Brainerd Lumberjacks

The **Brainerd Lumberjacks** are a team of the Granite Hockey League, where they have played since joining the league as an expansion team for the 1955-56 season. Based in Brainerd, Minnesota, the Lumberjacks play their home games at the 2,000-seat Brainerd Civic Arena.

## History

The Lumberjacks name pays homage to both Brainerd's strong lumber industry as well as to the Northwoods' greatest folklore hero Paul Bunyan. Brainerd is also home to the Paul Bunyan Land amusement park.

The Lumberjacks have won 1 Kellogg Cup (1969), appeared in 9 Super Series and won a Granite League-best 19 League Titles.

### Culture

#### Traditions

Brainerd has a unique tradition after home goals. It began back when the Jacks played outdoors at Gregory Park Rink when a fan brought his chainsaw to a game and sawed off a disc from a downed pine tree after the Lumberjacks scored. The tradition has become synonymous with Brainerd hockey with Big Paul using a chainsaw to cut off a disc after every Lumberjacks goal. Goal scorers get to keep their discs after the game, with some players collecting their discs over the years & others using them as nothing more than firewood.

Lumberjack fans are known for their love of flannel, specifically the traditional red and black tonal checkers made famous by Paul Bunyan. The stands are always full of flannel whenever the Jacks are playing.

The Brainerd Lumberjacks have entered to the sound of "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath since the 1970 season. Players take to the ice when the guitar riff starts.

### Big Paul

Beginning in 1974, the Lumberjacks have a mascot named Big Paul. A man dressed in red and black flannel, blue jeans with suspenders and black boots and carrying an axe, Big Paul is meant to be Paul Bunyan, the Jacks' aforementioned namesake. Standing at 6'4 and weighing 220 pounds, Big Paul can be seen at all the Jacks' home games at Brainerd Civic Arena where he uses his chainsaw to cut a disc of wood after every Brainerd goal.

### Rivalry Trophies

#### The Champions Trophy

The Lumberjacks' archrivals are the St. Cloud Bearcats, with whom they combine for all but three titles in the Granite League's history and against whom they compete for the Champions Trophy, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams).

Currently, the Bearcats hold the Trophy, having won it for the first time in 1984 and holding it the following five years. The Cats lead the all-time trophy series, 6-3.

#### Camp Ripley Memorial Trophy

In addition, the Lumberjacks compete against their rivals the Little Falls Pilots for the Camp Ripley Memorial Trophy, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams).

Currently, the Lumberjacks hold the Trophy, having won it back in 1989. The Pilots lead the all-time trophy series, 4-2.

### Retired Numbers

* **1** - G Dand Polley (1956-1967): Played for the Jacks in their first twelve seasons, leading them to nine Granite League titles, two Super Series and the 1961 Kellogg Cup Final. Drafted by the NHL's Minnesota North Stars for their inaugural 1967 season.
* **2** - D Dallas Duffy (1956-1977): 1961 Tschida Trophy winner (the only defenseman to ever win it), played for the Jacks in their first 22 seasons, leading them to 16 Granite League titles, seven Super Series and the 1969 Kellogg Cup.
* **7** - C Eli Koemans (1956-1973): Played for the Jacks in their first 18 seasons, leading them to 17 Granite League titles, six Super Series and the 1969 Kellogg Cup. Currently holds the all-time Granite League record for career goals scored.