London Nationals

London Nationals
City	London, Ontario
League	Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Conference	Western
Founded	1950
Home arena	Western Fair Sports Centre
Colours	Blue, White, & Black
General manager	Canada Mike Borrows
Head coach	Pat Powers
Captain	Austin Kemp
Affiliate(s)	Port Stanley Sailors (SOJHL)
Championships	2012, 2013 GOJHL Western Conference Champions 2013 GOJHL Sutherland Cup Champions 1992, 1984, 1983, 1981, 1965, 1964 WOJHL Champions
Website 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 teams general manager is Mike Borrows. The Assistant general manager is Tim Simmons, and the 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

Nationals player during 2013–14 season.

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.

Nationals player during 2013–14 season.

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

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 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.

2015–2016 coaching staff

• general manager – Mike Borrows
• Assistant Manager – Tim Simmons
• Head Coach – Pat Powers
• Assistant Coach – Mike Crespeigne
• Assistant Coach – Tony Rizzi
• Assistant Coach – Noah Schwartz
• Assistant Coach – Stephen Egelton
• Trainer – Joe Gowers

Championships

Sutherland Cup GOJHL Champions 2012–13 Champions vs. Cambridge Winterhawks Bill Weir Trophy GOJHL Western Conference Champions 2015–16 Champions vs. Leamington Flyers 2012–13 Champions vs. Chatham Maroons 2011–12 Champions vs. Strathroy Rockets Western Ontario Junior B Champions Western Ontario Junior Hockey League 1991–92 Champions vs. Windsor Bulldogs 1983–84 Champions vs. Sarnia Bees 1982–83 Champions vs. Sarnia Bees 1980–81 Champions vs. Chatham Maroons 1974–75 Champions vs. St. Mary's Lincolns Western Junior B Champions Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League 1964–65 Champions vs. St. Thomas Barons 1963–64 Champions vs. St. Thomas Barons 1951–52 Champions vs. Sarnia Jr. Sailors 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] Mike Corrigan Gerry Desjardins Darryl Edestrand Brandon Prust Mike Van Ryn London Diamonds Junior B[2] Bill Armstrong Neal Coulter Jeff Hackett Ken Hammond Dave Hutchison Walt McKechnie Dan Quinn Craig Simpson Scott Thornton Season-by-season results Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing Playoffs 1950–51 14 8 6 0 - -- -- 18 2nd Big '10' Western 1951–52 16 11 5 0 - 107 68 22 2nd Big '10' Western Won 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 WJBHL Won League 1964–65 40 23 17 0 - 213 181 46 3rd WJBHL Won 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 1978–79 42 19 18 5 - 227 213 43 5th WOJHL 1979–80 42 22 12 8 - 182 127 52 5th WOJHL Lost Final 1980–81 42 31 9 2 - 256 147 64 1st WOJHL Won League 1981–82 42 22 16 4 - 196 180 48 3rd WOJHL Lost Final 1982–83 42 31 7 4 - 263 138 66 1st WOJHL Won League 1983–84 48 34 7 7 - 297 148 75 1st WOJHL Won League 1984–85 48 35 13 0 - 285 164 70 1st WOJHL Lost Final 1985–86 42 34 5 3 - 275 150 71 1st WOJHL 1986–87 42 28 10 4 - 272 162 60 2nd WOJHL Lost Final 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 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 Won League 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 2000–01 54 39 11 1 3 251 143 82 2nd GOHL Lost Final 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 Lost Final 2004–05 48 22 22 1 3 161 173 48 5th WOHL 2005–06 48 22 25 1 0 148 165 45 8th WOHL Lost Quarter-final 2006–07 48 21 23 - 4 183 178 46 7th WOHL Lost 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-W Lost 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) tbd. Sutherland Cup Finals, 0-0 (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. 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 1991–92 – Bill Weir 1995–96 – Craig Watson 2000–01 – Matt Meyer 2009–10 – Adam McKee 2010–11 – Noah Schwartz 2012–13 – Noah Schwartz 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 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 – Glenn McCarron 2009–10 – Adam McKee Pat & Jackie Stapleton Award Playoff Scoring Champion 2000–01 – Ashe 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 Team records Team records for a single season Statistic Player Total Season Most Goals Craig Simpson 47 1982-83 Most Assists Adam McKee 65 2009-10 Most Points Craig Simpson 111 1982-83 Most Game-Winning Goals Shuan Furlong 9 2009-10 Most Powerplay Goals Chris McKay 17 2009-10 Most Shorthanded Goals Graham Spriel 5 2005-06 Individual player records for a career Statistic Player Total Career Most Goals Aaron Dartch 112 2008-13 Most Assists Adam McKee 115 2007-10 Most Points Aaron Dartch 251 2008-13 Most Games Played Scott Lombardi 233 2009-14 Most Game-Winning Goals Noah Schwartz 18 2010-13 Most Powerplay Goals Aaron Dartch 39 2008-13 Most Shorthanded Goals Craig Watson 6 1996-97 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, 1976–2002 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 2002. The building was renamed London Ice House in 1994. The arena is currently home to the Forest City Velodrome. Western Fair Sports Centre, 2002–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. Uniforms and logos Chester Pegg Diamonds logo. 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 www.legendsofhockey.net www.legendsofhockey.net External links Official website of Junior 'B' London Nationals