RETURNING for a second season back in 1981-82, the four-team Hockey Thunder Bay League was very talent-laden.
The defending champion Thunder Bay Twins (senior) were once again joined by the Bay Beverage Blazers (intermediate), Lakehead University Nor’Westers (university) and the Burger King Kings (junior).
On-ice action in the regular season was predictable as the Twins once again finished in first place, but were more closely contested on most nights than during year one of the loop as the other squads made some advances in the win column.
It was tight in the race for second spot, with the Blazers finishing just ahead of the Kings, while Lakehead, who played a shorter schedule, due to an increased slate in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, was fourth.
Looking back, many of the memories from some of those associated with the HTBL was that of the Kings, who were coached that year by Dave Siciliano and Doug Colbon.
“Even though the Kings were young, they had a very talented team,” recalled Pat Suddaby, himself named the league’s top goaltender for the 1981-82 campaign while helping man the nets for the Blazers, along with Earl Wicklund.
Despite boasting an impressive skill level, the junior side definitely caught the attention of their opponents.
One such opposing player was Bill McDonald, a part of many championship clubs during his playing and coaching career.
He went to say: “I would say the junior team was one you probably prepared a little different mentally when going up against them. They were younger compared to the rest of us, but boy they were good. We quickly found out that we had to be ready all the time.”
While no one knew it at the time, that Kings lineup featured four players that would eventually skate in the National Hockey League.
One of those was skilled defenceman Norm Maciver, who from there went on to star collegiately at the University of Minnesota-Duluth before moving on to a 501-game NHL career.
Be it youthful innocence or not fully realizing the opportunity offered, simply playing in the league was a monumental moment for Maciver.
“I don’t know if I thought at the time, it was that different playing against more experienced players,” he offered. “I was just happy to have made the junior team and would have played anywhere.”
Boasting a keen eye for talent, the other three future NHLers that were selected by Siciliano and Colbon for that Kings’ roster were David Bruce, Mike Tomlak and the late Ron Talakoski.
“We were very young because I thought they were the most talented players available, plus demonstrated a great deal of potential.” stated Siciliano as he reflected on some of his team decisions.”
“With those players moving on to major junior and college hockey, and then the NHL, was proof of our choices,” supported the Kings’ bench boss and future two-time Centennial Cup winner as head coach of the Thunder Bay Flyers.
Meanwhile, Gerald Bolduc, one year removed from captaining the Kings before joining the Twins senior side in 1981-82, vividly recalls the skill set of that junior squad.
“In the second year, you could see the Kings team were very good,” said Bolduc. “A very talented and quick group, featuring those four future NHLers,” he reflected, before himself going on to attend the New York Rangers training camp and eventually winning multiple Allan Cups with Thunder Bay.
As coach of the Kings that season, Siciliano had high praise for the four.
“Norm Maciver was one of the smartest defencemen I ever coached. His ability to read the play was exceptional. As he became more confident his skills took over and at times dominated.”
On David Bruce he commented: “He proved game-after-game he could score as well be a physical force. He really developed into a very good all-round player.”
As for Tomlak, he provided: “Mike was challenged as a young centre who played against many experienced players, especially defending in his own zone. Because of his great hockey sense, he learned quickly to defend and also contribute offensively.
Competing against older, more physical, competition, Talakoski also brought a key component to the lineup.
“Ron provided a physical presence that was much needed. He was a strong forechecking player who didn’t back down from anyone.”
Next week: Part III on the HTBL.