Port Arthur Bearcats (1938–39)
Port Arthur Bearcats (1938–39) was a senior men's hockey team from Port Arthur that won the Allan Cup in 1939. The team was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.[1]
Overview
- Sport: Hockey
- League or level: Thunder Bay Senior Hockey League
- Season: 1938–39
- Achievement: Allan Cup Winners
- Inducted: 1 October 1983[1]
Season
The Port Arthur Bearcats began their championship run in the league playdowns against the Geraldton Goldminers. This best-of-five series proved highly competitive, requiring a sixth and deciding game after the opening match ended in a draw. The Bearcats secured the series with a 3-2 win in the final game. Following this, the team faced the Red Lake Thunderers for the Thunder Bay district title, winning the match-up in two consecutive games. They advanced to the Manitoba provincial title series, where they defeated Stonewall to earn a position in the Western Canada playdowns.[1]
In the Western Canada semi-finals, the Bearcats swept the Saskatoon Quakers in two straight games. They moved on to the western final against the Kimberley Dynamiters. Although they lost the first game of that series in overtime, the Bearcats responded by winning three consecutive games, including a dominant 13-2 victory, to secure the western championship.[1]
The Allan Cup finals took place at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, where the Bearcats faced the Montreal Royals. The series drew significant public interest, with approximately 40,000 spectators attending the games. The Bearcats won the first game 6-5 in overtime and took the second game 3-1. After the Royals won the third game 6-4, the Bearcats clinched the national title in the fourth game with a 6-5 victory. This marked the fourth time a team from Port Arthur had won the Allan Cup.[1]
Upon returning home, the champions were honored with a public celebration at the Port Arthur Armouries. The City of Port Arthur also hosted a civic banquet to recognize the team's achievement.[1]
Roster
The names below come from the Hall of Fame profile and its team photograph caption.[1]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gus Saxberg | player | |
| Bones McCormack | player | |
| Joe MacArthur | player | |
| Stan King | player | |
| Norm Wright | player | |
| J.F Hewitson | honorary president | |
| Burt Laprade | player | |
| John Crompton | player | |
| Ed Manahan ("Jazzy") | player | |
| Jakie Nash | player | |
| Hugh O'Leary | player | |
| Wm.McKinnon | player | |
| Jack Leake | trainer | |
| Walter Harbluk | player | |
| Bob Manahan | player | |
| Edgar Laprade | player | |
| Don Gordon | player | |
| Mike Moriarty | player | |
| George Hamlin | assistant trainer | |
| S.A. Cheesman | vice president | |
| G.F. McDougall | treasurer | |
| A.G. Pounsford | executive | |
| J.M. Boswell | executive | |
| F.H. Black | secretary |
Honours and achievements
- 1939 Allan Cup Champions
- Western Canada Senior Hockey Champions
- Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Champions
- Thunder Bay District Champions[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Port Arthur Bearcats Senior Hockey", team profile, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, https://www.nwosportshalloffame.com/team-profile/455d68f3-e436-4ff7-9e2a-30b89bc28818 (accessed 31 October 2026). Archived copy on datum.locker.