Smoke Eaters in the 1930's

Crowd at Trail CPR Station welcomes home the 1938 Allan Cup ChampionsIn 1938, Trail reached the pinnacle of amateur hockey in Canada, the Allan Cup finals. Played in Calgary, Trail's record over the Cornwall Flyers was four games to one. Trail citizens were ecstatic and over 7000 fans welcomed the team home with a large parade through the downtown streets.

As a result of their Allan Cup victory, Trail represented Canada in the 1939 World Hockey Championships in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland. Their record in this tournament remains remarkable to this day. The team won all eight games, outscoring their opposition 42 to 1 (Duke Scodellaro recorded all 7 shutouts).

In their 71 game European Tour, Trail won 62, lost 7 and tied 2, outscoring the opposition 374 to 107.

The 1938-39 Trail Smoke Eaters was one the best amateur teams to play hockey in Canada and left a legacy for others to follow, most notably, the 1961 World Championship and 1962 Allan Cup Champions.

(Left) Some 1937-38 Trail Smoke Eaters
Top Left: Joe Benoit | Top Right: Jimmy Morris
Lower Left: Bunny Dame | Lower Right: Mel Snowdon

The 1938-39 Allan Cup and World Championship Trail Smoke Eaters

The 1938-39 Smoke Eaters at CCM Office