The Westfort Hurricanes were a Canadian Junior ice hockey club from Fort William, Ontario. The Herks were members of the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League and were Abbott Cup finalists once.

History

In 1972, the Hurricanes broke away from the Thunder Bay Junior A Hockey League to join the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Can-Am Junior Hockey League. A year later, that league became the Midwest Junior Hockey League. The Herks stayed on board for one Midwest Junior season before returning to the TBJHL.^{[citation needed]}

Dave Siciliano coached the Hurricanes during the 1973–74 season.^[1] His team completed the regular season in first place with 45 wins in 60 games.^[2] In the 1974 Centennial Cup playoffs, the Hurricanes defeated the Wexford Raiders four games to three in the first round,^[3] then were defeated four games to three by the Smiths Falls Bears in the second round.^[4]

The MWJHL later merged and solidified the United States Hockey League. The Buccaneers folded on July 6, 1980, when the TBAHA left them with no league to play in.^{[citation needed]}

Season-by-season standings

Playoffs

• 1971 Lost final

Westfort Hurricanes defeated Fort William Canadians 3-games-to-2

Thunder Bay Marrs defeated Westfort Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1972 Lost semi-final

Minnesota Jr. Stars defeated Westfort Hurricanes 2-games-to-none

• 1973 Lost quarter-final/Canadian TBAHA Semi-final

Thunder Bay Centennials defeated Westfort Hurricanes 4-games-to-2

• 1974 Won TBAHA Jack Adams Trophy final, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy final

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Eagles (TBJHL) 3-games-to-none

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Fort William Canadians (TBJHL) 4-games-to-none JACK ADAMS TROPHY CHAMPIONS

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Wexford Raiders (OPJHL) 4-games-to-3

Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-3

• 1975 Lost final

Thunder Bay Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 4-games-to-2

Thunder Bay Eagles defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1976 Lost semi-final

Thunder Bay Beavers defeated Thunder Bay Hurricanes 4-games-to-2

• 1977 Lost final

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 3-games-to-none and 1 tie

Thunder Bay Eagles defeated Degagne Hurricanes 4-games-to-1

• 1978 Won League, lost Hewitt-Dudley Memorial Trophy Quarter-final

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Thunder Bay Beavers 3-games-to-none

Degagne Hurricanes defeated Atikokan Voyageurs 4-games-to-none TBJHL CHAMPIONS

Guelph Platers (OPJHL) defeated Degagne Hurricanes 4-games-to-none

• 1979 Lost final

Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Degagne Buccaneers 4-games-to-1

• 1980 Lost final

Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Degagne Buccaneers 4-games-to-none with 1 tie

Championships

TBJHL Champions:

1942, 1943, 1952, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974*, 1978

Abbott Cup Finalists:

1970

Dudley Hewitt Cup/Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final Champion

1974

(*) denotes: Herks played in MWJHL, rejoined TBJHL for playoffs.

Notable alumni

Fort William Hurricane-Rangers^[5]

• Gus Bodnar
• Alex Delvecchio
• Bill Johansen
• Bud Poile

Fort William Hurricanes^[6]

• Mike Busniuk
• Larry Cahan
• Dave Gatherum
• Eddie Kachur
• Dennis Owchar
• Don Poile
• Vic Venasky
• Tommy Williams
• Gord Wilson

Westfort Hurricanes^[7]

• Lou Nistico
• Murray Wing
• Benny Woit

Thunder Bay Westfort Hurricanes^[8]

• Mike Hordy
• Trevor Johansen