After playing with the Tiger Cubs, Bob Wall played in the NHL with Detroit, Los Angeles, and Saint Louis, as well as several WHA clubs. Courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator.

Carl Wetzel tended goal for the Tiger Cubs before he went to play in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars. He also spent several years on the US National team. Courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator.

Hockey History

Hamilton Tiger Cubs – 1953 - 1960
Junior club spawned many future NHL players

A new era in hockey was ushered into Hamilton in the early 1950s.

Local media magnate Ken Soble purchased the Barton Street Arena in 1953, renaming the facility The Forum. He also purchased the OHA team, and renamed the team the Hamilton Tiger Cubs.

The team provided some solid hockey for the next several years, and was noted for some of the players that went on to become prominent in the sport. Players such as Murray Oliver, Pat Quinn, and Brian Kilrea all played for the Tiger Cubs. Howie Young, John Miszuk, and Pit Martin all went on to play in the NHL.

The team was rarely in the upper half of the eight-team league. Its best showing was for the 1957-58 season when it placed second with a 27-18-7 record, and was eliminated by the Toronto Marlboroughs four games to one for the Robertson Cup.

After the 1959-60 season, the franchise became part of the Detroit Red Wing organization, with several of the players remaining. Under the direction of Coach Eddie Bush, the team would achieve success, especially in 1962 when it won the Memorial Cup.

Here’s the official portrait of the 1956-57 Hamilton Tiger Cubs. Players on this team such as Murray Oliver, Howie Young, and Carl Wetzel went on to play in the NHL. Submitted by site visitor.

Submitted by site visitor.

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