image 9a540d8a0568e53e4b4f65832fbdce77

1951 Lethbridge Maple Leafs to Be Recognized

WHC.001.11
|
January 18, 2011
|

Lethbridge, AB – At a special media gathering this morning at the Galt Museum the Lethbridge Hurricanes were very proud to unveil a special jersey to be worn for their game on January 25th, 2011 against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The jersey is being worn to honor the 1951 Lethbridge Maple Leafs who 60 years ago – Represented Canada and were victorious in the 1951 World Amateur Hockey Championships in Paris, France.

“The sweaters are great, they are an exact duplicate of the sweaters we wore in 1951.” said former Maple Leaf Tom Wood “I think they make a wonderful souvenir of that special event in the history of sport in the City of Lethbridge.”

After being selected as Canada’s representatives - the Canadian team from Lethbridge dominated play in Europe - outscoring the competition with 62 goals for and only 6 against while facing teams that included Finland (11-1), Norway (8-0), England (17-1), the United States (16-2), Switzerland (5-1) and Sweden in the championship game (5-1) Dubbed after their victory as “The Greatest team ever to show in Europe”, the Maple Leafs followed this remarkable achievement by winning the Winston Churchill Ice Hockey Series tournament in England.  They accomplished this by downing the United States team 5-0 and the English All-Star team 4-3.

The Maple Leafs played in front of 400,000 people and travelled 30,000 miles through 14 countries in their four-month long adventure before heading home to be welcomed like heroes. Thousands celebrated the players by hosting a special banquet and holding a parade in their honor. The Hurricanes players representing Lethbridge Hockey today are very proud to wear these replica jerseys in honor of the players who represented Lethbridge on the world stage 60 years ago.

"I am very honored that the Hurricanes are wearing an exact replica of our jersey's from 1951.” said former Maple Leaf Nap Milroy who the Hurricanes were honored to have in attendance this morning adding “We never would have guessed that our winning the World Cup Championship in 1951 would have had such a long lasting effect - It is a very proud and humble moment as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our win."

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

Recent News
Most Popular
Videos
Photos
HCC: One For All in Yellowknife
One For All celebrated women’s hockey with more than 300 participants.
2024 NWT Rivalry Series: CAN 6 – USA 1 (Game 7)
Spooner and Maltais scored twice to lead Canada to win the series.
2023-24 NWT: CAN 3 – USA 0 (Game 6)
Maschmeyer made 27 saves for the shutout to tie the Rivalry Series.
2023-24 NWT: CAN 4 – USA 2 (Game 5)
Bell, Fast and Stacey scored late to help Canada stay alive.
Schedule