HOCKEY NL’S FIRST ALLAN CUP CHAMPS -1986 CORNER BROOK ROYALS
ALTHOUGH THIS PROVINCE HAS COMPETED IN THE ALLAN CUP SINCE 1967, IT WAS THE 1986 ROYALS TEAM THAT EARNED OUR FIRST ALLAN CUP VICTORY 29 YEARS AGO.
THE WEST COAST TEAM WERE DOWN THREE GAMES TO TWO IN THE EASTERN FINAL TO THE FLAMBORO MOTT’S CLAMOTOS, AND RESPONDED WITH TWO WINS TO EARN THEIR SECOND-STRAIGHT BOLTON CUP AND A TICKET TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THE TEAM TRAVELLED TO NELSON, BC AND WON THE SERIES IN FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES OVER THE NELSON MAPLE LEAFS TO CLAIM THE PRESTIGIOUS ALLAN CUP TROPHY.
TEAM PRESIDENT, AND NEWFOUNDLAND LABRADOR HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER, THE LATE CLIFF GORMAN, WAS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE HISTORIC CORNER BROOK ROYALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. IT WAS HIS DRIVE AND DETERMINATION THAT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE VICTORY. THE CLIFF GORMAN MEMORIAL AWARD IS NOW PRESENTED TO THE MVP OF THE HERDER MEMORIAL PROVINCIAL SENIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP.
HOCKEY NL HONORED THE TEAM DURING THE 2015 ALLAN CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAYED IN CLARENVILLE, NL ON APRIL 14, 2015. SOME MEMBER OF THE 86 ROYALS WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND WERE PROVIDED WITH A TRIBUTE PRIOR TO GAME 4 OF THE TOURNAMENT.