HISTORY OF JR. B HOCKEY IN LONDON
BEGINNINGS
The first documented London team to play at the Jr. B level of the Ontario Hockey Association was the London Tecumsehs, who played in a division along with Brantford, Paris, Hamilton, and Woodstock during the 1937-38 season. London had a regular season record of 6-2 that year, and defeated Woodstock in the semi-final before falling to Brantford in the final, which sent the winner to the Sutherland Cup tournament.
The war years resulted in patchy Jr. B representation for London, and incomplete records. London and Woodstock combined to form an entry into the Sutherland Cup tournament in 1941, and lost to Brantford in the quarter-finals. The next documented Jr. B team from London played in the 1945-46 season, and advanced to the quarter-final of the Sutherland Cup tournament before losing to Kitchener. A London team also went to the Sutherland Cup in 1948, losing in the second round to Upper Canada College.
LOU BALL JUNIORS
Consistent representation of the city of London at the Jr. B level began in the 1950-51 season with the London Lou Ball Juniors, playing in The ‘Big 10’ Western Division out of the Ontario Arena at the Western Fairgrounds. Named for Lou Ball Clothes – stores owned by coach Lou Ball – the team won the Big 10 Western championship in 1952.
The name changed to London Collinson Flyers during the 1955-56 season before reverting back to Lou Ball Juniors for two more seasons. Another name change saw the team called the London Diamonds in 1958, then switch to Athletics in 1960.
LEAFS, NATIONALS, AND KNIGHTS
In 1961 the team was renamed again – they were called the Nationals, after sponsor Canadian National Recreation Association, an organization of Canadian National Railway employees.
The Toronto Maple Leafs began sponsoring the team in 1963, and moved the team to OHA Major Junior A in 1965. That team was sold in 1968, and became the current OHL London Knights franchise.
London’s Junior B team moved to Ingersoll for the 1965-66 season, and was known as the Ingersoll Nationals before returning to London as the ‘Bees’ the following year, and was dormant for two subsequent seasons.
JUNIOR B RETURNS TO LONDON
Junior B hockey returned to London in 1969 under the name Squires, and the team was known as the London-Glencoe Squires from 1973 to 1976. The team’s name changed back to London Diamonds for the 1976-77 season, after sponsor Chester Pegg jewellers. Under the name Diamonds, the team won Western Jr. B championships in 1981, 1983, and 1984.
SIMPSON STARS
The early 80’s teams included many talented players, including arguably London’s most famous Jr. B alumnus. Craig Simpson wasn’t a Diamond for long, but set several team records which still stand. In just 42 regular season games during the 1982-83 season, Simpson led the league with 47 goals and 64 assists. London won the Western Jr. B championship in 1983, while Craig finished the requirements for grades 11 and 12 in the same year at Oakridge Secondary School so that he could enter college at age 16.
Simpson went on to a starring role at Michigan State University, went second overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985 NHL entry draft, and continued to put points on the board for three different teams before a back injury ended his career at age 28. Following his retirement in 1995, he went on to stints in broadcasting and coaching and is currently part of Hockey Night in Canada’s primary broadcast team along with play-by-play partner Jim Hughson.
NATS NAME RETURNS
The Nationals name returned to London’s sports landscape for the 1991-92 season, and they won the Western Jr. B championship that same year. The Nationals next claimed a Western Jr. B championship in 2012. They won the Bill Weir Trophy as champions of the GOJHL Western Conference in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017.
London won the Sutherland Cup for the first time in the city’s history on May 5, 2013.
TEAM RECORDS*
Best Regular Season record (by Win %): 42-5-1-2 (2019-20)
Most Goals (52 game season): 320 (1992-93)
Fewest Goals Allowed (42 game season): 127 (1979-80)
Fewest Goals Allowed (50 game season): 133 (2009-2010)
Most Consecutive Wins: 19 (Dec. 22, 2000 – Feb. 17 2001)
INDIVIDUAL SKATER RECORDS
(Since 1978-79)
CAREER RECORDS (Regular Season)
Most Games Played: 244 -Max Vinogradov (2014 – 2020)
Most Goals: 112 – Aaron Dartch (2008 – 2013), Max Vinogradov (2014-2020)
Most Assists: 155 – Adam McKee (2007 – 2010)
Most Points: 265 – Max Vinogradov (2014 – 2020)
Most Game-Winning Goals**: 18 – Noah Schwartz (2010 – 2013)
Most Powerplay Goals**: 39 – Aaron Dartch (2008 – 2013) (Also leads Western Conference)
Most Shorthanded Goals: 8 – Max Vinogradov (2014 – 2020)
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS (Regular Season)
Most Goals: 47 – Craig Simpson (1982-83)
Most Assists: 65 – Adam McKee (2009-10)
Most Points: 111 – Craig Simpson (1982-83)
Most Game-Winning Goals**: 9 – Shaun Furlong (2009-10)
Most Powerplay Goals**: 17 – Chris McKay (2009-10), Aaron Dartch (2012-2013)
Most Shorthanded Goals**: 5 – Graham Spriel (2005-06), Pat Barbieri (2002-03)
INDIVIDUAL GOALTENDER RECORDS**
CAREER RECORDS (Regular Season)
Most Games Played: 116 – Taylor Edwards (2009-2013)
Most Wins: 74 – Taylor Edwards (2009-2013) (Also leads Western Conference)
Most Shutouts: 5 – Jacob Riley (2011-2014), Mike Coulter (2008-2011), Ian Burt (1995-1997)
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS (Regular Season)
Most Games Played: 42 – Kevin Kapalka (2006-07)
Most Wins: 26 – Mike Coulter (2009-10)
Most Shutouts: 4 – Jacob Riley, (2013-14), Mike Coulter (2009-10), Ryan McDonald (2001-02)
Regular Season Standings Since 1950
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
1950-51 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | – | — | — | 18 | 2nd Big ’10’ West |
1951-52 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | – | 107 | 68 | 22 | 2nd Big ’10’ West |
1952-53 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | – | — | — | 28 | 1st Big ’10’ West |
1953-54 | 24 | 6 | 18 | 0 | – | 119 | 189 | 12 | 4th Big ’10’ West |
1954-55 | 25 | 5 | 20 | 0 | – | 110 | 204 | 10 | 4th Big ’10’ West |
1955-56 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 0 | – | 68 | 249 | 0 | 5th Big ’10’ West |
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 |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
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 WJBHL |
1964-65 | 40 | 23 | 17 | 0 | – | 213 | 181 | 46 | 3rd WJBHL |
1965-66 | 40 | 25 | 15 | 0 | – | 237 | 178 | 50 | 3rd WJBHL |
1966-67 | 40 | 5 | 35 | 0 | – | 124 | 278 | 10 | 5th WJBHL |
1967-68 | Did Not Participate | ||||||||
1968-69 | Did Not Participate | ||||||||
1969-70 | 36 | 16 | 17 | 3 | – | 137 | 169 | 35 | 3rd WOJHL |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
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 |
1977-78 | 40 | 30 | 8 | 2 | – | 261 | 171 | 62 | 1st SWJBHL |
1978-79 | 42 | 19 | 18 | 5 | – | 227 | 213 | 43 | 5th WOJHL |
1979-80 | 42 | 22 | 12 | 8 | – | 182 | 127 | 52 | 5th WOJHL |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
1980-81 | 42 | 31 | 9 | 2 | – | 256 | 147 | 64 | 1st WOJHL |
1981-82 | 42 | 22 | 16 | 4 | – | 196 | 180 | 48 | 3rd WOJHL |
1982-83 | 42 | 31 | 7 | 4 | – | 263 | 138 | 66 | 1st WOJHL |
1983-84 | 48 | 34 | 7 | 7 | – | 297 | 148 | 75 | 1st WOJHL |
1984-85 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 0 | – | 285 | 164 | 70 | 1st WOJHL |
1985-86 | 42 | 34 | 5 | 3 | – | 275 | 150 | 71 | 1st WOJHL |
1986-87 | 42 | 28 | 10 | 4 | – | 272 | 162 | 60 | 2nd WOJHL |
1987-88 | 42 | 13 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 190 | 213 | 31 | 7th WOJHL |
1988-89 | 41 | 19 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 197 | 193 | 44 | 5th WOJHL |
1989-90 | 40 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 205 | 231 | 42 | 4th WOJHL |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
1990-91 | 48 | 15 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 170 | 259 | 33 | 8th WOJHL |
1991-92 | 48 | 30 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 274 | 191 | 65 | 1st WOJHL East |
1992-93 | 52 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 2 | – | – | 57 | 2nd WOJHL East |
1993-94 | 50 | 25 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 273 | 251 | 54 | 2nd WOJHL East |
1994-95 | 52 | 16 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 223 | 281 | 34 | 4th WOJHL East |
1995-96 | 51 | 27 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 208 | 184 | 61 | 3rd WOJHL East |
1996-97 | 52 | 23 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 220 | 230 | 56 | 3rd WOJHL East |
1997-98 | 52 | 14 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 205 | 307 | 31 | 5th WOJHL East |
1998-99 | 52 | 19 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 213 | 282 | 39 | 4th WOJHL East |
1999-00 | 54 | 22 | 27 | 0 | 5 | 189 | 232 | 49 | 8th GOHL |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
2000-01 | 54 | 39 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 251 | 143 | 82 | 2nd GOHL |
2001-02 | 54 | 32 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 251 | 169 | 65 | 6th WOHL |
2002-03 | 48 | 31 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 207 | 182 | 65 | 3rd WOHL |
2003-04 | 48 | 27 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 172 | 150 | 57 | 5th WOHL |
2004-05 | 48 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 161 | 173 | 48 | 5th WOHL |
2005-06 | 48 | 22 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 148 | 165 | 45 | 8th WOHL |
2006-07 | 48 | 21 | 23 | – | 4 | 183 | 178 | 46 | 7th WOHL |
2007-08 | 48 | 30 | 14 | – | 4 | 214 | 175 | 64 | 3rd GOJHL-W |
2008-09 | 52 | 33 | 10 | – | 9 | 221 | 174 | 75 | 2nd GOJHL-W |
2009-10 | 50 | 37 | 10 | – | 3 | 244 | 133 | 77 | 1st GOJHL-W |
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Standing |
2010-11 | 51 | 34 | 13 | – | 4 | 235 | 162 | 72 | 2nd GOJHL-W |
2011-12 | 51 | 28 | 20 | – | 3 | 185 | 190 | 59 | 3rd GOJHL-W |
2012-13 | 51 | 28 | 17 | – | 6 | 196 | 172 | 62 | 4th GOJHL-W |
2013-14 | 49 | 29 | 19 | – | 1 | 188 | 150 | 59 | 5th GOJHL-W |
2014-15 | 49 | 22 | 24 | – | 3 | 166 | 166 | 47 | 7th GOJHL-W |
*Most stats listed on this page include seasons from 1977-78 to present day only.
**Special teams, Game Winning Goals, and Goaltending totals include stats from 1994-95 to present day only.
Retired Numbers
Western Jr. B Championships
London Lou Ball Juniors 1951-52
(“Big 10” West)
London Nationals 1963-64 (WJBHL)
London Nationals 1964-65 (WJBHL)
London Diamonds 1980-81 (WOJHL)
London Diamonds 1982-83 (WOJHL)
London Diamonds 1983-84 (WOJHL)
London Nationals 1991-92 (WOJHL)
London Nationals 2011-2012
(GOJHL Western Conference)
London Nationals 2012-2013
(GOJHL Western Conference)
London Nationals 2015-2016
(GOJHL Western Conference)
London Nationals 2016-2017
(GOJHL Western Conference)
London Nationals 2017-2018
(GOJHL Western Conference)
London Nationals 2018-2019
(GOJHL Western Conference)
Sutherland Cup Championships
LONDON’S WESTERN CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS
(Most since 1989/90 only)
Kelly Hearn Award(Volunteer of the Year) |
Pete’s Sports Award(Coaching Staff of the Year) |
Chester Pegg Memorial Award(Sportsmanship and Ability)1991/92 – Bill Weir |
Roy Bruhlman Memorial Award (Rookie of the Year) 1989/90 – Keli Corpse 1990/91 – Trevor Gallant 1997/98 – Scott Dickie 2000/01 – Kyle Piwowarczyk |
Phibbs Incorporated Award (Most Valuable Defenseman) 1991/92 – Dan Brown 1992/93 – Chad Palmer 1993/94 – Chad Palmer 1994/95 – John Barrett 1996/97 – Mike Van Ryn 2008/09 – Jake McClelland 2013/14 – Matt Fuller |
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) 1982/83 – Craig Simpson 1988/89 – Bill Weir 1991/92 – Bill Weir 1992/93 – Mike Legg 1993/94 – Shane Johnson 2007/08 – Glen McCarron 2009/10 – Adam McKee |
Pat & Jackie Stapleton Award (Playoff Scoring Champion) 2000/01 – Ash Goldie |
Sharon Williamson Award (Playoff MVP) 2012/13 – Noah Schwartz |
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) |
Stan Moore Memorial Trophy (1st place regular season) 1980/81 1982/83 1983/84 1984/85 1985/86 2009/10 2019/20 |
Top Goal Scorer 1982/83 – Craig Simpson 47 1992/93 – Mike Legg 49 2000/01 – Ash Goldie 39 |
Most Assists 1982/83 – Craig Simpson 64 1991/92 – Bill Weir 57 1992/93 – Mike Legg 55 2000/01 – Matt Meyer 39 2007/08 – Glen McCarron 55 |
Best Goals Against Average 1982/83 – D. Sceli 3.16 1983/84 – Richard McCullough 3.95 1995/96 – Ian Burt 2.80 |
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ALL STARS 1990/91 – Dan Brown 1991/92 – Dan Brown 1992/93 – Chad Palmer 1993/94 – Chad Palmer, Shane Johnson 1994/95 – Dan Stewart 1995/96 – Steve Tutt, Mike Van Ryn 1996/97 – Mike Van Ryn 2000/01 – Ash Goldie 2001/02 – Mike Manley 2003/04 – Mike McLeod 2005/06 – Jordan Berk, Patrick Dobie 2007/08 – Glen McCarron, Josh Johnston, Mike Sharp 2008/09 – Jake McLelland, Adam McKee, Stephen Sanza 2009/10 – Adam McKee, Brett Petrie 2010/11 – Noah Schwartz, Brendan Schwartz 2011/12 – Noah Schwartz 2012/13 – Noah Schwartz 2013/14 – Matt Fuller |
ROOKIE ALL STARS 2000/01 – Kyle Piwowarczyk 2001/02 – Ryan MacDonald 2003/04 – Patrick Dobie 2006/07 – Kevin Kapalka, Jamie Commerford 2007/08 – Torin Lauziere, Adam McKee 2009/10 – Aaron Dartch, Jake Monaghan 2013/14 – Tristen Elie 2014/15 – Justin Murray |