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The Westfort Hurricanes were a
Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...
Junior Junior or Juniors may refer to: Aircraft * Ekolot JK-05L Junior, a Polish ultralight aircraft * PZL-112 Junior, a Polish training aircraft * SZD-51 Junior, a Polish-made training and club glider Arts and entertainment Characters * Bowser Jr., ...
ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
club from Fort William,
Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...
. The Herks were members of the
Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was ...
and were
Abbott Cup The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada. The Cup was named after Captain E.L. (Hick) Abbott who was a noted hockey ...
finalists once.


History

In 1972, the Hurricanes broke away from the
Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was ...
to join the
St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 311,527, making it Minnesota's second-most populous city a ...
-based Can-Am Junior Hockey League. A year later, that league became the
Midwest Junior Hockey League The Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) was an American junior ice hockey league. The MWJHL were members of the United Hockey Union and sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). On March 10, 2015, the league announced it would be joining ...
. The Herks stayed on board for one Midwest Junior season before returning to the TBJHL.
Dave Siciliano David John Siciliano (born July 7, 1946) is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and player. He played university hockey for the Lakehead Thunderwolves, Lakehead Nor'Westers, and led them to the International Collegiate Hockey Association champio ...
coached the Hurricanes during the 1973–74 season. His team completed the regular season in first place with 45 wins in 60 games. In the 1974 Centennial Cup playoffs, the Hurricanes defeated the
Wexford Raiders The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in the Downsview neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were known as the Wexford Raiders until the end of the 2005–06 season and are a part of Ontario Junior Hockey Lea ...
four games to three in the first round, then were defeated four games to three by the
Smiths Falls Bears The Smiths Falls Bears are a Junior A ice hockey team based in Smiths Falls. The Bears compete in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) as a member of the West Division. The team has been in existence since 1961, making them the oldest CCHL tea ...
in the second round. The MWJHL later merged and solidified the
United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. Th ...
. The Buccaneers folded on July 6, 1980, when the TBAHA left them with no league to play in.


Season-by-season standings


Playoffs

*1971 ''Lost final'' :Westfort Hurricanes defeated
Fort William Canadians The Fort William Canadians were a junior ice hockey team based in Fort William, Ontario, Canada. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were Abbott Cup finalists three times. For a while, the ''Fort William Ca ...
''3-games-to-2'' :
Thunder Bay Marrs The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of the city of Thunder Bay). They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost t ...
defeated Westfort Hurricanes ''4-games-to-1'' *1972 ''Lost semi-final'' : Minnesota Jr. Stars defeated Westfort Hurricanes ''2-games-to-none'' *1973 ''Lost quarter-final/Canadian TBAHA Semi-final'' : Thunder Bay Centennials defeated Westfort Hurricanes ''4-games-to-2'' *1974 ''Won TBAHA Jack Adams Trophy final, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy final'' :Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated
Thunder Bay Eagles The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of the city of Thunder Bay). They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost t ...
(
TBJHL The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was ...
) ''3-games-to-none'' :Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated
Fort William Canadians The Fort William Canadians were a junior ice hockey team based in Fort William, Ontario, Canada. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were Abbott Cup finalists three times. For a while, the ''Fort William Ca ...
(
TBJHL The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was ...
) ''4-games-to-none'' JACK ADAMS TROPHY CHAMPIONS :Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated
Wexford Raiders The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in the Downsview neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were known as the Wexford Raiders until the end of the 2005–06 season and are a part of Ontario Junior Hockey Lea ...
(
OPJHL The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The league dates back to 1954 where i ...
) ''4-games-to-3'' :
Smiths Falls Bears The Smiths Falls Bears are a Junior A ice hockey team based in Smiths Falls. The Bears compete in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) as a member of the West Division. The team has been in existence since 1961, making them the oldest CCHL tea ...
( CJHL) defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes ''4-games-to-3'' *1975 ''Lost final'' :Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated
Thunder Bay Beavers The Thunder Bay Beavers were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were 1972 National Centennial Cup quarter-finalists, losing to the eventual winner G ...
''4-games-to-2'' :
Thunder Bay Eagles The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of the city of Thunder Bay). They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost t ...
defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes ''4-games-to-1'' *1976 ''Lost semi-final'' :
Thunder Bay Beavers The Thunder Bay Beavers were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were 1972 National Centennial Cup quarter-finalists, losing to the eventual winner G ...
defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes ''4-games-to-2'' *1977 ''Lost final'' :Degagne Hurricanes defeated
Thunder Bay Beavers The Thunder Bay Beavers were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were 1972 National Centennial Cup quarter-finalists, losing to the eventual winner G ...
''3-games-to-none and 1 tie'' :
Thunder Bay Eagles The Port Arthur Marrs were a junior ice hockey team that played in Port Arthur, Ontario (now part of the city of Thunder Bay). They were named for trucking company and sponsor W.H. Marr, Ltd., and contested the 1967 Memorial Cup, which they lost t ...
defeated Degagne Hurricanes ''4-games-to-1'' *1978 ''Won League, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy Quarter-final'' :Degagne Hurricanes defeated
Thunder Bay Beavers The Thunder Bay Beavers were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Canadians were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were 1972 National Centennial Cup quarter-finalists, losing to the eventual winner G ...
''3-games-to-none'' :Degagne Hurricanes defeated Atikokan Voyageurs ''4-games-to-none'' TBJHL CHAMPIONS :
Guelph Platers The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's un ...
(
OPJHL The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The league dates back to 1954 where i ...
) defeated Degagne Hurricanes ''4-games-to-none'' *1979 ''Lost final'' :
Thunder Bay North Stars The Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior ice hockey#Junior A, junior A ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a member of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. History After the fall of the Thunder Bay Flyers in 200 ...
defeated Degagne Buccaneers ''4-games-to-1'' *1980 ''Lost final'' :
Thunder Bay North Stars The Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior ice hockey#Junior A, junior A ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a member of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. History After the fall of the Thunder Bay Flyers in 200 ...
defeated Degagne Buccaneers ''4-games-to-none with 1 tie''


Championships

''
TBJHL The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League (TBJHL) was a Canadian junior ice hockey league that existed from c. 1920 to 1980. The TBJHL operated in Northwestern Ontario, primarily in the Thunder Bay region. The Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League was ...
Champions'': :1942, 1943, 1952, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974*, 1978 ''
Abbott Cup The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, was awarded annually from 1919 through 1999 to the Junior "A" ice hockey Champion for Western Canada. The Cup was named after Captain E.L. (Hick) Abbott who was a noted hockey ...
Finalists'': :1970 ''
Dudley Hewitt Cup The Dudley-Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy awarded to the Central Canadian Junior A champion. The trophy is currently decided by round robin tournament format, at the conclusion of the playoffs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League ...
/Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final Champion'' :1974 ''(*) denotes: Herks played in MWJHL, rejoined TBJHL for playoffs.''


Notable alumni

''Fort William Hurricane-Rangers'' *
Gus Bodnar August Bodnar (April 24, 1923 – July 1, 2005) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who was the Calder Memorial Trophy winner as the National Hockey League's rookie of the year for the 1943–44 season. He played 12 seasons in the NHL fr ...
*
Alex Delvecchio Alexander Peter "Fats" Delvecchio (born December 4, 1931) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach, and general manager who spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Detroit Red Wings. In a playing career tha ...
* Bill Johansen *
Bud Poile Norman Robert "Bud" Poile (February 10, 1924 – January 4, 2005) was a professional ice hockey player, coach, general manager, and league executive. Bud was the brother of Don Poile, and the father of David Poile. Overview Poile was born in ...
''Fort William Hurricanes'' *
Mike Busniuk Michael Busniuk (born December 13, 1951) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He is the younger brother of Ron Busniuk. Busniuk was selected 67th overall, in the 5th round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, by the Montreal C ...
*
Larry Cahan Lawrence Louis Henry Cahan (December 25, 1933 – June 25, 1992), was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Oakland Seals, L ...
*
Dave Gatherum David Robert Gatherum (March 28, 1932 – June 20, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played three games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1953–54 NHL season, 1953–54 season. The rest ...
*
Eddie Kachur Edward Charles "Ed" Kachur (April 22, 1934 – December 16, 2014) was a Canadian ice hockey forward who played 96 games in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most popu ...
* Dennis Owchar * Don Poile * Vic Venasky * Tommy Williams *
Gord Wilson Gordon Allan "Junior" Wilson (August 13, 1932 – October 2, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played two playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins during the 1954–55 season. The rest of his caree ...
''Westfort Hurricanes'' *
Lou Nistico Louis Charles Nistico (25 January 1953 – 27 November 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 3 games in the National Hockey League and 186 games in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Colorado Rockies, Toron ...
* Murray Wing *
Benny Woit Benedict Francis Woit (January 7, 1928 – December 7, 2016) was a Canadian ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks between 1951 and 1956. With Detroit he won the Stanley Cup th ...
''Thunder Bay Westfort Hurricanes'' * Mike Hordy * Trevor Johansen


References

{{Reflist Defunct junior ice hockey teams in Canada Hockey Northwestern Ontario