I believe Mac suspended their men's varsity hockey program at the end of the 88/89 season.
I don't know why Mac shut down their program, but at the time it felt that the university must not have been all that committed to it because they languished at or near the bottom of the league for several seasons and just prior to supending their program they were really uncompetitive - regularly having teams run up double digits on them. It made no sense, given the resources a school like Mac should have had relative to some of the other weaker teams (RMC and Ryerson in particular back then).
Mac has 2 club teams that play against mostly Ontario College club teams in weekend tournaments (the OCAA suspened operations of its hockey league about 7-8 years ago, so all these club teams have emerged). Other universities that are part of this loose group include Bishop's, Trent, and U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough.
I believe Mac suspended their men's varsity hockey program at the end of the 88/89 season.
I don't know why Mac shut down their program, but at the time it felt that the university must not have been all that committed to it because they languished at or near the bottom of the league for several seasons and just prior to supending their program they were really uncompetitive - regularly having teams run up double digits on them. It made no sense, given the resources a school like Mac should have had relative to some of the other weaker teams (RMC and Ryerson in particular back then).
Mac has 2 club teams that play against mostly Ontario College club teams in weekend tournaments (the OCAA suspened operations of its hockey league about 7-8 years ago, so all these club teams have emerged). Other universities that are part of this loose group include Bishop's, Trent, and U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough.
Thanks for that. I remember seeing them play Western in the mid 80's and they were not very good. But I am surprised that for such a large school they don't have a varsity program.
Sometimes it's budget and success - if you have little success, they want to save the budget.
A lot of schools have decided, for mostly financial reasons, to go with one. UNB's football team was very poor for a number of years and the hockey team was successful (not as successful as it is today, but better than football over all) and they decided to cut Football and go with Hockey. Dal made the same choice.
Mt.A chose to stay with Football and drop hockey.
UCCB dropped hockey to focus resources on BBall.
SMU, Acadia and SFx continue to play both.
The demographics of the alumni base has changed significantly over the past 30 years, there are now more alumni then every and their contributions are far more important in these tough economic times. I believe this is the driving force behind schools bringing teams back (the students from the 80s are now in their late 50s early 60s and are in a position to make significant donations).
I also believe that there has been a resurgence of hockey as 'Canada's Sport' in the past 10 years (mainly due to success at the Olympics) and you are 'UN-canadian' if you don't support it.
When I attended Western in the mid 80's McMaster had a varsity hockey team. When and why did it fold?
Craig Wallace
I do not remember when they left CIS hockey but do remember that they represented Ontario in the 1st winter Canada Games in Quebec City in 1967,STU Tommies represented the province of New Brunswick back then.
I moved to Ontario in 1976 and remember they having a player named Mastrroluisi (spelling ?).....he used to be a 60 minute player playing most of the game at either defence or forward,he was a horse of a player.....wonder whatever became of him?
I remember him - Rick is his first name - your guess is as good as mine on the spelling of last name). He was one of those great university players on a so-so team - like Denis Castonguay on Laurentian.
He played for Mac in the late 70's and early 80's and I remember after his university career was over he did colour commentary on Mac's hockey games when CHCH used to broadcast them. At the time he was the all-time points leader in OUA(A) history - I don't think he is anymore, but he'd be up there (I checked on the OUA website but the historical stats don't seem to be available right now).
The current McMaster hockey team I believe is a "Club Team" made up of mostly Tier 2 Junior A players. There are no OHL players but can be. They play teams like non CIS schools such as Trent, Bishops etc. As well they play in college tournaments vs teams such Fanshaw, Centennial, Seneca etc. Its pretty good hockey but not at the level of CIS.
The current McMaster hockey team I believe is a "Club Team" made up of mostly Tier 2 Junior A players. There are no OHL players but can be. They play teams like non CIS schools such as Trent, Bishops etc. As well they play in college tournaments vs teams such Fanshaw, Centennial, Seneca etc. Its pretty good hockey but not at the level of CIS.
Has there been any talk about McMaster coming back into the CIS as a true varsity program?
Has there been any talk about McMaster coming back into the CIS as a true varsity program?
Craig Wallace
McMaster is part of the OCCCR and is reported upon in The Ontario College Hockey News. This is no contact rec league hockey, unlike the ACAC and BCIHL.
The OCCCR is far from no contact-rec league hockey. Go see a team like Seneca or Fanshaw. Granted it not "kill the guy" type of play but the stick work, board contact etc is still there. Far higher skill level then rec.
The OCCCR is far from no contact-rec league hockey. Go see a team like Seneca or Fanshaw. Granted it not "kill the guy" type of play but the stick work, board contact etc is still there. Far higher skill level then rec.
The rules say otherwise and their poster describes it as "non-contact hockey" [LINK]
Last edited by Hollywood3: 08-13-2012 at 10:38 PM.
