1976–77 OMJHL season

The 1976–77 OMJHL season was the third season of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL). The St. Catharines Black Hawks moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario, becoming the Flyers. Their owner Hap Emms using the name of his former team. The Hamilton Fincups then moved to the vacant Jack Gatecliff Arena in St. Catharines, Ontario after the ice-making machine at the ancient Hamilton Forum broke down irreparably a month before the season began. Twelve teams each played 66 games. The Ottawa 67's won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.

League business

OMJHL commissioner Tubby Schmalz filed legal action against the World Hockey Association on behalf of the OMJHL in 1976, citing failure to pay development fees for junior-aged players Paul Heaver and Bob Russell who turned professional. Schmalz also said legal action to receive payments would be likely for a third player, John Tonelli.[1] Schmalz later announced that an OMJHL team would represent Canada at the 1977 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and that the league would operate a small tournament within its schedule to choose the representative.[2]

Regular season

Standings
Leyden Division GP W L T Pts GF GA
y-Ottawa 67's663823581348288
x-Sudbury Wolves663824480385290
x-Kingston Canadians6632241074295259
x-Peterborough Petes663128769307309
x-Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds662041545261375
Oshawa Generals66557414216444
Emms Division GP W L T Pts GF GA
y-St. Catharines Fincups6650115105438242
x-London Knights6651132104379203
x-Toronto Marlboros6631231274335286
x-Kitchener Rangers662632860320380
x-Windsor Spitfires662137850294386
Niagara Falls Flyers661545636254370

Scoring leaders
Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Dwight FosterKitchener Rangers64608314388
Dale McCourtSt. Catharines Fincups66607913926
Bobby SmithOttawa 67's64657013552
Tony McKegneyKingston Canadians66587713530
Ken LinsemanKingston Canadians635374127210
Keith ActonPeterborough Petes65526912193
John AndersonToronto Marlboros64576211942
Mike KeatingSt. Catharines Fincups65516111296
Ron MasonPeterborough Petes62535811133
Ric SeilingSt. Catharines Fincups625061111103

Playoffs

First round

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defeat Peterborough Petes 3–1

Windsor Spitfires defeat Kitchener Rangers 3–0

Quarterfinals

Ottawa 67's defeat Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4–0, 1 tie

Kingston Canadians defeat Sudbury Wolves 4–1, 1 tie

St. Catharines Fincups defeat Windsor Spitfires 4–2

London Knights defeat Toronto Marlboros 4–1, 1 tie

Semifinals

Ottawa 67's defeat Kingston Canadians 4–3, 1 tie

London Knights defeat St. Catharines Fincups 4–3, 1 tie

J. Ross Robertson Cup

Ottawa 67's defeat London Knights 4–2

Awards
J. Ross Robertson Cup:Ottawa 67's
Hamilton Spectator Trophy:St. Catharines Fincups
Leyden Trophy:Ottawa 67's
Emms Trophy:St. Catharines Fincups
Red Tilson Trophy:Dale McCourt, St. Catharines Fincups
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy:Dwight Foster, Kitchener Rangers
Matt Leyden Trophy:Bill Long, London Knights
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy:John Anderson, Toronto Marlboros
Max Kaminsky Trophy:Craig Hartsburg, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Dave Pinkney Trophy:Pat Riggin, London Knights
Emms Family Award:Mike Gartner, Niagara Falls Flyers
F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy:Barry Heard, London Knights
William Hanley Trophy:Dale McCourt, St. Catharines Fincups

See also

References
  1. Kerr, Grant (May 25, 1976). "OHA legal action a test case?". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. p. 8.icon of an open green padlock
  2. "OHA team gets nod, represents Canada". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. May 26, 1976. p. 25.icon of an open green padlock
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