Toronto 228th Battalion

The Toronto 228th Battalion (NHA) was an ice hockey team, composed entirely of troops in the 228th (Northern Fusiliers) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, in the National Hockey Association (fore-runner to the modern NHL) for the 1916–17 season.

Toronto 228th Battalion
CityToronto, Ontario
LeagueNational Hockey Association
Operated1916–17
Home arenaMutual Street Arena
ColoursKhaki  
General managerLeon Wilson Reade
Head coachHoward McNamara
CaptainHoward McNamara

The battalion assumed the place of the former Toronto Shamrocks franchise, which had been dormant since the end of the 1914–15 season, and played out of the Mutual Street Arena.

Also known as the Northern Fusiliers, the team played wearing khaki military uniforms and was the league's most popular and highest scoring club until the unit was ordered overseas in February 1917 and the team was forced to withdraw. A scandal ensued when several stars were subsequently discharged and alleged they had been promised commissions solely to play hockey.

The NHA then sued the military for $3000 and some game revenues due to the team leaving the league. This lawsuit was not successful.

Team roster

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Coach and team captain Howard McNamara.
 
George McNamara.
Player Pos GP G A Pts PIM
Eddie Oatman F 12 17 5 22 20
George Prodger F 12 16 2 18 30
Amos Arbour F 10 13 2 15 6
Howard McNamara (Head coach) D 12 11 3 14 36
Harry Reynolds 5 6 0 6
Arthur Duncan D 8 4 1 5 6
Gordon Meeking D 11 4 0 4 6
George McNamara F 9 2 0 2 15
Gord Spence D 1 0 0 0
Bill Speck 1 0 0 0
Jack Brown 2 0 0 0
Roxy Beaudro D 8
Howie Lockhart G 12 6W 6L 5.75 GAA 1 SO

Results

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Date Opponent Site TOR OPP Result
December 27, 1916 Ottawa Senators Home 10 7 Win
December 30, 1916 Montreal Wanderers Away 10 4 Win
January 3, 1917 Toronto Hockey Club Away 4 0 Win
January 6, 1917 Quebec Bulldogs Home 16 9 Win
January 10, 1917 Montreal Canadiens Away 1 6 Loss
January 13, 1917 Ottawa Senators Away 1 2 Loss
January 17, 1917 Montreal Wanderers Home 4 10 Loss
January 20, 1917 Toronto Hockey Club Home 8 6 Win
January 24, 1917 Quebec Bulldogs Away 12 4 Win
January 27, 1917 Montreal Canadiens Home 4 9 Loss
January 31, 1917 Ottawa Senators Away 0 8 Loss (228th awarded win due to Ottawa using an ineligible player (Cy Denneny))
February 3, 1917 Montreal Wanderers Home Postponed
February 7, 1917 Toronto Hockey Club Home 3 4 Loss
February 12, 1917 Quebec Bulldogs Away Cancelled (228th was ordered overseas, withdrew from league)

See also

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References

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  • Coleman, Charles (1966). Trail of the Stanley Cup.
  • Holzman, Morey (2002). Deceptions and Doublecross: How the NHL conquered hockey. ISBN 978-1-55002-413-5.