The Barrie Flyers junior team was founded in 1945 by Leighton "Hap" Emms. The franchise was soon affiliated with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Barrie quickly became a powerhouse in the OHA. They appeared in the Memorial Cup three times, losing the first time in 1948, then winning twice, in 1951 and 1953. The Emms family relocated the team to Niagara Falls in 1960 where the team continued to win and played for 12 seasons, then relocated to Sudbury to become the Sudbury Wolves.
1948 Memorial Cup
Barrie won the right to play for the cup by defeating the Windsor Spitfires for the OHA championship, and the Montreal Nationales to win the Richardson Trophy as eastern Canadian representatives. The Flyers were runners up for the Memorial Cup in 1948 played at Maple Leaf Gardens. They were swept by the Port Arthur West End Bruins in a best-of-seven series. The series was very physical and bitter between the teams. After the third game, Emms threatened that the Flyers would not continue to play without a change in referees. The series ultimately continued with the same referees. Game 1 Port Arthur 10 vs. Barrie 8 Game 2 Port Arthur 8 vs. Barrie 1 Game 3 Port Arthur 5 vs. Barrie 4 Game 4 Port Arthur 9 vs. Barrie 8
1951 Memorial Cup
Barrie won the right to play for the cup by defeating the Toronto Marlboros for the OHA championship, and the Quebec Citadels in a best-of-seven series to win the Richardson Trophy as eastern Canadian representatives. The series against Quebec was heavily penalized and arguments ensued with the final game being played on neutral ice at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Flyers won the Memorial Cup in 1951 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They swept the Winnipeg Monarchs in a best-of-seven series. Game 1 Barrie 5 vs. Winnipeg 1 Game 2 Barrie 5 vs. Winnipeg 1 Game 3 Barrie 4 vs. Winnipeg 3 Game 4 Barrie 9 vs. Winnipeg 5
1953 Memorial Cup
Barrie won the right to play for the cup by defeating the St. Michael's Majors for the OHA championship. The Flyers won the Memorial Cup in 1953 played at Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. They defeated the St. Boniface Canadiens in a best-of-seven series. Game 1 Barrie 6 vs. St. Boniface 4 Game 2 Barrie 6 vs. St. Boniface 3 Game 3 Barrie 7 vs. St. Boniface 5 Game 4 Barrie 4 vs. St. Boniface 7 Game 5 Barrie 6 vs. St. Boniface 1
Championships
The Barrie Flyers were a dominant team during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and one of a few clubs to win multiple Memorial Cup championships. The Flyers won the Ontario championship 4 times, the Eastern Canadian championship 3 times, and the national championship twice.
