J. Ross Robertson Cup (intermediate ice hockey) explained

J. Ross Robertson Cup
Sport:Ice hockey
League:Ontario Hockey Association
Competition:Intermediate level
Givenfor:Playoffs champion
Country:Canada
First:1898–99
Last:1933–34
Firstwinner:Kingston Frontenacs
Mostwins:Collingwood (5)
Mostrecent:Oakville

The J. Ross Robertson Cup was a Canadian ice hockey trophy. It was awarded annually to the champion of the intermediate division in the Ontario Hockey Association from the 1898–99 season until the 1933–34 season. It was the second of three similarly named trophies donated by John Ross Robertson, which included the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the annual champions of the junior division, and the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the annual champions of senior division.

History

The J. Ross Robertson Cup was donated by John Ross Robertson in 1899, to be awarded annually to the champion of the intermediate division in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA).[1] [2] Robertson served as president of the OHA from 1899 to 1905, had founded the Toronto Evening Telegram, helped establish The Hospital for Sick Children, and served as a member of the House of Commons of Canada for Toronto East. He was against professionalism in sports, and felt that "sport should be pursued for its own sake, for when professionalism begins, true sport ends".[3]

The OHA began the intermediate division for the 1896–97 season.[4] [5] Intermediate division players were rated between the senior and junior divisions. The Kingston Frontenacs team coached by James T. Sutherland won the first J. Ross Robertson Cup awarded to the intermediate hockey division in 1899.[6] The J. Ross Robertson Cup continued to be awarded the OHA intermediate champion until the division was discontinued in 1934.

The J. Ross Robertson Cup was the second of three similarly named trophies Robertson donated to the OHA, which included the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the annual champions of the junior division, and the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the annual champions of senior division.

List of cup winners

List of cup winners:

Year Champion Total goals Finalist
1899 5–2 Guelph National
1900 3–1 Belleville
1901 10–8 Port Hope
1902 7–6 Galt
1903 12–7 Toronto Marlboros
1904 13–11 Midland
1905 9–6 Berlin
1906 Peterborough 14–8 Goderich
1907 Berlin 12–7 Collingwood
1908 Midland 23–20 Collingwood
1909 12–5 Stratford
1910 Collingwood 9–7 London
1911 12–10 Midland
1912 Preston 24–21 Midland
1913 Collingwood 19–9 London
1914 Berlin 5–3 Orillia
1915 Orillia 6–4 Wiarton
1916 19–18 Belleville
1917 9–6 Kitchener
1918 Collingwood 6–5 Oshawa
1919 Collingwood 9–6 Kingston
1920 Collingwood 16–3 Kingston
1921 Galt A.A.A. 7–4 Collingwood
1922 Kitchener 8–2 Niagara Falls
1923 Stratford 2–2 Guelph A.A.A.
1924 Niagara Falls 7–6 Peterborough
1925 11–4 Kingston
1926 6–1 Grimsby
1927 London 12th Battery 3–0 Jordan
1928 2–1 Kitchener-Waterloo
1929 Kitchener 6–3 Willowdale
1930 Paris 8–6 Walkerton
1931 9–3 Chatham
1932 5–4 Doherty A.C., Toronto
Year Champion Total games Finalist
1933 2–1 Oakville
1934 Oakville 2–0 Oshawa

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robertson, John Ross—Biography—Honoured Builder. 1947. Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. January 10, 2021.
  2. Book: Podnieks, Andrew. Andrew Podnieks. Hockey Hall of Fame. Silverware. 2005. Fenn Publishing Company. Bolton, Ontario. 1-55168-296-6. 8–9.
  3. Book: Young, Scott. Scott Young (writer). 100 Years of Dropping the Puck. McClelland & Stewart. 1989. Toronto, Ontario. 0-7710-9093-5. 46–47.
  4. Web site: Other champions. 2012. Ontario Hockey Association. January 11, 2021.
  5. Book: Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. Cambridge, Ontario. W–9.
  6. Book: Fitsell, J.W. (Bill). Bill Fitsell. Captain James T. Sutherland: The Grand Old Man of Hockey & The Battle for the Original Hockey Hall of Fame. Quarry Heritage Books. 30. 2012. Kingston, Ontario. 978-1-55082-374-5.