Haileybury 54s

Note with sadness the passing of one of the pioneers of 54s hockey in Haileybury. John Seguin was a mainstay in minor hockey and managed the 54s club in its early years.

Condolences to Kim, Rob and Jeff. Your father impacted many young lives in Haileybury.

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Saddened to note the passing of Elsie Willett, a member of the 54s executive in the 1970s and 80s. Alumni of the 70s will remember Mrs. Willett as a pioneer in establishing the team and running the box office for the hockey team. She and her late husband Cleve were instrumental in promoting the move to artificial ice in the Haileybury Arena and in establishing the 54s as a force in Northern Ontario juvenile hockey. Truly pillars of the hockey community in Haileybury.

The 54s alumni send their sincere condolences to Kerry, Rick and Donnie. Please take a moment to remember Mrs. Willett.

Elsie Willett Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Share Memories of Elsie & Support the Willett Family

Saddened to learn of the passing of Ian McDonald, a long serving referee who officiated many a hotly contested event in Haileybury and New Liskeard arenas and where he cut his teeth as an official moving on to much higher levels upon leaving the Tri-Town area.

Condolences go out to his entire family.

Ian McDonald Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Share Memories of Ian & Support the McDonald Family

Hey all former 54s and fans!

Here's something new for the collector of all things maroon and white ... and it can help the Legion out a bit.

The Legion is raising money for some much needed renovations. They were strong supporters of the 54s, and the birthplace of the team. The purchase of hats provided by Hugo Rivet (an alumni) would send some much needed funds to the Legion.

Please consider ordering one or more. The Legion could use your help.

Note with sadness the passing of Rejean Gauthier, stickboy for the 54s in the mid-70s. Condolences to his family.

Réjean Gauthier Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Share Memories of Réjean & Support the Gauthier Family

Welcome back to hockey season.

About 46 years ago, the 76-77 team was taking shape. Players might recall the dry land training of September 1976 doing sprints up Ethel Street in Haileybury. If you are out for a drive, take a look up from Lakeshore Road.

Attached is the team from that year, players hopefully identified correctly.

Check in over the winter as articles gleaned from the papers of the time are posted here.

Noting with sadness today the passing of long time hockey fan, promoter and NOHA director Fred Burrows.

https://www.timiskamingfc.com/en/death-notices/frederick-fred-burrows-214869/

Death Notices - Burrows It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Fred Burrows of Englehart, Ont. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 20, 2022, at the age of 74. He was loved very much and will be missed terribly.

Note today with sadness the passing of Cliff Hallworth, longtime police presence in the area and a quiet but faithful fan of the Haileybury 54s. Cliff would always show an interest in a player, and quietly offer his support when needed. It was a legacy left by his father John, after whom the Most Gentlemanly Player award for the team as named, and which Cliff presented on his father’s behalf at 54 Award Banquets. He was one of those men who held the community very close to his heart, and took great interest in the lives and interests of all. A true gentle man.

https://memorials-en.buffamleveille.com/Hallworth-Clifford/4877720/

Clifford Hallworth Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information Share Memories of Clifford & Support the Hallworth Family

Coverage was a bit sparse for the juvenile league in the early stages of 1976. Playoff rounds received little mention, although there was this review of the playoff championship series between Rouyn and Temiscamingue. In the 70s, championship teams could pick up players from teams they had beated to strengthen their rosters.

Marc Weiss had a distinguished career with the 54s. In 1975-76, he won the Max Whitby Most Gentlemanly Player, MVP Chris Bordeleau Trophy, and the Rejean Houle top scorer trophy.

54 Captain Dan Watson accepts the Richelieu Club trophy for the team's first place finish in the regular season. Fred Arthur, who would go on to play in Cornwall for the major junior Royales and then on to the NHL, won the Morissette Trophy for most improved player.

54s dominate the allstar selections for the 1975-76 season, as well as the goaltending and rookie awards.

Speaker summary of games for the league leading 54s for January 28 1976

Stu Sutton, arguable one of the fastest skaters in 54s history, accepts the Speed Mite trophy for this season. The annual event called together best skaters from teams in the league to display their skills.

Speaker's Round-Up for January 28 1976 where the author takes on refreshments at arenas.

Action shot from late January 1976 in a 54 win over NL. Bilodeau gets his own rebound and scores. 54s go on to win 7-3.

Last bit from the 1975-6 Swedish visit and the civic banquet held in their honor.

Speaker column from January 7 covering the games between the Swedes and 54s and other local clubs.

McArthur's column regarding the Swedish visit and a couple more pix ...

Some more local coverage of the visit by the Djurgarden juveniles in late December 1975 and early January 1976.

Mike Umphries, a Haileybury product who moved on to write Sports for the North Bay Nugget, covered the game against Djurgarden and wrote this piece in his paper.

The 54s hosted the Swedish Djurgarden team for an exhibition match on January 5th at a packed Haileybury Arena.

Fans were treated to a fast paced 4-4 draw.

This article appeared in the Speaker some 46 years ago promoting exhibition games with a touring Swedish team. The hockey tours were products of the 72 Summit series, as teams traveled to Canada to play hockey for short periods of time. Would any local teams go there? One wonders ...

Season stats to the end of 1975 as posted in the Speaker.

Not much coverage until an exhibition series with Djurgarden from Sweden playing the 54s over the New Year's holiday.

The late Mark Watson, one of the toughest of the 54s, broke a leg during practice, despite the big smile.

Two more in the Win column for the 54s ...

54s often worked on ways to give back to the communities that developed hockey players that moved on to juvenile hockey. In 1975, Englehart provided 3 players to the 54s, and in appreciation the team played an exhibition game in Englehart to raise money for the local U16 team.

That received a little bit of fanfare, along with the report on league play for the week.

Round Up defending the local boys ... meanwhile another local team is doing quite well, but whatever.

54s continue to roll through the league ... reports for early December

Weekly Speaker writeup, this time with statistics report from the first month of action.