Myles Meteors were forerunners of Leamington Flyers

By C. Scott Holland

In the spring of 1952, Leamington’s first junior hockey team, the Myles Meteors, had no home arena and played games wherever they could, late in the season. Often, that meant long trips to Sarnia or Aylmer, which became the home ice.

Under the leadership of coach and GM Bill Burgess, the club won the Western Ontario Senior Rural Hockey Association 1951-52 championship against Port Stanley.

In the second game of a two-game total goals set, the Meteors trailed 10-9 with six minutes remaining in the third. One can only imagine the packed house at the newly built (original) Aylmer arena and the mayhem that was unleashed as Leamington struck for five unanswered goals in those final six minutes.

BILL MacKENZIE

BILL BURGESS

JIM MacKENZIE

The late-game assault was led by the MacKenzie boys – Eric, Jim and Bill – and Caesar Brndjar.

The crowd was stunned.

More importantly, the winner would go on to meet either Sutton or Markham for the Ontario championship and the Johannes Trophy.

But the reality was that the Leamington team was already deep in debt. Because they had no home rink, they existed despite not having gate revenue.

Instead, they relied solely on the generosity of fans and to travel 600 miles to either of those two possible championship contenders — in a best two of three series —would be financially crippling. Plus, they would have to play any home contests at either Sarnia or Aylmer.

The club appealed for aid from Leamington Town Council but were refused. That led to a public plea and citizens wishing to help could contact Jack Sanford, Harvey Wallace, Bill Leavett or coach Bill Burgess.

Despite the hurdle, the club overcame the travel costs and battled for the title in a best of three series, much to the dismay of the club they were pitted against — Sutton.

After each team had won a game, a one-game showdown would determine the crown.

It was in that third contest that Leamington found heartbreak. After the opening minutes they were down 2-0 and by the time the final whistle blew, Sutton had claimed the championship with an 8-6 victory.

For Leamington, lessons were learned and would be applied the following season.

As coach Burgess noted, “They (the Meteors) all had a team spirit and deep bond and played with a high level of determination.”