Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Name	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
City	Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
League	Ontario Hockey League
Conference	Western Conference
Division	West Division
Founded	1962
Arena	GFL Memorial Gardens
Colours	Red, white, and grey
General manager	Kyle Raftis
Head coach	John Dean
Captain	Owen Allard

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, representing the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Established in 1962, the franchise is one of the longest continuously operating teams in the league and has developed numerous players for the National Hockey League. Competing in the Western Conference, the Greyhounds are renowned for their passionate fanbase and storied history of success.

History

The franchise was founded in 1962 as a member of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, joining the Ontario Hockey Association's top tier in 1972 before becoming a charter member of the modern Ontario Hockey League in 1980. Key early figures included coach Paul Theriault and general manager Sam McMaster, who built competitive teams. The club achieved its greatest success in the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in a Memorial Cup championship in 1993 under coach Ted Nolan and with star players like Drew Bannister and Rick Kowalsky. The team has experienced several rebuilding periods but has remained a consistent contender, with notable management tenures from Kyle Dubas and current general manager Kyle Raftis.

Players

The Greyhounds' roster has featured an exceptional number of future National Hockey League stars and high draft picks. Notable alumni include Wayne Gretzky, who played briefly for the team in 1977-78, and other legends like Ron Francis, Paul Coffey, and Joe Thornton. More recent prominent graduates include Jeff Carter, Jared McCann, and Morgan Frost. The team has also been represented by award winners such as first overall OHL draft pick John Vanbiesbrouck and multiple recipients of the OHL Goaltender of the Year Award. The current captain is Owen Allard, under the guidance of head coach John Dean.

Season-by-season record

The team's seasonal performance is documented in the official Ontario Hockey League guide and record book. Their most successful regular season occurred in 1984-85, when they recorded 54 wins and 110 points. They have won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as OHL regular season champions four times (1985, 1988, 1991, 2018). Playoff success includes four J. Ross Robertson Cup championships as OHL playoff champions (1985, 1991, 1992, 1993). Recent seasons have seen strong performances, including a trip to the 2018 OHL Championship Series, where they were defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Championships and achievements

The franchise's pinnacle achievement is winning the Memorial Cup in 1993, hosted in Sault Ste. Marie. Their four J. Ross Robertson Cup victories (1985, 1991, 1992, 1993) stand as a testament to their playoff dominance in that era. The team has also secured the Hamilton Spectator Trophy four times for the best regular-season record. Individual player awards are numerous, including multiple Rookie of the Year winners, Most Outstanding Player recipients like Joe Thornton, and several winners of the Defenseman of the Year award.

Arena

The Greyhounds play their home games at the GFL Memorial Gardens, an arena located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Originally opened in 1949 as the Sault Memorial Gardens, the facility was extensively renovated and renamed in 2006. It has a seating capacity of approximately 4,928 for hockey and has hosted major events like the 1993 Memorial Cup and the 2004 IIHF World U20 Championship. The building is known for its loud and supportive atmosphere, creating a significant home-ice advantage for the team.

Cultural impact

The team is a central institution in the community of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with games being a major social event. The Greyhounds' logo and colors are ubiquitous throughout the city, and the team's success, particularly the 1993 Memorial Cup win, is a source of immense local pride. The franchise has a celebrated rivalry with other Ontario Hockey League teams like the Sudbury Wolves and the London Knights. Alumni are frequently celebrated, with events honoring figures like Ron Francis, whose number 10 is retired by the club, reinforcing the team's deep connection to the city's identity.

Category:Ontario Hockey League teams Category:Sault Ste. Marie Category:Ice hockey teams established in 1962