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.

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)

(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)

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)

*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.