Top 10 memorable players at Memorial Centre
I was fortunate to attend the first game the Petes played in Peterborough in November 1956.
Over the 65 seasons, I have been able to see a number of games each year.
These are the 10 most watchable and anticipated opposing players I have seen over those years at the Memorial Centre; most for their skill, a few for other reasons.
Eric Lindros
Eric played one full season with the Oshawa Generals (1990-91) and part of the second before he left to play for Canada’s national team. Eric packed every OHL arena he played in that one season. He was a dominant force every game and because of his refusal to report to Sault Ste. Marie when drafted to the OHL, he drew plenty of attention from fans.
Connor McDavid
McDavid came into the OHL in 2012 with Erie as an exceptional player. His speed and quickness were exceptional and he exuded confidence every shift. By his last season in 2014-15, he was the most exciting and admired player in the OHL.
Bobby Orr
Orr played three years with the Oshawa Generals, from 1963 to ’66. As a defenceman, he scored 101 goals and had 158 assists. He brought an offensive aspect to the rearguard position rarely seen in those days. His dynamic rushes were a regular occurrence in games.
Bobby Hull
Bobby played for the St. Catharine Teepees. His last season was 1956-57, the first for the Petes. Teamed with Stan Mikita, he was a physical presence with a lethal shot (this was before his infamous curved-bladed stick).
Eddie Shack
Shack’s last season with the Guelph Biltmores (1956-57) was on a line with Danny Belisle and Bill Sweeney, the most potent in the OHL that season. Shack was the catalyst. He had 104 points and 129 PIMs in 52 games. His fast, reckless play had him standing out every time he was on the ice.
Wayne Gretzky
After playing three games with the Petes in the 1976-77 season, Gretzky played the next campaign with the Soo Greyhounds as a 16-year-old. He scored 64 goals and 112 assists before turning pro with the World Hockey Association. His future greatness was evident that OHL season.
Frank Mahovlich
Mahovlich’s last year with St. Mike’s was the Petes’ first season, 1956-57. Frank was arguably the most dynamic player to come into the PMC that season. He was big, powerful, dominant in every aspect of the game, scoring 52 goals in 49 games. He won the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s MVP.
Yvan Cournoyer
Yvan played three years, 196164, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens when they were in the OHL. In his last season, he scored 111 points in 53 games and regularly displayed where his later nickname, “The Roadrunner,” would come from. He brought excitement every time he was on the ice.
Steve Durbano
Durbano would lead my list of the most detested opponents that played against the Petes. He played for the Toronto Marlies from 1968 to ’71. He scored a total of 19 goals and accrued 853 penalty minutes He was a scary menace every time he was on the ice. One night when I was there, he jumped into the Petes bench after a player.
Ken Linseman
Linseman played with the Kingston Canadians from 1974 to ’77. His agitating play that earned him the nickname “The Rat” in the NHL was developing in his junior days. He scored 53 goals in his last year of junior and he was a major irritant every time he was on the ice.