Vaughan Vipers
Vaughan Vipers | |
---|---|
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada | |
League | Ontario Junior Hockey League |
Operated | 1991–2012 |
Home arena | Al Palladini Community Centre |
Colours | Purple, Black and White |
General manager | Jason Fortier |
Head coach | Jason Fortier |
Affiliate | Vaughan Kings (GTHL) |
Franchise history | |
1991–1996 | Royal York Rangers |
1996–2012 | Vaughan Vipers |
The Vaughan Vipers were a Junior "A"
History
In 1991, the expansion Royal York Rangers joined the Central Jr. B league, which became the Ontario Provincial league. In 1996, the team moved to become the Vaughan Vipers. In the first season in 1996–97, the Vipers failed to make the playoffs and were the fourth-worst team. After managing only 7 wins out of a 51-game schedule, the Vipers finished with only 18 points, and the Vipers finished out of playoff contention for the third-consecutive year. The 1999–00 season would bring changes, and the Vipers produced talent with some local players, who were discarded from major junior hockey, especially the
Vaughan's best season came in 2007–08, when the team boosted a 41–4–4 record, despite finishing 2nd place in the OPJHL's South Conference behind the dominant St. Michael's Buzzers. The Vipers received a bye to the next round of the playoffs, but lost the second round series to the Markham Waxers in four games.
In their final 2011–12 season, the Vipers finished 2nd behind the St. Michael's Buzzers, but would lose a heart-breaking series to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots in 7 games. Marcus Hinds scored the final goal in Vaughan Vipers history just over 11 minutes into the third period in a 4–2 loss to Toronto at the Al Palladini Community Centre in front of 323 fans.
In March 2012, the Vipers withdrew their membership from the OJHL. The news came as a shock, as the Vipers were potential top team in the OJHL and surprise to head coach/general manager Jason Fortier, who had just came up with some marketing ideas for the team, but owner Al Doria claimed it was too late and went ahead with the buyout option offered by the league.
Season-by-season results
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
1991–92 | 42 | 2 | 40 | 0 | - | 83 | 349 | 4 | 16th CJBHL | |
1992–93 | 49 | 6 | 42 | 1 | - | 152 | 347 | 17 | 17th CJBHL | |
1993–94 | 42 | 1 | 40 | 1 | - | 124 | 345 | 3 | 8th OPJHL-W | |
1994–95 | 49 | 11 | 33 | 5 | - | 183 | 312 | 29 | 7th OPJHL-W | |
1995–96 | 50 | 9 | 39 | 2 | - | 181 | 364 | 21 | 6th OPJHL-Me | |
1996–97 | 51 | 16 | 33 | 2 | - | 179 | 272 | 35 | 6th OPJHL-Me | |
1997–98 | 51 | 7 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 192 | 354 | 18 | 5th OPJHL-Me | |
1998–99 | 51 | 9 | 38 | 2 | 2 | 198 | 346 | 22 | 11th OPJHL-W | |
1999-00 | 49 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 221 | 125 | 78 | 1st OPJHL-S | |
2000–01 | 49 | 19 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 169 | 173 | 45 | 8th OPJHL-S | |
2001–02 | 49 | 19 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 173 | 196 | 43 | 7th OPJHL-S | |
2002–03 | 49 | 26 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 205 | 204 | 58 | 4th OPJHL-S | |
2003–04 | 49 | 18 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 161 | 200 | 38 | 7th OPJHL-S | |
2004–05 | 49 | 20 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 157 | 177 | 48 | 6th OPJHL-S | |
2005–06 | 49 | 22 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 193 | 180 | 52 | 6th OPJHL-S | Lost Conf. QF |
2006–07 | 49 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 192 | 108 | 74 | 1st OPJHL-S | Lost Conf. SF |
2007–08 | 49 | 41 | 4 | - | 4 | 256 | 127 | 86 | 2nd OPJHL-S | |
2008–09 | 49 | 33 | 13 | - | 3 | 242 | 152 | 69 | 4th OJHL-M | |
2009–10 | 56 | 29 | 17 | - | 10 | 217 | 183 | 68 | 8th OJAHL | Lost quarter-final |
2010–11 | 50 | 34 | 13 | - | 3 | 233 | 145 | 71 | 1st OJHL-S | Lost quarter-final |
2011–12 | 49 | 29 | 18 | - | 2 | 196 | 153 | 60 | 2nd OJHL-S | Lost Division SF |
Notable alumni
- Bruce Driver
- Dave Reid
- Trevor Daley
- Matthew Corrente
- Justin Peters
- Terry Doumkos
- Evan Fong