Whitecourt Wolverines

Whitecourt Wolverines
City Whitecourt, Alberta
League Alberta Junior Hockey League
Division North
Founded 2012 (2012)
Home arena Scott Safety Centre
Colours Red, black, white[1]
              
Owner(s) Stark Sports Society[2] (Brent Stark)[3]
General manager Gord Thibodeau[3]
Head coach Gord Thibodeau[3]
Website Whitecourt Wolverines
Franchise history
1976–2007 Fort Saskatchewan Traders
2007–2012 St. Albert Steel
2012–present Whitecourt Wolverines

The Whitecourt Wolverines are a junior "A" ice hockey team in North Division of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) based in Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada. The 2012–13 season was their inaugural season in Whitecourt.

The Wolverines were founded on May 2, 2012, through the relocation of the St. Albert Steel from St. Albert.[4] The team plays out of the Scott Safety Centre, which has a seating capacity of 1,058.[4] Scott Safety Supply Services Ltd. is the sponsor of the arena[5] and a corporate sponsor of the team.[6]

History

The Whitecourt Wolverines junior "A" franchise was originally established in 1976 as the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, with 1976–77 being their inaugural season.[7] The Traders won their first AJHL championship in 1978–79,[8] their third year in the league. After winning the championship, the team then defeated the Richmond Sockeyes of the BCHL in five games at the Doyle Cup, before falling to the Prince Albert Raiders in six games at the Abbott Cup, the eventual national champions at the 1979 Centennial Cup.[9][10] The Traders proceeded to win their second league championship in 1983–84.[8]

Due in part to financial difficulties and low attendance, the AJHL approved a deal on March 15, 2007, to relocate the Traders to St. Albert for the 2007–08 season, ending the Traders' 31-year run in Fort Saskatchewan.[11] The team was renamed the St. Albert Steel, and became the second team to represent the City of St. Albert, replacing the St. Albert Saints who left for Spruce Grove in 2004.[7]

After five years in St. Albert, it was announced on March 29, 2012, that the team applied to relocate to Whitecourt for the 2012–13 season.[12] On May 2, 2012, the AJHL announced it approved the request to relocate the team to Whitecourt, where the team would remain in the AJHL's North Division and be named the Whitecourt Wolverines.[4]

The twice relocated franchise took its current team name from Whitecourt's predecessor junior "B" Whitecourt Wolverines of the North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL).[4] After five years in the NWJHL, four league championships, a provincial title, and a bronze medal at the Keystone Cup,[13][14][15] this junior "B" predecessor team folded to make way for the relocated junior "A" Wolverines.[4]

Scott Safety Centre, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines

The following is a summary of the team's firsts that occurred in its inaugural 2012–13 season:[16]

  • first game was a 4–2 loss to the Canmore Eagles on the road, with Colten Meaver scoring the first goal in franchise history;[17]
  • first win was a 4–3 overtime victory over the Okotoks Oilers on the road, with Ryan Berlin recording the first hat trick and game-winning goal in franchise history;[18]
  • first home game was a 4–3 overtime loss to the Spruce Grove Saints in front of 1,283 attendees at Scott Safety Centre;[19]
  • first shutout in franchise history was recorded by goaltender Tanner Kovacs in a 3–0 victory over the Camrose Kodiaks at the league's annual AJHL showcase in Spruce Grove;[20]
  • first placement in Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) weekly top 20 rankings was 14th spot occurred in late October 2012;[21] and
  • first playoff appearance was a 3–2 divisional quarter final series victory over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.[22]

Wolverines' Mathieu Guertin and Colten Mayor each won the Ernie Love Trophy in the team's first two seasons. The trophy is awarded annually to the AJHL's scoring champion. Guertin accumulated 95 points in the inaugural 2012–13 season, while Mayor was the co-winner in the sophomore 2013–14 season, tying Spencer Dorowicz of the Olds Grizzlys with 75 points.[23]

Season-by-season record

See Fort Saskatchewan Traders for the franchise's season-by-season record from 1976 to 2007, and see St. Albert Steel for the franchise's season-by-season record from 2008 to 2012.

Note: GP = games played, W = wins, L = losses, OTL = overtime losses, Pts = points, GF = goals for, GA = goals against, PIM = penalties in minutes

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2012–136031218702272201,5074th, NorthLost semi-final round[24]
2013–146026313552092171,6946th, NorthLost first round[25]
2014–156024288561812061,1327th, NorthLost Rd 1, 1-3 (Bobcats)
2015–16604212690256172—2nd, NorthWon Div. Quarterfinals, 3-0 (Oil Barons)
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-4 (Bobcats)
2016–17604113688254156—2 - 8 Nor
3 - 16 AJHL		Won Div. Quarterfinals 3-0 (Storm)
Won Div Semifinal 4-3 (Saints)
Won Div Finals 4-2 (Oil Barons)
Lost AJHL Finals 0-4 (Bandits)
2017–18603320773207156—3 - 8 Nor
5 - 16 AJHL		Won Div. Quarterfinals 3-0 (Bobcats)
Won Div Semis 4-3 (Oil Barons)
Lost Div Finals 0-4 (Saints)
Total4591871153843213791127

Honoured members

The number 22 was retired for Elias Lachance at the start of the 2011–12 season.[26] Lachance, who played for the Wolverines' predecessor junior "B" hockey team during its 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons,[26] died in a car accident in 2011.[27]

Leaders

Team captains
  • Jamie Johnson (2012)[28]
  • Jerome Raymond (2012–2013)[29]
  • Trace Elson (2013)[29]
  • Colten Mayor (2013–2014)[23]
  • Evan Warmington (2014)[30]
  • vacant (2014–2015)[31]
  • Ryan Grant (2017-2018)[32]
Head coaches
  • Joey Bouchard (2012–2016)[3]
  • Gord Thibodeau (2016–present)
General managers
  • Joey Bouchard (2012–2016)[3]
  • Gord Thibodeau (2016–present)
Team presidents
  • Brent Stark (2012–present)[3][33]

Community

The Wolverines are engaged in two programs within the community under a "Team for Success" project where players mentor young students on reading and writing, and boys through issues experienced at the junior high level.[34] During their inaugural season, the team hosted a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit that featured the Stanley Cup.[35] The proceeds from the event, sponsored by Scott Safety, benefitted the Whitecourt Minor Hockey Association and the Whitecourt Girl Guides.[36][37]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Whitecourt Wolverines Name Coach". Alberta Junior Hockey League. May 9, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Wolverines / A.J.H.L. solidify club ownership". Whitecourt Wovlerines. November 23, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Team Roster for Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "AJHL Moving to Whitecourt, Alberta". Alberta Junior Hockey League. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  5. ↑ Ann Harvey (August 2, 2011). "Scott Safety Place is new name for Twin Arenas". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  6. ↑ "About Scott Safety Supply Services". Scott Safety Supply Services Ltd. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "History of the Alberta Junior Hockey League". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "AJHL Champions" (PDF). Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Doyle Cup Champions" (PDF). Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  10. ↑ "RBC Cup: 2012 Guide and Record Book". Hockey Canada. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  11. ↑ "St. Albert snaps up Fort Saskatchewan hockey team". CBC News. March 16, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  12. ↑ Jeff Hansen (March 28, 2012). "Steel requests to relocate". St. Albert Gazette. Great West Newspapers LP. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  13. ↑ Brigette Jobin (March 28, 2012). "League records set". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  14. ↑ Remy Greer (April 8, 2012). "Wolverines beat Bisons 5-1 in provincial final". Okotoks Western Wheel. Great West Newspapers LP. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  15. ↑ Brigette Jobin (April 25, 2012). "Wolverines prove to be one of Canada's best". Whitecourt Star. Sun Media Corporation. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Game Schedule for Alberta Junior Hockey League (Team: Whitecourt Wolverines)". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Canmore Eagles". Alberta Junior Hockey League. September 14, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Okotoks Oilers". Alberta Junior Hockey League. September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Spruce Grove Saints @ Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League. September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Camrose Kodiaks". Alberta Junior Hockey League. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  21. ↑ "CJHL Announces Weekly Top 20 Rankings". Canadian Junior Hockey League. October 29, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  22. ↑ Johnna Ruocco (March 26, 2013). "Wolverines head to North Division Finals". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "AJHL Duo Captures Scoring Title, Oil Barons Win Top Team Goaltender Award". Alberta Junior Hockey League. March 2, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Saints Win AJHL North Division Title". Alberta Junior Hockey League. April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Bracket". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Team History". Whitecourt Wolverines. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  27. ↑ Stuart Thomson (September 29, 2011). "New foundation will honour former Wolverines player". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  28. ↑ Johnna Ruocco (September 18, 2012). "Wolverines' roster and captains announced". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  29. 1 2 Chris Colwell (September 6, 2013). "Oh Captain, My Captain". XM 105. Fabmar Communications Ltd. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Evan Warmington Named Wolverines Captain". Whitecourt Wolverines. June 24, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  31. ↑ Adam Dietrich (December 28, 2014). "Brighter days ahead for Wolverines". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  32. ↑ http://www.whitecourtwolverines.ca/team/roster.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ↑ "Wolverines Set to Host Hockey Hall of Fame". Alberta Junior Hockey League. October 10, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  34. ↑ Jasmine Franklin (November 12, 2012). "Wolverines players become mentors off the ice". Whitecourt Press. Whitecourt Press. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Whitecourt Town Council Update". Town of Whitecourt. October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Stanley Cup weekend spells success". Whitecourt Wovlerines. November 23, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  37. ↑ Johnna Ruocco (October 14, 2012). "Town Council briefs - Oct. 9, 2012". Whitecourt Star. Canoe Sun Media. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.