Westfort Hurricanes

Ice hockey team in Fort William, Ontario

The Westfort Hurricanes were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Fort William, Ontario. The Herks were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were Abbott Cup finalists once.

History

In 1972, the Hurricanes broke away from the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League to join the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Can-Am Junior Hockey League. A year later, that league became the Midwest Junior Hockey League. The Herks stayed on board for one Midwest Junior season before returning to the TBJHL.^{[citation needed]}

Dave Siciliano coached the Hurricanes during the 1973–74 season.^[1] His team completed the regular season in first place with 45 wins in 60 games.^[2] In the 1974 Centennial Cup playoffs, the Hurricanes defeated the Wexford Raiders four games to three in the first round,^[3] then were defeated four games to three by the Smiths Falls Bears in the second round.^[4]

The MWJHL later merged and solidified the United States Hockey League. The Buccaneers folded on July 6, 1980, when the TBAHA left them with no league to play in.^{[citation needed]}

Season-by-season standings

Playoffs

• 1971 Lost final

Westfort Hurricanes defeated Fort William Canadians 3-games-to-2

Thunder Bay Marrs defeated Westfort Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1972 Lost semi-final

Minnesota Jr. Stars defeated Westfort Hurricanes 2-games-to-none

• 1973 Lost quarter-final/Canadian TBAHA Semi-final

Thunder Bay Centennials defeated Westfort Hurricanes 4-games-to-2

• 1974 Won TBAHA Jack Adams Trophy final, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy final

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 3-games-to-none

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Fort William Canadians (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none JACK ADAMS TROPHY CHAMPIONS

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Wexford Raiders (OPJHL) 4-games-to-3

Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-3

• 1975 Lost final

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 4-games-to-2

Thunder Bay Eagles defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1976 Lost semi-final

Thunder Bay Beavers defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-2

• 1977 Lost final

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 3-games-to-none and 1 tie

Thunder Bay Eagles defeated Degagne Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1978 Won League, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy Quarter-final

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 3-games-to-none

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Atikokan Voyageurs 4-games-to-none TBJHL CHAMPIONS

Guelph Platers (OPJHL) defeated Degagne Hurricanes 4-games-to-none

• 1979 Lost final

Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Degagne Buccaneers 4-games-to-1

• 1980 Lost final

Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Degagne Buccaneers 4-games-to-none with 1 tie

Championships

TBJHL Champions:

1942, 1943, 1952, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974*, 1978

Abbott Cup Finalists:

1970

Dudley Hewitt Cup/Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final Champion

1974

(*) denotes: Herks played in MWJHL, rejoined TBJHL for playoffs.

Notable alumni

Fort William Hurricane-Rangers^[5]

• Gus Bodnar
• Alex Delvecchio
• Bill Johansen
• Bud Poile

Fort William Hurricanes^[6]

• Mike Busniuk
• Larry Cahan
• Dave Gatherum
• Eddie Kachur
• Dennis Owchar
• Don Poile
• Vic Venasky
• Tommy Williams
• Gord Wilson

Westfort Hurricanes^[7]

• Lou Nistico
• Murray Wing
• Benny Woit

Thunder Bay Westfort Hurricanes^[8]

• Mike Hordy
• Trevor Johansen

References

1. "Dave Siciliano Hockey Stats and Profile". Hockey Database. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
2. "1973–74 Midwest Junior Hockey League Standings". Hockey Database. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
3. "Bears, Hurricanes in east final". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. April 19, 1974. p. 24.
4. "Bears shoot way to Cup finals". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. May 2, 1974. p. 29.
5. "Search Players By Team". www.legendsofhockey.net.
6. "Fort William Hurricanes". www.legendsofhockey.net.
7. "Westfort Hurricanes". www.legendsofhockey.net.
8. "Thunder Bay Hurricanes". www.legendsofhockey.net.