf Gardens. The series was very physical and bitter between the teams. After the third game, Emms threatened that the Flyers would not continue to play without a change in referees. The series ultimately continued with the same referees.^[3]

In the 1948–49 season, Barrie won the OHA championship versus the Toronto Marlboros,^[2] then lost to the Montreal Royals in the Eastern Canada final.^{[citation needed]}

In the 1950–51 season, Barrie won the OHA championship again versus the Toronto Marlboros.^[2] Canadian Amateur Hockey Association vice-president W. B. George oversaw the Flyers versus Quebec Citadelles series for the George Richardson Memorial Trophy, to represent Eastern Canada in the 1951 Memorial Cup playoffs. When the Citadels refused to play game five in Barrie, George gave them an ultimatum to play or forfeit the series. Quebec decided to play too late to arrive by train, but arrived half an hour late after flying.^[4][5] George scheduled game seven on neutral ice at Maple Leaf Gardens, despite protests from Flyers' coach Hap Emms who claimed that his team only agreed to resume the series if game seven was played in Barrie.^[6] The Flyers won the 1951 Memorial Cup played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They swept the Winnipeg Monarchs in a best-of-seven series.^[7]

In the 1952–53 season, Barrie won the OHA championship versus the Toronto St. Michael's Majors.^[2] The Flyers won the 1953 Memorial Cup in 1953 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba, defeating the St. Boniface Canadiens in a best-of-seven series.^[8]

The Flyers gained sponsorship by the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1955, and received five players from the defunct Galt Black Hawks.^[9] In the 1955–56 season, Barrie reached the OHA finals and lost to the Toronto Marlboros. ^[2] In 1960, Emms relocated the team to Niagara Falls, playing as the Niagara Falls Flyers for 12 seasons.^{[citation needed]}

• 1948–49 – Gilles Mayer received the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHA's most outstanding junior player.^[10]
• 1950–51 – Don Lockhart and Lorne Howes received the Dave Pinkney Trophy with the lowest goals against average for goaltenders on n OHA junior team.^[11]

List of Flyers' alumni who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) or World Hockey Association:^[12]