Presented annually in recognition of outstanding on ice performance, leadership and loyalty, in the U14 (Minor Bantam) through U16 (Midget)
age groups.
“Buck” Houle truly was a Marlboro pioneer. As a member of the first ever Marlboro minor team (Bantam) in 1931 Buck went on to play for the Midget and Junior “B” teams before being called to serve in Conn Smythe’s famed 30th Battalion in World War II.
Upon returning to Canada in 1948 he along with Smythe’s son, Stafford, were given the task of building a strong local feeder system for the Maple Leafs through the Marlboro minor and Junior “A” teams. The Leafs had no Toronto born players on their roster at the time.
His success can be evaluated in the steady flow of prospects that made their way through the system to play integral parts in Maple Leaf Stanley Cup victories in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
“Buck” would spend a total of 27 years in hockey as a manager and scout with the Marlboro and Leafs organizations and was directly responsible for the development of some of the club’s most legendary stars.
