DEFINITELY unique, while short-lived, the Hockey Thunder Bay League was one of a kind back in the day.
The four-team local loop that was formed in the spring of 1980 featured competing clubs, from as many levels of play. They were the Thunder Bay Twins (Senior); Bay Beverage Blazers (Intermediate); Lakehead Nor’Westers (CIAU) and the Burger King Kings (Junior).
While it only lasted two seasons, having such a wide-array of talent, at each platform, made for tremendous competition on a nightly basis.
It also allowed all four clubs a significant savings budget-wise, allowing them to play games locally at the Fort William Gardens, before going on their respectively national title runs at seasons’ end.
“Ken Ridler was one of the key people who helped get the league off the ground, recalled Dave Bragnalo, when discussing the late hockey executive,” who was associated in many facets of the game locally.
“That was certainly a unique concept, but one that all teams bought into and gave everyone an opportunity to play,” added Bragnalo, who ended up having double duty in the HTBL. He not only still played for the Twins, but coached the LU side.
Another key cog in the formation of the league was the legendary Gary Cook, while serving in his role working with the Twins.
“I knew Cookie pretty well from my junior days and he knew about our Blazers team in the commercial hockey leagues being one of the top teams in the city at that time,” offered Jerry Adduono, the Bay Beverage coach both years in the HTBL.
“He (Cook) called me and asked if we’d be interested in playing in a league with the juniors, LU and the Twins to help out with all of them and provide as much competition as possible before heading on to compete in each of our playdowns,” added Adduono.
He then went on to supply: “It sounded like a good idea and gave our players a chance to compete in the Hardy Cup intermediate playoffs. We had a good mix of players and it was a challenge to see how they could stand up against these teams, especially the Twins, who were considered to be the top team in Thunder Bay.”
With all four clubs on board, a 24-game regular season schedule was agreed upon, plus playoffs.
As expected, a talent-laden Twins team, featuring the likes of former NHLers Ralph Stewart, Vic Venasky, Danny Gruen and Johnny Adams, were at the top of the table at seasons’ end.
The senior side rolled to a HTBL-best record of 21-3-0, easily out distancing the Blazers and Kings, who finished tied for second at 10-14-0.
Lakehead meanwhile came in fourth with a 7-14-0 mark.
Defenceman Gerald Bolduc captained the Jr. Kings in that initial campaign and provided: “It was great fun playing in that league. Lots of skill on each team.”
Meanwhile, Pat Suddaby, a goaltender with the Blazers at the time, also has recollections of the diversified league.
“It certainly was varied having four levels of teams competing against each other,” stated Suddaby. “It was a nice mix of talented local players throughout, with any team capable of winning on a given night.”
With the season slate completed, the doubters had to admit the HTBL had legs.
“Thinking back, there were a few people who thought that league might not work,” stated Bill McDonald, then a member of the Twins.
“The teams were looking for somewhere to play, but you know, as it turns out, it was pretty good,” added McDonald. “Four different teams. Four different levels and ages. Very competitive.”
Moving to the playoffs though, the Twins were all business, sweeping the Nor’Westers before dispatching the Kings, who went the distance with the Blazers, to claim the league championship that first year.
With a successful season one complete, Bragnalo reflected on it some four decades later: “What stood out to me was the competitive-desire of all the teams was not affected, especially when you consider the wide range of players involved.”
Next week: Part II on the HTBL.
