SPONSOR: CKLB and Crown Life Insurance
SIZE: 4-1/4” x 6”
NUMBER OF CARDS IN SET: Unknown
LEAGUE: Junior A
GAME: Box
This is a very rare issue and believed to be the only box lacrosse card set produced from the post World War I era through the 1960s. The set checklist is comprised of members of the 1966 Oshawa Green Gaels team, though exactly which players were represented in not known.
Although identified as 1966, these photo cards could be from 1967. Mike Lewis was not on the 1966 Green Gaels roster (but was on the 1967 team). The only other one observed, however, is that of Neil Armstrong, who was on the 1966 team but not 1967. Therefore, we will continue to classify the Green Gaels set as being a 1966 issue.
Players who were on both the 1966 and 1967 teams and probably have photo cards in the set include: Gaylord Powless, Ross Jones, Don Stinson, Larry Lloyd, Jimmy Higgs, Charlie Marlowe, Phil Clayton, John Clayton, Dwight Davies, goalie Merv Marshall, Joe Krasnaj, Bob Goulding, Tom Vann, and Dave Keenan.
The Oshawa Green Gaels, under the auspices of coach Jim Bishop, had an incredible run in the sixties, winning seven consecutive Minto Cups from 1963 through 1969.
Coach Jim Bishop was the sports director for Oshawa’s CKLB radio station, which helps explain why CKLB, along with Crown Life Insurance, sponsored the set. Apparently CKLB sponsored hockey card sets for the Oshawa Generals Jr. A hockey team for the 1965/66, 1966/67 and 1967/68 seasons as well.
