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Timeline
1940s
Outdoor ice rink opens as WW2 begins
6 March 1940
Tarpaulin roof (the largest in Europe at the time) added shortly afterwards.
Royal Canadian Air Force ‘Bomber League’ established
1942
Over 500 games would be played at Durham between 1942 - 1944 between the various RCAF squadrons based in County Durham and North Yorkshire, including Boston Bruins legends Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart.
Gale rips off tarpaulin room, followed by a fire that severely damages one half of the rink.
November 1944
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Outdoor rink closes and work begins on new permanent building.
3 March 1946
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New rink opens
21 December 1946
Constructed in only 9 months
Senior’ ice hockey team proposed
January 1947
Mike Davy, a former RCAF airman makes enquiries at the rink about forming a senior ice hockey team.
First Durham Wasps game
18 October 1947
(v Kirkcadly Flyers) in front of 3,000 fans. Wasps narrowly lost the opener 5-4.
1950s
Wasps win BIHA Amateur Cup for first time.
1950
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Construction begins on the Smith family’s second ice rink in Whitley Bay
1954
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Durham Wasps disband. A week later, Whitley Bay Ice Rink opens
May 1955
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The Wasps are resurrected - but their new home is Whitley Bay.
November 1956
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Wasps to move back to Durham. Whitley Bees established
September 1957
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Earl Carlson recognised for scoring 500 goals for the Wasps
January 1958
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Durham Wasps narrowly win the BIHA Cup in a controversial ‘Best of 3’ Final v Whitley Bees
April 1958
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1960s
Senior ice hockey scrapped at both ice rinks.
August 1961
Durham continue to play away games only as ‘Bees’ in England and ‘Wasps’ in Scotland.
Durham’s Derek Metcalfe rated #2 Goalie in the world
March 1962
The accolade was awarded at the World Championships in Colorado.
An ‘intermediate’ North East League is established.
October 1962
Games are first based out of Whitley, and then also Durham. Durham teams: Leopards and Dynamos.
‘The Wasps’ make a return to Whitley Bay.
September 1963
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Icy Smith tragically killed in accident at West Jesmond, Newcastle.
January 1964
The Icy Smith Cup is established in his honour.
Wasps players find themselves in a financial dispute
February 1965
The team lock heads with the Whitley Bay and Durham ice rink management and are effectively exiled: All future games played ‘away’.
Wasps disband (again.)
April 1966
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After a 5-year gap, senior ice hockey returns to Durham.
October 1966
Initially as Durham Hornets - the ‘Wasps’ name is revived two months later.
1970s
Wasps’ legend and founding member Earl Carlson suddenly passes away, aged 44
April 1970
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Wasps make it to the Icy Smith Cup Final for the 2nd time
April 1971
…but lose 21-8 v Murrayfield over 2 legs
Peter Johnson and Hep Tindale selected to play for Great Britain in Holland
October 1971
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‘Wasps and Warriors clash in Semi Final of Icy Smith Cup.
February 1973
Warriors win 7-5.
Durham figure skater Angela Greenhow wins 2nd place at World Championships in Spain
February 1978
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£4.5m scheme announced to redevelop Walkergate and replace Durham Ice Rink.
February 1978
Plans scrapped 2 years later.
Durham Wasps finish the 1978/79 season bottom of the 8 team Northern League
Spring 1979
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1980s
Paul Smith debuts for the Wasps
1980
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British Ice Hockey League re-established
1982
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Torvill & Dean appear in an exhibition performance at Durham Ice Rink
January 1983
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Durham Wasps win the Bluecol Cup at Streatham - their first piece of major silverware for 30 years
December 1984
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Durham Wasps win their first of five Heineken Premier League titles
April 1985
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Durham are back at Wembley Arena for first time since 1968
May 1985
Wasps crash out of playoffs in the semi-final v Dundee Rockets.
Inaugural Castle Eden Cup competition held.
February 1986
Wasps will go on to win 9/10 competitions.
Wasps win the play off finals at Wembley for the first time
April 1987
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Wasps second attempt at a ‘Grand Slam’ ends in disappointment
April 1989
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1990s
Paul Smith debuts for the Wasps
1980
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British Ice Hockey League re-established
1982
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Torvill & Dean appear in an exhibition performance at Durham Ice Rink
January 1983
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Durham Wasps win the Bluecol Cup at Streatham - their first piece of major silverware for 30 years
December 1984
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Durham Wasps win their first of five Heineken Premier League titles
April 1985
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Durham are back at Wembley Arena for first time since 1968
May 1985
Wasps crash out of playoffs in the semi-final v Dundee Rockets.
Inaugural Castle Eden Cup competition held.
February 1986
Wasps will go on to win 9/10 competitions.
Wasps win the play off finals at Wembley for the first time
April 1987
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Wasps second attempt at a ‘Grand Slam’ ends in disappointment
April 1989
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