1952 Brand Changes

Introducing the Cape Breton Islanders

A few months after acquiring the Saint John Admirals, new owner Henry Walsh announced a press conference to reveal the team’s new identity. As he had previously made known, he wanted the team to represent all of Cape Breton Island, so he renamed the team the Islanders. He also revealed that the team’s new colours would be black, light blue and white.

He would then reveal the team’s new logo. The new logo still features a roundel but is now black with white and light blue borders. Gone is the STJ monogram, and in its place is the shape of Cape Breton Island in light blue.




The next step was to introduce the new uniforms. The references to the Canadian Navy were removed; the uniforms now only have one light blue stripe surrounded by two stripes: white on the black home jersey and socks and black on the white away jersey and socks.



Let me know what you think about the rebrand. You can also start ramping up the sending of prospects for the draft; I still need more skaters.

1952 Retirements

W Marc-Antoine Lacroix
Teams: Montréal Métros (1945-52)
Sound Cups: 1 (1946)
Awards: None

Lacroix was the first-ever star in the ECHO for the Métros, leading the team in goals in 1945-46 and was a consistent scorer for his hometown team. He was also an iron man for Montréal, having missed only two games over the 7 ECHO seasons he gave the Métros. Towards the end of his career, Lacroix was relegated to more of a depth role, and after scoring 17 pts over his last two seasons, the 36-year-old Lacroix decided it was time to hang up his skates.

W William Weber
Teams: Charlottetown Monarchs (1945-50), Trois-Rivières Tigres (1950-52)
Sound Cups: 1 (1947)
Awards: None

Weber had a successful 7-year ECHO career, playing 298 games split between Charlottetown and Trois-Rivières. He recorded 85 goals and 94 assists, accumulating 179 points. Weber was a strong skater and a valuable asset to his teams. He was a crucial player in the 1946-1947 season when he helped lead the Charlottetown Monarchs to a championship victory. Weber decided that at 38, he had played enough and hung up his skates to be with his wife and children back in his hometown of Charlottetown.

Other Notable Retirements

C Rob Marshall
Teams: CHA (1945-46), MTB (1946-52)
C Steven Prince
Teams: MON (1945-46), MTM (1946-50), FRE (1950-52)
W Robert White
Teams: QUE (1945-52)

1952 ECHO Draft

Round 1

1. QUE | W Nicolas Béland | Victoriaville, QC - Burmy87
Desperately needing some help on the wing, the Reds would select the Victoriaville native Nicolas Béland, who should be high in the depth chart with his incredible talent.

2. CB | G David Taylor | Saint John, NB - DireBear
After seeing Quebec pass on Taylor, the Islanders would make the easy choice and select the top goalie prospect with the 2nd pick. Taylor should start as a backup behind Andy Fox, but don't be surprised if he's the starter by the end of his rookie contract.

3. FRE | W Maxime Savard | Fredericton, NB - Kingsfan11
The Stars would take the hometown kid in Savard at number 3 despite better wingers still on the board. Savard should be a great help on the wing for Fredericton, who needs to improve in that department.

4. OTT | C Lee Harper | Hamilton, ON - Dan O'Mac
At number 4, the Knights would get the best center in the draft in Harper, who was slated to be a top pick in the OEHL draft but decided to declare for the ECHO draft instead. Harper is an excellent addition to Ottawa's roster with his quickness and remarkable ability to get goals from anywhere in the offensive zone.

5. TRV | C Emmanuel Gatewood | Richmond, QC - Kingsfan11
Trois-Rivières would follow by taking the 2nd best center in Gatewood, who should immediately impact a Tigres squad looking to improve their performance from last year.

6. CHA | C Yvon Robichaud | Granby, QC - FC Macbeth
Charlottetown would continue the run of centers by taking Yvon Robichaud. The Granby native should provide some depth at center for the Monarchs in his rookie season but could gain a more prominent role.

7. MTM | C Jacques Saint-Louis | Quebec City, QC - idm
The Métros would also select a center with their first-round pick, taking the small and speedy center in Jacques Saint-Louis. He should provide some depth at center for a Métros team looking to return to the Sound Cup Finals.

8. HFX | W Stephen Collins | Ottawa, ON - FC Macbeth
Halifax would make an easy decision and take the 2nd best winger of the class in Stephen Collins. The Highlanders will count on his playmaking abilities to get the puck in the net by any means.

9. MTB | D Martin Pickford | Val-d’Or, QC - Jayhawk
The Beavers would be the first team to select a defenseman in this draft, going with the interesting character that is Martin Pickford. The hard-hitting defenseman should add depth to the team's defence and has the potential to climb the depth chart quickly.

10. MON | W Samuel Lamothe | Saint-Agathe-des-Monts, QC - DireBear
The defending champs would end the first round by taking a winger in Samuel Lamothe, whose speed and playmaking abilities should help the Generals remain contenders.


Round 2
During the second round, Quebec chose center Ed Herring for their team despite some concerns raised by others. Following Quebec, Cape Breton selected winger Edmund Hull, while Fredericton chose Vincent Carroll as their goalie. Notably, for the second year running, Fredericton has selected a goalie whose initials are VC. Ottawa added James Vachon, known for his hard-hitting defensive skills, to their team. Trois-Rivières opted for center Antoine Verret, while Charlottetown chose defenseman Geoffrey Jeffries. The Métros selected talented hometown winger Philippe Trasolini, and Halifax added center Carl Blais to their roster. The Beavers team selected playmaking winger Leo Banks, and the round ended with Moncton choosing defenseman Anthony Campbell.

11. QUE| C Ed Herring | Richmond, QC - Kingsfan11
12. CB | W Edmund Hull | Yarmouth, NS - FC Macbeth
13. FRE | G Vincent Carroll | Moncton, NB - Burmy87
14. OTT | D James Vachon | Sydney Mines, NS - DireBear
15. TRV | C Antoine Verret | Beloeil, QC - Burmy87
16. CHA | D Geoffrey Jeffries | Moncton, NB - idm
17. MTM | W Philippe Trasolini | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
18. HFX | C Carl Blais | Ottawa, ON - Kingsfan11
19. MTB | W Leo Banks | Pembroke, ON - DireBear
20. MON | D Anthony Campbell | Yarmouth, NS - Kingsfan11

Round 3
In the draft's third round, the Reds picked winger Fred Twist, while Cape Breton opted for defenseman Roger Legault. Fredericton selected winger Thomas Welkin with their pick, and Ottawa made an intriguing decision by drafting defenseman Cooper Deebie, who was known to disappear in critical moments. Trois-Rivières then selected winger Nathaniel Cardinal, who has earned the "Radical Redbird" moniker for his flashiness on the ice, followed by Charlottetown, who picked the hometown goalie prospect Zach Soloway. The remaining four picks of the round were all defensemen: William Gray to the Métros, Tristan Monette to Halifax, Damian Stewart to the Beavers, and Felix King, son of Bernard King, to Moncton.

21. QUE | W Fred Twist | Sydney, NS - idm
22. CB | D Roger Legault | Trois-Rivières, QC - Kingsfan11
23. FRE | W Thomas Welkin | Summerside, PEI - FC Macbeth
24. OTT | D Cooper Deebie | Portland, ON - idm
25. TRV | W Nathaniel Cardinal | Bathurst, NB - Burmy87
26. CHA | G Zach Soloway | Charlottetown, PEI - idm
27. MTM | D William Gray | Lunenburg, NS - FC Macbeth
28. HFX | D Tristan Monette | Saint-Hyacinthe, QC - Burmy87
29. MTB | D Damian Stewart | Toronto, ON - DireBear
30. MON | D Felix King | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11

Round 4
Quebec would grab another winger for the final round. They went with Stephen Muller, who hails from Montreal. The following two picks were from Rimouski. Cape Breton chose center Frank Fredericks, and Fredericton picked winger Eymeric Masson. Ottawa and Trois-Rivières followed by taking centers Alfred Lefebvre and Vincent Robertson, respectively. Charlottetown then took winger Eli Mullins, and the Métros also chose a winger, Tyler Bourne, with their final pick. Halifax went for defenseman Quinton Burchill, and the Beavers picked winger Nicholas Atkinson. Finally, Moncton went with defenseman Vincent Kirouac to conclude the draft.

31. QUE | W Stephen Muller | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
32. CB | C Frank Fredericks | Rimouski, QC - FC Macbeth
33. FRE | W Eymeric Masson | Rimouski, QC - Burmy87
34. OTT | C Alfred Lefebvre | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
35. TRV | C Vincent Robertson | Halifax, NS - Kingsfan11
36. CHA | W Eli Mullins | Fredericton, NB - Kingsfan11
37. MTM | W Tyler Bourne | Kentville, NS - Burmy87
38. HFX | D Quinton Burchill | Renfrew, ON - FC Macbeth
39. MTB | W Nicholas Atkinson | Sydney, NS - Kingsfan11
40.MON | D Vincent Kirouac | Saint-Agathe-des-Monts, QC - Burmy87


Undrafted
W Gideon Webster | Fredericton, NB - Burmy87
D Sully Morrison | Grand Falls-Windsor, NL - Burmy87
D Anthony Lavoie | Sherbrooke, QC - Kingsfan11
W Michael Grant | Ottawa, ON - Kingsfan11
C Jacques Beaudry | Montmagny, QC - Kingsfan11
C Leonard Wilson | Miramichi, NB - Kingsfan11

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (11/25/2023 8:30 pm)

sheesh, look at the metros with three of the top 5 free agents

1952/53 Season Preview (Power Rankings)

1- Halifax Highlanders
The Halifax Highlanders are preparing for the upcoming season with a mix of experienced players and promising young talent. They hope to build upon their success from last year's Atlantic Division Final. Alex Davis, a veteran goalie with years of experience, will be their primary goaltender, with Tristan Campbell and Jamie Scott as backups. On defence, the Highlanders have a balanced group of players, including Stanley Blackwood, Alain Leblanc, Dan James, and Chris Davis, who will provide depth and stability. The forward group includes Sean Fontana as a skilled center, Antony Sinclair, Charlie Ellis, and Robert Mayne, who brings speed and scoring potential to the team. Additionally, some promising young players, such as William MacDougall, Pierre Tremblay, and Andre Preston, will be able to make an impact. Ultimately, the team's success will depend on how well they work together and perform when it matters most.

Best Player: G Alex Davis
Best Rookie: W Stephen Collins

2- Charlottetown Monarchs
The Charlottetown Monarchs are a team that hasn't made the playoffs in three years. They want to turn things around this season. They hope to push for the playoffs by adding new players and young talent. The team's goalie, Stanley Fraser, has significantly improved during the off-season. This could be a game-changer for the team. Veteran goalie Peter Chiasson will provide experience and stability in the net. Draft pick Zach Soloway adds depth to the goalie department. The Monarchs have a combination of seasoned players and young prospects on defence. Kevin Taylor will be the anchor of the defence and will provide leadership. Each player brings a unique skill set and will contribute to the team's defensive efforts. The team has some key players on their offence. Jacques Tremblay has high expectations, having improved his overall game. Charles Morin also has the potential to make a significant impact. Their contributions will be vital to the team's offensive success. The team's success in the upcoming season will depend on how well the new players integrate with the existing roster and how quickly the young prospects adapt to the level. With a better goaltending situation and improvements on both ends of the ice, the Monarchs have a real chance to compete for a playoff spot this season.

Best Player: G Stanley Fraser
Best Rookie: C Yvon Robichaud

3- Moncton Generals
After winning the championship last year, the Moncton Generals have much to prove this season, especially after losing their star goaltender, Emmett O'Leary, in the offseason. A seasoned center, Allan Wilson, is expected to lead the offence again. Richard Tardif and Faith Hebert are experienced veterans who will provide leadership on and off the ice. Oscar Wilson, Michael Vanier, and Daniel Hebert complete the center position, providing depth and versatility. On the wing, the Generals are led by Steve Wetherell, a young and talented player with significant potential. Craig Therrien and Tim Lisle are expected to bring their skills to the Generals' offensive strategy, while Andrew Postl, John Ducharme, William Woods, Terry Gemmill, and Samuel Lamothe develop their talents under the veterans. On defence, Rick Murray anchors the blue line with his defensive prowess and leadership, while Glen Wallace, Gordon Cameron, Leonard Lefèvre, Bartholomé Carpentier, and Abélard Leroy are expected to provide depth and versatility. In the net, William Parker, who showed a lot of promise last year, will aim to fill the void left by O'Leary's departure. Overall, the Moncton Generals have a strong roster led by veterans with a wealth of experience from their previous championship-winning season. With a balanced team of veterans and promising young players, the Generals have the potential to make another significant run in the playoffs.

Best Player: D Rick Murray
Best Rookie: W Samuel Lamothe

4- Trois-Rivières Tigres
The Trois-Rivières Tigres are coming off a solid second season, narrowly missing the playoffs by a couple of wins. However, this year, they aim to go further and make their playoff aspirations a reality. With the acquisition of prized free agent goalie Emmett O'Leary, the Tigres have added a crucial piece to their roster, boosting their goaltending depth. On offence, the Tigres have a solid core of players with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young prospects. Emmanuel Gatewood, the team’s most recent first-round pick, has impressed during the preseason, increasing his standing with the team. Andre Michaud provides reliable scoring options. Earl Baker and Michael MacKenzie, two experienced veterans, will be counted on to lead and guide the younger players. Antoine Verret, Bobby Johnson, and Vincent Robertson complete the lineup, aiming to provide offensive depth. On defence, the Tigres have several talented players with different skill sets. Jean-Francois Doyle will lead the defensive core and provide stability. Dawson Newton, Tyler Thompson, and William Paquette bring youth and offensive capabilities to the defence. Chris Mackenzie, Bryan Jack-Kurdyla, and Kevin Michaud provide the defensive coverage and steady play they are known for. In goal, the addition of Emmett O'Leary creates a formidable goaltending duo with Homer Rodgers. With his remarkable potential, O'Leary can be a game-changer between the pipes and Rodgers provides the experience and stability needed in pressure situations. Overall, the Trois-Rivières Tigres have a balanced lineup with experienced veterans and promising young players. With the offseason acquisition of O'Leary, the Tigres have solidified their goaltending department. While they may still be considered an underdog, they have a significant chance to compete with other teams in their division for a playoff spot.

Best Player: G Emmett O’Leary
Best Rookie: C Emmanuel Gatewood

5- Montreal Métros
After finishing in the semi-finals last year, the Montréal Métros are poised to make a deeper run in the playoffs, thanks to a solid and experienced lineup. Yvan Roy, a stud center, leads the offensive charge. Edouard Lefebvre, a young and promising prospect, is expected to contribute significantly to the team's scoring. Alex Fortin, Bill Walker Jr., and Jacques Saint-Louis provide depth and are expected to develop further. On the wing, the Métros have a strong group of players, including Tristan Loubier, a clutch scorer, and Jean Sirois, a playmaker who excels in the power play. Sage Steeves and James LeRoux provide steady play, and Georges Héroux, Edward Cho, Michael Gray, and Tyler Bourne offer young talent with potential. Todd Mayala, Frank Wilson, and Philippe Trasolini round off the wing position poised to learn and grow under the veterans. On defence, the Métros have several talented players who excel in different specialties, including Arthur MacDonald, a stalwart with excellent skating and stick-handling abilities. Ronald Miller adds stability and leadership to the unit. David Grenier, Garry Paterson, Bob Jenkins, William Gray, and Marion MacArthur are expected to provide versatility and depth for the Métros.In the net, Louis Giroux returns as the primary goaltender, with Jalen Knevel providing significant depth. Overall, the Montréal Métros have an exceptional roster, balanced by experienced veterans and young promising talent. With their strong leadership and depth on both sides of the game, the Métros are expected to make a strong playoff push this year.


6- Cape Breton Islanders
The Cape Breton Islanders hope to make a substantial impact in their new city and improve their standings in the league. Last season, they finished near the bottom of the league, but they have made some key additions during the offseason to bolster their roster. The Islanders have a solid offensive lineup, including Guy Morrison, a reliable center with strong offensive skills. Norman Campbell, a promising young player, was signed as a free agent and is expected to contribute significantly to the team's offence. Veteran players Robert Davis and Harvey Wilson will provide leadership and guidance to the younger players. Patrick Winters, Harold Sullivan, and Frank Fredericks will contribute significantly to the team's scoring depth. On defence, the Islanders have several talented players who will be crucial in stopping their opponents. Arthur Tremblay and Joe Plante are experienced defensemen. Ryan Wilkinson, Dewey Nichols, Harry Tubbs, and Léonce Dupond are essential players on the Islanders' blue line. Clark Brodhead and Roger Legault will provide additional depth and versatility to the defensive unit. The Islanders have a talented group of goaltenders. Andy Fox, who has improved this offseason, will lead the team. David Taylor provides additional depth and potential for further development. Bruce Lavoie and Phillip Myorca round out the goaltending department. While the Cape Breton Islanders may not be considered a top contender this season, they have made significant improvements and will look to improve their performance from last season.

Best Player: C Guy Morrison
Best Rookie: G David Taylor


7- Montreal Beavers
The Montreal Beavers are hungry for redemption after losing to the Moncton Generals in last year's Sound Cup finals. Thierry Rousseau, a talented playmaker, leads the center position with his impressive ratings. Henry Potvin, Gordie Silver, Dan Dumont, Maverick Gauvin, Jock Stewart, Jeff Finnegan, and Hank Rodriguez offer depth and variety to the position. On the wing, Jacob Cox, John Peters, Edward MacAllister, Ernest Kessler, Danny Evans, Robert Bonfils, Eric Russell, Leo Banks, and Nicholas Atkinson are all young players with significant development potential. The addition of Banks and Atkinson in this year's draft will provide some much-needed energy and enthusiasm to the team. On defence, Chris King, Jack Galloway, Larry Crawford, Randall Clarke, Maxime LeBlanc, Brett Laleye, Martin Pickford, and Damian Stewart offer a balance of experience and potential. King, in particular, is expected to be a standout player, while Pickford, the Beavers' first-round draft pick, has shown much promise in the preseason. In the net, Glen Lloyd returns as the primary goaltender, with William Steeves as backup. Overall, the Montreal Beavers have a young and talented roster, with many players yet to reach their full potential. However, their enthusiasm, determination, and solid veterans could make for a potentially dangerous team.

Best Player: C Thierry Rousseau
Best Rookie: D Martin Pickford

8- Ottawa Knights
The Ottawa Knights had a disappointing season last year, missing the playoffs and finishing fourth in their division. Doug Fournier, a solid two-way center, leads the offence with Gabriel Caron and Lee Harper, who is expected to bring depth and variety to the position. Shawn Harrison and Daniel Bernard provide additional support. Joseph Drouin, Glen Nash, James Martin, Roland Colbert, and Henry Lee offer potential and talent on the wing. At the same time, veterans Joe Djogo, Lloyd Plante, Aaron Edwards, and Robert Gill bring experience to the position. On defence, Gilbert Houle, Kevin McMillan, Gerald Mulder, Rolland Wallace, James Vachon, Brian Perron, Lucien Dubois, Vincent Lambton, Cooper Deebie, Wayne MacEachern, and John Smith form a deep and versatile blue line. David Moreau and Tom Mullings are both experienced goaltenders in the net, with Anthony Brown offering future potential. The Ottawa Knights have a balanced roster, including experienced veterans and young talent. However, they must significantly improve to make a playoff run this year.

Best Player: D Gilbert Houle
Best Rookie: C Lee Harper

9- Fredericton Stars
The Fredericton Stars missed the playoffs last year, finishing fourth in their division. However, they have made some strong additions to their roster. Justin Manojlovic provides a veteran presence at the center, while Les Conner, Andrew Dupont, Luc Rousseau, Maxime Chevalier, and Albert Leclerc offer depth. On the wing, the team has some talented players, such as Earl Barber, Martin Lindsay, Maxime Savard, Erik Smith, Jacques Dubois, Thomas Welkin, and Eymeric Masson. They have also added Robert Leblanc, an elite defenseman, to an already strong blue line that includes Simon St-Pierre, Hugh MacKenzie, Kevin Larkin, Rémi Bellefeuille, Shawn Ouellet, Jean Tremblay, and Darby Averill. In the net, Victor Carbonneau, the first overall pick in 1951, is a promising young goaltender, while Vincent Carroll offers depth and potential. Carol Blanchard is also on the roster. Overall, the Fredericton Stars look poised to make a playoff push this year. They have added strong talent and depth to their roster in both forwards and defensemen. If they can get consistent goaltending, they have the potential to be a competitive team in the league.

Best Player: D Robert Leblanc
Best Rookie: W Maxime Savard


10- Quebec Reds
The Quebec Reds struggled immensely last year, finishing as the worst team in the league. However, they have some young talent on their roster, including Bobby Postl, Hector Richard, Bill Thompson, Ed Herring, and Nicolas Béland. James Stewart is a solid veteran center, but the team lacks depth and experience in this position. The team has talented players on the wing, such as Pierre Lévesque, Fred Twist, Murray Brissett, and Chris Postl. However, they must step up their game and provide more consistent offence to help the team compete. On defence, Andrew Mike, Evan James, Étienne Tremblay, Ross Henry, Bob Dezouvre, Émile LeBlanc, David Murray, and Ezra MacLeod form a solid if unspectacular blue line. Patrick Bell returns as the primary goaltender, with some potential for improvement. Overall, the Quebec Reds face an uphill battle this year to climb out of the league basement. While they have added some talent, it is unclear whether they have enough to compete with the top teams in the league.

Best Player: W Roy Davies
Best Rookie: W Nicolas Béland

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (12/04/2023 9:16 pm)