Montreal Junior Canadiens

1957 Memorial Cup

Becoming the Ottawa-Hull Canadiens in 1956, they played exhibition games against the OHA, the Quebec Hockey League, and the OHA Senior A League. In the 1957 season with the minor professional Quebec Hockey League, Ottawa had a record of 7 wins, 12 losses, and a tie, with 57 goals for and 74 goals against.^{[citation needed]}

The Canadiens finished second in the Laurier Cup to the Toronto Marlboros, won the George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canadian Junior A champions, but lost the 1957 Memorial Cup in seven games to the Flin Flon Bombers.^[3]

1958 Memorial Cup

In 1958, the team was known as the Hull-Ottawa Junior Canadiens, and defeated the Guelph Biltmores to win the George Richardson Memorial Trophy as Eastern Canadian representatives. The Canadiens won the 1958 Memorial Cup by defeating the Regina Pats in five games, who were also a farm team of the Montreal Canadiens.^[4]

1959 to 1961

Playing in the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League for the 1958–59 season, the Canadiens had a mixed roster of junior and senior ice hockey players. The Canadiens finished third in the league, and lost the playoffs semifinal to the Kingston Merchants 4-games-to-3 with 1 tie. The junior portion of the roster moved onto the 1959 Memorial Cup playiffs, losing in the Eastern Canada final to Peterborough Petes.^{[citation needed]}

In 1959, the Eastern Professional Hockey League formed the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens, another Montreal farm team. The Junior Canadiens moved, becoming the Brockville Canadiens in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League. The Canadiens dominated their new league with a 25-1-0 record. The Canadiens became 1960 Quebec Junior Champions by defeating the Alma Aiglons 11-1 and 10-0, when Alma conceded the third game. In the Richardson Trophy final, they faced the OHA's St. Catharines Teepees. The Teepees won the first three games of the series, but the Canadiens tied the series at 3-games-to-3 with 1 tie. The Teepees won the eighth game 6-3 to clinch the series.^{[citation needed]}

In 1960, the franchise became the Hull Canadiens. Despite having junior players on their roster, the team joined the more competitive Interprovincial Senior Hockey League. They were 1960-61 regular season (losing only twice) and 1961 playoff champions of the ISHL with a sweep of the Smiths Falls Rideaus and defeating Ottawa St. Anthonys 3-games-to-1. The Canadiens represented the Ottawa District in 1961 Allan Cup playdowns but were swept by the Quebec champion Granby Victorias.^{[citation needed]}

1969 Memorial Cup

The Junior Canadiens defeated the St. Catharines Black Hawks for the OHA championship, then defeated the Sorel Black Hawks in four games for the Richardson Cup. The Montreal roster that year included 13 rookies^{[citation needed]}.

The 1969 Memorial Cup was a rematch of 19 years earlier, with the Regina Pats. The Canadiens picked up netminder Jim Rutherford from the Hamilton Red Wings for the national championship. The first two games were scheduled for the Montreal Forum, with the remainder of the games to be played at Regina Exhibition Stadium. The Junior Canadiens won the series in four consecutive games.^[8]

The team included multiple future NHL stars and all-stars: Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Marc Tardif, Rejean Houle, Ian Turnbull, Andre Dupont, Guy Charron, J.P. Bordeleau, Bobby Lalonde and Jocelyn Guevremont.^[9]

1970 Memorial Cup

The Junior Canadiens finished first place in the 1969–70 OHA season, then defeated the Ottawa 67's and St. Catharines Black Hawks to reach the finals versus the Toronto Marlboros. The Junior Canadiens triumphed for the J. Ross Robertson Cup then played the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) champion Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Montreal won the first game 6–2, but the Greyhounds won game two 5–4. It was the first time in history that a team from the NOHA beat an OHA team in the playoffs. Montreal quickly responded winning the next three games 10–1, 9–2 and 20–1.^{[citation needed]}

For the Richardson Cup the Canadiens played the Quebec Junior Hockey League champions Quebec Remparts. The Remparts featured Guy Lafleur. The Canadiens prevailed in three consecutive games in front of crowds excedding 14,000 in Quebec City, and 18,000 in Montreal.^{[citation needed]}

Their opponents for the 1970 Memorial Cup were the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, coached by Stan Dunn. The Junior Canadiens won in four consecutive games, with the decisive game on home ice at the Forum.^[10]