American Hockey League Wiki
Newmarket Saints
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City: Newmarket, Ontario
League: American Hockey League
Conference: Western Conference
Division: North Division
Operated: 1986–1991
Home Arena: Ray Twinney Complex
Colors: Blue and White
General Manager: Gord Stellick
Head Coach: Mike Kitchen 1988–89,
Paul Gardner 1990–1991
Affiliates: Toronto Maple Leafs
Franchise history
1982–1986: St. Catharines Saints
1986–1991: Newmarket Saints
1991–2005: St. John's Maple Leafs
2005–present: Toronto Marlies

The Newmarket Saints were a minor league hockey team in Newmarket, Ontario. It played in the American Hockey League from 1986–91 as the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Ray Twinney Complex. After the 1985–86 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs curiously moved their top affiliate from St. Catharines to a small arena in Newmarket, a town north of Toronto.

Dismal attendance and the unsuitability of both the arena and town for professional hockey resulted in a move to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador for the 1991–92 season where they became the St. John's Maple Leafs. The void in Newmarket would be filled by the Newmarket Royals, of the OHL.

The franchise was replaced by:

  • OHL Newmarket Royals (1991–1994) - moved from Cornwall, now Sarnia Sting
  • OHA Junior A Newmarket Hurricanes

Alumni[]

Former players include:

  • Chris McRae - Detroit Red Wings, Fort Wayne Komets (IHL)
  • Garry Lariviere - Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers
  • Tim Bernhardt - Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames
  • Mike Palmateer - Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals
  • Bob McGill - Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings
  • Barry Melrose - Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, later coach of the Los Angeles Kings (1992-95) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2008).
  • John Kordic - Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques
  • Tie Domi - Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets
  • Allan Bester - Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings
  • Jeff Reese - Toronto Maple Leafs

Season-by-Season Results[]

Regular Season[]

Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL Points Goals
For
Goals
Against
Standing
1982–83 80 33 41 6 72 335 368 6th, South
1983–84 80 43 31 6 92 364 346 3rd, South
1984–85 80 24 50 6 54 272 391 7th, South
1985–86 80 38 37 5 81 304 308 3rd, South
1986–87 80 28 48 4 60 226 337 7th, South
1987–88 80 33 33 8 6 80 282 328 6th, South
1988–89 80 38 36 6 82 339 334 4th, South
1989–90 80 31 33 16 78 305 318 5th, South
1990–91 80 26 45 9 61 278 317 8th, South

Playoffs[]

Season 1st Round 2nd Round Finals
1982–83 Out of Playoffs
1983–84 L, 3–4, Rochester
1984–85 Out of Playoffs
1985–86 W, 4–2, Binghamton L, 3–4, Hershey
1986–87 Out of Playoffs
1987–88 Out of Playoffs
1988–89 L, 1–4, Adirondack
1989–90 Out of Playoffs
1990–91 Out of Playoffs