Hounds win Hamilton Spectator Trophy

Sunday March 22, 2015

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are 2014-15 Ontario Hockey League regular season champions earning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy with 110 points from an impressive 54-12-0-2 record in 68 games.

This marks the first time in 30 years the Greyhounds have finished first overall last earning the distinction during the 1984-85 season. The club also captured the Hamilton Spectator Trophy for the 1982-83 and 1980-81 seasons.

The Hounds clinched first place and home ice advantage throughout the post-season following a big 12-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires on home ice Saturday night.  11 different Greyhounds recorded multi-point performances led by Anaheim Ducks prospect Nick Ritchie with two goals and three assists. 

The team then won their season finale on Sunday by a 3-0 score with New York Rangers prospect Brandon Halverson posting the 18-save shutout while also earning his 40th win of the season for a new club record.  The previous record of 39 was shared by John Vanbiesbrouck (1982-83) and Kyle Gajewski (2007-08). The shutout was his sixth of the season tying Matt Murray who also posted six last season.

110 points this season establishes a new franchise record for the Greyhounds surpassing the 109 earned in 1985.  That season the club also won 54 games doing so in a 66-game schedule.

The trophy was presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by the Hamilton Spectator in the 1957-58 season. 

Hamilton Spectator Trophy winners have gone on to win the OHL championship 23 times and the Memorial Cup 11 times. 

The 1985 Greyhounds are included in the list of both Hamilton Spectator Trophy and Robertson Cup winners, whereas the 1983 and 1981 clubs lost in the OHL final following first place regular seasons.  The franchise also captured Robertson Cup titles back-to-back in 1991-92 before winning a Memorial Cup in 1993.

The Greyhounds will open the 2015 OHL Playoffs on home ice next Friday March 27 against the Saginaw Spirit.