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Russell Jets 1967 - 1969

Metcalf Jets 1969 to Present

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Notable Alumni

Marc Savard

Larry Robinson

Mark Fraser

 

The Metcalfe Jets hockey team joined the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1967-68 as the Russell Jets. The founder/owner was Bill McVey from Merrickville. The original team colors were blue and red and the first coach was Bill Linegar. In 1969 the team was moved to Metcalfe and the colors were changed to the green/gold/white. The first Metcalfe rink was an old wooden building. The building burnt to the ground in 1971 forcing the team to move to Embrun for one and a half seasons. The present arena was built in 1971/1972 and became the home of the Jets in 1972. At that time, the rink ice was not insulated meaning that the ground had to be frozen before the ice surface could be made. Every season, the home games were delayed until suitable ice was available. Finally, in 1990 the arena was upgraded by getting an insulated ice surface and new boards. Still, the Metcalfe Fair uses the arena each fall so the home game opener must be postponed.

Past owners of the team include: the Metcalfe Lions Club (1971-75); Bev Skillen and a group of Metcalfe residents (1975-94); Angus Mieron (1994-97); Kendell Skillen (1997-2001), Tony Guido (2001-2006) and Canadian Rink Factory (Bill Kerr and Peter Goodman 2006-2007 season). 

The team played in the St. Lawrence League of the EOJBHL until 1971. The League was restructured in 1972 when the team was placed in the North - East Division. More restructuring took place in 1974 when they moved to the East Division where they remained until the 1976 season. From 1976 to 1978 the team played in the Metro Division. From 1978 until 1981 they were in the Southeast Division, and from 1982 until 1987 in that same division but renamed as the Alex English Division. The traditional rival during all of these changes was the neighboring Winchester Hawks. The team was moved to the Metro Division in 1987 and it has remained there to the present.

The Metcalfe Jets have a tradition of excellence on the ice and have played for the EOJBHL Championship ten times since the League was founded in 1967. They have won the League Championship in 1968 (as the Russell Jets ); in 1972 ( 4-1 in games against Gatineau Volants) ( see the team picture); in 1983 (against Spencerville Bruins); repeated in 1984 (against Kemptville 73's); in 1987 ( against Westport Rideaus); in 1995 ( 4-0 in games against Gananoque Islanders); and in 2004 (4-2 in games against Alexandria Glens). ( see the team picture) They also played for the championship but lost in 1973 (2-4 in games against Gatineau Volants); in 1997 (3-4 in games against Kemptville 73's); and in 1998 (2-4 in games against Westport Rideaus).

Thanks to Barry and Joanne Nixon for providing past articles from the Winchester Press (Joanne's father Joe Rowan was a reporter/photographer for the newspaper).

 

 

Metcalfe Arena in 1953.

The arena was erected in 1951. Joe Rowan is on the left and Ray Wilson is on the right. Joe Rowan was a reporter/photographer for the Winchester Press. Ray Wilson was instrumental in getting the new arena built in 1971/1972 after this original arena burnt to the ground in January 1971. The Jets played the remainder of the 1970/1971 and the full 1971/1972 season using Embrun as home ice. In May of 1972 the Jets were honored for their Championship win as the first event to take place in the rebuilt arena. Photo supplied by Joanne Nixon, information culled from Winchester press by Anna McDonald in 2009, sister of Rupert who played for the Jets (1969-1973).

 

Winchester Press April 10, 1969

 

 

 

 

 

Manotick Messenger Apri 21, 2004

 

 

 

 

The 2007/2008 Jets

 

The 2008/2009 Jets

The 2009/2010 Jets

Larry Robinson Arena November 2004.

 

Photo by Barry Syrett