Alumni gather for a 40th Anniversary reunion for the 1985-86 Sutherland Cup champion Stratford Cullitons.
After a golf tournament on Friday, July 24, the group gathered on Saturday at the Allman Arena on to tour the rink and dressing room.
Players on that 1986 championship team led by legendary coach Dennis Flanagan Jr. include current Los Angeles Kings Assistant GM Nelson Emerson and Kings scout Scott Rex. Nine players earned NCAA D1 scholarships, and seven were drafted by NHL teams.
1985-86 Stratford Cullitons had a regular season record of 36-3-1, finishing atop the 6-team Midwestern League standings, 15 points ahead of the second-place Waterloo Siskins — two-time defending Sutherland Cup champs and the team responsible for all 3 Stratford losses. The Cullitons set a franchise record for best winning percentage (.912) and had a franchise record 29-game winning streak.
The Cullitons were a perfect 8-0 in the league playoffs, sweeping both Elmira and Waterloo enroute to their 7th Cherrey Cup title in 10 years.
In the OHA playoffs, the Cullitons defeated St. Catharines 4-1 in the quarter-finals, St. Thomas 4-0 in the semi-finals, and swept the Streetsville Derbys in the final to claim their third Sutherland Cup championship since 1977.
Stratford’s combined record (regular season and playoffs) was 56-4-1 (.918).
Nelson Emerson: 1985-86 MWJHL co-scoring champion with 112 points; led team with 54 goals; played four seasons for Bowling Green State University; drafted in 3rd round by St. Louis Blues; 488 points in 12 NHL seasons; entering 21st season as a member of LA Kings staff
Warren Bullock: 1985-86 MWJHL co-scoring champion with 112 points; played three seasons for Western Mustangs
Shawn Heaphy: 50 goals (including franchise record 10 SHG) in 1985-86; played four seasons for Michigan State University
Scott Rex: played 4 seasons for Ohio State University, was team captain in senior year; entering 7th season as pro scout for Los Angeles Kings
Pat Murray: played three seasons for Michigan State University; drafted in second round by Philadelphia Flyers in 1988
Kevin Dahl: played four seasons for Bowling Green State University; drafted in 11th round by Montreal Canadiens in 1988; played 188 career NHL games; won Olympic silver medal as member of Team Canada in 1992
