Bobby Orr, 14 year old All-Star



I'm reading a biography on Ron Ellis titled "Over the Boards" and there is mention of Ellis making the Second All-Star squad in the 1962/63 Metro Toronto Junior A Hockey League. The league was an off-shoot of the Ontario Hockey Association created by Maple Leaf owner Stafford Smythe. It was basically a "house league" for the Toronto Maple Leaf sponsored Marlboros and St. Michael's Majors (which then became the Neil McNeil Maroons). Joining Ellis on the All-Star team was a 14 year old Robert Gordon Orr. This was Orr's first season of junior hockey, he stood 5' 6" and weighed 135 lbs. Playing against mainly 19 and 20 year olds, Orr's brilliance still shone through.

The 62/63 All-Star Teams (age in brackets)


First Team

Gary Dineen C Neil McNeil Maroons 38-32-63-95 (19)
Mike Corbett W Neil McNeil Maroons 37-44-50-94 (20)
Duncan MacDonald W Toronto Marlboros 26-20-15-35 (20)
Jim McKendry D Neil McNeil Maroons 34-2-17-19 (na)
Frank Ridley D Toronto Marlboros 39-11-39-50 (20)
Dave Kelly G Knob Hill Farmers 3.85 GAA (19)

Second Team

Ron Ellis W Toronto Marlboros 36-21-22-43 (17)
Terry Vail C Oshawa Generals 35-28-24-52 (20)
Grant Moore W Toronto Marlboros 36-26-30-56 (19)
Rod Seiling D Neil McNeil Maroons 38-29-48-77 (18)
Bobby Orr D Oshawa Generals 34-6-15-21 (14)
Gary Smith G Neil McNeil Maroons 2.35 GAA (19)



 14 year-old Bobby Orr.

While checking up on the early career of Orr, I found a few pics of him I had not seen before. On December 14, 1965 Orr suited up for the Toronto Marlboros with a few other OHA All-Stars to take on the touring Russian National team. After defeating Canada's National squad 4-0 and 8-6, the Soviets played the OHA junior All-Stars at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of 14,886 patrons. 

The All-Stars opened the scoring on a beautiful pass from Orr to Niagara Falls Flyer Ted Snell. They took a 3-1 lead into the second period on goals by Peterborough Petes, Andre Lacroix and Danny Grant. The Russians, led by Anatoli Firsov, Alexander Ragulin, Viacheslav Starshinov and Vladimir Vikulov stormed back to win 4-3 outshooting the All-Stars 35-30. Bobby Orr was named player of the game for the All-Stars.

 
 Program of the OHA All-Stars vs Russia match.


 Bobby Orr wearing the uniform of the Toronto Marlboros.

Roster for the OHA 1965 All-Star Team vs. Russia
Goal
Joey Bamford, Fort William
Bob Whidden, Marlies
Defense
Bobby Orr, Oshawa
Brian Glennie, Marlies
Serge Savard, Montreal
Jim McKenny, Marlies
Doug Dunville, Marlies
Forwards
Gerry Meehan, Marlies
Jean Pronovost, Niagara Falls
Danny O'Shea, Oshawa
Al Osborne, Marlies
Jim Keon, Marlies
Barry Watson, Marlies
Mike Corrigan, Marlies
Ted Snell, Niagara Falls
Mike Byers, Marlies
Derek Sanderson, Niagara Falls
Don Marcotte, Niagara Falls
Neil Clarke, London
Andre Lacroix, Peterboro
Danny Grant, Peterboro










Comments

Unknown said…
Is that Orr on cover of the 63 program?
April 21, 2021 at 3:53 PM
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