In 1980, the Lakefield Chiefs were promoted to join the Central Lakeshore Junior C Hockey League.

They moved on to the provincial championships and found themselves in the Clarence Schmalz Cup final against the Niagara & District Junior C Hockey League's Norwich Merchants.

They pushed deep into provincial playdowns and found themselves again in the Clarence Schmalz Cup finals.

Their opponent ended up being the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League's Belle River Canadiens.

They moved on to the provincial quarter-finals where they were pitted against the Empire B Junior C Hockey League's Amherstview Jets.

In the provincial semi-final, the Chiefs ran into the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League's Penetang Kings.