Brockville Braves
Encyclopedia
The Brockville Braves are a Junior "A" ice hockey
team from Brockville
, Ontario
, Canada
. They are a part of the Central Junior A Hockey League
. Such NHLer's as Larry Robinson and current player Wayne Simmonds
of the Philadelphia Flyers
amongst other famous players have all played for the Braves.
, the Braves did not miss a beat.
It took until 1986 for the Brockville Braves to win a CJHL championships. They clinched the Bogart Cup on a late April night, defeating their arch-nemesis Pembroke Lumber Kings
8-7 in the finals. Braves' goalie Jacques Breault was the hero, as with 22 seconds to go in the game, turned away a penalty shot by the league's all-time leading scorers Luc Chabot. Although losing to Orillia, Ontario
in the Ontario playdowns, the team was a memorable one. Notable members of this team were all-time Braves leading scorer Larry Mitchell, Breault, Paul Duford, Tim Dubas, Dan Nummikoski, Steve Rachwal, Chad Badawey and Rob White.
Since that championship, the team has experienced more bad times than good. The late 80's and early 90's were not good to the Braves, who failed to make the playoffs multiple times.
In 1997, times began to change for the better again. The Braves competed in and won in Quebec, the Fred Page Cup
, the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" championship. This allowed for their team to compete in the event and give them the experience they needed for the next season. The Braves regained their league title in 1998, bringing the club around full circle.
Former NHLer Todd Gill
purchased the Brockville Braves and has been the head coach since 2006-07. He helped bring the Fred Page Cup to Brockville for the first time for 2010. Gill played in the NHL from 1984 to 2003 playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs
, San Jose Sharks
, Detroit Red Wings
, Phoenix Coyotes
, and St. Louis Blues. Former Braves head coach Mike McCourt was recently named head coach of the OHL's Niagara Ice Dogs for 2009-10. McCourt was head coach with Brockville from 2003 to 2006.
In 2009-2010, the Braves established a league record for most consecutive wins with 26. Brockville completed easy series wins over Kemptville (4-0) and Ottawa (4-0) to win a birth in the finals against the Pembroke Lumber Kings - as predicted by many CJHL followers. However, it was Pembroke that made CJHL history by winning four-consecutive Art Bogart Cup championships knocking off the Braves in 5 games. Despite, the finals loss to the Lumber Kings, the Braves won the Fred Page Cup against the Lumber Kings in an all-league finals tilt as the Braves won 5-1. At the Royal Bank Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba, the Braves broke a Royal Bank Cup record the highest margin of victory by defeating the Oakville Blades
11-2. (The previous record was held by the 1999 Vernon Vipers, who defeated the Charlottetown Abbies 9-3 in the championship game in Yorkton, SASK). The Braves would still have to win their last game against the LaRonge Ice Wolves, in which they did 6-3 to earn a birth in the semi-finals against the defending RBC champions, Vernon Vipers
. Vernon went on to win the game 2-0, leaving the Braves out.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team from Brockville
Brockville, Ontario
Brockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Though it serves as the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville is politically independent and is grouped with Leeds and Grenville for census purposes only.Known as the "City of the 1000...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They are a part of the Central Junior A Hockey League
Central Junior A Hockey League
The Central Canada Hockey League is a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league operating in eastern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ottawa District Hockey Association and Hockey Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League...
. Such NHLer's as Larry Robinson and current player Wayne Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
of the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
amongst other famous players have all played for the Braves.
History
Founded in 1963, the Braves are the second oldest team that has never ceased operation in CJHL history—second only to Pembroke. In the 1979, the teams was the focus of national attention when they were left homeless due to their arena collapsing. This did not stop the Braves though, playing their home games out of Cardinal and Rockland, OntarioRockland, Ontario
Rockland is a bilingual community located about east of downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, part of the city of Clarence–Rockland. Rockland has a population of 9,210.-History:...
, the Braves did not miss a beat.
It took until 1986 for the Brockville Braves to win a CJHL championships. They clinched the Bogart Cup on a late April night, defeating their arch-nemesis Pembroke Lumber Kings
Pembroke Lumber Kings
The Pembroke Lumber Kings are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League and are the longest running and winningest team in CJHL history as well as 2011 Royal Bank Cup National Junior A Champions...
8-7 in the finals. Braves' goalie Jacques Breault was the hero, as with 22 seconds to go in the game, turned away a penalty shot by the league's all-time leading scorers Luc Chabot. Although losing to Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, pronounced ōrĭl'ēə, is a city located in Simcoe County in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, 135 kilometres north of Toronto.Originally incorporated as a village in 1867, the history of...
in the Ontario playdowns, the team was a memorable one. Notable members of this team were all-time Braves leading scorer Larry Mitchell, Breault, Paul Duford, Tim Dubas, Dan Nummikoski, Steve Rachwal, Chad Badawey and Rob White.
Since that championship, the team has experienced more bad times than good. The late 80's and early 90's were not good to the Braves, who failed to make the playoffs multiple times.
In 1997, times began to change for the better again. The Braves competed in and won in Quebec, the Fred Page Cup
Fred Page Cup
The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime...
, the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" championship. This allowed for their team to compete in the event and give them the experience they needed for the next season. The Braves regained their league title in 1998, bringing the club around full circle.
Former NHLer Todd Gill
Todd Gill
Todd Gill is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL between 1985 and 2003. He played the majority of his career for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has also played for the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago...
purchased the Brockville Braves and has been the head coach since 2006-07. He helped bring the Fred Page Cup to Brockville for the first time for 2010. Gill played in the NHL from 1984 to 2003 playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, and St. Louis Blues. Former Braves head coach Mike McCourt was recently named head coach of the OHL's Niagara Ice Dogs for 2009-10. McCourt was head coach with Brockville from 2003 to 2006.
In 2009-2010, the Braves established a league record for most consecutive wins with 26. Brockville completed easy series wins over Kemptville (4-0) and Ottawa (4-0) to win a birth in the finals against the Pembroke Lumber Kings - as predicted by many CJHL followers. However, it was Pembroke that made CJHL history by winning four-consecutive Art Bogart Cup championships knocking off the Braves in 5 games. Despite, the finals loss to the Lumber Kings, the Braves won the Fred Page Cup against the Lumber Kings in an all-league finals tilt as the Braves won 5-1. At the Royal Bank Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba, the Braves broke a Royal Bank Cup record the highest margin of victory by defeating the Oakville Blades
Oakville Blades
The Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
11-2. (The previous record was held by the 1999 Vernon Vipers, who defeated the Charlottetown Abbies 9-3 in the championship game in Yorkton, SASK). The Braves would still have to win their last game against the LaRonge Ice Wolves, in which they did 6-3 to earn a birth in the semi-finals against the defending RBC champions, Vernon Vipers
Vernon Vipers
The Vernon Vipers are a Junior "A" Ice Hockey team based in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Interior Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League . They play their home games at Wesbild Centre.-History:...
. Vernon went on to win the game 2-0, leaving the Braves out.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1963-64 | 32 | 11 | 20 | 1 | ||||||
| 23 | 7th OHDJHL | Lost Quarter-final | ||||||||
| 1964-65 | 36 | 16 | 16 | 4 | ||||||
| 165 | 141 | 36 | 7th CJHL | Lost Quarter-final | ||||||
| 1965-66 | 36 | 19 | 16 | 1 | ||||||
| 188 | 175 | 39 | 5th CJHL | Lost Quarter-final | ||||||
| 1966-67 | 50 | 19 | 25 | 6 | ||||||
| 173 | 218 | 44 | 3rd CJHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 1967-68 | 40 | 25 | 11 | 4 | ||||||
| 193 | 152 | 54 | 1st CJHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 1968-69 | 40 | 13 | 24 | 3 | ||||||
| 166 | 183 | 29 | 4th CJHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 1969-70 | 40 | 22 | 13 | 5 | ||||||
| 180 | 156 | 49 | 2nd CJHL | |||||||
| 1970-71 | 48 | 16 | 29 | 3 | ||||||
| 174 | 244 | 35 | 4th CJHL | |||||||
| 1971-72 | 48 | 24 | 22 | 2 | ||||||
| 198 | 181 | 50 | 3rd CJHL | |||||||
| 1972-73 | 55 | 26 | 27 | 2 | ||||||
| 273 | 290 | 54 | 3rd CJHL | |||||||
| 1973-74 | 50 | 16 | 29 | 5 | ||||||
| 234 | 322 | 37 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1974-75 | 50 | 10 | 36 | 4 | ||||||
| 218 | 329 | 24 | 6th CJHL | |||||||
| 1975-76 | 50 | 17 | 23 | 10 | ||||||
| 204 | 212 | 44 | 4th CJHL | |||||||
| 1976-77 | 50 | 17 | 20 | 13 | ||||||
| 252 | 270 | 47 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1977-78 | 48 | 10 | 32 | 6 | ||||||
| 165 | 268 | 26 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1978-79 | 48 | 9 | 38 | 1 | ||||||
| 205 | 349 | 19 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1979-80 | 50 | 10 | 35 | 5 | ||||||
| 209 | 391 | 25 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1980-81 | 50 | 20 | 24 | 6 | ||||||
| 183 | 223 | 46 | 4th CJHL | |||||||
| 1981-82 | 50 | 19 | 27 | 4 | ||||||
| 237 | 281 | 42 | 5th CJHL | |||||||
| 1982-83 | 48 | 22 | 18 | 8 | ||||||
| 248 | 198 | 52 | 3rd CJHL | |||||||
| 1983-84 | 54 | 26 | 20 | 8 | ||||||
| 315 | 245 | 60 | 2nd CJHL | |||||||
| 1984-85 | 54 | 37 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 364 | 237 | 76 | 2nd CJHL | |
| 1985-86 | 60 | 41 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 360 | 285 | 84 | 1st CJHL | Won League |
| 1986-87 | 52 | 16 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 213 | 309 | 39 | 7th CJHL | |
| 1987-88 | 56 | 35 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 335 | 224 | 75 | 3rd CJHL | |
| 1988-89 | 56 | 37 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 322 | 230 | 79 | 2nd CJHL | |
| 1989-90 | 56 | 38 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 377 | 256 | 82 | 2nd CJHL | |
| 1990-91 | 50 | 12 | 32 | 1 | 5 | 139 | 327 | 30 | 9th CJHL | |
| 1991-92 | 57 | 13 | 41 | 1 | 2 | 211 | 346 | 29 | 9th CJHL | |
| 1992-93 | 57 | 19 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 235 | 297 | 47 | 8th CJHL | |
| 1993-94 | 57 | 24 | 28 | 3 | 8 | 279 | 275 | 59 | 7th CJHL | |
| 1994-95 | 54 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 222 | 219 | 56 | 8th CJHL | |
| 1995-96 | 56 | 25 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 249 | 247 | 52 | 2nd in Yzerman | |
| 1996-97 | 53 | 28 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 234 | 206 | 63 | 3rd in Yzerman | |
| 1997-98 | 56 | 36 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 283 | 222 | 84 | 1st in Yzerman | Won League, Won FPC Fred Page Cup The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime... |
| 1998-99 | 54 | 39 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 294 | 190 | 82 | 1st in Yzerman | |
| 1999-00 | 56 | 39 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 285 | 221 | 83 | 1st in Yzerman | |
| 2000-01 | 55 | 9 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 167 | 295 | 22 | 5th in Yzerman | |
| 2001-02 | 55 | 12 | 35 | 11 | 0 | 213 | 302 | 35 | 5th in Yzerman | |
| 2002-03 | 55 | 21 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 226 | 274 | 50 | 2nd in Yzerman | |
| 2003-04 | 55 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 223 | 219 | 61 | 5th | |
| 2004-05 | 57 | 34 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 214 | 162 | 78 | 3rd in Yzerman | |
| 2005-06 | 59 | 29 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 213 | 201 | 66 | 3rd in Yzerman | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2006-07 | 55 | 28 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 201 | 190 | 63 | 2nd in Yzerman | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2007-08 | 60 | 38 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 270 | 196 | 80 | 3rd CJHL | Lost Semi-final |
| 2008-09 | 60 | 36 | 20 | |||||||
| 4 | 240 | 185 | 76 | 4th CJHL | ||||||
| 2009-10 | 62 | 52 | 8 | |||||||
| 2 | 308 | 140 | 106 | 1st CJHL | Lost Final, Won FPC Fred Page Cup The Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime... |
|||||
| 2010-11 | 62 | 44 | 15 | |||||||
| 3 | 233 | 160 | 91 | 3rd CCHL | Lost Semi-final |
Championships
- CJHL Bogart Cup Championships: 1978, 1998
- Eastern Canadian Fred Page CupFred Page CupThe Fred Page Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournament, conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The award is given to the winner of a round robin and playoff between the Bogart Cup champions of the Central Junior Hockey League, the Kent Cup champions of the Maritime...
Championships: 1998, 2010 - CJAHL Royal Bank CupRoyal Bank CupThe Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
Championships: None
Notable alumni
- Terry CarknerTerry CarknerTerry Kenneth Carkner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers...
- Brian ChapmanBrian ChapmanBrian Chapman is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted 74th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. He played three games for the Whalers in the NHL during the 1990-91 season.-External links:...
- Chris CliffordChris CliffordChris Clifford is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, who played two games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks. He filled in for Murray Bannerman in a 1985 game and for Ed Belfour in a 1989 game. He won the Bobby Smith Trophy in 1985-86. Clifford was...
- Mark CornforthMark CornforthMark Cornforth is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played six regular season games for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, during the 1995–96 NHL season. He scored no points and collected four penalty minutes.-External links:...
- Todd GillTodd GillTodd Gill is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL between 1985 and 2003. He played the majority of his career for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has also played for the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago...
- Brett HarkinsBrett HarkinsBrett Alan Harkins is a former American professional ice hockey left wing, who played for 18 years. He played in National Hockey League in four stints with the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.-Amateur career:...
- Murray KuntzMurray KuntzMurray Robert Kuntz is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He played seven games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues in the 1974–75 season. He was born in Ottawa, Ontario.-External links:...
- Hank LammensHank LammensHank Jacob Lammens is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted 160th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and played 27 regular season games for the Ottawa Senators during the 1993–94 NHL season...
- Kevin MacDonald
- Paul MacLeanPaul MacLeanPaul MacLean or Paul McLean may refer to:*Paul Maclean,younger brother to Norman Fitzroy Maclean, author of A River Runs Through It and Other Stories *Paul D...
- Larry RobinsonLarry RobinsonLarry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
- Ray SheppardRay SheppardRaymond Sheppard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL from 1987 to 2000.Sheppard was selected 60th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He played 817 career NHL games, scoring 357 goals and 300 assists for 657 points...
- Wayne SimmondsWayne SimmondsWayne Simmonds is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
- Gord SmithGord SmithGordon John "Truck" Smith is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He is the older brother of former New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith....
- Trevor StienburgTrevor StienburgTrevor Stienburg is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft...