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)HL hockey By Tom Gavey The Intelligencer For 13 seasons Belleville hockey fans have been treated to what is considered the most exciting hockey this side of the NHL-- major junior hockey. It was in 1981 that the Belleville Bulls entered the Ontario Hockey League and quickly made a name for themselves. During the 1981-82 season they set a record for most points and most wins by an expansion team. One year later they were the first second-year team to advance to the playoffs., They haven't missed the post-season since. The OHL is a feeder league to the NHL, with more graduates in the NHL than any other source of players, be they junior leagues in Dr. Robert L Vaughan Western Canada/ and Quebec, Europe or the United States. vanced to the OHL final before Belleville has sent players like falling to the eventual Memorial Marty McSorley, Dan Quinn, Cup champion Guelph Platers. Craig Billington, Bryan MarchDave MacLean continues to ment, Darren McCarty and Scott hold the team record for goals in a Thornton to the NHL. season (64) and points (154). Mike Meanwhile, future stars like Bishop posted the best goals Eric Lindros, Brian Bellows, Tony against average, with a 3.47 mark Tanti, Doug Gilmour and Steve in 1985-86. Yzerman all visited the Quinte Ownership of the team has Sports Centre with opposing OHL been the domain of Dr. Robert teams. Vaughan since the club moved This year a number of Bulls are from Tier Two to the OHL in expected to begin their journey to 1981. Early partnerships with the NHL, with Richard Park a · , Belleville businessprojected a first- ---- ~~~ man Bob Dolan and round draft choice hockey superstar Both Dr. and Craig Mills, Wayne Gretzky have Brian Secord and Robert dissolved and Marc Dupuis also Vaughan now owns Vaughan and rated by NHL scouts. the vast majority of As important as Larry Mavety the club's shares. producing pro players For 11 of the club's have been has been (and there 13 seasons Larry are also Bulls' grads inducted to the Mavety has been both in American Hockey coach and general Belleville League, International manager. For two seaHockey League and Sports Hall of sons Danny Flynn East Coast Hockey held both titles, with Fame. League, as well as in __^____ assistance from Europe) Belleville has Shawn MacKenzie. also been a developing ground for Belleville has hosted one future scholars. league all-star game (1982-83) A sizable number of Belleville and this spring will host the angrads have moved on to Canadian nual OHL Priority Selections. It's university hockey, including then teams in the league select Dean Haig, Paul Henriques, Rob the most promising 16-year-olds Crocock, Kent Brimmer, Ken in the province to stock their Rowbotham, Greg Dreveny, Craig teams in the future. It will be the Fraser, Norm Batherson and first time the draft has been held Craig Kitchener. Bulls grads have east of Toronto. played important roles on naThe club is heavily involved in tional champions from York Uni- the community, working with sevversity and Acadia University. eral charities throughout the Belleville's most successful year, including the Kidney Founregular season came in 1984-85, dation, Lung Association and the when they finished second in the RCMP fight against illegal drugs. Leyden Division with a 42-24 reGames are played each Saturcord. day and selected Wednesday However, it was in 1985-86 nights at the Quinte Sports Censeason that the club had its most tre from September until March. memorable campaign. After fin- Playoffs commence after that. ishing second again in the Leyden The league also has its gdmes Division, they knocked off the broadcast on Saturday afternoon highly favored Peterborough Global TV telecasts and on TSN Petes in the playoffs and ad- at various times during the year.