1952/53 Regular Season



St.Lawrence Division: After finishing 4th in the division last year, the Ottawa Knights would reclaim the division title thanks to some great scoring seasons from centers Gabriel Caron and Doug Fournier, wingers Robert Gill and Joe Djogo, along with defenseman Kevin McMillan, with rookies Lee Harper and James Vachon chipping in as well. Joining the Knights in the playoffs will be the Trois-Rivières Tigres, who significantly improved thanks to the arrival of goalie Emmett O’Leary and a great scoring season from winger Ephraim Gauthier helping them make the playoffs in their third season in the league. Finishing just outside the playoffs are the Montreal Beavers, who watched as Trois-Rivières won their last seven games to clinch a playoff spot. In 4th place, we find the Montréal Métros despite an excellent 62-point season by center Edouard Lefebvre and a 57-point season from winger Tristan Loubier. Dead last in the division and the league for the second year in a row is Quebec, who lacked a true scorer and also a backup goalie to rest Patrick Bell, who had a rough season as a result.

Atlantic Division: Halifax would reclaim the division title aided by some solid scoring production, including a 64-point season from center William MacDougall and a great season from goalie Alex Davis. Moncton, who was propelled by a 67-point season from center Allan Wilson and some solid goaltending by new starting goalie William Parker, is joining Halifax in the playoffs. Finishing 3rd in the division is Cape Breton, who had a resurgence thanks to everybody on the team contributing to the scoring but could never quite catch the top 2. In 4th place, we find Charlottetown, who had another disappointing and injury-ridden season despite the good goaltending from Stanley Fraser and some good scoring performances from Jacques Tremblay and Ken Chang. At the bottom of the division, we find Fredericton, who just couldn't get it going despite Justin Manojlovic’s 64-point season and the goalie tandem of Victor Carbonneau and Vincent Carroll’s best efforts.


In-season Trades:

Early in the season, Halifax would trade G Jamie Scott to Cape Breton, receiving C Harvey Wilson in return.

A few days before the trade deadline, the Montreal Beavers traded C Hank Rodriguez to Ottawa for C Alfred Lefebvre.

1953 Sound Cup Playoffs Bracket


Let me know what you think of this regular season. Predictions are welcome, and so are questions about the ECHO universe (ECHOverse?)

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (12/10/2023 6:06 pm)

1953 Sound Cup Finals
Moncton Generals vs Ottawa Knights

Game 1: OTT 2 @ MON 1 (F/OT) The arena was electric as both teams battled it out with penalties and scoring chances in the first period. But Ottawa center Lee Harper lit up the scoreboard with the series' opening goal, beating Moncton goalie William Parker below the glove on the powerplay. The Generals fought back hard in the second period, with the Knights struggling to capitalize on their penalties. It looked like the game could go either way until a blast from Generals center Oscar Wilson tied the score at 1. The third period was a nail-biting affair, with both teams pushing for the win, but it wasn't enough to break the tie. Overtime was intense, with both teams giving it their all, until midway through when Moncton winger Daniel Hebert was given a penalty, giving the Knights the edge they needed. Ottawa defenseman Gerald Mulder seized the opportunity and fired a quick shot into the back of the net on the ensuing powerplay, clinching the opening series lead with a 2-1 win.

Game 2: OTT 2 @ MON 3 (F/OT) Moncton was determined not to go down into a 2-0 hole, and they came out of the gate guns blazing, doubling Ottawa's shots until late in the first period until finally, Generals winger Craig Therrien lobbed a wrist shot over the Knights goalie's pad to open the score. The second period was filled with scoring opportunities from both teams, with Ottawa getting a couple of power plays that they couldn't capitalize on. However, early in the third period, the Knights would finally get on the board thanks to a quick wrist shot from Joe Djogo, beating Moncton goalie William Parker blocker-side. Later in the third period, Ottawa defenseman James Vachon would take a penalty that would be very costly. Generals winger Daniel Hebert would use the ensuing power play to blast the puck past the Knights netminder, putting Moncton up 2-1. However, Ottawa wasn't going to be outdone, and they tied it up at two a couple of minutes later when center Doug Fournier's wrist shot made it into the back of the Generals' net. The 2-2 deadlock would remain until the end of regulation, and for the second game in a row, the two teams would need overtime to decide the winner. Early into the overtime period, Moncton center Faith Hebert won a face-off in the offensive zone before giving it to winger John Ducharme, who sent it to the net. The Knights' goalie blocked it, but the puck landed directly on Generals' winger Andrew Postl's stick, who was able to score the game-winning, series-tying goal. The Moncton crowd went wild as the Generals celebrated their hard-fought victory. With the series now tied at 1-1, it was anyone's game as the two teams headed into Game 3.

Game 3: MON 5 @ OTT 3 As the series switched to Ottawa, the Generals got off to a quick start, with Moncton center Allan Wilson opening the scoring on the powerplay barely 3 minutes into the game. A few minutes later, Generals winger William Woods would double his team's lead with a well-placed wrist shot, but the Knights would get one back thanks to winger Joseph Drouin sending the puck directly into the top right corner of the net a few minutes later. Late in the first period, after many chances by both teams, Ottawa center Gabriel Caron would find the back of the net on a quick wrist shot to tie the game at two apiece. Moncton would retake the lead early in the second period when center Oscar Wilson would flick the puck over the right pad of Knights netminder David Moreau. A few minutes later, Generals defenseman Rick Murray would take a penalty that would be costly as Ottawa's Gabriel Caron would score his second of the night to tie the game at 3. Of course, that didn't deter Moncton, who would retake the lead a few minutes later when winger John Ducharme's thunderous slap shot found the back of the net. After that, the Generals would hold tight defensively for the rest of the game, with winger Daniel Hebert adding a goal on the powerplay late in the third period as Moncton took a 2-1 series lead with a 5-3 win.

Game 4: MON 1 @ OTT 2 Determined not to fall into a 3-1 hole, Ottawa would start the game strong, sending shot after shot on Moncton goaltender William Parker, who would stop every puck dead in its tracks. Eventually, the Knights would get a break as Generals defenseman Gordon Shaw would be sent to the penalty box midway through the first period, and on the ensuing powerplay, Ottawa winger Aaron Edwards would let off a wrist shot that would bank off the right post and into the net behind the Moncton goalie to give the Knights the opening lead. Late in the first period, Edwards would double the Ottawa lead with his second of the night as his precise shot would beat Generals goaltender William Parker just below the glove. Of course, Moncton wouldn't let themselves get rolled over, and midway through the second period, winger Tim Lisle would blast the puck past Knights netminder David Moreau to cut the lead in half. Unfortunately for the Generals, Ottawa would hold tight defensively for the rest of the game to tie the series at 2 with a 2-1 win.

Game 5: OTT 4 @ MON 5 (F/OT) 5 minutes into the first period of Game 5, Ottawa got on the board when center Doug Fournier took the puck off the rebound from his own shot and put it past Moncton's William Parker with a simple flick over the netminder's left pad. Moncton didn't take that lightly, and a few minutes later, Generals winger Tim Lisle's wrist shot found the back of the net after it ricocheted off the right post, and then later in the period, while on the powerplay, Moncton center Oscar Wilson would blast the puck past Knights goaltender David Moreau to give his team a 2-1 lead. Ottawa didn't take long to reply as a couple of minutes later, Knights winger Robert Gill would deflect his teammate Aaron Edwards' shot past the Generals goalie to tie the game at 2, and then a few minutes after that, center Lee Harper would put Ottawa back in the lead with a thunderous slapshot. After a goal-filled first period, the two teams went more defensive in the second, until late in the second period, when Knights center Doug Fournier was awarded a penalty for high sticking, which would prove costly as Moncton winger Craig Therrien would bury a rebound on the ensuing powerplay to tie the game at 3. After that, the two teams would continue their defensive stances until late in the third period, when Generals winger Tim Lisle would score his second of the night by blasting the puck past Ottawa netminder David Moreau to put Moncton in the lead again, but the Knights wouldn't give up and in the dying second of the third period, winger Lloyd Plante's slapshot would make its way into the back of the Generals to tie the game at four apiece and send the two teams to overtime for the 3rd time in the series. Less than a minute into overtime, Moncton winger Daniel Hebert would beat Ottawa's David Moreau with a quick wrist shot right below the glove to give the Generals the 3-2 series and a chance to clinch the Sound Cup title in the next game.

Game 6: MON 1 @ OTT 3 This pivotal Game 6 started with both teams trading scoring chances until about midway through the first period when Moncton defenseman Bartholomé Carpentier was sent to the penalty box, which would end up costing the Generals as Ottawa defenseman Rolland Wallace would send a wrist shot flying into the back of the Moncton net to open the scoring on the subsequent powerplay. However, the Generals would reply with winger John Ducharme beating the Knights goalie with a quick wrist shot in the dying seconds of the first period. Early in the second period, Moncton would get into penalty trouble again, and Ottawa would make them pay again, this time with winger Robert Gill sending a quick wrist shot past Generals netminder William Parker to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. Ottawa would continue to dominate, and then late in the third period, center Gabriel Caron would give the Knights a 2-goal lead, which would stand until the final horn as Ottawa forced an ultimate Game 7 with a 3-1 win.

Game 7: OTT 3 @ MON 4 (F/2OT) The atmosphere was tense as the teams skated onto the ice at Moncton Memorial Arena for the ultimate game 7, with both teams trying to claim their second Sound Cup triumph. It would be Ottawa that would open the scoring when center Lee Harper's slapshot found its way into the back of the Moncton net about midway through the first period, and then a few minutes later, Knights defenseman James Vachon would double his team's lead with a well-placed wrist shot on the powerplay. Ottawa would then control the game defensively until late in the second period, when Generals defenseman Rick Murray would blast the puck past Knights goalie David Moreau to cut the lead in half. Murray would strike again early in the third period when his precise shot passed Ottawa's David Moreau on its way to the back of the net to tie the game at 2, but later in the third period, Knights winger Robert Gill would put his team back in the lead with a quick wrist shot that would beat Moncton netminder William Parker right below the glove. Of course, the Generals wouldn't go away that easily, and a few minutes later, center Oscar Wilson's shot would bank off the left post and into the back of the net to tie the game at 3. As the horn ending the 3rd period sounded, the two teams were still tied 3-3 and would need overtime to decide who would lift the Sound Cup. After 20 minutes of overtime filled with scoring chances, penalties and even a few fights, the 3-3 tie still stood, and a second period of overtime would be needed. As the second period of extra time advanced, it looked like it would end like the first one, but late in the period, Moncton winger Craig Therrien would enter the offensive zone with the puck before relaying it to his winger teammate Tim Lisle, who was posted right in front of the net. Upon receiving the puck, Lisle would send it soaring right over Ottawa goalie David Moreau's outstretched glove and into the back of the net to clinch Moncton's second consecutive Sound Cup triumph. The Generals players would mob around Lisle as they celebrated their triumph in front of their ecstatic home fans and then parade the Sound Cup around the ice.



1953 Sound Cup Champions: Moncton Generals (2)



Let me know what you think. Comments and criticisms are welcome.
 

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (12/21/2023 7:26 pm)

1953 ECHO Brand Changes

Ottawa Knights

The Knights would change the colouring of the numbers on the back of their jerseys. On the home set, the gold and black have been switched. On the road jerseys, the numbers change from black to red.


#67 D Gilbert Houle / # 44 C Doug Fournier


Quebec Reds

Quebec would replace their logo with an updated diagonal “REDS” wordmark on the home jerseys and a new “QUEBEC” wordmark on the road jerseys. They would also replace the wide hem stripe with two smaller stripes.




#44 W Roy Davies / # 55 G Patrick Bell

Let me know what you think of these updates. I also need more prospects for the upcoming draft, mainly wingers and defensemen.

1953 Retirements

G Nicolas Deschênes
Teams: Montreal Métros (1945-50), Trois-Rivières Tigres (1950-53)
Sound Cups: 1 (1946)
Awards: Sound Cup Playoffs MVP (1946), Goalie of the Year (1946)

Deschênes was the Métros' leading man in the net for almost his entire career, backstopping them to the first-ever Sound Cup championship win. As the years went by, Deschênes found himself further down the pecking order of goalies in the ECHO, and after not seeing the ice at all during his last few years, the Montreal native decided it was time to retire.

C Normand Coulombe
Teams: Montreal Métros (1946-49), Ottawa Knights (1949-53)
Sound Cups: 1 (1946)
Awards: None

Over his eight years in the ECHO, Coulombe played 303 games, scoring 64 goals and providing 154 assists for 218 points. Coulombe's peak season was in 1947-1948, when he scored 54 points, showcasing his impressive offensive abilities. Coulombe was known as a valuable team member.

W Kain Marshall
Teams: Charlottetown Monarchs (1945-50), Fredericton Stars (1950-53)
Sound Cups: 1 (1947)
Awards: None

Over his eight-year ECHO career, Marshall played 302 games, scoring 89 goals and providing 93 assists for 182. Teammates, coaches, and fans will miss Marshall's strong physical presence, leadership, and contributions.


Other Notable Retirements

C Bradley Stewart
Teams: HFX (1945-46), QUE (1946-53)

W Raymond Brooks
Teams: OTT (1945-50*), FRE (1950-53)

G Dave LaRoche
Teams: MTB (1946-53)

C Michael Anderson
Teams: MTB (1946-53)

Let me know what you think of these retirements. Comments and criticisms are appreciated.

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (12/29/2023 4:39 pm)

1953 ECHO Draft

Round 1

1. QUE | D Édouard Lécuyer | Baie-Saint-Paul, QC - DireBear
The Reds needed a lot in this draft and decided to go with the top prospect on the board in defenseman Édouard Lécuyer with the 1st overall pick. Lécuyer's excellent defensive skills will boost a defensive unit that allowed an average of 3 goals per game last year.

2. FRE | W Richard Lapointe | Drummondville, QC - Kingsfan11
At number 2, the Stars would take one of the many winger prospects at the top of the board in Richard Lapointe, who should slot in the offensive unit quite quickly.

3. CHA | W Gregg Moonberry | Digby, NS - Wallflower
Charlottetown would follow that by also taking a winger at 3, opting for the diminutive and quick winger in Gregg Moonberry, whose skill set should help the Monarchs as they try to return to the playoffs.

4. MTM | W Kane Asper | Edmundston, NB - Burmy87
The ballad of wingers would continue at the 4th spot, with the Métros taking the one that many in the media consider the best in the class in Kane Asper.

5. MTB | W Earl Bremner | Ecum Secum, NS - FC Macbeth
On the other side of Montreal, the Beavers would also take a winger, opting for the towering and physical Earl Bremner at number 5.

6. CB | W Maximillian Frank | Ottawa, ON - Jayhawk
At number 6, the Islanders would reach a bit and take winger Maximillian Frank despite some doubts about his play.

7. TRV | W Francis Kanuk | Quebec City, QC - idm
Trois-Rivières would also take a winger in the first round, opting for Francis Kanuk. The winger nicknamed "Frenchy" for some reason should reinforce the Tigres' depth at winger.

8. HFX | G Raphael Vannier | Laval, QC - DireBear
With star goaltender Alex Davis getting up in age and slowly declining, the Highlanders would select his potential replacement in the nimble Raphael Vannier at number 8.

9. OTT | C Skippy Mason | Ball's Falls, ON - Dan O'Mac
After that, the Knights would take the first center in the draft, Skippy Mason, who should be an excellent center for Ottawa with his exceptional skills and ability to move toward the goal swiftly.

10. MON | D Robert Gagnon | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
The defending champion Generals would then make a somewhat questionable decision and reach down the draft class to take defenseman Robert Gagnon.


Round 2
Quebec started the second round by selecting center Jacob Provincefield, an expert in scoring insurance goals. Fredericton followed that by choosing winger Gideon Irving. Charlottetown then picked flashy center Carson MacDonald, and the Métros selected goalie Louis-Philippe Tran from the Montreal suburb of Varennes. Tran's ability to stop the puck dead in its tracks earned him the nickname "Vulture of Varennes". The Beavers chose winger Robert Smith, and Cape Breton chose center Paul Hopkins. Trois-Rivières then picked defenseman Hugh Jefferson, known for being tough and hard-nosed. Halifax followed that by selecting winger James Wright. Ottawa chose speedy and accurate winger Joe Pierce, and Moncton concluded the round by selecting hard-hitting center Wayne Rose.

11. QUE | C Jacob Provincefield | Barnaby, NS - idm
12. FRE | W Gideon Irving | Halifax, NS - Burmy87
13. CHA | C Carson MacDonald | Toronto, ON - Wallflower
14. MTM | G Louis-Philippe Tran | Varennes, QC - Burmy87
15. MTB | W Robert Smith | Edmundston, NB - Kingsfan11
16. CB | C Paul Hopkins | Kingston, ON - FC Macbeth
17. TRV | D Hugh Jefferson | Hamilton, ON - H-Town1141
18. HFX | W James Wright | Stratford, PEI - FC Macbeth
19. OTT | W Joe Pierce | Saint John, NB - DireBear
20. MON | C Wayne Rose | Summerside, PEI - DireBear

Round 3
Quebec began the third round by selecting center Brandon Bradley, known for his hard-hitting skills. The next few picks were all defensemen, with Fredericton taking John Moore, Charlottetown selecting the big and rough Michael Place, the Métros drafting Levi Hastings, and the Beavers choosing Samuel Hamel. Cape Breton then picked Roger Adams, and Trois-Rivières selected winger Thierry Doucet. Halifax followed by picking center Peter Lumley, Ottawa chose winger James Bailey, and Moncton finished the round by selecting defenseman Billy Plesac.

21. QUE | C Brandon Bradley | Gatineau, QC - Kingsfan11
22. FRE | D John Moore | Toronto, ON - idm
23. CHA | D Michael Place | Wolfville, NS - Jayhawk
24. MTM | D Levi Hastings | Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, QC - Dan O'Mac
25. MTB | D Samuel Hamel | Quebec City, QC - Kingsfan11
36. CB | W Roger Adams | Sackville, NB - FC Macbeth
27. TRV | W Thierry Doucet | Sherbrooke, QC - Kingsfan11
28. HFX | C Peter Lumley | Ottawa, ON - Kingsfan11
29. OTT | W James Bailey | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
30. MON | D Billy Plesac | Crotch Lake, ON - Dan O'Mac

Round 4
Quebec made the first pick in the draft's final round and chose Steve Lumberman, a hard-hitting defenseman. Fredericton then selected Sebastian Wilson, a speedy winger. Charlottetown chose Sherbrooke native Richard Bisson as their winger. The Métros chose defenseman Marc Claude, known for his rough and tough style of play. The Beavers selected center Yves Drouin, and Cape Breton chose defenseman Bill Cummings. Trois-Rivières picked center Alan Anderson, and then the defensemen continued to be selected, with Albert Ferguson going to Halifax and Nicholas Creegan going to Ottawa. Moncton concluded the draft by selecting winger Joseph Valentine.

31. QUE | D Steve Lumberman | Arnprior, ON - Wallflower
32. FRE | W Sebastian Wilson | Cornwall, ON - Kingsfan11
33. CHA | W Richard Bisson | Sherbrooke, QC - Kingsfan11
34. MTM | D Marc Claude | St. Andrews, NB - Jayhawk
35. MTB | C Yves Drouin | Ottawa, ON - Kingsfan11
36. CB | D Bill Cummings | Come by Chance, NL - Dan O'Mac
37. TRV | C Alan Anderson | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
38. HFX | D Albert Ferguson | Kingston, ON - FC Macbeth
39. OTT | D Nicholas Creegan | Placentia, NL - idm
40. MON | W Joseph Valentine | Quebec City, QC - Kingsfan11

Undrafted
D Marc Mattler | Dégelis, QC - FC MacBeth
C Geoffrey Jones | Halifax, NS - Kingsfan11
G Sébastien Cloutier | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
D Corey Miller | Ottawa, ON - Kingsfan11
W David Bonhomme | Montreal, QC - Kingsfan11
D John Thomas | Kingston, ON - Kingsfan11
W Peter MacLean | Charlottetown, PEI - Kingsfan11

Let me know what you think of this draft. Comments and criticisms are appreciated.