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Port Alrene Anchors
The Port Alrene Anchors are a professional hockey team based in Port Alrene, Alrene Isles. They compete in the Torland Hockey League as a member of the Willard Division. The team is owned by Tom Leyva and plays their home games at the Harbor Dome.
Founded in 1960 by Wayne Leyva, the Anchors were an original franchise of the Torland Hockey League. They are one of four original THL teams still based out of their original home city. The Anchors have won 3 Marcotte Cup Championships. The Anchors have a deep rivalry with the Portarra Whales, known as the Old Rivalry.
Team history
Team culture
Fan base
The Anchors have a relatively small but fiercely loyal fanbase.
Rivalries
Portarra Whales (The Old Rivalry)
Known as the “Old Rivals”, the rivalry between Portarra and Port Alrene goes much further back than just their THL days. The two cities have been competing against each other since their inception. The mutual hatred for each city is taught at an early age and even marriage between families from either city is considered a major taboo. In the THL the two teams have some of the most intense games both on the ice and in the stands.
On the ice, the teams have a long history, including meeting in the playoffs 8 different times.
Team information
Ownership
The Anchors are owned by Tom Leyva, who took over team operations in 1978 from his father, Wayne Leyva, who founded the team in 1960. The Leyva family are royalty in Port Alrene, helping establish the harbor town into a thriving metropolis.
Home ice
The Anchors play their home games at the Harbor Dome in Port Alrene, located in the dockyards of the harbor. Built in 1948, the Harbor Dome is a classic structure featuring heavy usage of brick and Gothic architecture. The iconic building received repairs and remodeling to accommodate more fans and modern amenities in 1972.
Logos and uniforms
The Anchors' colors are brick red, mustard gold, and white.
Minor league affiliates
The Anchors are affiliated with the Port Alrene Admirals of the Alrene Isles Hockey Association (AIHA) since 1980. They had previous affiliation with the Lobure Cardinals.
Players & personnel
Current roster
Team captains
- Gary Wisniewski, 1960-1971
- Ferdy Haight, 1972
- Lou D’Angelo, 1973-1976
- Paul Kauffman, 1977-1980
- Stef Kuipers, 1981-1985
- Jack Kovak, 1986-present
The Anchors are the only team to have a goalie named a team captain. Ferdy Haight filled the role for a single season in 1972.
Staff and coaches
Head Coaches
- Don Easterling, 1960-1980
- Sam Bennett, 1981-1985
- Frank Loomis, 1986-present
The Anchors' Easterling is one of only four head coaches in THL history to coach for a single team for 20 or more consecutive years. (He joins Harley Sweeney, Byron Peachey, and Harry Nance)
Assistant Coaches
General Managers
- Ruben Kidwell, 1973-present
Kidwell has been the Anchors' GM since the league mandate in 1973. Kidwell was named Best GM in 1978.
Drafts
Seasons
| Season | GP | Record (W-T-L) | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 60 | 37-9-14 | 120 | 3rd, THL | Lost Marcotte Cup (2-4 vs. Whales) |
| 1961 | 60 | 41-7-12 | 130 | 2nd, THL | Won Marcotte Cup (4-3 vs. Heralds) |
| 1962 | 60 | 35-13-12 | 118 | 2nd, THL | Lost Marcotte Cup (0-4 vs. Heralds) |
| 1963 | 60 | 24-20-16 | 92 | 3rd, THL | Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Whales) |
| 1964 | 60 | 30-16-14 | 106 | 2nd, THL | Lost in semi-finals (2-4 vs. Whales) |
| 1965 | 60 | 19-23-18 | 80 | 5th, THL | Missed playoffs |
| 1966 | 60 | 32-18-10 | 114 | 1st, THL | Won Marcotte Cup (4-1 vs. Captains) |
| 1967 | 60 | 25-14-21 | 89 | 4th, THL | Lost in semi-finals (2-4 vs. Falcons) |
| 1968 | 60 | 32-14-14 | 110 | 2nd, THL | Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Whales) |
| 1969 | 60 | 22-20-20 | 84 | 5th, THL | Missed playoffs |
| 1970 | 60 | 20-16-24 | 76 | 4th, THL | Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Captains) |
| 1971 | 60 | 9-18-33 | 45 | 8th, THL | Missed playoffs |
| 1972 | 71 | 41-16-14 | 139 | 1st, Willard | Won Marcotte Cup (4-1 vs. Kodiaks) |
| 1973 | 72 | 36-18-18 | 126 | 2nd, Willard | Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Captains) |
| 1974 | 72 | 24-28-20 | 100 | 4th, Willard | Lost Marcotte Cup (3-4 vs. Heralds) |
| 1975 | 72 | 39-16-17 | 133 | 1st, Willard | Lost in quarter-finals (3-4 vs. Captains) |
| 1976 | 72 | 41-14-17 | 137 | 2nd, Willard | Lost Marcotte Cup (1-4 vs. Neptunes) |
| 1977 | 72 | 32-11-29 | 107 | 5th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1978 | 72 | 37-18-17 | 129 | 1st, Willard | Lost Marcotte Cup (1-4 vs. Neptunes) |
| 1979 | 72 | 21-20-31 | 83 | 7th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1980 | 76 | 29-24-23 | 111 | 2nd, Willard | Lost in wild card round (0-3 vs. Herons) |
| 1981 | 76 | 29-16-31 | 103 | 3rd, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1982 | 76 | 24-10-42 | 82 | 4th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1983 | 76 | 25-16-35 | 91 | 3rd, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1984 | 76 | 23-11-42 | 80 | 4th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1985 | 48 | 8-17-23 | 41 | 5th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1986 | 76 | 33-18-25 | 117 | 3rd, Willard | Lost in quarter-finals (0-4 vs. Whales) |
| 1987 | 76 | 30-16-30 | 106 | 4th, Willard | Lost in wild card round (1-3 vs. Neptunes) |
| 1988 | 76 | 23-19-34 | 88 | 4th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1989 | 76 | 22-23-31 | 88 | 4th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1990 | 76 | 24-22-30 | 94 | 2nd, Willard | Lost in wild card round (0-3 vs. Wizards) |
| 1991 | 76 | 33-18-25 | 117 | 1st, Willard | Lost in quarter-finals (2-4 vs. Swans) |
| 1992 | 76 | 31-18-27 | 111 | 5th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1993 | 76 | 27-18-31 | 99 | 5th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
| 1994 | 76 | 28-20-28 | 104 | 4th, Willard | Missed playoffs |
Team and league honors
Banners and trophies
| Marcotte Cup | Louis Trophy | Division Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 Marcotte Cup | 1966 Louis Trophy | 1972 Willard Division |
| 1966 Marcotte Cup | 1972 Louis Trophy | 1975 Willard Division |
| 1972 Marcotte Cup | 1975 Louis Trophy | 1978 Willard Division |
| 1978 Louis Trophy | 1980 Willard Division | |
| 1991 Willard Division |
Retired numbers
| No. | Player | Position | Career | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Colly Lehman | D | 1960-1968 | 1969 |
| Paul Kauffman | D | 1976-1980 | 1981 | |
| 22 | Gary Wisniewski | C | 1960-1971 | 1980 |
| 25 | Carey Waggoners | D | 1961-1970 | 1977 |
| 27 | Ferdy Haight | G | 1960-1981 | 1982 |
| 44 | Lou D'Angelo | F | 1972-1976 | 1979 |
Ring of Honor
- Colly Lehman, D, 1960-1968
- Carey Waggoners, D, 1961-1970
- Gary Wisniewski, C, 1960-1971
- Lou D'Angelo, F, 1972-1976
Hall of Famers
- Colly Lehman, D, 1960-1968, inducted 1975
- Carey Waggoners, D, 1961-1970, inducted 1977
- Lou D'Angelo, F, 1972-1976, inducted 1979
- Don Easterling, head coach, 1960-1980, inducted 1983
- Paul Kauffman, D, 1976-1980, inducted 1983
- Gary Wisniewski, C, 1960-1971, inducted 1983
- Ferdy Haight, G, 1960-1981, inducted 1987
