History of the League, Part I - In the Beginning

The league started it's first full season in 1982-83 and was known as the Dartmouth Sports Store Gentlemen's Hockey League. The league was developed to give hockey players a league to play in after their minor hockey days were over, players had to be 20 years of age or older and could not play in a contact league, such as Junior, Senior or University. The league's President was Paul Arsenault and played out of the brand new Dartmouth Sportsplex on Tuesday and Sunday nights. The inaugural season comprised of 4 teams; Barker Plumbing, Dartmouth Lakers, Dartmouth Sports Store and Nova Lada. Each team played a 24 game schedule, with the best 2 out of 3 playoff series. Games consisted of 3 - 15 minute straight time periods. One of the rules for the new league was that your stick could not leave the ice for a shot, basically a wrist shot only. Unforunately league statistics are unavailable, but we do know that Nova Lada won the League Championship, Bobby MacNeil of Nova Lada was the league's top scorer and teammate Fred Moser was the top goaltender.

The 1983-84 season saw the league change it's name to the Moosehead Gentlemen's Hockey League. Barker Plumbing dropped out of the league before the season started and was replaced by the Scotiabank Wings, Dartmouth Sports Store changed it's name to Downtowner Beverage Room, Nova Lada and Dartmouth Lakers rounded out the league. Each team played a 29 game schedule up from 24. Nova Lada won the League Championship for the second year in a row as well as Fred Moser as top goaltender. Nova Lada's Brian McDow was the league's top scorer. Unfortunately league statistics are unavailable.

The 1984-85 Moosehead Gentlemen's Hockey League remained the same as previous seasons. Each team still played a 29 game schedule with the playoff format remaining the same. The only changes that season was Nova Lada changing it's name to MacPhee Pontiac and the league naming the championship trophy to the Lake City Trophy. MacPhee Pontiac won the League Championship; the team's third title in as many years. Brian McDow and MacPhee Pontiac won the scoring title for the second year in a row and once again, Fred Moser, won his third top goaltender award.  Both Brian and Fred also won playoff awards. To show how strong the MacPhee Pontiac team was, just look at their record; 27 wins, 0 losses, 2 ties for 56 points and outscoring opponents 179 to 56 in 29 games. They ended up with 30 points more than 2nd place Downtowner in the standings. As well MacPhee went undefeated in the playoffs, sweeping both the Lakers and Downtowner. 1985 Lake City Trophy Champions MacPhee Pontiac - Steve Bowes, Harold Currie, Dennis Doucette, Pat Hagan, Mike Kane, Bobby MacNeil, Bill Matthews, Don McDonnell, Brian McDow, Eric Moir, David Morash, Fred Moser, Graham Owen, Frank Pottie and coach - Paul Arsenault.

I will continue to give you some incite to the history of the Lake City Gentlemen's Hockey League over the upcoming months. I hope you enjoy a look back at some of the teams and players that have participated in our league.