BRANTFORD- In October, the 2009 Sutherland Cup champions Brantford Golden Eagles will officially by inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition.
Originally, the 2009 Golden Eagles squad were supposed to be inducted on June 10, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were changed to have the ceremony on October 21st 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western Brantford Hotel and Conference Centre.
“I was first told about the 2008-2009 Eagles team getting elected into the hall of fame from my in-laws,” Brock Farmer, who was on the team said.
“My wife’s brother was the goalie on the team that year. I was surprised that they planned on inducting our team to the Brantford hall of fame.”
In what was a truly historic campaign, the Golden Eagles dominated regular season play as they finished first overall with a 41-7-4 record.
Brantford then made a bold statement by opening up their quarter finals best of seven playoff series against the Guelph Dominators by rolling to a 15-0 win.
“I think what really made us a dominant team that year was that all of us players kind of knew we had a good team going into the season,” Farmer said.
“Also not knowing it at the start of the season, but we would have our top line all reach over 100 points. The highlight of the season I think was winning the Suthy at the end.”
Riding the wave of momentum after that series opening win against Guelph, the Golden Eagles continued to roll as they defeated Guelph before beating the Listowel Cyclones in semi-finals action.
“Myself, I thought we could win the Suthy,” Farmer said. “When we started to win, and continue to win games, I had a feeling that there wasn’t a team in the league that would beat us. I believe the rest of the team felt that way as well.”
Facing the Kitchener Dutchmen in the finals, Brantford ended up winning the best of seven series four games to one.
Showing strong character and determination, Brantford found themselves in a big hole with no margin of error as they began the Sutherland Cup’s three -team double-round robin by dropping the first two games. Eventually they would prevail by defeating the Sarnia Legionnaires by a 4-2 score before defeating the Stoney Creek Warriors and punching their ticket to the Sutherland Cup finals.
“Every player bought into the system the coaching staff put into place which made us such a dominant team,” Farmer said.
Eventually history was made as they went on to defeat the Warriors in five games to celebrate their first Sutherland Cup win since 1941 when they were called the Brantford Lions.
It was a historic year for this 2009 Golden Eagles squad who come October will take their rightful spot in Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition.