Toronto St. Michael's Majors - Majors Cease Operations

Majors Cease Operations

The 1961 Memorial Cup victory was the end of the line for the Majors in the OHA circuit. Participation was seen in an increasingly negative light by the school's administration because of the circuit's relentless grind, escalating travel, physical play, and the junior league being operated in a manner similar to the NHL.

Father David Bauer sent to letter to Conn Smythe during the 1960-61 season, which stated:

"My opinion is that sooner or later, they (the college) will see fit to discontinue the Junior A series because of its growing professionalism, its long schedule and rough play which so often results in unfavourable publicity difficult for the educational institution to handle gracefully."

Conn Smythe and the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to keep the St. Michael's team in operation as a source of players, and then created the Metro Junior A League to help alleviate the college's concerns.

The St. Michael's team finished in first place in the Metro Junior A league, and competed for the J. Ross Robertson Cup again in 1962. Coached by Ted Flanagan, the team lost in the Cup finals to the Hamilton Red Wings.

Despite being the league champions in the 1961-62 season, St. Michael's discontinued its program altogether, and the team was relocated to Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough, Ontario, becoming the Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons. Father Bauer chose to pursue building a university-educated Canadian National team instead.