St. John's Jr. 50's
| St. John's Jr. 50's | |
|---|---|
| City | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
| League | St. John's Junior Hockey League |
| Operated | December 12, 1979-1993 |
| Home arena | Prince of Wales Arena |
| Colours | Blue, yellow, and white |
| General manager | John Martin, Doug O'Leary |
| Head coach | Bas Whelan, John Fitzgerald, Don Quinn |
| Franchise history | |
| 1979-1980 | St. John's Jr. Blue Caps |
| 1980-1982 | St. John's Guards |
| 1982-1993 | St. John's Jr. 50's |
The St. John's Jr. 50's were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. They were members of the St. John's Junior Hockey League, the first ever 3-time Don Johnson Cup Atlantic Junior B Champions and one-time Newfoundland Junior A Champions.
In 1980, the St. John's Junior Hockey League was formed. Prior to 1980, there was a junior town-league that was not of a very high caliber. The SJJHL would end up being one of the stronger Atlantic junior leagues in the 1980s, with the 50's leading the way by become the first 3-time Atlantic Junior B Champion.
In the old city league, the team was known as the St. John's Jr. Blue Caps, but gained a sponsorship from Labatt Breweries in 1980. In 1979-80, the Jr. Blue Caps lost only once and were winners of the Veitch Memorial Trophy as provincial champions.
In the summer of 1980, new St. John's League President Danny Williams (future Premier of the province) would not allow them to adopt a beer sponsored name, so they were known as the St. John's Guards after the Guards Athletic Association until 1982 when they became the Jr. 50's (after the beer).
In their second season as the Jr. 50's, the 50's lost the final to the St. John's Jr. Shamrocks, but met them again in the Veitch Memorial Trophy final for the right to move on to the Don Johnson Cup and beat them 6-5.
By their third season, the 50's had won their first league title, their second Veitch Memorial Trophy in a round robin against the St. John's Jr. Shamrocks, and then their first Don Johnson Cup by defeating the Northumberland Junior B Hockey League's Antigonish Bulldogs in the final.
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