Gibson Cup Winners
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Listed WINNERS, pictures of team WINNERS

 

1997 Portage Lake Wins Gibson Cup Portage Lake Captains Mike Hauswirth (#16) and Pat McCarthy (#19) receive the famous "Doc" Gibson Cup from presenter Dave Wiitanen.

Gibson Cup on 1952-53 Program

Calumet Wins Gibson Cup

Gibson Cup History

 1939 The famous "Doc" Gibson Cup is one of the most coveted hockey trophies in the Midwest. It was created in 1938 for the Champion of the Northern Michigan-Ontario professional hockey league. According to the Daily Mining Gazette Feb 1939 article: "It stands 32 inches high, including pedestal, is silver plated in Butler grey finish with gilt lining. It is mounted on an ebonized pedestal, and the Cup proper is engraved at the top with the words "Doc Gibson Trophy", under which is an attractive etching of a hockey player in action and the word "Champions", under which the winners of the trophy are engraved. The trophy was purchased by the league with funds contributed by each of the five members of last year's association, which included the Portage Lakes, Calumet-Laurium, Marquette, Painesdale and Eagle River. The trophy was named in honor of Dr. John L. Gibson in recognition of his outstanding contribution to hockey in its infancy in the Copper Country..."  The Cup itself measures 24 inches high without the base, it is 16 inches wide at the outside of the handles, and weighs 12 3/4 pounds; the wooden base is 14 inches square. It's purchase price was ?... (please contact the webmaster if you know the purchase price.) The Cup is named after Doctor John L. Gibson, who was a player-coach and leading scorer for the Portage Lake teams from 1900 to 1905 including the World's Champion Hockey Portage Lake Hockey team in 1904. Gibson then helped organize the World's first Professional Hockey League with 5 teams playing 3 seasons 1904-07: the Portage Lakes, Calumet, Soo America, Soo Canada and Pittsburg. Gibson was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.  

 The Gibson Cup, called the Stanley Cup of the North is the 3rd oldest Hockey Cup in the United States, only behind the 1893 Stanley Cup and the 1913 MacNaughton Cup (the Canadian Allan Cup was first awarded in 1908 ).  A Daily Mining Gazette article in Feb 1939 said: Emil Schumacher, board of the League, appoints Doc Gibson Trophy Board of Trustees: to guide the destinies of the Doc Gibson Trophy of the Northern Michigan -Wisconsin Hockey league: "The Board will consist of five men, one representing each community supporting a team in the league, who have been active in the promotion and support of hockey over a long period of years. President Schumacher's appointments are:  John W. Rice, Houghton-Hancock, chairman; Bernard Manderfield, - Painesdale, Phil Spear Jr. -Marquette; Gervase T. Murphy -Calumet-Laurium and E. E. Smith -Eagle River." In 1947, Schumacher was named to the board when Manderfield left the district; and at some later time,  J. Harry Burris, Sault Ste. Marie was added.) The Gibson Cup trophy was given a new wooden base in 200- and so the trophy and base now stands 30 1/2 inches high.

  Named after Hockey Hall of Famer, John L. (Doc) Gibson, the first captain and leading scorer of the Portage Lake Pro Team, it was destiny that the first team to win the Gibson Cup was the Portage Lake Team in the 1938-39 season! The American Sault Indians then won it three years in a row. Competition for the cup ceased during WWII. Calumet won the Cup for the first time in 1947, and the Portage Lake team in 1948. The Portage Lake - Calumet rivalry for the cup began in 1968, after a lapse of nearly 10 years when competition for the cup was inactive and on display at Tony Bukovich's Red Wings Lounge (now called the Downtowner Lounge next to the Bridge in Houghton.)  In January of 1968, former Portage Lake player Mutty Wendberg and Head Coach Rod Paavola received the trophy from Bukovich and set up a 2 out of 3 game series with arch rival CLK Wolverines. The Wolverines won the series in 2 games. The next 2 years, Portage Lake won the Cup and brought it back down to the South end. In 1971 and 1972, the Wolverines won back-to-back series. 

 With the start up and entrance of the Copper Country Chief in the USHL Semi-Pro Hockey League, the two area teams, the Portage Lake Flyers and the Calumet Wolverines, disbanded, and with them, so did the play for the Cup. But in 1976, the Chiefs fell on financial hardship and senior hockey was started up again. Play for the Cup resumed between the North end CLK Wolverines and the South end Portage Lake Pioneers, with the Wolverines taking 3 straight series in 1980, 81, 82.  Senior Hockey was again disbanded after the 1981-82 season and the Cup put in storage ---where? Senior Hockey started again in 1995 with the Calumet Wolverines winning the 3rd game of the best of 3 series for the Gibson Cup. Each season since, the Gibson Cup has challenged for by Portage Lake Pioneers and Calumet Wolverines; the winner of the Gibson Cup then represents this area in the National Tournament in Wisconsin in March.

 The memory of the famous "Doc" Gibson, considered the "father" of Copper Country hockey, is living on with these two fine senior hockey teams continuing to battle it out to claim the beautiful trophy named after Gibson. The Winner represents the area in the Senior National Championships held in Wisconsin in March each year.

GIBSON CUP WINNERS:     Source: www.cchockeyhistory.org 
* Team cited on Cup itself

1939 Portage Lake Elks * 
1940 American Sault Indians *
1941 American Sault Indians *
1942 American Sault Indians *
1943-46 competition for the Cup was inactive 3 seasons during WWII

1947 Calumet-Laurium ("Marquette refused to play it's final series with Calumet-Laurium over a dispute on the eligibility of two players on the C-L team" (Joe & Mike Butkovich; a board voted in favor of C-L before this final game of the series, DMG 3-14-47)
1948 Portage Lakes (then cup inactive until 1954?; it is said some teams had their picture taken with the cup even tho the cup was not awarded in these years?)
1949 American Sault Indians
1950 No series for Cup
1951 No series for Cup (CLK Radars had their picture taken with the Cup)
1952 Portage Lake Pioneers
1953 CLK Radars (Portage Lake had their picture taken with the Cup)
1954 Escanaba Hawks *
1955 Canadian Soo Esquires *
1956 Marquette Sentinels *
1957 No series for Cup
1958 No series for Cup
1959 Green Bay Bobcats *
1960 No series for Cup: rumored that Portage Lake won the Cup at a Sault Tournament.
1961 Portage Lake Pioneers
1962-67 No series for Cup; for awhile it was on display at Tony Bukovich's Red Wing Lounge (now called the Downtowner Lounge next to the Bridge in Houghton.)

1968 CLK Wolverines * in best of 3, (PL won the League)
1969 Portage Lake Flyers * in best of 3, (CLK won the League)
1970 Portage Lake Flyers * in best of 3, (CLK won the League)
1971 CLK Wolverines *
1972 CLK Wolverines *
1973-197-? no PL/Cal teams

1979 Calumet Wolverines
1980 Calumet Wolverines
1981 Calumet Wolverines *
1982 Calumet Wolverines * they defeated PL in the final game of a best of 5 series.
1983 Calumet Wolverines *
1984-1994 No local Senior Hockey played and no Cup series.

1995 Portage Lake Pioneers: who went on to be Runner-Up in the National Championship games.
1996 Calumet Wolverines: won the 3rd game of the best of 3 series.
1997 Portage Lake Pioneers: won 2 games defeating Calumet 8-3 and 12-1.
1998 Portage Lake Pioneers: swept Calumet 6-4 and 8-6 and were Runner-Up in the National Championship games.
1999 Portage Lake Pioneers: swept Calumet 7-4 and 4-3 and then won the National Championship!
2000 Portage Lake Pioneers: three game series: 4-3 OT PL, 1-2 Calumet, 6-3 PL
2001 Portage Lake Pioneers: swept Calumet 8-4 and 2-1 (PL only had 10 players show for 2nd exciting game)
                                             and then PL was Runner-Up in the 2001 National Championship games.
2002 Calumet Wolverines: three game series: game 1 won by Cal, game 2 won by PL, last game 7-4 Cal over PL
2003 Calumet Wolverines: and went on to win the 2003 National Adult Championship!
2004 Portage Lake Pioneers
2005 Portage Lake Pioneers: who went on to win the 2005 National Adult Championship
2006 Portage Lake Pioneers: swept Calumet 6-5 and 4-3.
2007
2008
2009 Portage Lake Pioneers:
2010

The Game Results below were compiled by Bob Erkkila from Daily Mining Gazette newspapers:

1938-39  Portage Lake Elks defeated the Calumet-Laurium Chevrolets 11-10 in a four game total goal series. Portage Lake Elks regular season Champs of the Michigan-Ontario Pro Hockey League.

1939-40  American Sault Indians defeated the Portage Lake Elks 15-10 in a four game total goal series.

1940-41  American Sault Indians defeated the Portage Lake Lakers 17-8 in a four game total goal series. 

1941-42  American Sault Indians defeated the Marquette Sentinels 18-11 in a four game total goal series.

1942-43  No series scheduled due to World War II.

1943-44  No series scheduled due to World War II.

1944-45  No series scheduled due to World War II.

1945-46  No series scheduled due to World War II.

1946-47  Calumet-Laurium awarded the Cup due to an illegal player dispute.

1947-48  Portage Lake Pioneers defeated the Canadian Sault Greyhounds 16-15 in a four game total goal series.

1948-49  American Sault Indians defeated the Marquette Sentinels 4-1 in a best four of a seven game series.

1949-50  No series scheduled.  

1950-51  No series scheduled.   

1951-52  Portage Lake Pioneers defeated the Marquette Sentinels 3-2 in a best three of a five game series.

1952-53  CLK Radars defeated the Escanaba Hawks 3-1 in a best three of five game series.

1953-54  Escanaba Hawks defeated the Portage Lake Pioneers 3-2 in a best three of five game series.

1954-55  Canadian Soo Esquires defeated the Escanaba Hawks 3-1 in a best three of five game series.

1955-56  Marquette Sentinels defeated the Portage Lake Pioneers 3-1 in a best three of five game series.

1956-57  No games played because of a dispute over the play-off format.

1957-58  No games played because Marquette refused a challenge from Portage Lake.

1958-59  Green Bay Bobcats defeated the Marquette Sentinels 3-0 in a best three of five game series.

1959-60  No series scheduled.

1960-61  Portage Lake Pioneers defeated the American Soo Indians 3-0 in a best three of five game series.

1961-67  No series scheduled.

1967-68  CLK Wolverines defeated the Portage Lake Flyers 2-0 in a best two of three game series.

1968-69  Portage Lake Flyers defeated the CLK Wolverines 2-0 in a best two of three game series.

1969-70 Portage Lake Flyers defeated the CLK Wolverines 2-1 in a best two of three game series.                                                                                                                       

1970-71  CLK Wolverines defeated the Portage Lake Flyers 2-1 in a best two of three game series.

Gibson Cup Winners Pictures:

1947-48 Portage Lake Team Champions MOW League Gibson Cup Winners! Standing L to R: Mike Bukovich, Curly Kolehmainen, Ike Klingbeil, Bill Lindstrom, Pete Pisnook, Joe Bukovich, John Pleshe. Kneeling L to R: Doug Peterson, Wilber Savela, Neil McLean, Waino "Bud" Sivonen, Bernie Ruelle, Jim Mosienko, Jack Ruelle.

1952 Portage Lake Team Gibson Cup Winners L-Rt: Jack Ruelle, Jim Shetney, Fran Lowney, Arlen "Gumps" Juntunen, Bill O'Brien, Tony Bukovich, Mike Bukovich, Joe Bukovich, Bernie Ruelle, Jim Tadducci, Kenner Ruohonen, Roy Luoto, Pat Nevens -Trainer. Photo courtesy of Gerry Sullivan

1952-53 CLK Radars Gibson Cup Winners of NMHL Standing L-R: Joe Savini -Coach, Fred Kesanen, Don Nickols, Mike Hill, Howie Kumpala, Don Pavolich, Merv Paulson, Pete Lehto, Fred Barry, Bob Coello -Mgr. Seated: Wayne Lehto, Jim Kusisto, "Whitey" Roy Joupperi, Frank Sotlich, Eino Kemp, Johnny Whittaker, Owen O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Wayne Lehto

1955-56 Marquette Sentinels Marquette, Michigan Gibson Cup Champions Back Rows L-R: Ron Johnson, Rich Marlowe, "Bucky" Jerome O'Neill, Doug Peterson, Sonny Marlowe, Arne Kilberg, Julian Klymkew, Dennis Duquette, Ted Boesler, L.W. Brumm, Lowell Reynolds, Dr. George Johnson. Front Row L-R: Jim Swenor, "Cud" Julian Van Overlop, "Oakie" Leonard Brumm, John Vasseau.

1958-59 Green Bay Bobcats Playoff Champs, Gibson Cup Winners Top Row L-R: Pres, A.S. (Red) Paynter, Secr James Manci, Cliff Butler, Bill Lindstrom, Bob DeGrio, Tom Neveau, John Mayasich, Mike Horn, Dick Dougherty, Treasurer George Farah, Coach Tony Bukovich. Seated L-R: Jackie Poole, Bill Taylor, Jack Hoppe, Tom Tochterman, Ron Katalin, Ken Ruohonen. Front L-R: Bob Bercel, Dick Dier, Joe Bocchini. If you have a better copy of this team's picture please contact the webmaster

1969-70 (or 70-71) Whittaker Cup at left Portage Lake Flyers Gibson Cup & State Intermediate Champs Standing L to R: Rod Paavola -Coach, Rick Ongie -trainer, Gary Brey, Terry Koskela, Doug Hembroff, Rich Riippi, Mike Maki, Fred Ruelle, Joe Geborkoff, Don Miller, Ron Antilla -Trainer, Scurb Desrocher -Trainer, Norm Koski -GM, Ron Mikkola (injured) Seated L-R: Mike Verbanac, Terry Sintkowski, Gary Franz, Mike Mitchell, Rudy Saatio, Bob Mikesch, Paul Heinonen, Butch Downey, Bill Bingham. missing from photo is Rich Brey & Bob Perreault. Photo courtesy Bob Mikesch If you can verify the year of this team,  please contact the webmaster

1970-71 Calumet Wolverines League Champs Gibson Cup Champions Back Row L-R: John Baima, Merv Klemett, Jim Jaaskelainen, Bruce Coppo, Roger McCumber, Marty Iskra. Middle Row: Coach Paul Lehto, Leo Durocher, Ken Ruohonen, Karl Parks, Darrell Rickabaugh, Dave Cima, Owen O'Brien. Seated L-R: George Isola, Don Poshak, Dan Bykkonen, Fred Barry, John Hodges, Steve Verbanac. Photo Courtesy of M. Klemett.

1971-72 CLK Wolverines need picture here Please Contact webmaster if you have this picture. Players from program: George Isola, Jim Hosking, Leo Durocher, Don Opland, Dave Cima, Marty Iskra, Fred Barry, Jeff Parish, Bruce Coppo, John Hodges, Don Poshak, Roger Macomber, John Baima, Arland Ollanketto, Scott Brotherton, Bruce Harter, Bruce Olin, Marv Heinonen, Chuck Ongie, Mike Verbanac. Coach Paul Lehto, Trainer Owen O'Brien.

2004-05 Portage Lake Pioneers Gibson Cup Champions National Adult Champions!! need names here!

2005-06 Portage Lake Pioneers Gibson Cup Champions! need names here!