EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth of seven profiles we're running this week to highlight this year's Midland Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the induction ceremony scheduled for this month has been postponed until September of 2022. However, the Town of Midland has declared September to be Sports Hall of Fame Month.
Today, we profile the Little NHL Provincial Junior 'A' Championship Team 1956, an inductee in the team category.
The Provincial Junior 'A' Championship tournament was held in Parry Sound with qualifying teams from Midland, Gravenhurst, Newmarket, Port Hope and Thorold. Midland won their berth in the tournament by eliminating Collingwood over a two-game, total-points series with strong showings from some of the Penetanguishene players (their arena hadn't opened, therefore, players from that community augmented the local team) and Midland players alike.
Midland started the tournament playing against a strong Gravenhurst team; winning 3-0 with goals from Paul Devilliers, Mike Dubeau and Mike Faint and assists by Jerry Beteau, Devilliers and Dubeau.
The second game was against Thorold resulting in a 3-1 win with Dubeau leading the way with three goals; assisted by John Swan and Barry Mcllravey.
The championship game was against Newmarket. Morley Bath scored in the first period followed by Dubeau tallying his fifth goal of the tournament assisted by Beteau and Dennis Abbott. Mcllravey potted an unassisted goal to solidifythe 3-1 championship win. Chester Graham and Morley Bath played strong, two-way games while Wayne Holden handled more than 40 shots over the three games and recorded one shutout.
When the team arrived back in Midland, they were introduced to the crowd attending the annual figure skating carnival at the Midland Area Gardens. They then boarded a fire-truck for the traditional champions ride up King Street before ending at the Georgian Hotel for a celebratory meal. The team was later honoured at the annual LNHL banquet where they were presented with new jackets from the Town of Midland.
The 1956 Little NHL Provincial Junior 'A' Championship Team was also comprised of Bill Argue, Doug Scott, Cecil Merkley, Jim Cleaver, Willard Perrault, Jim Dubeau, Herb Wright and Doug Faint.
The team was coached by Reverend Len Self, who was assisted by Jack Doughty and Clare Holden with Jack Gouett serving as manager.
