London Nationals

For the team that existed from 1965–1968 with the same name, see London Knights.
London Nationals
City London, Ontario
League Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Conference Western Ontario Conferece
Founded 1965
Home arena Western Fair District Sports Centre
Colours Blue and white
         
General manager Pat Powers
Head coach Pat Powers
Captain Austin Kemp
Affiliate(s) Lambeth Lancers (SOJHL)
Championships Sutherland Cup Champions: 2013
WOC Champions: 2012, 2013, 2015
WOJHL Champions: 1981,1983,1984,1992
WJBHL Champions: 1964,1965
Big 10 West Champions: 1952
Website www.londonnationals.on.ca
Franchise history
1950–1958 London Lou Ball Juniors
1958–1960 London Diamonds
1960–1961 London Athletics
1961–1965 London Nationals
1965–1966 Ingersoll Nationals
1966–1967 London Bees
1969–1973 London Squires
1973–1976 London-Glencoe Squires
1976–1991 London Diamonds
1991–present London Nationals

The London Nationals are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in London, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Ken Eansor is the current owner of the London Nationals. The general manager and Head Coach of the Nationals is Pat Powers. The Nationals play their home games at the Western Fair Sports Centre. The arena's seating capacity is 1,800, and features an international-sized ice surface measuring 100' X 200'.

History

Early days–1950

The team's life began in 1950, playing in The Big '10' Western Division out of the Ontario Arena at the Western Fair grounds. They won the Western Division title in 1952 as the London Lou Ball Juniors, after sponsor Lou Ball's clothing store. In 1956 the 'Big 10' was divided, and London became a member of the Western Ontario Junior "B" Hockey League.

Consistent representation of the city of London at the Jr. B level began in 1950 with the London Lou Ball Juniors, playing in The 'Big 10' Western Division out of the Ontario Arena at the Western Fairgrounds. The team was named after Lou Ball Clothes, which were stores owned by coach Lou Ball, and they won the championship the following season. The team was known as the London Collinson Flyers during the 1955–56 season before reverting to Lou Ball Juniors for 2 more seasons. The name changed to London Diamonds in 1958, then to Athletics in 1960. In 1961 the team was renamed again. They were called the Nationals, after sponsor Canadian National Recreation Association, an organization of Canadian National Railways employees.

The Maple Leafs-1963

In 1963 the Toronto Maple Leafs began sponsoring the Nationals. The Maple Leafs traditionally had affiliations with the Toronto Marlboros and St. Michael's Majors, however with the withdrawal of the Majors from the OHA, and the collapse of the Metro Junior A League, the Leafs were left with only one team. They decided to sponsor the junior team in London, which they wanted to play at the new London Gardens and be promoted to the Ontario Hockey Association.

The OHA initially balked at the proposition however, and so the Nationals continued to play in the Junior B league, winning the London Free Press Trophy as league champions in 1964 and 1965. For the 1965–66 season, the team was finally admitted to major junior hockey, and London's Junior B franchise moved to Ingersoll to make room for the Junior A Nationals. The Junior A team was renamed as London Knights in 1968, and the Nationals name disappeared from the London sports landscape.

The Bees, Squires and Diamonds–1966

The Junior B team returned to London under the name Bees for the 1966–1967 season, but then fell dormant for two seasons. The team was revived in 1969 as the Squires, and played under that name until 1976. The team was then known as the Diamonds from 1976–1991, before the Nationals name was revived after a long-lasting sponsorship with a diamond jeweler dissolved.

The team's time under the Diamonds name was successful, as they claimed the Southwestern Junior B Hockey League title in 1977, and the Western Ontario Hockey League title in 1981, 1983, and 1984.

Nationals Name Returns-1991

London Nationals logo 1991-1998.

The next change came when Kent Phibbs purchased the team and changed the name back to the London Nationals, and they won the Western Jr. B championship that same year. The team uniforms were once again the blue and white of the Maple Leafs and the team remained at Nichols Arena for a few years.

Mr. Phibbs now moved the team back to the Gardens. In the summer of 1998, the team was sold again, this time to the Doug Tarry Group (London Knights). The team remained playing at the same arena, but the name had changed to the London Ice House. The team colors and logo where changed to eggplant and teal to match the affiliate and the team still played at the London Ice House. The team's most recent championship came in 2012 as Western Conference Champions.

In 2013, the Nationals defeated the Cambridge Winterhawks to win their first ever Sutherland Cup.

2016–2017 coaching staff

Championships

Sutherland Cup
GOJHL Champions

Bill Weir Trophy
GOJHL Western Conference Champions

Western Ontario Junior B Champions
Western Ontario Junior Hockey League

Western Junior B Champions
Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League

Players

Current roster

Goaltenders
Number Player Catches Position Place of birth
1 Canada Connor Hughes L G London, Ontario
30 Canada Zack Weir L G London, Ontario
Defencemen
Number Player Shoots Position Place of birth
11 Canada Tyler Sehovic R D Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
5 Canada Callum Ruddock R D London, Ontario
6 Canada Alex Cimino L D London, Ontario
3 Canada Derek Di Iorio L D London, Ontario
17 Canada Jordan Di Cicco L D London, Ontario
21 Canada Sam Harris R D London, Ontario
44 Canada Brenden Trottier R D Petrolia, Ontario
Forwards
Number Player Shoots Position Place of birth
10 Canada Kevin Madden L F London, Ontario
12 Canada Austin Kemp R F London, Ontario
24 Canada Colin Wilson L F London, Ontario
11 Canada Ethan Cocurullo L F London, Ontario
20 Canada John Warren L F London, Ontario
9 Canada Kyle Robinson L F London, Ontario
19 Canada Matt Bean R F Calgary, Alberta
61 Canada Max Vinogradov R F London, Ontario
14 Canada Rai Di Loreto L F London, Ontario
8 Canada Scott Dorion L F Penetanguishene, Ontario
13 Canada Scott Goodman R F Oakville, Ontario
7 Canada Tanner Ferreira R F London, Ontario
23 Canada Trevor Dulong R F London, Ontario
18 Canada John Adams R F Orangeville, Ontario

Retired numbers

16 – Tom Cardiff
22 – Patrick Dobie
29 – Taylor Edwards
39 – Scott Lombardi
96 – Aaron Dartch

NHL Alumni

List of alumni who also played in the National Hockey League.

London Nationals Junior B[1]
London Diamonds Junior B[2]

Season-by-season results

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPStandingPlayoffs
1950–51 14 8 6 0 - -- -- 18 2nd Big '10' Western
1951–52 16 11 5 0 - 107 68 22 2nd Big '10' WesternWon League
1952–53 18 14 4 0 - -- -- 28 1st Big '10' Western
1953–54 24 6 18 0 - 119 189 12 4th Big '10' Western
1954–55 25 5 20 0 - 110 204 10 4th Big '10' Western
1955–56 27 0 27 0 - 68 249 0 5th Big '10' Western
1956–57 27 9 18 0 - 126 167 18 5th WJBHL
1957–58 30 20 10 0 - -- -- 40 2nd WJBHL
1958–59 36 14 22 0 - 165 224 28 3rd WJBHL
1959–60 25 1 24 0 - -- -- 2 6th WJBHL
1960–61 32 0 32 0 - 86 399 0 5th WJBHL
1961–62 36 10 25 1 - 201 254 21 7th WJBHL
1962–63 35 3 32 0 - 133 348 6 6th WJBHL
1963–64 40 28 11 1 - 260 159 57 2nd WJBHLWon League
1964–65 40 23 17 0 - 213 181 46 3rd WJBHLWon League
1965–66 40 25 15 0 - 237 178 50 3rd WJBHL
1966–67 40 5 35 0 - 124 278 10 5th WJBHL
1967–69 Did not participate
1969–70 36 16 17 3 - 137 169 35 3rd WOJHL
1970–71 41 10 29 2 - 139 240 22 4th WOJHL
1971–72 39 12 18 9 - 173 185 33 5th WOJHL
1972–73 42 21 15 6 - 224 203 48 2nd WOJHL
1973–74 40 4 32 4 - 114 239 12 5th WOJHL
1974–75 40 19 15 6 - 186 172 44 2nd WOJHL
1975–76 39 11 22 6 - 168 206 28 6th WOJHL
1976–77 38 13 24 1 - 191 274 27 5th SWJBHL DNQ
1977–78 40 30 8 2 - 261 171 62 1st SWJBHL Lost Final
1978–79421918 5 -227213435th WOJHL
1979–80422212 8 -182127525th WOJHLLost Final
1980–814231 9 2 -256147641st WOJHLWon League
1981–82422216 4 -196180483rd WOJHLLost Final
1982–834231 7 4 -263138661st WOJHLWon League
1983–844834 7 7 -297148751st WOJHLWon League
1984–85483513 0 -285164701st WOJHLLost Final
1985–864234 5 3 -275150711st WOJHL
1986–87422810 4 -272162602nd WOJHLLost Final
1987–88421324 3 2190213317th WOJHL
1988–89411916 4 2197193445th WOJHL
1989–90402018 1 1205231424th WOJHL
1990–91481530 3 0170259338th WOJHL
1991–92483013 3 2274191651st WOJHL EastWon League
1992–93522520 5 2 - -572nd WOJHL East
1993–94502521 3 1273251542nd WOJHL East
1994–95521634 0 2223281344th WOJHL East
1995–96512717 5 2208184613rd WOJHL East
1996–97522319 7 3220230563rd WOJHL East
1997–98521435 0 3205307315th WOJHL East
1998–99521932 0 1213282394th WOJHL East
1999-00542227 0 5189232498th GOHL
2000–01543911 1 3251143822nd GOHLLost Final
2001–02543221 0 1251169656th WOHL
2002–03483114 0 3207182653rd WOHL
2003–04482718 2 1172150575th WOHLLost Final
2004–05482222 1 3161173485th WOHL
2005–06482225 1 0148165458th WOHLLost Quarter-final
2006–07482123 - 4183178467th WOHLLost Quarter-final
2007–08 48 30 14 - 4 214 175 64 3rd GOJHL-W Lost Conf. Final
2008–09 52 33 10 - 9 221 174 75 2nd GOJHL-WLost Conf. Final
2009–10 50 37 10 - 3 244 133 77 1st GOJHL-W Lost Conf. SF
2010–11 51 34 13 - 4 235 162 72 2nd GOJHL-W Lost Conf. Final
2011–12 51 28 20 - 3 185 190 59 3rd GOJHL-W Lost SF Round Robin
2012–13 51 28 17 - 6 196 172 62 4th GOJHL-W Won League
2013–14 49 29 19 - 1 188 150 59 5th GOJHL-W Lost Conf. SF
2014–15 49 22 24 - 3 166 166 47 7th GOJHL-W Lost Conf. SF
2015–16 50 31 14 4 1 212 155 67 2nd of 9-W
6th of 26-GOJHL
Won Conf. Quarters, 4–1 (Strathroy)
Won Conf. Semi-finals 4–2 (Lasalle)
Won Conf. Finals 4–2 (Flyers)
Won Sutherland Cup Semifinals, 4-2 (Cullitons)
Lost Sutherland Cup Finals, 0-4 (Corvairs)

Playoffs

  • 1950–51 Lost to Windsor 8–6 (2–3, 6–3)
  • 1951–52 Defeated Windsor 3–0 in semi-finals
    Defeated Sarnia 4–0 in finals. BIG '10' WESTERN CHAMPIONS
  • 1952–53 Semi-final Round Robin. London Eliminated.
  • 1953–54 Lost to Sarnia 4–0 in semi-finals.
  • 1954–55 Lost to Sarnia 3–2 in semi-finals.
  • 1955–56 Did not qualify
  • 1956–57 Did not qualify
  • 1957–58 Defeated Woodstock 3 – 0 in first round.
    Defeated St. Mary's Lincolns 3–1 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Sarnia Bees 4–1 in final.
  • 1958–59 Lost to Sarnia Bees 4–1–1 in semi-finals
  • 1959–60 Did not qualify
  • 1960–61 Did not qualify
  • 1961–62 Did not qualify
  • 1962–63 Did not qualify
  • 1963–64 Defeated Sarnia Bees 4-2 (7-4, 2-5, 4-2, 5-7, 6-2, 5-3) in semi-finals.
    Defeated St. Thomas Barons 4-2 (7-6, 3-5, 4-2, 5-2, 3-7, 6-1) in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1964–65 Defeated Chatham Maroons 4-1 (4-6, 6-5, 5-3, 5-0, 7-4) in semi-finals.
    Defeated St. Thomas Barons 4-0 (8-4, 6-3, 3-1, 7-5) in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1965–66 Lost to Sarnia Bees 4-1 (4-3, 2-8, 7-2, 3-2, 5-2) in semi-finals.
  • 1966–67 Did not qualify
  • 1967–68 Did not participate
  • 1968–69 Did not participate
  • 1970–78 NO RECORDS AVAILABLE
  • 1978–79 Defeated Petrolia Jets 7-3 (6-pt series) in first round.
    Lost to Strathroy Blades 8-0 (8-pt series) in second round.
  • 1980–80 Defeated Chatham Maroons 3-1 in first round.
    Defeated Strathroy Blades 4-0 in second round.
    Lost to Windsor 4-0 in finals.
  • 1980–81 Defeated Windsor 4-0 (London advances directly to final)
    Defeated Chatham Maroons 4-1 in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1981–82 Defeated Chatham Maroons 3-0 in first round.
    Defeated Petrol Jets 3-0 in second-round.
    Lost to Sarnia 4-3 in finals.
  • 1982–83 Defeated St. Thomas Pests 5-2 in first round. (Best 5-of-9; London advances directly to final)
    Defeated Sarnia Steeplejacks 4-1 in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1983–84 Defeated Windsor 4-0 (London advances directly to final)
    Defeated Sarnia Steeplejacks 4-0 in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1984–85 Defeated St. Thomas Pests 3-0 (London advances directly to final)
  • 1985–86 Lost to Chatham Maroons 5-4 (Best 5-of-9) in first round.
  • 1986–87 Defeated Chatham Maroons 4-0 in first round.
    Second Round (Double Round-Robin): 1st - St. Thomas, 2nd - London, 3rd - Sarnia (eliminated) Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-0
  • 1988–89 Did not qualify
  • 1989–90 Did not qualify
  • 1990–91 Lost to St. Mary's Lincoln's 4-0 in quarter-final.
  • 1991–92 Lost to Windsor 4-1 in quarter-final.
  • 1992–93 Defeated St. Thomas Stars 4-1 in divisional semi-final.
    Defeated St Mary's Lincolns 4-3 in divisional final.
    Defeated Windsor 4-3 in finals. WOJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1993–94 Defeated St. Thomas Stars 4-1 in divisional semi-final.
    Lost to St Mary's Lincolns 4-0 in divisional final.
  • 1994–95 Defeated Aylmer 4-2 in divisional semi-final.
    Lost to St Mary's Lincolns 4-0 in divisional final.
  • 1995–96 Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4-0 in divisional semi-finals.
  • 1996–97 Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4-0 in divisional semi-finals.
  • 1997–98 Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4-1 in divisional semi-finals.
  • 1998–99 Did not qualify.
  • 1999–00 Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4-0 in divisional semi-finals.
  • 2000–01 Did not qualify.
  • 2001–02 Defeated Strathroy Rockets 4 – 2 in first round.
    Defeated Sarnia Blast 4–2 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Chatham 4-2 in finals.
  • 2002–03 Lost to Sarnia Blast 4-1 in quarter-finals
  • 2003–04 Defeated St. Thomas Stars 4-1 in quarter-finals
    Lost to Sarnia Blast 4-3 in semi-finals.
  • 2004–05 Defeated Leamington Flyers 4 – 2 in first round.
    Defeated Sarnia Blast 4–0 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Chatham 4-2 in finals.
  • 2005–06 Defeated St. Mary's Lincolns 4 – 1 in first round.
    Lost to Chatham Maroons 4-0 in semi-finals.
  • 2006–07 Lost to St. Mary's Lincolns 4–3 in quarter-finals.
  • 2007–08 Lost to Sarnia Legionairres 4–3 in quarter-finals.
  • 2008–09 Defeated Leamington Flyers 4 – 2 in first round.
    Defeated St. Mary's Lincolns 4–0 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Tecumseh Chiefs 4–1 in final.
  • 2009–10 Defeated LaSalle Vipers 4 – 1 in first round.
    Defeated St. Mary's Lincolns 4–3 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Sarnia Legionaries 4–2 in final.
  • 2010–11 Defeated Leamington Flyers 4 – 0 in first round.
    Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4–2 in semi-finals.
  • 2011–12 Defeated Sarnia Legionaries 4 – 0 in first round.
    Defeated LaSalle Vipers 4–2 in semi-finals.
    Lost to St. Thomas Stars 4–3 in final.
  • 2012–13 Defeated LaSalle Vipers 4 – 1 in first round.
    Defeated St. Mary's Lincolns 4–2 in semi-finals.
    Defeated Strathroy Rockets 4–2 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
    Defeated Cambridge Winterhawks 4–3 in the championship round. SUTHERLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 2013–14 Defeated St. Thomas Stars 4 – 2 in first round.
    Defeated Leamington Flyers 4–1 in semi-finals.
    Defeated Chatham Maroons 4–1 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
  • 2014–15 Defeated Sarnia Legionnaries 4 – 3 in first round.
    Lost to Leamington Flyers 4–1 in semi-finals.
  • 2015–16 Defeated Strathroy Rockets 4 – 2 in first round.
    Defeated LaSalle Vipers 4–2 in semi-finals.
    Defeated Leamington Flyers 4-2 WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
    Defeated Stratford Cullitons 4-2
    Lost to Caledonia Corvairs 4-0 in final.

Sutherland Cup appearances

2013: London Nationals defeated Cambridge Winterhawks 4-games-to-3
2015: Caledonia Corvairs defeated London Nationals 4-games-to-none

Awards

GOJHL Western Conference

Kelly Hearn Award Volunteer of the Year

  • 1992–93 – Bill McCullough
  • 2006–07 – Bill Westgate
  • 2012–13 – Steve Davidson
  • 2013–14 – Bruce Keck

Chester Pegg Memorial Award
Sportsmanship & Ability

Roy Bruhlman Memorial Award
Rookie of the Year

  • 1989–90 – Keli Corpse
  • 1990–91 – Trevor Gallant
  • 1997–98 – Scott Dickier
  • 2000–01 – Kyle Piwowarczyk

Phibbs Incorporated Award
Most Valuable Defenseman

CHOK Award
Most Valuable Player

  • 1992–93 – Chris Legg
  • 1993–94 – Shane Johnson
  • 2000–01 – Ash Goldie
  • 2008–09 – Adam McKee

Phibbs Incorporated Award
Most Valuable Rookie Defenseman

  • 2003–04 – Patrick Dobie
  • 2014–15 – Justin Murray

Hugh McLean Award
Regular Season Scoring Champion

Pat & Jackie Stapleton Award
Playoff Scoring Champion

  • 2000–01 – Ashe Goldie

Sharon Williamson Award
Playoff MVP

Smith-Buys Award
Rookie Scoring Champion

  • 2000–01 – Kyle Piwowarczyk

Roy Caley Award
Best Team Goals Against Average

  • 1979–80 –
  • 1980–81 –
  • 1982–83 – D. Sceli Craig Billington
  • 1983–84 – Richard McCullough Rob Nixon
  • 1984–85 –
  • 1985–86 –
  • 1986–87 – Joe Noval Brian Morris
  • 1991–92 – Shawn O'Hagan Dave Grasso
  • 1995–96 – Steve Tutt Ian Burt
  • 2009–10 – Mike Coulter Taylor Edwards

Team records

Team records for a single season
StatisticPlayerTotalSeason
Most GoalsCraig Simpson471982–83
Most AssistsAdam McKee652009–10
Most PointsCraig Simpson1111982–83
Most Game-Winning GoalsShuan Furlong92009–10
Most Powerplay GoalsChris McKay172009–10
Most Shorthanded GoalsGraham Spriel52005–06
Individual player records for a career
StatisticPlayerTotalCareer
Most GoalsAaron Dartch1122008–13
Most AssistsAdam McKee1152007–10
Most PointsAaron Dartch2512008–13
Most Games PlayedScott Lombardi2332009–14
Most Game-Winning GoalsNoah Schwartz182010–13
Most Powerplay GoalsAaron Dartch392008–13
Most Shorthanded GoalsCraig Watson61996–97

Arenas

OntarioArena

Ontario Arena, 1950–1976

  • Built :
  • Capacity : .
  • Ice Size : 190' x 85'

Original home of the London Nationals. Built on the property of the Western Fair.

London Gardens/London Ice House, 1976–2001

  • Built : 1963
  • Capacity : 5,075 including standing room.
  • Ice Size : 190' x 85'

The London Gardens (see article) was built in 1963 and served as the home of the Nationals from 1976 to its closing in 2001. The building was renamed London Ice House in 1994. The arena is currently home to the Forest City Velodrome.

Ray Lanctin Arena (Medway Arena), 2002–2005

  • Built : 1967
  • Capacity : N/A.
  • Ice Size : 100' x 200'

Medway Arena was renovated in 2009 after being built in 1967. Renovations include updates to the community centre, flooring and rink boards. Winter skating programs and events run throughout the winter season, and arena pad is available for lacrosse during the summer season. This facility is also equipped with a hall and kitchenette, perfect for private rentals..

Western Fair Sports Centre, 2006–present

  • Built : 1995
  • Capacity : 1,500 including standing room.
  • Ice Size : 100' x 200'

The Sports Centre at Western Fair District is a state-of-the-art 160,000 square foot multi-use facility known as a leader amongst the many ice facilities available in London and Ontario.

Other Arenas

Lambeth Arena
Earl Nicols Arena
Ray Lanctin Arena
Glencoe Arena

Uniforms and logos

The original London Nationals were modelled off their parent club, the Toronto Maple Leafs up until the change to the London Knights. The team's logo was the same Leaf as used by the parent club at the time, except with the words "London Nationals" written out across the leaf instead of "Toronto Maple Leafs" The team over went numerous logo and uniform changes with sponsors including Chester Pegg & Phibbs Incorporated. The team adopted similar colours to the Knights (Eggplant & teal) in the 1990s to look more like their Jr A affiliate. The Knight's move to more modern colours in 2002 brought the Nationals' look back to the familiar blue & white look. Today's uniforms mimic the Maple Leafs look, adopting a blue, white & black colour scheme. In 2015, the Nationals adopted a black alternate jerseys with the team's crest logo.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.