The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (aka Soo Greyhounds ) are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey teams based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario since 1919.

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Early years

The first Greyhounds team formed in 1919, playing in the now defunct Upper-Peninsula League. The team's coach was George MacNamara. He suggested the team be called the Greyhounds since, "a greyhound is much faster than a wolf." That reference was to the already established rival club, the Sudbury Wolves. ^[1]

A couple seasons later, the Greyhounds switched to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association Senior "A" division. The team won the Senior A championship in 1921, 1923, 1924 and 1925. The 1924 Greyhounds also won the Allan Cup, the only team from Sault Ste. Marie to do so.

The senior Greyhounds folded in 1927, and were replaced the following season by a junior team of the same name, competing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The juniors won the league championship four consecutive years from 1928 to 1931, and a fifth title in 1942. Junior hockey in Sault Ste. Marie came to an abrupt end in 1945 when the Gouin Street Arena was destroyed by fire.

The senior Greyhounds team was revived in 1948. The new team played out of a temporary home at Pullar Stadium until the Memorial Gardens opened in 1949. The senior Greyhounds won the NOHA championship four times in 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1955. This team folded, along with the league after the 1958–59 season.

Modern era

The current Greyhounds Junior A franchise was founded in 1962 as a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team's founders were Angelo Bumbacco, Lloyd Prokop, Phil Suraci, Pat Esposito and Dr. Bill Kelly. The Greyhounds played for ten seasons in the NOJHL. They were extremely successful, never having a losing season, and winning the league championship three times. In 1972, the Greyhounds entered the Ontario Hockey Association as a Major Junior A expansion team. The original directors were joined by Frank Caputo and Frank Sarlo.

Wayne Gretzky, 1977–78

In 1977, the Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds picked a 16 year old Wayne Gretzky, standing at 5'8" (173 cm) and weighing 155 pounds (70 kg), with the third pick in the Ontario Midget Draft. He was still small in stature, but would have a big impact on the game.

Gretzky requested to wear # 9 for his idol Gordie Howe, but that number was already taken by linemate Brian Gualazzi. Gretzky then chose # 19 instead. After a few games, coach Muzz MacPherson suggested wearing two nines would be better than one. From that season on, Gretzky has always worn the legendary # 99. ^[2]

In 63 games that year, he set the Greyhounds all-time record, scoring 70 goals and had 112 assists for a total of 182 points. Gretzky would have won the scoring title, except for a 192 point season by Bobby Smith. Gretzky was awarded the Emms Family Award as the rookie of the year, and the William Hanley Trophy as most gentlemanly player.

Memorial Cup, 1985

After winning the OHL championship, the Greyhounds travelled to Shawinigan, Quebec to compete in the Memorial Cup tournament, for the national junior hockey title. The Greyhounds played against the host team Shawinigan Cataractes, the QMJHL champion Verdun Junior Canadiens, and the WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders.

The Greyhounds were led by future NHLers, Jeff Beukeboom, Chris Felix, Derek King, Wayne Presley, Bob Probert and Rob Zettler. Leading scorers in the regular season were Wayne Groulx, Graeme Bonar and Sault Ste. Marie native Mike Oliverio.

The Greyhounds won the first game on May 11 in Shawinigan versus the home team, by a score 4-3, in front of 3,276 fans. Televising games from the Aréna Jacques Plante in Shawinigan proved difficult due to roof support pillars around the ice surface. After two games in Shawinigan, the remainder of the tournament was played in the Centre Marcel Dionne in Drummondville, Quebec.

The Greyhounds won their first game in Drummondville 6-3 over Verdun, with two goals from Derek King. Their first loss of the tournament came in game three, losing 8-6 to the Prince Albert Raiders. With the loss, the Cataractes, Raiders and Greyhounds would all finish the round-robin with two wins and a loss. Shawinigan earned a spot in the finals on best goals for and against difference, with Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Albert to have a rematch in the semi-final game. On May 16, the Greyhounds lost again to the Raiders.

1985 Memorial Cup scores
Game	Winner	Score	Loser	Score	Venue
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	4	Shawinigan	2	Aréna Jacques Plante
Round-robin	Shawinigan	6	Prince Albert	2	Aréna Jacques Plante
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	6	Verdun	3	Centre Marcel Dionne
Round-robin	Prince Albert	5	Verdun	3	Centre Marcel Dionne
Round-robin	Prince Albert	8	S.S.Marie	6	Centre Marcel Dionne
Round-robin	Shawinigan	5	Verdun	1	Centre Marcel Dionne
Semi-final	Prince Albert	8	S.S.Marie	3	Centre Marcel Dionne
Championship	Prince Albert	6	Shawinigan	1	Centre Marcel Dionne

Phil Esposito and the Eric Lindros conflict

After a major rebuilding 1985–86 season, the club was sold to Phil Esposito and a group of investors from New York. Esposito and was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, and briefly played for the Sault Thunderbirds in the 1961–62. Don Boyd was named as coach and general manager.

After two mediocre seasons, Sherwood Bassin was hired to be the new general manager. Part way through the 1988–89 season, Ted Nolan was hired to take over coaching duties. Sault Ste. Marie missed the playoffs that year, and were in financial trouble. Owner Phil Esposito, put the Greyhounds up for sale just three years after purchasing the team.

On May 17, 1989, Esposito and fellow investors were offered $600,000 USD for the team, by Peter Karmanos, Jr. of Compuware. The proposed sale would have seen the Greyhounds relocated to Detroit, Michigan, becoming part of the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors program. The offer was turned down. The Greyhounds' owners looked to increase the value of their franchise in the upcoming OHL Draft on May 27, 1989.

The Greyhounds selected highly touted prospect Eric Lindros, from the St. Michael's Buzzers. Lindros refused to report to Sault Ste. Marie, and his parents protested the selection on behalf of their son, claiming that it would not be good for his education and development to be so far away from his home in Toronto, Ontario.

After the Greyhounds drafted Lindros, the offer from Compuware was increased to $1 Million USD. Upon hearing about the proposed sale, the community members of Sault Ste. Marie rallied together in an emotional "Save the Greyhounds" campaign. Local suitors were found in a group headed by Dr. Shunock, who matched the latest offer made by Karmanos and Compuware, to keep the team in the Soo.

The Greyhounds waited out whether or not Lindros would report. In January 1990, the OHL changed its rules, allowing first round draft picks to be traded during their initial season in the league. Greyhounds general manager Bassin used connections with his former club to trade Lindros to the Oshawa Generals. In the trade, Sault Ste. Marie would receive: three players (Mike DeCoff, Jason Denomme, and goalie Mike Lenarduzzi), two second round draft picks in 1990 and 1991, and $80,000 CDN cash.

At the time it was the biggest trade in junior hockey history. The trade would help both teams in the future, and played an important role in the 1990–91 OHL championship. Bassin was awarded the Bill Long Award for distinguished service to the OHL in 1990, and later the OHL Executive of the Year in 1991.

Memorial Cup, 1991

The Greyhounds season of 1990–91 marked an incredible turnaround from seventh place the season before, to finishing first place and winning the Emms division. The Greyhounds swept both playoff series and earned a second round bye to reach the OHL finals against the defending champions, the Oshawa Generals.

The J. Ross Robertson Cup finals had many subplots due to the big trade between the clubs in the previous season. Added to the mix was Joe Busillo, an overager picked up from Oshawa, who won the Memorial Cup with the Generals the previous year. Fans from the Soo were still very bitter towards Lindros, who was now the captain of the Generals. The Soo crowd loudly jeered Lindros every time he was on the ice during the championship series. The Greyhounds upset the heavily favoured defending champions in a six game series, winning the last game on home ice.

The Greyhounds were led in scoring by Colin Miller, Tony Iob, and future NHLers Adam Foote and tough guy Denny Lambert. Other members to move onto the NHL included Drew Bannister, Bob Boughner, Ralph Intranuovo, Brad Tiley and goaltenders Kevin Hodson and Mike Lenarduzzi.

The 1991 Memorial Cup was hosted by the QMJHL in Quebec City at the Colisée de Québec. Their opponents would be the WHL champion Spokane Chiefs, and the QMJHL finalists Drummondville Voltigeurs and the champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The Greyhounds did not win a game in the tournament, but gained valuable experience for next season.

1991 Memorial Cup scores
All games played at the Colisée de Québec.
Game	Winner	Score	Loser	Score
Round-robin	Drummondville	4	S.S.Marie	2
Round-robin	Spokane	7	Drummondville	3
Round-robin	Chicoutimi	2	S.S.Marie	1
Round-robin	Spokane	7	Chicoutimi	1
Round-robin	Spokane	8	S.S.Marie	4
Round-robin	Drummondville	5	Chicoutimi	3
Semi-final	Drummondville	2	Chicoutimi	1
Championship	Spokane	5	Drummondville	1

Memorial Cup, 1992

The 1991–92 Greyhounds repeated as winners of the Emms division. Sault Ste. Marie earned a first round bye in the playoffs, then defeated the Kitchener Rangers and Niagara Falls Thunder to return to the league finals. The Greyhounds won their third J. Ross Robertson Cup by defeating their northern counterparts, the North Bay Centennials in a seven game series.

The Greyhounds were led by captain Rick Kowalsky, and in scoring by Jarrett Reid's 53 goals and also had two players with 100 point seasons, Colin Miller and Ralph Intranuovo. The Soo also gained a midseason boost and more toughness, acquiring future NHLer Chris Simon in a trade with the Ottawa 67's.

The 1992 Memorial Cup was hosted by the WHL in Seattle, Washington at the Seattle Center Coliseum. Their opponents would be the WHL champion Kamloops Blazers, the QMJHL champion Verdun Collège Français, and the host Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Greyhounds reversed their fortunes of the previous Memorial Cup, winning all three games of the round-robin, advancing directly to the tournament finals. Their opponent in the finals would be the Kamloops Blazers. The Greyhounds came back from an early 3-0 deficit 15 minutes into the game to tie the score at 3-3. Kamloops scored early in the third period for a 4-3 lead. Chris Simon then tied the game for Sault Ste. Marie with four minutes remaining to play. The game looked to be headed for overtime, until Kamloops' Zac Boyer scored on a breakaway with 14.6 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Blazers.

1992 Memorial Cup scores
All games played at the Seattle Center Coliseum.
Game	Winner	Score	Loser	Score
Round-robin	Seattle	5	Verdun	3
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	6	Kamloops	3
Round-robin	Kamloops	4	Verdun	0
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	4	Verdun	2
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	3	Seattle	3
Round-robin	Kamloops	3	Seattle	1
Semi-final	Kamloops	8	Seattle	3
Championship	Kamloops	5	S.S.Marie	4

Memorial Cup, 1993

In the 1992–93, the Greyhounds won their third consecutive Emms division title. They narrowly beat out the Detroit Junior Red Wings by having more wins in the regular season despite both teams earning 81 points. The OHL revived the idea of a Super Series from six years previous to determine which team would host the Memorial Cup of 1993. The Greyhounds assured themselves of a third consecutive trip to the Memorial Cup, by sweeping the series versus the Leyden division champion Peterborough Petes. Jarrett Reid led Sault Ste. Marie in scoring through the playoffs, with 19 goals and 16 assists in 18 games.

After the Super Series ended, the regular playoffs started. Sault Ste. Marie earned the first round bye, then defeated the Owen Sound Platers and the Junior Red Wings to reach the finals against the Petes. This time, the Petes prevailed 4 games to 1, spoiling the Greyhounds chances of a third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup. Joing the Greyhounds and Petes in the Memorial Cup would be the WHL champion Swift Current Broncos and the QMJHL champion Laval Titan.

The Greyhounds and the Petes both finished the Memorial Cup round-robin with two wins and a loss. Sault Ste. Marie earned a berth in the finals by having beaten the Petes in the round robin. The two teams would meet again in the tournament finals, playing in front a hometown crowd of 4,757 spectators at the Memorial Gardens on May 23. Sault Ste. Marie led 3-0 after the first period, and held on to win their first Memorial Championship, beating the Petes 4-2. The victory party continued on Queen St. late into the evening.

1993 Memorial Cup scores
All games played at the Sault Memorial Gardens.
Game	Winner	Score	Loser	Score
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	3	Laval	2
Round-robin	Swift Current	5	S.S.Marie	3
Round-robin	Peterborough	6	Laval	4
Round-robin	Peterborough	7	Swift Current	3
Round-robin	Laval	4	Swift Current	2
Round-robin	S.S.Marie	7	Peterborough	3
Tiebreaker	Laval	4	Swift Current	3
Semi-final	Peterborough	3	Laval	1
Championship	S.S.Marie	4	Peterborough	2

Recent years

The Greyhounds followed up their Memorial Cup winning season with a strong 1993–94 campaign finishing second place in the division. The Soo reached the semi-finals, but lost the Junior Red Wings in six games. After the season, coach Ted Nolan departed for the Hartford Whalers.

The following 1994–95 season, the Greyhounds finished last place in the league during a rebuilding season. In attempt to generate more sales, the Greyhounds redesigned their logo. It proved to be unpopular with the fans, and the team discontinued its use after the 1998–99 season, and went back to the classic logo.

Joe Thornton is considered to be the Greyhounds marquee player of the 1990s. He was the 1995–96 OHL rookie of the year and was the first player in the history of the Sault Greyhounds to be drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by the Boston Bruins.

In the 2001–02 season, former NHL player and Greyhound defenceman Craig Hartsburg returned to his junior team after coaching stints in the NHL. Hartsburg was named the OHL coach of the year that season, then went back to the NHL.

Replacing Hartsburg was former NHLer and Greyhound netminder, and part owner of the team, John Vanbiesbrouck. After being welcomed by open arms, Vanbiesbrouck was forced to resign as coach that year due to racial comments about team captain, Trevor Daley. ^[3] Hartsburg returned as coach midway through the 2004–05 season.

After playing at the Sault Memorial Gardens from 1962 to 2006, the Greyhounds moved into their new home, The Steelback Centre, for the 2006–07 season. In June 2008, the arena was renamed The Essar Centre, following the purchase of naming rights by Essar Steel Algoma.

In the 2007–08 OHL season, the Greyhounds had their best regular season since 1985, going 44-18-2-4, with a long undefeated streak to begin the year. The Greyhounds also had their longest post season run since 1994, making it to the conference finals before losing to the Kitchener Rangers in 5 games.

In the following 2008–09 season, assistant coach Denny Lambert assumed lead coaching duties after Craig Harstburg assumed the lead role as head coah in the nation's capital, Ottawa. In the same season Toots Kovacs, also an assistant coach resigned due to larger work loads at his main government job. As a result of these losses, the hiring of Mike Stapleton and Nick Warriner as the new assistant coaches was announced. Despite all efforts by team staff, the lack of skill and energy proved horrid for the team. for the first time in years, the hometown team did not make the playoffs.

Championships

While in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Greyhounds won the McNamara Trophy as playoff champions in 1967, 1970, and 1972. The Greyhounds were also regular season champions six times and playoff finalists 4 times.

The Greyhounds also joined the Oshawa Generals and Peterborough Petes as the only OHL teams to make three consecutive appearances in the Memorial Cup. Since joining the OHL, Sault Ste. Marie has won a total of 8 division titles, three Hamilton Spectator Trophy titles, three J. Ross Robertson Cup titles, and one Memorial Cup title.

Coaches

Terry Crisp was twice voted the OHL Coach of the Year, winning the Matt Leyden Trophy in 1982-83 and 1984-85. Craig Hartsburg won the same award in 2001-02.

List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

1972–74 - Abbie Carricato (2) 1974–75 - Angelo Bumbacco 1975–77 - Muzz MacPherson (3) 1977–78 - M. MacPherson & P. Theriault 1978–79 - Paul Theriault (4) 1979–85 - Terry Crisp (6) 1985–86 - Don MacAdam 1986–88 - Don Boyd (3) 1988–89 - D. Boyd & T. Nolan 1989–94 - Ted Nolan (6)

1994–95 - Dan Flynn 1995–97 - Joe Paterson (2) 1997–99 - Dave Cameron (2) 1999–01 - Paul Theriault (4) 2001–02 - Craig Hartsburg (3) 2002–03 - J.Vanbiesbrouck & Steve Harrison 2003–04 - Marty Abrams (2) 2004–05 - M. Abrams & C. Hartsburg 2005–08 - Craig Hartsburg (4) 2008–09 - Denny Lambert

Players

Since the Sault Ste. Marie joined the OHA in 1972, the Greyhounds have sent 77 alumni onto play in the NHL. Three of those (Paul Coffey, Ron Francis and Wayne Gretzky) have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

;Retired numbers

# 1 - John Vanbiesbrouck # 4 - Craig Hartsburg

# 10 - Ron Francis # 99 - Wayne Gretzky

Award winners

CHL Rookie of the Year 1995–96 - Joe Thornton CHL Top Draft Prospect Award 1996–97 - Joe Thornton CHL Goaltender of the Year 2001–02 - Ray Emery Red Tilson Trophy Most Outstanding Player 1973–74 - Jack Valiquette 1984–85 - Wayne Groulx Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Scoring Champion 1973–74 - Jack Valiquette (tied) 1975–76 - Mike Kaszycki 1980–81 - John Goodwin Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy Top Scoring Right Winger 1996–97 - Joe Seroski Max Kaminsky Trophy Most Outstanding Defenceman 1976–77 - Craig Hartsburg OHL Goaltender of the Year 2001–02 - Ray Emery

Jack Ferguson Award First Overall Draft Pick 1986 - Troy Mallette 1989 - Eric Lindros 2009 - Daniel Catenacci Dave Pinkney Trophy Lowest Team GAA 1981–82 - Marc D'Amour & John Vanbiesbrouck 1984–85 - Scott Mosey & Marty Abrams 1990–91 - Mike Lenarduzzi & Kevin Hodson 1991–92 - Kevin Hodson Emms Family Award Rookie of the Year 1973–74 - Jack Valiquette 1975–76 - John Tavella 1977–78 - Wayne Gretzky 1978–79 - John Goodwin 1984–85 - Derek King 1995–96 - Joe Thornton F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy Best Rookie GAA 1980–81 - John Vanbiesbrouck 1983–84 - Gerry Iuliano 1990–91 - Kevin Hodson William Hanley Trophy Most Sportsmanlike Player 1977–78 - Wayne Gretzky 1980–81 - John Goodwin

Hockey Hall of Fame members

There are six members of the Hockey Hall of Fame that have played for a team known as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Bill Cook and Bun Cook played for the Greyhounds of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) between 1921–1925. Bill Cook was inducted in 1952, while Bun wasn't inducted until 1995 in the defunct Veteran category. Tony Esposito played for the Greyhounds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) during the 1962–63 season, and was inducted into the Hall in 1988.

The current junior Greyhounds have three alumni inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame, they are Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, and Ron Francis, who were respectively inducted in 1999, 2004, and 2007.

NHL alumni

Jack Bionda Stan Brown Eddie Burke Francis Cain Ed Chadwick William "Chick" Chalmers Bill Cook Bun Cook

Vic Desjardins Bob Dill Babe Donnelly Alvin Fisher Don Grosso Jim Henry Albert Holway Ron Hurst

Joe Klukay Julian Klymkiw Pentti Lund Jim McBurney Gerry Munro Gerry Odrowski Peanuts O'Flaherty Merlyn Phillips

Nels Podolsky George Robertson Ron Rowe Harry Taylor Flat Walsh John Webster Steve Wojciechowski

Ivan Boldirev Tony Esposito

Jerry Korab Wayne Maki

Jim Wiley Mike Zuke

Brad Aitken Bobby Babcock Reid Bailey Drew Bannister Bruce Bell Paul Beraldo Jeff Beukeboom Mike Boland Bob Boughner Garrett Burnett Jeff Carter Dan Cloutier Paul Coffey Tim Coulis Dan Currie Marc D'Amour Trevor Daley Gord Dineen Ray Emery John English

Rico Fata Chris Felix Peter Fiorentino Adam Foote Mike Fountain Ron Francis Sean Gagnon Steve Gatzos Aaron Gavey Steve Graves Wayne Gretzky Wayne Groulx Ron Handy Dave Hannan Craig Hartsburg Dan Hinton Kevin Hodson Mike Hordy Ralph Intranuovo Ric Jackman

Ryan Jardine Mike Kaszycki Tyler Kennedy Derek King Denny Lambert Tyler Larter Mike Lenarduzzi Danny Lucas Troy Mallette Brian McGrattan Greg Millen Marc Moro Adam Munro Ted Nolan Doug Patey Jim Pavese Chad Penney Nathan Perrott Wayne Presley Bob Probert Gerry Rioux

Ken Sabourin Doug Shedden Charlie Simmer Chris Simon Steve Smith Brad Staubitz Jeremy Stevenson Steve Sullivan Bill Terry Joe Thornton Brad Tiley Jiri Tlusty Rick Tocchet Jeff Toms Eric Vail Jack Valiquette John Vanbiesbrouck Josef Vasicek Dave Watson Paul Woods Rob Zettler

Team records

Team records for a single season
Statistic	Total	Season
Most points	109	1984–85
Most wins	54	1984–85
Most goals for	412	1980–81
Least goals for	172	2008–09
Least goals against	173	2007–08
Most goals against	415	1978–79

Individual player records for a single season
Statistic	Player	Total	Season
Most goals	Steve Gatzos	78	1980–81
Most assists	Mike Kaszycki	119	1975–76
Most points	Wayne Gretzky	182	1977–78
Most points, rookie	Wayne Gretzky	182	1977–78
Most points, defenceman	Chris Felix	101	1984–85
Best GAA, goalie	Kyle Gajewski	2.44	2007–08
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

Yearly results

Regular season

• 1962 to 1972 in the NOJHL
• 1972 to 1974 in the OHA
• 1974 to 1980 in the OMJHL
• 1980 to present in the OHL

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	OTL	SL	Points	Pct %	Goals For	Goals Against	Standing
1962–63	40	28	11	1	-
57	0.713	195	105	1st NOJHL
1963–64	40	20	18	2	-
42	0.525	179	202	4th NOJHL
1964–65	40	24	15	1	-
49	0.613	247	172	2nd NOJHL
1965–66	40	23	15	2	-
48	0.600	236	182	2nd NOJHL
1966–67	40	30	10	0	-
60	0.750	290	153	1st NOJHL
1967–68	40	24	14	2	-
50	0.625	175	141	1st NOJHL
1968–69	48	34	12	2	-
70	0.729	236	152	1st NOJHL
1969–70	48	34	11	3	-
71	0.740	317	195	1st NOJHL
1970–71	48	32	14	2	-
66	0.688	295	187	2nd NOJHL
1971–72	52	31	14	7	-
69	0.663	272	203	1st NOJHL
1972–73	63	11	42	10	-
32	0.254	244	396	10th OHA
1973–74	70	24	40	6	-
54	0.386	295	352	9th OHA
1974–75	70	25	36	9	-
59	0.421	312	367	10th OMJHL
1975–76	66	27	26	13	-
67	0.508	341	319	5th Leyden
1976–77	66	20	41	5	-
45	0.341	261	375	5th Leyden
1977–78	68	26	32	10	-
62	0.456	330	346	5th Leyden
1978–79	68	26	42	0	-
52	0.382	317	415	6th Leyden
1979–80	68	22	45	1	-
45	0.331	281	379	6th Leyden
1980–81	68	47	19	2	-
96	0.706	412	290	1st Leyden
1981–82	68	40	25	3	-
83	0.610	274	243	2nd Emms
1982–83	70	48	21	1	-
97	0.693	363	270	1st Emms
1983–84	70	38	28	4	-
80	0.571	373	321	3rd Emms
1984–85	66	54	11	1	-
109	0.826	381	215	1st Emms
1985–86	66	15	48	3	-
33	0.250	263	387	8th Emms
1986–87	66	31	31	4	-
66	0.500	301	299	5th Emms
1987–88	66	32	33	1	-
65	0.492	272	294	5th Emms
1988–89	66	21	43	2	-
44	0.333	227	304	8th Emms
1989–90	66	18	42	6	-
42	0.318	229	289	7th Emms
1990–91	66	42	21	3	-
87	0.659	303	217	1st Emms
1991–92	66	41	19	6	-
88	0.667	335	229	1st Emms
1992–93	66	38	23	5	-
81	0.614	334	260	1st Emms
1993–94	66	35	24	7	-
77	0.583	319	268	2nd Emms
1994–95	66	17	45	4	-
38	0.288	228	346	5th Western
1995–96	66	38	23	5	-
81	0.614	312	254	3rd Western
1996–97	66	39	17	10	-
88	0.667	309	220	1st Western
1997–98	66	20	39	7	-
47	0.356	232	296	5th Western
1998–99	68	31	29	8	-
70	0.515	244	242	4th West
1999–00	68	37	20	6	5
85	0.588	270	217	2nd West
2000–01	68	23	38	4	3
53	0.368	188	256	5th West
2001–02	68	38	20	10	0
86	0.632	237	200	2nd West
2002–03	68	26	33	6	3
61	0.426	232	284	4th West
2003–04	68	30	34	3	1
64	0.463	196	223	4th West
2004–05	68	33	25	9	1
76	0.551	210	188	1st West
2005–06	68	29	31
3	5	66	0.485	201	213	4th West
2006–07	68	37	23
1	7	82	0.603	227	219	3rd West
2007–08	68	44	18
2	4	94	0.691	247	173	1st West
2008–09	68	19	45
2	2	42	0.309	172	290	5th West

Playoffs

• 1962–63 Lost in semi-finals.
• 1963–64 Lost in finals.
• 1964–65 Lost in semi-finals.
• 1965–66 Lost in finals.
• 1966–67 McNamara Trophy Champions.
• 1967–68 Lost in semi-finals.
• 1968–69 Lost in finals.
• 1969–70 McNamara Trophy Champions.
• 1970–71 Lost in finals.
• 1971–72 McNamara Trophy Champions.
• 1972–73 Out of playoffs.
• 1973–74 Out of playoffs.
• 1974–75 Out of playoffs.
• 1975–76 Defeated Oshawa Generals 6 points to 4 in first round.
  Lost to Sudbury Wolves 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals.
• 1976–77 Defeated Peterborough Petes 3 games to 1 in first round.
  Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0, 1 tie in quarter-finals.
• 1977–78 Defeated Kingston Canadiens 6 points to 4 in first round.
  Lost to Ottawa 67's 9 points to 7 in quarter-finals.
• 1978–79 Out of playoffs.
• 1979–80 Out of playoffs.
• 1980–81 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 4 in division semi-finals.
  Defeated Kingston Canadians 9points to 5 in division finals.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in finals.
• 1981–82 Earned bye through first round. 2nd place in Emms.
  Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 3 in semi-finals.
• 1982–83 Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
  Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 9 points to 5 in finals.
• 1983–84 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 6 points to 0 in first round.
  Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 6 in semi-finals.
• 1984–85 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in first round.
  Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
  Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 9 points to 1 in semi-finals.
  Defeated Peterborough Petes 9 points to 5 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round robin tied for second place.
  Lost to Prince Albert Raiders 8-3 in semi-final game.
• 1985–86 Out of playoffs.
• 1986–87 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in first round.
• 1987–88 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 2 in first round.
• 1988–89 Out of playoffs.
• 1989–90 Out of playoffs.
• 1990–91 Defeated Dukes of Hamilton 4 games to 0 in first round.
  Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms.
  Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
  Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 4th place.
• 1991–92 Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
  Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
  Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 3 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
  Lost to Kamloops Blazers 5-4 in championship game.
• 1992–93 Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in super-series for right to host Memorial Cup. Earned bye through first round. 1st place in Emms.
  Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in finals.
  Finished Memorial Cup round robin in 1st place, earning berth in finals.
  Defeated Peterborough Petes 4-2 in championship game. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
• 1993–94 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
  Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in division semi-finals.
  Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 2 in semi-finals.
• 1994–95 Out of playoffs.
• 1995–96 Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
• 1996–97 Defeated Detroit Whalers 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
  Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
• 1997–98 Out of playoffs.
• 1998–99 Lost to Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 1999–00 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2000–01 Out of playoffs.
• 2001–02 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2002–03 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2003–04 Out of playoffs.
• 2004–05 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2005–06 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2006–07 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
• 2007–08 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2008–09 Out of playoffs.

Uniforms and logos

The Greyhounds colours are predominantly red and white. Black and silver trim were added in the late 1980s, as well as four stars above the logo. Sault Ste. Marie has used their classic red circle logo with the running greyhound for all but four seasons of their existence.

From 1995 to 1999 the Greyhounds redesigned their logo (inset right), to what became known by fans as the "Ugly Dog" or "Snoopy" logo. Due to public backlash and a fan petition for its removal, the team discontinued its use and went back to the classic logo.

On November 1, 2006, the Greyhounds unveiled a third jersey seen .

Arenas

The first home of the Greyhounds from 1919 to 1945 was Gouin Street Arena. The arena had wooden benches for 1,000 spectators. It was destroyed by fire in 1945. An outdoor rink at Pullar Stadium was used until a new indoor facility was built.

Sault Memorial Gardens

The Greyhounds played home games at the Sault Memorial Gardens from 1949 to 2006. The building was named for the war veterans of World War II. The Gardens hosted Memorial Cup games in 1978 and 1993, and the OHL All-Star Game in 1979. The last game at the Gardens was played on Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Demolition of the Gardens began on April 27, 2006. All that remains of the Gardens is the Memorial Tower, which is part of "Memorial Square". The red beacon of the Memorial Tower was preserved and continues to be lit on game days.

• - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

Essar Centre

The Greyhounds moved to the new Essar Centre for the 2006–07 OHL season. The new arena was built in the east parking lot of the Memorial Gardens, and is the largest such centre in Northern Ontario. Its naming rights were purchased by Essar Steel Algoma of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The inaugural game was played on October 11, 2006, resulting in a 2-1 loss to the Sudbury Wolves. The 2008 OHL All-Star Classic was held at the Essar Centre during the 2007–08 season.

• - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Ontario

References

1. The Name: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2. 99 Reasons Why Wayne Gretzky is "The Great One"
3. CBC News: Vanbiesbrouck banned by OHL