Portlandbuckaroos.com

08/02/2025

Great color photo shared by The Old Western Hockey League - WHL.

Furious action around the Portland goal as Salt Lake’s Danny Schock (17) battles Buckaroos Mike Donaldson (12), Norm Johnson (10), and goalie Dave Kelly (30) for the loose puck while Golden Eagles Billy McNeill (7) and Moose Vasko (25) watch. 1969-70 season. The Salt Palace.

06/21/2025

Hockey photo history had posted a newspaper article about a brawl that happened between the Phoenix Roadrunners and Portland Buckaroos. I knew I had the actual press photo somewhere but needed to find it. Here is the actual photo that was published on 01-21-1969

06/18/2025

Here is the next grouping of Portland Buckaroos p[rogram covers from 1965-1966 with artwork by Art Brewster.
This group includes Connie Madigan, Dave Kelly and Rich Van Impe who would all help the Buckaroos reach the Lester Patrick Cup finals that year.
The 1965–66 Portland Buckaroos remained one of the top franchises in the Western Hockey League (WHL), building on their success from earlier seasons, including their 1964–65 Lester Patrick Cup championship.
Regular Season Record
Wins: 39
Losses: 28
Ties: 5
Points: 83
Final Standing: 2nd place in the WHL
The team consistently challenged for the top of the standings and was known for its disciplined, physical play and strong home-ice performance at the Portland Memorial Coliseum.
Key Players
Art Jones (Center): The team's leading scorer and a WHL standout, Jones was the offensive engine with his sharp vision and scoring touch.
Cliff Schmautz (Right Wing): He led the entire WHL in scoring that season, earning the league's Leading Scorer Award
Gerry Goyer (Center): Contributed 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points which placed him among the top 10 in league scoring that year.
Connie Madigan (Defense): Connie totaled 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points along with 159 penalty minutes while patrolling the blue line.
Don Head (Goaltender): The backbone of the Buckaroos, Head brought consistency and poise in net, often keeping Portland in close games.
Season Highlights
Portland’s depth and veteran leadership made them a tough opponent night after night. The team had one of the league’s better special team's units, particularly on the penalty kill. Several Buckaroos were named to WHL All-Star honors during the season.
Playoffs
Despite a strong regular season, the Buckaroos were unable to capture the Lester Patrick Cup for a second straight year. They were eliminated in the playoffs, though they remained a top contender and respected opponent.

06/17/2025

Here are a few more of the great program covers designed by cartoonist Art Brewster for the 1965-1966 Portland Buckaroos hockey programs.

06/16/2025

Let's line up a few of the great Portland Buckaroos program covers with some great cartoon caricatures by Art Brewster on the cover. These programs were issued during the 1965-1966 season. I will also include a Portland Buckaroos team photo from 1965-1966 along with the team record and some other details of that season.
1965–66 Portland Buckaroos Season Record
Wins: 40
Losses: 28
Ties: 4
Total Points: 84
Finish: 2nd place in the WHL regular season standings
The Buckaroos reached the Lester Patrick Cup Finals.
In the playoffs, they defeated the Seattle Totems in a hard-fought semi-final series.
In the WHL Championship, they faced the Victoria Maple Leafs—a rematch of the 1964–65 Finals.
Portland lost the series, and Victoria claimed the Lester Patrick Cup, winning in six games (4–2 series).
Season Highlights
Art Jones, Portland’s perennial scoring star, was again among the league’s top point producers. His leadership and playmaking continued to define the Buckaroos' offensive core.
Cliff Schmautz led the league with 46 goals and 58 assists for a league leading 104 points, just 2 points ahead of his teammate Art Jones and Billy McNeil of the Vancouver Canucks, both finishing the season with 102 points.
Connie Madigan, the rugged defenseman known as 'Mad Dog,' continued to bring toughness and skill to the blue line and led the team in penalty minutes.
Don Head, the team’s veteran goaltender, delivered another strong season between the pipes, providing consistency and big-game performances in key matchups.
The Buckaroos maintained an excellent home-ice advantage at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum, where crowds remained strong and passionate.
Notable Events
The 1965–66 season further cemented Portland's rivalry with Seattle and Victoria, as those matchups were often heated, physical, and well-attended.
Portland was one of the most balanced teams in the league, boasting both offensive depth and solid defensive play.
This season was part of the Buckaroos' extended run of excellence in the 1960s, where they were perennial contenders and one of the WHL’s most stable and successful franchises.

06/11/2025

Next up in the alphabetical listing of Buckaroo players in my collection is Alexander "Bud" DeBrody.
I cannot tell you why he is in a Portland Buckaroos uniform, but I am sure there was a trade or something in the works and it did not pan out. He played for the Hershey "Bars" Bears and was on the team when they won the championship in 1968-1969 and then went to the Springfield Kings in 1971-72. The Buckaroos were taken over by the Los Angeles Kings towards the end of The Old Western Hockey League - WHL but I have nothing tangible that tells me why he is in a Buckaroos uniform/media photo. Maybe somebody out there knows the answer??

06/11/2025

I had a die-hard San Diego Gulls fan ask me for some San Diego Gulls stuff. So, I scanned the entire copy that I have of the 1969-1970 San Diego Gulls Media guide. Phew!! A few pages, but well worth it as it was a great trip down memory lane. Here is a broad outline of the San Diego Gulls as put together for me by AI.
While the Portland Buckaroos were one of the top franchises in the Western Hockey League, the San Diego Gulls (1966–1974) became tough and spirited rivals, particularly in the late 1960s. Though newer to the league, the Gulls earned respect and presented real challenges to powerhouse clubs like Portland.
Competitive Coaching and Quick Identity
Under head coach Jack Evans, the Gulls established a disciplined, defensively responsible style. Evans brought NHL experience and helped shape San Diego into a team that could stifle opposing offenses and grind out wins.
Fierce Fan Base and Home Ice Edge
San Diego’s Sports Arena became one of the WHL’s most energetic venues. With crowds that routinely packed the house, the Gulls developed a strong home-ice advantage. Opponents often found the road trip to Southern California one of the toughest on the schedule.
Real Gulls Stars
The Gulls built competitive rosters around legitimate WHL talent. Notable players included:
- Willie O'Ree – The face of the franchise and one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons
- Les Binkley – A solid goaltender who provided stability between the pipes
- Fred Hilts – Rugged, dependable defenseman known for his steady play and leadership on the blue line throughout the Western Hockey
- Gordie Sinclair - A hard-nosed, reliable defenseman whose rugged play and leadership made him a cornerstone on the blue line throughout his Western Hockey League career.
- Warren Hynes - A dynamic winger for the Gulls, combining scoring touch with play making skill who consistently ranked as one of their top points leaders
– Bob Courcy - A skilled center a seasoned whose clutch scoring led the San Diego Guls during the 1970-71 season
These players formed the backbone of a team that could compete with any WHL opponent.
Tight Playoff Battles with Portland
In the 1968–69 playoffs, San Diego faced off with Portland in a memorable seven-game series. The Buckaroos edged out a 5–4 victory in Game 7, but the series proved that San Diego could match Portland shift-for-shift and force them to the brink.
Rapid Rise from Expansion to Contender
Joining the league in 1966, San Diego was a quick study. Within a couple of seasons, they were a regular playoff team, holding their own against more established franchises like Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Though they never won a WHL championship, the San Diego Gulls were far from an afterthought. With high-end talent like Willie O'Ree and Gary Veneruzzo, disciplined coaching from Jack Evans, and a devoted fan base, the Gulls were a worthy rival to the Portland Buckaroos and a respected team throughout the league’s final decade.