For any city with a rich hockey heritage, certain years stand out like beacons. For Guelph, Ontario, May 17, 1986, remains one of the most golden dates in the community’s sports history. It was on that day in Portland, Oregon, that the Guelph Platers capped off a remarkable underdog run by defeating the Hull Olympiques 6-2, capturing the Memorial Cup as the champions of Canadian major junior hockey.
Long before the Guelph Storm took up the mantle at the Sleeman Centre, the Platers etched their name into junior hockey immortality, bringing home the city’s second national championship (following the historic 1952 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters).
A Surprise Ascent in the OHL
Entering the 1985–86 season, the Platers were hardly picked by pundits to dominate. However, under the tactical brilliance of head coach Jacques Martin, the team gelled into a resilient, highly disciplined powerhouse.
The Platers marched through a grueling Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoff gauntlet, taking down tough competition and ultimately defeating the Belleville Bulls in the OHL final to punch their ticket to the national tournament. Built on a foundation of fierce defensive structure, stellar goaltending, and a roster brimming with future NHL talent, Guelph proved they were ready for the national stage.
Dominating the National Stage in Portland
The 1986 Memorial Cup tournament, hosted in Portland, Oregon, featured the country’s elite junior teams, including the QMJHL champion Hull Olympiques – led by Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille – alongside the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and the host Portland Winterhawks.
The Platers navigated the round-robin portion with grit, finishing at the top of the standings alongside Hull with 2 wins and 1 loss. After a round-robin victory over Hull earlier in the week (3–1), Guelph set the stage for a high-stakes rematch in the championship final on May 17, 1986.
In the title game, the Platers played their masterclass. Driven by relentless team play and captained by hometown favourite Paul Brydges, Guelph dismantled Hull with a decisive 6–2 victory, silencing doubters and lifting the coveted trophy high.
Individual Brilliance and Future Pros
The championship roster was packed with competitors who would go on to carve out stellar professional careers:
- Steve Chiasson put on a defensive clinic throughout the tournament, earning the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP and a spot on the All-Star team.
- Steve Guenette locked down the crease with composure, capturing the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s top goaltender.
- Kerry Huffman was recognized for his clean, elite play with the George Parsons Trophy for sportsmanship.
- Future NHL stars like Gary Roberts, John McIntyre, Lonnie Loach, and coach Jacques Martin himself used the 1986 run as a springboard to long, successful hockey careers.
Legacy of the 1986 Platers
Decades later, the 1986 Guelph Platers remain a legendary chapter in Canadian junior hockey history. They embodied the quintessential hockey virtues: depth, unshakeable team chemistry, and peak performance when the stakes were highest. For the city of Guelph, the memory of that May afternoon in Portland continues to shine as a golden standard of hockey excellence.
The Platers’ 1986 championship proved that discipline, elite goaltending, and a tight-knit roster could conquer any powerhouse in the country, cementing a permanent place for the franchise in Guelph’s sporting folklore.
Sources:
Guelph Sports Hall of Fame: 1985–86 Guelph Platers Hockey Club
EliteProspects: 1985–1986 Guelph Platers Team Roster & Statistics
HockeyDB: 1985–86 Guelph Platers Roster & Scoring
HockeyGods: 1986 Memorial Cup Champions Archival Photos & Roster
