The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League history. Its 166 graduates to the National Hockey League are second only to the Peterborough Petes. The Generals have also won the Memorial Cup four times, and a record twelve Ontario Hockey League Championships, the J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Generals have two distinct eras in their history. The original Generals operated from 1937 to 1953. The team went on a hiatus from 1953 to 1962 due to a fire at the Hambly Arena. The team was resurrected in 1962. Famous alumni of the Generals include Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Orr and Alex Delvecchio, as well as Eric Lindros, Rick Middleton and Tony Tanti. Current NHL players Marc Savard, Jason Arnott, Ben Eager, Nathan Horton and Cal Clutterbuck are also Oshawa Generals alumni.

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History

Early years (1908–1937)

Prior to 1908, Oshawa belonged to the Midland Hockey League. It competed against other teams from Whitby, Bowmanville, Port Hope and Cobourg. The first Oshawa team in the Ontario Hockey Association junior division began play in the 1908–1909 season, known as the Oshawa Shamrocks . Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman was responsible for organizing the team and bringing junior hockey to Oshawa and was the team's manager for the next 13 seasons.

Success came early to the team reaching the semifinals in 1909. In the 1920s the team enjoyed many successful years, battling against Orillia and Owen Sound. In June 1928, Bradley's Arena burnt to the ground. The team relocated to Whitby until the new Oshawa Arena was built for 1930.

In the early 1930s the team became known as the Oshawa Majors . The Majors won the OHA title in 1935 versus the Kitchener Greenshirts, and went on to play the Northern Ontario champion Sudbury Cub Wolves. In a protest by Kitchener, the title was taken away from Oshawa while games were already underway with Sudbury.

In 1936, different sources name the team as the Majors, the Red Devils, and the Junior G-Men. This team coached by Bill Hancock and managed by Matt Leyden played the season against St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, Toronto Young Rangers, Toronto Marlboros, Toronto Native Sons and the Toronto Lions.

OHA dynasty (1937–1944)

In 1937 the Oshawa Generals were born. The team was named after the sponsor, General Motors of Canada. The Generals put together an unequalled feat of seven consecutive OHA Championships, and winning three Memorial Cups in the same span.

The Generals grew a reputation for treating its players well and signed many young men who would go on to NHL fame. Players were admitted free to theatres, dancing, wrestling, roller skating and other attractions at the arena. Sponsors gave full scholarships to school and weekly stipends. Through the whole dynasty, the team was managed by Matt Leyden, and its secretary was Neil Hezzlewood. Both men would be inducted in the Oshawa Sports Hall of fame.

From 1937 to 1944, Oshawa Generals graduated 20 players to become NHL alumni, and another player in David Bauer, who would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder's Category. NHL alumni from 1937–1944 include; Frank Bennett, Harvey Bennett, Les Colvin, Jim Conacher, Floyd Curry, Buck Davies, Bob Dawes, Jim Drummond, Frank Eddolls, Bill Ezinicki, Armand (Bep) Guidolin, Nick Knott, Ted Lindsay, Jud McAtee, Norm McAtee, Gus Mortson, Chuck Scherza, Ken Smith, Billy "The Kid" Taylor and Wally Wilson.

The fire (1953)

In September 1953 a great tragedy struck in Oshawa when Hambly's Arena burned down. The city and the team lost what had become greatly endeared to themselves; their memories, their arena, and their OHA team.

Donations poured in from many fellow OHA teams and local businessmen. Equipment and other items were dispersed to the all the players attending the training camp to cover individual losses. The Generals, homeless so close to the start of the new season, were unfortunately disbanded.

Salvaged from the disbanded team, General Manager Wren Blair made a Senior B team known as the Oshawa Truckmen, who played in Bowmanville for the 1953–1954 season. The year after, this team would become the Whitby Dunlops. The Dunlops would go on to be Allan Cup Champions in 1957 & 1959, and World Champions in 1958.

Rebirth of the Generals (1962)

In 1960, Wren Blair began negotiations with Boston Bruins president Weston Adams to begin building the new Oshawa Generals. The agreement was made contingent on a new arena being built in Oshawa. The Oshawa Civic Auditorium would open up in 1964.

In the meantime, the Oshawa Generals were reactivated for the 1962–1963 as a team playing in the Metro Junior A League. For this year, the team played its home games at Maple Leaf Gardens. Fundraising for a new arena was well under way at the same time.

The Generals wore red, white and blue jerseys until the 1965–66 season when they adopted the black, gold and white of their parent team, the Boston Bruins.

In 1963 the Metro Junior A league was disbanded, and Oshawa was readmitted in the OHA. Since the Toronto Marlboros used Maple Leaf Gardens as a home rink, the Generals team played out of nearby Bowmanville for one full season, and part of another.

Bobby Orr years (1962–1966)

The greatest player ever to wear an Oshawa Generals uniform, Bobby Orr went on the become a legend in the NHL and to be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bobby Orr was discovered by Wren Blair as a 14 year old while playing a game in Gananoque, Ontario. He was quickly signed to a contract and invited to training camp for the 1962–1963 season. He would commute three hours from Parry Sound for all weekend games he played with the Generals that year. Even so, he was selected to the Metro Junior A League's second all-star team.

During the 1963–64 season (his first full season in Junior A hockey), Bobby Orr scored 29 goals to break the record for most goals by a defenceman, previously held by Jacques Laperrière. Orr was also selected as a first team all-star defenceman.

During the 1964–1965 season, the Oshawa Generals moved into their new home at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium. Bobby Orr broke his own record, scoring 34 goals this season.

The 1965–1966 season would see Oshawa's return to the Memorial Cup after a 22 years. The Generals were coached that year by former alumnus, Armand "Bep" Guidolin, who played for Oshawa in the 1942 Memorial Cup, and subsequently made the Boston Bruins of the NHL as a 16 year old. Team captain, Bobby Orr scored 38 goals during the season.

The Generals would defeat their bitter rivals, the St. Catharines Blackhawks in quarter-finals, before eliminating the Montreal Junior Canadiens in semi-finals, and winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHA CHAMPIONS versus the Kitchener Rangers.

The Generals then outscored the Northern Ontario Junior A champion North Bay Trappers by a combined score of 43-9 to win the series in 4 games, and then defeated Shawinigan Bruins in 3 games to be the Eastern Canadian representative for the Memorial Cup.

In the Memorial Cup series Orr played injured through most games, but the team played hard only to lose to Edmonton Oil Kings in 6 games.

After the season ended, many players graduated from the team and moved on. Bobby Orr would go on to the Bruins for next season. Wren Blair would become General Manager of the Minnesota North Stars. Coach Bep Guidolin returned to coaching in Thorold.

9th championship (1983)

After many dismal seasons through the late 1960s and 1970s the Generals started to rebuild for the Memorial Cup. In 1979 the Generals hired coach Paul Theriault, who would lead the team to 9 consecutive winning seasons, including two Memorial Cup appearances.

In 1983 the Generals returned to the Memorial Cup after a 17 year absence, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for their 9th J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Memorial Cup that year would be played in Portland, Oregon. The Generals lost in the finals to the host team Portland Winter Hawks in the final game by a score of 8-3. That year's team captain, Joe Cirella, would go on to play 16 years as an NHL defenceman.

Tragedy on the Generals (1985)

During an early season practice, Bruce Melanson left the ice feeling very weak. Within a few minutes he collapsed, succumbing to a rare heart disease known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Bruce was 18 years old.

The Generals would wear black arm bands for the remainder of the season in memoriam of their teammate they nicknamed "Moose." The club would also no longer issue his uniform # 9. A memorial scholarship was set up at his former high school in New Brunswick.

Melanson's hard hitting and aggressive style led him to be selected by New York Islanders in the second round (41st overall) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.

Hosting the Memorial Cup (1987)

The 1986–1987 season saw the Generals set a team record with 101 points for the season. It would also see the Generals playing on home ice in the Memorial Cup, as the host city and as the OHL Champions.

In 1987 the OHL organized a Super Series for the right to host the Memorial Cup tournament between the Leyden Division champion Oshawa Generals, and the Emms Division champion North Bay Centennials. The super series was played before the OHL playoffs commenced. Oshawa defeated North Bay 4 games to 3 for the right to host the Memorial Cup. Oshawa also won the OHL championship series defeating North Bay 4 games to 3. Since Oshawa won both the Super Series and the OHL Championship, only three teams participated in the Memorial Cup

Oshawa reached the finals versus the Medicine Hat Tigers, but lost 6-2 in the championship game.

Eric Lindros years (1989–1991)

Eric Lindros came to the Generals via a trade with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He refused to play for the team which made him the first overall draft pick, an event which would bring prosperity to both hockey clubs in the near future.

After playing the Canadian National Team, Lindros started his rookie year with the Generals in 1989–1990. In only 25 games he would score 17 goals, and get 19 assists for 36 points. The same year in the playoffs, Eric scored 18 goals and 18 assists in only 17 games. It was the extra boost the Generals needed to reach the Memorial Cup, when added to the existing core of players captained by Iain Fraser.

In 1990 Copps Coliseum hosted the Memorial Cup. The Generals would compete against the Kamloops Blazers, Laval Titan, and OHL runners-up Kitchener Rangers. The championship game on May 13, 1990 attracted 17,383 spectators. The Oshawa Generals defeated the Kitchener Rangers by a score of 4 to 3 in double overtime on a goal by Bill Armstrong to win the 4th Memorial Cup in Oshawa Generals history.

The 1990–1991 season had many high expectation for the Generals to repeat as Champions. Lindros would be chosen first overall in the NHL draft by the Quebec Nordiques. In 57 regular season game he would score 71 goals and 78 assists. As ironic as sports can be, the Generals lost the OHL final that year to Eric's draft team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds coached by Ted Nolan.

12th championship (1997)

The Generals would set the benchmark for other OHL teams by winning their 12th J. Ross Roberston cup in 1997. The most recent championship the Generals won was played at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium Tuesday, May 6, 1997.

The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard.

The Generals participated in the 1997 Memorial Cup in Hull, Quebec, in which they finished third in the round-robin and lost in the semi-final to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Future NHL players from 1997 were: Marc Savard, John Tripp, Ian MacNeil, Kevin Colley, Dan Hinote, Jeff Ware, Bryan Allen, Jeff MacMillan & Ty Garner.

New ownership (2004 to present)

In 2004, John Davies purchased the team from the previous owner John Humphreys. This marked the beginning of a new era for the team, as the Humphreys family had owned the team since its resurrection in 1962. In July 2008 the Oshawa generals announced a change of ownership structure with Rocco Tullio of Windsor Ontario agreeing to terms and conditions with John Davies to acquire his remaining shares of the Oshawa Generals. Tullio then welcomed two new partners as owners – former National Hockey League star Adam Graves and former OHL coach and manager Peter DeBoer ^[1].

New ownership brought new personnel to the management team. Trish Campbell was appointed the team president, and Brad Selwood was named general manager and vice president. Oshawa finished last place in the OHL in a rebuilding 2004–05 season, and chose first overall in the priority selection draft next season.

In 2005 the Oshawa Generals drafted a 14 year old named John Tavares. He was granted exceptional player status by the OHL allowing him to be drafted one year earlier than normal. The Generals hope to build another championship team, centred around Tavares. Recent building blocks added to the team include Dale Mitchell, Cal Clutterbuck, Brett MacLean, and one of the youngest players in the OHL, goaltender Anthony Peters. John Tavares was traded to the London Knights on January 8, 2009.

The new ownership also brought to an end the Generals era playing in the Civic Auditorium. Led by ] ^[2], the Generals were able to call a new arena in downtown Oshawa their home (the General Motors Centre). The team moved into the General Motors Centre on November 1, 2006, and played the inaugural game there November 3, 2006.

Championships

The Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson Cup Championships, the most of the OHL's history. Oshawa also has won 4 Memorial Cup Championships.

Hamilton Spectator Trophy First overall in the OHL regular season standings. 1986–1987 101 points 1989–1990 88 points 1990–1991 100 points

Leyden Trophy First overall in the Eastern Division regular season standings. 1986–1987 101 points 1989–1990 88 points 1990–1991 100 points

J. Ross Robertson Cup
Ontario Hockey League Championship

1935 Lost by default to Kitchener Greenshirts 1938 OHA Champions vs. Guelph Indians 1939 OHA Champions vs. Toronto Native Sons 1940 OHA Champions vs. Toronto Marlboros 1941 OHA Champions vs. Toronto Marlboros 1942 OHA Champions vs. Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters 1943 OHA Champions vs. Brantford Lions 1944 OHA Champions vs. Toronto St. Michael's Majors

1946 Lost to St. Michael's 1966 OHA Champions vs. Kitchener Rangers 1983 OHL Champions vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 1987 OHL Champions vs. North Bay Centennials 1990 OHL Champions vs. Kitchener Rangers 1991 Lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 1997 OHL Champions vs. Ottawa 67's

George Richardson Memorial Trophy
Eastern Canadian Championship

1938 Champions vs. Perth Blue Wings 1939 Champions vs. Verdun Maple Leafs 1940 Champions vs. Verdun Maple Leafs 1941 Lost to Montreal Royals

1942 Champions vs. Ottawa St. Patrick's College 1943 Champions vs. Montreal Junior Canadiens 1944 Champions vs. Montreal Junior Canadiens 1966 Champions vs. Shawinigan Bruins

Memorial Cup
Canadian Hockey League Championship

1938 Lost to St. Boniface Seals 1939 CAHA Champions vs. Edmonton A.C. 1940 CAHA Champions vs. Kenora Thistles 1942 Lost to Portage la Prairie Terriers 1943 Lost to Winnipeg Rangers 1944 CAHA Champions vs. Trail Smoke Eaters

1966 Lost to Edmonton Oil Kings 1983 Lost to Portland Winter Hawks 1987 Lost to Medicine Hat Tigers 1990 CHL Champions vs. Kitchener Rangers 1997 OHL representative in Hull, Quebec

Coaches

The Oshawa Generals have had several coaches who have also coached in the NHL as head coaches and assistant coaches. Those of note are Charlie Conacher, Armand (Bep) Guidolin, Bill White, Paul Theriault, Bill LaForge, Bill Stewart, George Burnett, Brad Selwood and Randy Ladouceur.

;Coaches of the year; Matt Leyden Trophy winners.

• 1971–1972 Gus Bodnar
• 1977–1978 Bill White
• 1986–1987 Paul Theriault

List of coaches

(Multiple seasons in parentheses)

1937–1938 Doc Rowden 1938–1941 Tracy Shaw (4) 1941–1942 T. Shaw & C. Conacher 1941–1947 Charlie Conacher (6) 1947–1950 Tommy Anderson (3) 1950–1952 Larry Aurie (2) 1952–1953 Gerry Brown 1962–1963 Doug Williams (2) 1963–1965 Jim Cherry (2) 1965–1966 Armand (Bep) Guidolin 1966–1967 Ted O'Connor 1967–1969 Ike Hildebrand 1969–1970 Doug Williams (2) 1970–1971 Eddy Reigle 1971–1976 Angus "Gus" Bodnar (5)

1976–1977 Sherwood Bassin 1977–1979 Bill White (2) 1979–1980 Paul Theriault (9) 1980–1981 Bill LaForge 1981–1989 Paul Theriault (9) 1989–1994 Rick Cornacchia (6) 1994–1996 Stan Butler (2) 1996–1997 Bill Stewart 1997–2000 John Goodwin (3) 2000–2004 George Burnett (4) 2004–2005 Bob McGill, B. Selwood (4), R. Ladouceur (2) 2005–2006 Randy Ladouceur (2) & B. Selwood (4) 2006–2007 Brad Selwood (4) 2007–2008 Brad Selwood (4) and Chris DePiero (2) 2008–2009 Chris DePiero (2)

Players

The Oshawa Generals have graduated 166 young men onto the NHL, third behind the Toronto Marlboros and the Peterborough Petes. Five of those players have been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Award winners

CHL Player of the Year 1990–1991 Eric Lindros 2006–2007 John Tavares CHL Top Scorer Award 1994–1995 Marc Savard CHL Rookie of the Year 2005–2006 John Tavares CHL Top Draft Prospect Award 1990–1991 Eric Lindros Red Tilson Trophy OHL Most Outstanding Player. 1952–1953 Bob Attersley 1972–1973 Rick Middleton 1986–1987 Scott McCrory 1990–1991 Eric Lindros 2006–2007 John Tavares Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy OHL Top Point Scorer. 1933–1934 J. J. Graboski 1936–1937 Billy "The Kid" Taylor 1938–1939 Billy "The Kid" Taylor 1939–1940 Jud McAtee 1942–1943 Red Tilson 1943–1944 Ken Smith 1950–1951 Lou Jankowski 1986–1987 Scott McCrory 1990–1991 Eric Lindros 1994–1995 Marc Savard 1996–1997 Marc Savard OHL Goaltender of the Year Voted best goaltender in the OHL. 1991–1992 Mike Fountain

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy OHL Top Scoring Right Winger. 1980–1981 Tony Tanti 1981–1982 Tony Tanti 1987–1988 Sean Williams 1990–1991 Rob Pearson Jack Ferguson Award First overall draft pick. 2005 John Tavares Dave Pinkney Trophy Lowest team goals against average. 1982–1983 Peter Sidorkiewicz & Jeff Hogg 1986–1987 Jeff Hackett & Sean Evoy Emms Family Award Rookie of the year. 1980–1981 Tony Tanti 2005–2006 John Tavares F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy Best rookie goals against average. 1986–1987 Jeff Hackett 1992–1993 Ken Shepard William Hanley Trophy Most sportsmanlike player. 1986–1987 Scott McCrory 1988–1989 Kevin Miehm 1990–1991 Dale Craigwell Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy Overage player of the year. 1989–1990 Iain Fraser 1992–1993 Scott Hollis Bobby Smith Trophy Scholastic player of the year. 1979–1980 Steve Konroyd

Retired numbers

The Oshawa Generals retired # 9 in honour of Red Tilson at a pregame Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11, 2006. ^[3] Tilson was the league's leading scorer in 1942–43, who died during combat in World War II. The Red Tilson Trophy for the OHL's most outstanding player, is named in his honour. Eric Lindros' # 88 was retired on March 6, 2008. ^[4] Bobby Orr's # 2 was officially retired on November 27, 2008, after having been out of circulation since Orr moved onto the NHL in 1966. ^[5]

• # 2 Bobby Orr (1963–1966) Hockey Hall of Famer.
• # 9 Red Tilson (1941–1943)
• # 88 Eric Lindros (1989–1992)

;Honoured numbers Bruce Melanson was last player to wear # 9. It was taken out of circulation after his death, then later retired for Red Tilson.

• # 9 Bruce Melanson (1983–1985) Died during season.

Hockey Hall of Fame members

Players Alex Delvecchio Ted Lindsay Bobby Orr

Builders David Bauer Harry Sinden

NHL alumni

List of Oshawa Generals alumni to play in the National Hockey League. ^[6]

Bryan Allen Mike Amodeo Dave Andreychuk Jason Arnott John Arundel Chris Beckford-Tseu Jan Benda Frank Bennett Harvey Bennett Adam Berti Nick Beverley Don Biggs Chuck Blair Dusty Blair Ivan Boldirev Eric Boulton Fred Brathwaite Gerry Brown Ron Buchanan Steve Cardwell Wayne Cashman Ray Ceresino Todd Charlesworth Lex Chisholm Joe Cirella Cal Clutterbuck Kevin Colley Les Colvin Jim Conacher Larry Courville Mike Craig Dale Craigwell Bobby Crawford Floyd Curry Jeff Daniels Buck Davies Bob Dawes Dean Defazio Dale DeGray Val Delory Alex Delvecchio Jim Drummond Ben Eager

Frank Eddolls Bill Ezinicki George Ferguson Lee Fogolin Jr. Rick Foley Mike Fountain Iain Fraser Bob Froese Dick Gamble Dave Gans Paul Gardner Tyrone Garner Lee Giffin Trevor Gillies Bob Gladney Dan Gratton Gilles Gratton Brent Grieve Bep Guidolin Jeff Hackett Paul Harrison Chris Hayes Bill Heindl Ike Hildebrand Floyd Hillman Dan Hinote Larry Hopkins Nathan Horton Charlie Huddy Jim Jackson Lou Jankowski Ross Johnstone Tony Joseph Claude Julien Doug Keans Bob Kelly Rick Kessell Derek King Brian Kinsella Nick Knott Steve Konroyd Joe Kowal Pete Laframboise

Leo Lamoureux Mitch Lamoureux Rick Lanz Mike Lenarduzzi Eric Lindros Ted Lindsay Bill Lochead Ross Lowe Charlie Luksa Jack Lynch Calum MacKay Shawn MacKenzie John MacLean Jeff MacMillan Ian MacNeil Bud MacPherson Greg Malone Jud McAtee Norm McAtee Tom McCarthy Bob McCulley Brian McGrattan Kirk McLean Sean McMorrow Chris McRae Bryan McSheffrey Roland Melanson Rick Middleton Kevin Miehm Dean Morton Gus Mortson Gord Murphy Lee Norwood Hank Nowak Fred O'Donnell Terry O'Reilly Danny O'Shea Bobby Orr Jim Paek Rob Pearson Nathan Perrott Andrew Peters Steve Peters

Wayne Primeau Dave Pulkkinen Nelson Pyatt Brad Ralph Paul Ranger Greg Redquest Ed Reigle Pat Ribble Phil Samis Marc Savard Chuck Scherza Norm Schmidt Richard Scott Travis Scott Sean Shanahan Peter Sidorkiewicz Harry Sinden Jarrod Skalde Ken Smith Sid Smith Rick St. Croix Greg Stefan Bud Stefanski John Stevens Bob Stewart Barry Sullivan Frank Sullivan Peter Sullivan Don Sylvestri Dale Tallon Tony Tanti Billy "The Kid" Taylor Kirk Tomlinson John Tripp Pete Vipond Jeff Ware Barry Wilkins Butch Williams Sean Williams Dunc Wilson Wally Wilson Stephane Yelle Rod Zaine

Team records

Team records for a single season
Statistic	Total	Season
Most points	101	1986–87
Most wins	49	1986–87
Most goals for	382	1990–91
Least goals for	138	1966–67
Least goals against	201	1986–87
Most goals against	444	1976–77

Individual player records for a single season
Statistic	Player	Total	Season
Most goals	Tony Tanti	81	1980–81
Most assists	Scott McCrory	99	1986–87
Most points	Tony Tanti and Scott McCrory	150	1980–81; 1986–87
Most points, rookie	Tony Tanti	150	1980–81
Most points, defenceman	Bobby Orr	94	1965–66
Best GAA (goalie)	Dan Turple	2.64	2003–04
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

Single game records
Statistic	Player(s)	Total	Date & opponent
Most goals	Tony Tanti	6	January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener
Most assists	Chuck Durocher	7	November 26, 1976, vs. S.S.Marie
Most points	Tony Tanti	8	January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener
Most power play goals	Tony Tanti	4	January 18, 1981, vs. Kitchener
Most shorthanded goals	10 times	2	Most recently John Tavares, February 25, 2006, @ S.S.Marie
Fastest opening goal	Paul Gardner	0:05	February 13, 1976, @ Kitchener
Fastest period goal	Ryan Lindsay	0:06	November 1, 1996, vs. North Bay - 3rd Period
Fastest goal from start of overtime	Brett Trudell	0:04	September 26, 2004, vs. Mississauga
Fastest two goals by one player	Greg Malone	0:04	October 22, 1974, - 3rd period
Fastest three goals by one player	Peter Horachek	2:54	October 14, 1979, vs. Kitchener - 3rd period

Season-by-season results

;Regular season The Oshawa Generals have won 3 Hamilton Spectator trophies for finishing first overall in the OHL regular season standings, and 3 Leyden trophies for finishing first overall in the eastern division OHL regular season standings.

;Playoffs The Oshawa Generals have won 12 J. Ross Robertson Cups as the OHL / OHA playoff champions, and won 4 Memorial Cups as the CHL / CAHA champions.

Uniforms and logos

The current version of the Oshawa Generals uniforms has been in use since the 1989–90 season. The team has announced an updated logo to coincide with moving into a new arena. The new logo cresting will be triple layered as opposed to the single layer. Players' names and numbers with have double cresting. Currently, only a white and red version have been released.



The Oshawa Generals have also issued two throwback style jerseys in the recent past. During alumni week for the 2001–02 season, the Generals wore a jersey based on the 'Bruins" style worn in the 1965–66 season, when Bobby Orr skated for the club. For two seasons from 2004–05 to 2005–06 the Generals "red" jersey was replaced by a jersey based on the style worn during the 1939, 1940 and 1944 Memorial Cup winning seasons, featuring the square "GM" logo. ^[7]

Mascots

The Generals unvelied a new mascot during a pregame ceremony on November 16, 2007, who would be named "Deke" in a naming contest in Oshawa. ^[8]. The previous mascot, "General Shooter" had been retired at the end of the 2006–07 season.

Arenas

The Oshawa Generals have the dubious distinction of having their home arena destroyed by fire not once, but twice in the franchise history. In June 1928 the Bradley Arena was destroyed by fire. Then 25 years later, the Hambly Arena was also destroyed by fire.

From 1928–1930 the team played out of nearby Whitby until the Hambly Arena was constructed. When the Hambly Arena burned down in 1953 the Oshawa Generals were disbanded. When the team was resurrected in 1962 they played both at Maple Leaf Gardens and also in the Bowmanville Community Arena (now demolished) for two seasons until moving until the Civic Auditorium.

The early years

Before Oshawa joined the OHA in 1908, it was part of the Midland Hockey League. Its games were played out of the Oshawa Curling Club located by the Oshawa Creek in the vicinity of present day Valleyview Gardens, Kinsmen Stadium and Children's Arena. Since the curling club controlled its use and thus when games could or could not be played, a new location was sought.

A new outdoor rink was built 4 blocks away, where the present day Oshawa Armouries stand at the corner of Simcoe St. and Richmond St. This would be the team's home until 1908.

Bradley Arena 1908–1928

The Bradley Arena, nicknamed "The Big Rink" opened up in 1908 on Duke St. in downtown Oshawa. Its namesake was Ed Bradley, a prominent local businessman who was responsible for organizing the team and bringing Junior Hockey to Oshawa.

The arena was packed to the rafters many nights when Oshawa played there for the 1920s league championships versus Orillia and Owen Sound. In June 1928, the predominantly wooden structure succumbed to an overnight fire.

Hambly Arena 1930–1953

The Oshawa Arena (later known as the Hambly Arena) opened in 1930 and was built in large part to the contributions of Colonel Robert Samuel McLaughlin. It was the first brick facade and steel support structure for hockey in Oshawa. Shortly after training camp in 1953, the arena would suffer the same demise as its predecessor and burned to the ground on September 15.

Civic Auditorium 1964–2006

The Oshawa Civic Auditorium opened in 1964, built on fundraising by citizens of Oshawa. The first scheduled OHA game was December 15, 1964 vs. the St. Catharines Black Hawks. ^[9] The Generals prevailed by a score of 6 to 4 in front of 4,109 fans attending the game.

In 1987 the Civic Auditorium played host to the Memorial Cup. The Generals contested for the cup against the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Longueiul Chévaliers.

The last championship the Generals won was played at the Civic in May 1997. The Generals upset the 1st place Ottawa 67's in the OHL final, 4 games to 2. The sixth game ended 8 seconds into the first overtime on a goal from Marc Savard.

The Generals played the first five home games of the 2006–07 season in the Civic Auditorium before moving into their new arena. The final game played was October 29, 2006 versus the Kingston Frontenacs, the Generals won 8 to 6.

General Motors Centre 2006–Present

On March 10, 2005, Oshawa City Council approved what was then known as the "Downtown Sports & Entertainment Facility Project" after many years of waiting for a new arena. Groundbreaking for the new facility at the corner of Athol and Mary Streets in downtown Oshawa took place on June 22, 2005. ^[10] The building will be operated by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

On October 5, 2006, the Oshawa Generals announced a naming rights deal which will see the arena named the General Motors Centre. The inaugural game was played November 3, 2006, against the Owen Sound Attack.

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Ontario

Bibliography

• Babe Brown, Bobby Attersley, and Bill Kurelo (1978). A History of the Oshawa Generals, Volume One . Chimo Publishing; Toronto, ON, Canada.
• Babe Brown, and Bill Kurelo (1993). A History of the Oshawa Generals, Volume Two . General Printers; Oshawa, ON, Canada.
• Richard M. Lapp and Alex Macaulay (1997) The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship . Harbour Publishing; Madeira Park, BC, Canada.

References

1. http://www.oshawagenerals.com/pressbox/content.php?ID=472
2. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/808151971.html?dids=808151971:808151971&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:
3. "Generals to honour Red Tilson on Sunday" Oshawa Generals news archives, November 10, 2006.
4. "Generals will honour Eric Lindros March 6" Oshawa Generals news archives, February 15, 2008.
5. "Generals raise Orr's No. 2 to rafters in stirring ceremony before 6,253 fans" Oshawa Generals news archives, November 27, 2008.
6. http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayersByTeam.jsp?team=Oshawa+Generals
7. http://www.sportslogos.net/Site/team.php?t=371 See Oshawa Generals uniforms and previous logos
8. http://www.oshawagenerals.com/pressbox/content.php?ID=344
9. http://www.ohlarenaguide.com/generals.htm
10. http://www.generalmotorscentre.com/