Grimsby Peach Kings

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Grimsby Peach Kings
CityGrimsby, Ontario
LeagueProvincial Junior Hockey League
ConferencePJHL South
DivisionBloomfield
Founded1922
Home arenaPeach King Centre
ColoursMaroon, White, and Gold
Owner(s)Simon Doung
General managerSimon Duong
Head coachDave Brownridge
Championships
League champions2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
Clarence Schmalz Cups1940, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012

The Grimsby Peach Kings are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team from Grimsby, Ontario and play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.

History[edit]

One of the oldest hockey clubs in Ontario, the Peach Kings officially joined the Ontario Hockey Association in 1922, however the "Peach Kings" moniker had been used for local sports teams for several decades prior. The name refers to Grimsby's unique ability to cultivate peaches, a fruit that cannot be farmed without proper conditions. Grimsby's location between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment plus soil types allow for this.

In the early 1920s Col. Roberts had built a large cold storage facility for fruit in the summer that had ample capacity to make ice in the winter. In turn, work began on an arena in the summer of 1921. When the arena opened in January 1922, it was one of only 8 arenas in the world and the Montreal Canadiens soon took advantage of it for their training camp. Shortly after, the professional Saskatoon Sheiks (who were later sold to New York to become the Rangers) also held training camps in Grimsby, and the town became an overnight hockey hotspot.

Grimsby goalie in warm-ups in 2012 playoffs.

For the 1924-25 season, sponsors got involved and began scouring Ontario for the best hockey players to play for the Peach Kings. When this squad took to the ice in the fall of 1924, they skated on the same ice as Hall of Famers Howie Morenz, Georges Vézina, and Aurel Joliat skated on for training camp with the Canadiens. With Pud Reid as their captain, they took the league title that year playing against Brantford, Niagara Falls, Welland, Port Colborne, and Dunnville. In the OHA Intermediate A playoffs, the Peach Kings eliminated Paris, Toronto, and New Hamburg on their way to the finals. They beat Kingston in a two-game series to take the OHA championship.

In accordance with the custom of the time, the Intermediate champions would play the previous year's Allan Cup champions, the top senior amateur team in Canada. What was supposed to be a decisive victory for the famous Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds over Grimsby turned out different. With only 1000 fans watching at Toronto's Mutual St. Arena (the precursor to Maple Leaf Gardens) what was expected to a blowout, the Grimsby upstarts led 3-0 after two periods. The Greyhounds scored twice in the 3rd, but it was not enough as Grimsby held on. This marked the only time in history the Allan Cup titleholders lost to the Intermediates.

From this heralded team, Gerry Carson went on the play for the Montreal Canadiens, Shorty Horne played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pop McVicar, Artie Clark, and Pud Reid all played for the Chicago Cardinals of the American Association.

In 1939-40, the Peach Kings won the OHA Jr. C Final. Featuring Ralph Reid, son of Harry 'Pud' Reid who was captain of the 1925 team, Mush Miller and Red Mason, the Peach Kings defeated Bolton to face Markham in the provincial final. Games were held in Grimsby and the famed Maple Leaf Gardens. They brought home a second provincial championship and won the Clarence Schmalz Cup (however it was yet to be named that).

Returning to Intermediate hockey after World War II, the Peach Kings had more good years. They won their local Fruitbelt League in 1946 and 1947, but lost to Owen Sound in the OHA playoffs in 1946. In 1947, they made it to the OHA finals to play the Markham Millionaires in a best of 5 series. With the Peach Kings leading the series 2-1, the series shifted to Grimsby ice. Fans lined up all afternoon to get into the tiny arena, and eventually over 2000 packed the rink to watch a 3-3 tie after 60 minutes. The 10-minute overtime period was not sudden death like it is today, and Markham scored early. But with less than 2 minutes remaining, Grimsby rookie Barry Blanchard wound up behind his own net, carried the puck down the ice, and dropped it to Norman Warner who evened the score. Then with 39 seconds remaining, William Hutchison put the puck past the Markham goalie to win the Provincial Championship. Ralph Reid was the captain of the 1947 champions and he is the son of Harry 'Pud' Reid who was the captain of the 1925 Intermediate champions.

Grimsby players warm-up in 2012 playoffs.

The Peach Kings struggled through the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, but almost always retained a team wearing the Peach Kings sweater. Fortunes reversed however when the team was purchased in the mid-1990s and re-emerged as a Jr C team. By 2001, the team was strong claiming 1st place in the league for the 2002-03 season. In the playoffs, they dismissed Dunnville, Dundas, Norwich and the defending Ontario champion Essex 73's on the way to the OHA Finals. Led by captain Dean Davidson and stars Matt Hodges, Kyle Hodges, Biff Fuller, Don Forbes, Ryan Toth, and Josh Horley, the Peach Kings beat Georgina in four games to claim the Provincial "C" Championship for the first time since 1940.

The following year with many of the same players, as well as new ones such as Jay Anderson, Derek Nichols and Steve Foster playing a larger role, the Peach Kings repeated by winning again, this time over Wingham in the Finals. These were the first back-to-back championships in team history. The following year, 2004–05, the Peach Kings made a run for the finals again led by Hodges, Fuller, Toth, Nichols, Anderson, and Foster with newcomers like star goalie Steve Mason, Dan Ellis, Joel Bristo, Joel Agnew, and returnee Scott Clark, the Peach Kings played to the finals again looking to win for a third straight time. Taking a 3-2 series lead over the Essex 73's into the Grimsby Arena, it looked like Grimsby would win again having not lost at home all season. Essex, making their first of five straight Clarence Schmalz Cup Finals appearances, fought back and won Game 6 and Game 7 in Essex and reclaimed the provincial title which Grimsby had held for the previous two years.

At the 2008 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, former Peach King goaltender Steve Mason led the Canadian National Team to a fourth straight gold medal. He went 5-0 with a .951 save percentage at the tournament and won various awards: First Team All-Star, Top Goalie in the tournament, as well as MVP of the Tournament.

Grimsby has claimed eight straight Niagara East division titles from 2003 to 2010, ensuring they have finished in the final eight teams in Ontario over this time, only twice (2006 and 2009) not making the semi-finals (final four teams). In the 2010-2011 season the Peach Kings won their fourth Provincial Title, defeating the Belle River Canadiens in the semi-finals and the defending Ontario Champion Alliston Hornets in the Provincial Finals.

The playoffs for the 2019-20 season were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the team not being able to play a single game.

Season-by-season results[edit]

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
1959-60 24 4 19 1 - 89 193 9 6th NDJBHL
1960-68 Statistics Not Available
1968-69 19 12 6 1 - -- -- 25 3rd IJCHL Lost semi-final
1969-70 30 20 8 2 - 200 148 42 1st IJCHL Won League, lost CSC QF
1970-71 36 18 16 2 - 211 182 38 3rd GHJHL
1971-72 Statistics Not Available
1975-76 40 10 25 5 - 201 257 25 6th GHJHL
1976-77 32 8 18 6 - 173 220 22 4th GHJHL
1977-78 40 23 12 5 - 273 209 51 3rd GHJHL
1978-79 42 21 18 3 - 254 220 45 4th GHJHL
1979-80 44 17 22 5 - 267 274 39 6th GHJHL
1980-81 42 14 25 3 - 218 263 31 6th GHJHL
1981-82 35 10 21 4 - - - 24 6th GHJHL Lost final
1982-83 42 11 30 1 - 223 295 23 8th GHJHL
1983-84 42 12 23 7 - 193 261 31 5th GHJHL
1984-85 42 17 19 6 - 252 280 40 5th GHJHL
1985-86 40 12 26 2 - 160 232 26 10th GHJHL
1986-87 42 14 25 3 - 206 238 31 7th GHJHL
1987-88 42 12 24 6 - 209 272 30 6th GHJHL
1988-89 42 10 28 4 - 154 234 24 7th GHJHL
1989-90 48 5 42 0 1 183 363 11 9th GHJHL
1990-91 36 11 19 6 - 166 218 28 5th NJC-E
1991-92 36 23 8 5 - 228 135 51 1st NJC-E
1992-93 42 24 16 2 - 239 175 50 4th NJC-E
1993-94 42 10 28 4 - 165 227 24 7th NJC-E
1994-95 36 1 34 1 - 95 284 3 7th NJC-E
1995-96 36 11 20 5 - 130 189 27 5th NJC-E
1996-97 36 10 23 2 1 159 239 23 5th NJC-E
1997-98 42 12 27 3 0 149 272 27 6th NJC-E
1998-99 35 16 17 1 1 145 141 34 4th NJC-E
1999-00 36 27 6 - 3 164 114 57 2nd NJC-E
2000-01 36 20 11 4 1 154 114 45 3rd NJC-E
2001-02 36 24 9 3 0 161 110 51 2nd NJC-E
2002-03 36 30 2 3 1 176 95 64 1st NJCHL Won League, won CSC
2003-04 36 28 5 2 1 216 77 59 1st NJCHL Won League, won CSC
2004-05 36 28 5 3 0 202 83 59 1st NJCHL Won League, lost CSC Final
2005-06 36 33 3 0 0 194 82 66 1st NJCHL Lost final (CSC Quarter-final)
2006-07 36 28 7 0 1 207 103 57 1st NJCHL Won League, lost CSC Semi-final
2007-08 36 32 2 2 0 213 62 66 1st NJCHL Won League, lost CSC Semi-Final
2008-09 36 26 8 - 2 150 78 54 1st NJCHL Lost final (CSC Quarter-final)
2009-10 36 27 9 - 0 135 92 54 3rd NJCHL Won League, lost CSC Semi-final
2010-11 36 27 7 - 2 182 99 56 2nd NJCHL Won League, won CSC
2011-12 36 32 4 - 0 171 73 54 1st NJCHL Won League, won CSC
2012-13 38 26 9 - 3 173 90 55 2nd NJC-E Won League, lost CSC Semi-final
2013-14 35 26 8 - 1 140 77 53 1st NJCHL Won League, lost CSC Semi-final
2014-15 42 31 7 - 4 162 99 66 1st NJCHL Won quarters, 4-0 (Storm)
Won semi's, 4-1 (Hawks)
Won League Finals, 4-1 (Blues)
Lost CSC Quarter-finals, 2-4 (Ayr)
2015-16 42 29 10 2 1 181 111 61 2nd of 8 NJCHL Won quarters, 4-2 (Sailors)
Won semifinals, 4-3 (Blues)
Won League Finals, 4-3 (Rangers)
Lost CSC Quarterfinals, 1-4 (Ayr)
2016-17 42 36 5 1 - 201 91 73 1st of 8-PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-0 (Storm)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Jr. Mudcats)
Won Division Finals, 4-2 (Rangers)
Lost Conf. Finals, 0-4 (Ayr)
2017-18 42 37 3 0 2 256 89 76 2nd of 8-PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-0 (Jr. Mudcats)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Sailors)
Lost division finals, 3-4 (Rangers)
2018-19 42 36 4 1 1 194 72 74 1st of 8-PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-1 (Jr. Mudcats)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won Division Finals, 4-2 (Rangers)
Won South Conf. Finals, 4-2 (Applejacks)
Won League Semifinals. 4-2 (Hawks)
Lost League Finals. 1-4 (Raiders)
2019-20 42 31 8 0 3 138 80 65 1st of 8-PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-0 (Jr. Mudcats)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Shamrocks)
incomplete, 1-1 (Rangers)
Playoffs cancelled due to covid
2020-21 Season Lost due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22 30 19 7 3 1 101 67 42 1st of 7-PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-0 (Jr. Mudcats)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Riverhawks)
Won Div. Finals, 4-2 (Rangers)
Won Sou Conf Finals 4-2 (Firebirds)
advance to CSC Championships (see below)
2022-23 42 32 10 0 0 168 105 64 2nd of 7 -PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Won Div Quarters, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-1 (Sailors)
lost Div Finals 1-4 (Rangers)
2023-24 42 32 7 2 1 203 98 67 1st of 7 -PJHL
Bloomfield Div
Div Quarters, bye
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Riverhawks)
tbd Div. Finals, 0-0 (Blues)

Clarence Schmalz Cup appearances[edit]

1940: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Markham Millionaires 3-games-to-2
2003: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Georgina Ice 4-games-to-none
2004: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Wingham Ironmen 4-games-to-none
2005: Essex 73's defeated Grimsby Peach Kings 4-games-to-3
2011: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Alliston Hornets 4-games-to-1
2012: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Alliston Hornets 4-games-to-1
2019: Napanee Raiders defeated Grimsby Peach Kings 4-games-to-1

Championship Playoffs 2022[edit]

Clarence Schmalz Cup Championships

Year Round Robin Record Standing Semifinal Gold Medal Game
2022 L, Lakeshore Canadiens 2-3
OTL, Clarington Eagles 1-2
OTL, Stayner Siskins 2-3
0-1-0-2 4th of 4 L, Lakeshore Canadiens 0-5 n/a

Notable alumni[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ex-Thorold Blackhawk has MVP All-Star moment | St. Catharines Standard". www.stcatharinesstandard.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-02-02.

External links[edit]