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i - THE INTELLIGENCER, Tuesday, September 20,1994 The Bulls were born in 1981 From Junior "B to Tier II to Major Junior -- up the hockey ladder By Paul Svoboda and Ady Vos The Intelligencer 11 · * Dan Quinn, a star with the Bulls in their early days, now plays for the NHL Los Angeles Kings. Looking for a big day in Belleville hockey history? How about Feb. 2, 1981. On that day majority owner Dr. Robert L. Vaughan and some fellow investors plunked about $600,000 on the Ontario Hockey League's table and came away with an expansion franchise in what is arguably the best shinny circuit in Canada outside of the NHL. After successful stints in Junior "B" and Tier II Junior "A" hockey, Vaughan and his supporters, believed Major Junior hockey was the next logical step for Belleville. And they were right. Since then, Belleville hockey fans have developed a special love affair with their Major "A" Bulls. And, like all love affairs, the relationship hasn't been without its bumpy moments. For instance, local fans still harken back to the 1985-86 season when the Bulls' then fiveyear old franchise came of age by advancing to the OHL championship final against the Guelph (now Owen Sound) Platers. Bulls lost a heartbreaking six-game series and have yet to reach those dizzying heights since. Sure, there have been some strong seasons in the interim. An 83-point, third-place finish (Leyden Division) in 1991 the best among them. Last season, the club finished fourth in the Leyden and lost out in the second round of playoffs to the eventual league champion North Bay Centennials. This season, like all new campaigns at this stage of the game, the sky is the limit. As the 1994-95 Bulls head into the club's 14th OHL season, here's a brief glimpse at some of the finest figures in franchise history: Dave MacLean holds the best over five per game. individual marks for most points In the 1989-90 season, led by (154), goals (64) and assists (90) the 30-win goaltending of Jeff in one season. MacLean piled up . Fife, Belleville set a club record those numbers in the 1984-85 for fewest goals against (247). season. Brent Gretzky, brother of NHL MacLean was the OHL nomisuperstar and one-time Bulls conee for Canadian Junior Player of owner Wayne Gretzky, holds the the Year. Jason Lafreniere was club record for most goals (five) in honored with the same award the a game while the seven-helper effollowing season. Three years ago fort of Dan Gratton stands in the Darren McCarty was named On- assist department. Gratton, Dan tario Hockey League Player of Quinn and Jason Lafreniere the Year. share the club record for most Goaltender Mike Bishop re- points in a game with eight. corded the Bulls' best all-time goals-against average (GAA) with As in most sports, club records a sparkling 3.47 mark in the and benchmarks reflect the suc1985-86 season. cess of a hockey club and it's a Team totals that still stand ingood bet that players like Richard clude the 84-point season of Park, Craig Mills and Kory Coo1984-85 along with the most per will be gunning for some goals, 390. That's an average of iinarks of their own this season. Darren McCarty, right, led the Bulls, and OHL in goals with 55 three years ago. He now plays right wing for the Detroit Red Wings. VLacLean, Lafreniere, Gratton, Gretzky, McCarty-big names from the past the biggest.. BELLEVILLE Not Just the BEST! Hometown Luck Bulls! 9roud ! Good From Your Friends at Belleville IGA 540 Dundas Street West Belleville, Ontario Locally Owned and Operated STORE HOURS MON.-FRI. 9-9, SATURDAY 8-7, SUNDAY 10-5