Toronto Lions
| Toronto Lions | |
|---|---|
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| League | Ontario Hockey Association |
| Operated | 1931 to 1939 |
| Home arena | Varsity Arena |
The Toronto Lions were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from 1931 to 1939, based in Toronto. The team was previously known as the Victorias until changing their name in 1931 when affiliating with the Lions Club.
History
[edit]The Toronto Lions began play in the 1931–32 OHA season, and where previously known as the Toronto Victorias until changing their name when affiliating with the Lions Club.[1] Beginning the 1931–32 season, they were coached by Eddie Livingstone, played home games at Varsity Arena, and were in the same group as the Toronto Native Sons.[1] In the playoffs for their group, the Toronto Lions lost the third game versus North Toronto by a 4–3 score in overtime and lost the series by 11 goals to 10.[2]
In the 1934–35 OHA season, the Lions defeated the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in their group's playoffs semifinals, by a cumulative score of eight goals to seven in three games.[3] Facing the Oshawa Majors in the group finals, the Lions lost in two consecutive games.[4] In the 1935–36 OHA season, the Lions lost to the Toronto Young Rangers in a sudden-death tiebreaker for fourth place in their group.[5]
With the onset of World War II, the Toronto Lions did not return for the 1939–40 OHA season.[6]
Notable players
[edit]Centre Jimmy Good won the OHA scoring title in the 1934–35 season,[7] playing with future Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Gordie Drillon on right wing.[8] Three alumni of the Toronto Lions graduated to play in the National Hockey League; including Drillon,[9] Charlie Phillips,[10] and Lefty Wilson.[11]
Season-by-season results
[edit]Regular season and playoffs results:[citation needed]
Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | Finish | ||
| 1931–32 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0.889 | 34 | 13 | 1st Group 6 | Lost group final (North Toronto) 11–10[2] |
| 1932–33 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0.375 | 28 | 28 | 3rd Group 3 | Did not qualify |
| 1933–34 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 17 | – | 47 | 32 | 3rd Group 7 | Did not qualify |
| 1934–35 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0.692 | 66 | 56 | 3rd Group 1 | Won group semifinal (Toronto St. Michael's Majors) 8–7[3] Lost group final (Oshawa Majors) 2–0[4] |
| 1935–36 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0.300 | 23 | 33 | 5th Group 1 | Lost 4th-place tiebreaker (Toronto Young Rangers) 6–3[5] |
| 1936–37 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0.250 | 36 | 66 | 5th Group 1 | Did not qualify |
| 1937–38 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0.091 | 22 | 72 | 7th OHA | Did not qualify |
| 1938–39 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0.071 | 24 | 76 | 4th Group 2 | Did not qualify |
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Lions Will Operate Junior Hockey Team". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. November 6, 1931. p. 11.
- 1 2 Walker, Harold (February 17, 1932). "Group Title Won By North Toronto". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. p. 12.
- 1 2 "Toronto Lions Oust St. Mike's To Reach Final". Toronto Telegram. February 20, 1935. p. 19.
- 1 2 "Oshawa Juniors Win Group Title". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. February 28, 1935. p. 7.
- 1 2 "Young Rangers Gain Last Playoff Berth". Toronto Telegram. February 19, 1936. p. 18.
- ↑ "S.P.A. Junior Series Opens Next Friday". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. November 10, 1939. p. 13.
- ↑ "OHL Awards: Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Top Scorer)". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Brilliant Sniper: Gordie Drillon". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. January 23, 1935. p. 7.
- ↑ "Gordie Drillon—Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Charlie Phillips—Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Lefty Wilson—Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
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