The Winnipeg RCAF Bombers faced the Hamilton Flying Wildcats in the Grey Cup. Hamilton proved to be the better team, returning the coveted trophy to Steeltown for the first time since 1932.

Canadian football news in 1943 The WIFU and the IRFU suspended operations for the duration of World War II.

Regular season

Final regular season standings Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, Pts = points

Western Interprovincial Football Union No league play

Interprovincial Rugby Football Union No league play

+ Ontario Rugby Football Union Team GP W L T PF PA Pts Hamilton Flying Wildcats 10 8 1 1 223 71 17 Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers 10 8 2 0 148 74 16 Toronto RCAF Hurricanes 10 7 2 1 133 67 15 Ottawa Combines 9 2 7 0 68 129 4 Toronto HMCS York Bulldogs 10 2 8 0 73 160 4 Toronto Indians 9 1 8 0 36 180 2+Quebec Rugby Football Union Team GP W L T PF PA PtsLachine RCAF 10 8 2 0 161 59 20Verdun Grads 10 7 3 0 90 54 18St. Hyacinthe-Donnacona Navy 10 6 4 0 61 43 16McGill* 4 1 3 0 24 20 6Huntington Army 10 0 10 0 30 163 0 (*) McGill played six-point games.+ Western Canada Armed Services Rugby Football Union Team GP W L T PF PA Pts Winnipeg RCAF Bombers 6 6 0 0 102 37 12 Regina All-Services Roughriders 6 2 4 0 46 96 4 Winnipeg United Services Combines 6 1 5 0 34 49 2 Bold text means that they had clinched the playoffs.

Grey Cup playoffs Note: All dates in 1943

ORFU final Hamilton Flying Wildcats vs Toronto Date Away HomeNovember 13 Hamilton Flying Wildcats 7 Toronto 2

Eastern finals Hamilton Flying Wildcats @ Lachine RCAF Date Away HomeNovember 20 Hamilton Flying Wildcats 7 Lachine RCAF 6

Playoff bracket

Grey Cup Championship November 27 31st Annual Grey Cup Game: Varsity Stadium - Toronto, Ontario Hamilton Flying Wildcats 23 Winnipeg RCAF Bombers 14 The Hamilton Flying Wildcats were the 1943 Grey Cup Champions. Note: Playoff dates are not confirmed; however, since the Grey Cup dates are accurate, it is reasonable to assume the above dates are accurate.

1943 Western Canada Armed Services Rugby Football League All-Stars Note: During this time, most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions.

QB – Lt. Lee Sherman, Winnipeg United Services FW – Ches McCance, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers HB – LAC Ken Charlton, Regina All Services All-Stars HB – LAC Johnny Lake, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers HB – Cpl. Paul Gates, Winnipeg United Services E – Cpl. Don Durno, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers E – AC2 Cliff McFayden, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers C – Lt. Mel Wilson, Winnipeg United Services G – Les Lear, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers G – Bill Ceretti, Winnipeg United Services T – Lou Mogol, Winnipeg United Services T – Cpl. Rube Ludwig, Winnipeg RCAF Bombers

1943 Ontario Rugby Football Union All-Stars Note: During this time, most players played both ways, so the All-Star selections do not distinguish between some offensive and defensive positions. QB – Annis Stukus, Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers FW – Sam Sward, Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers HB – Joe Krol, Hamilton Flying Wildcats HB – OS Royal Copeland, Toronto HMCS York Bulldogs DB – Sgt. Fred Kijek, Toronto RCAF Hurricanes E – Jack Buckmaster, Toronto RCAF Hurricanes E – Jimmy Simpson, Hamilton Flying Wildcats C – Bob Cosgrove, Toronto RCAF Hurricanes G – Ed Remegis, Hamilton Flying Wildcats G – George Fraser, Ottawa Combines T – Harry Sonshine, Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers T – none

1943 Canadian football awards Frank Lennard Memorial Trophy - Edward Remigis as Wildcats team MVP Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (IRFU MVP) – no award given due to World War II Imperial Oil Trophy (ORFU MVP) - Bob Cosgrove - Toronto RCAF Hurricanes

References