Fort William North Stars
Encyclopedia
The Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey
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 Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...

, 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 Superior International Junior Hockey League
Superior International Junior Hockey League
The Superior International Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern...

.

History

After the fall of the mighty Thunder Bay Flyers
Thunder Bay Flyers
The Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.-History:On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams in the 1980-81 City League...

 in 2001, the Superior International Junior Hockey League
Superior International Junior Hockey League
The Superior International Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern...

 was founded. The Thunder Bay Wolves, who had played for a short while in the Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League
Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League
The Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league in Northwestern Ontario, sanctioned by Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Hockey Canada. The Thunder Bay League has produced one Keystone Cup Western Canada Junior "B" champion and five Brewers Cup Western Canada Junior "C"...

, were a founding team, but after one season they changed their name to the Fort William Wolves. Fort William is one of the original names of the city of Thunder Bay. After two rather average seasons, the North Stars came to life. The team has won both the regular season and the playoff titles from 2004 through 2006.
Their first trip (2004) to the Central Canadian Championship, the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

, saw them finish in third place. In the round robin, the Stars lost to the North Bay Skyhawks
North Bay Skyhawks
The North Bay Trappers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. As the Powassan Hawks, this team won two Dudley Hewitt Cups .-History:...

 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario...

 5-4, lost again to the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The league dates back to 1954 as the Central Junior B Hockey League. In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the...

's Aurora Tigers
Aurora Tigers
The Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...

 4-0, then came around to beat the NOJHL's Soo Thunderbirds
Soo Thunderbirds
The Soo Thunderbirds are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Soo Thunderbirds will host the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup....

 7-4 to make the semi-final. In the semi, the Stars kept it real close, but were not able to defeat the North Bay Skyhawks for the second time in the tournament, losing 3-2.

Their second Dudley Hewitt Cup (2005) saw them finish second in the round robin, but third overall. In the round robin they beat the OPJHL St. Michael's Buzzers
St. Michael's Buzzers
The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Canadian Hockey League.-History:...

 6-4, lose to the host OPJHL Georgetown Raiders
Georgetown Raiders
----The Georgetown Raiders are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Georgetown, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. In Junior "B", the team was known as the "Georgetown Gemini" until 1989...

 4-0, and then finally beat the North Bay Skyhawks with an 8-2 blowout. The semi-final put them up against the host Buzzers who put the boots to the Stars in a 6-2 victory.

After winning their third straight of league championship, the Stars competed in their third straight Dudley Hewitt Cup. Going into the playoffs, the Stars finished the regular season with a phenomenal 50-2-0-0 record—the best in the entire Canadian Junior A Hockey League
Canadian Junior A Hockey League
The Canadian Junior Hockey League , an association of Canadian Junior A ice hockey leagues and teams, formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior Hockey League wins the Royal Bank Cup.The CJHL spans the majority of...

. The Stars took out the K&A Golden Hawks
Thunder Bay Bearcats
The Thunder Bay Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4 games to none and then swept the Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 in the 4 game final as well. The Stars went to the Dudley on a high and kept rolling. They were lucky enough to be hosting the 2006 event. The team beat up the NOJHL's Sudbury Jr. Wolves
Sudbury Junior Wolves
The Sudbury Cubs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 6-1, but were then thrown around by the tournament favourite St. Michael's Buzzers 7-1. In the final round robin game, the Stars played their SIJHL rival, Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

, and beat them 3-0. By an interesting turn of events, the tourney tie-breaker was head-on-head victories. Fort William and Sudbury both finished with 2-1 records, but because the Stars won their game, the Stars received a bye to the finals. Dryden and St. Michael's also finished tied with a 1-2 record, but because the Ice Dogs shocked the Buzzers with an unlikely 3-2 victory, the powerhouse Buzzers were eliminated. Sudbury defeated Dryden 5-4 in the semi-final. The Stars and Wolves had a tight, but highscoring game. They were tied 6-6 and ended up going into overtime. The Stars scored quickly in extra time to win their first Dudley Hewitt Cup and earn the right to compete in the Royal Bank Cup 2006
Royal Bank Cup 2006
The 2006 Royal Bank Cup was the Junior "A" 2006 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.The Royal Bank Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Fred Page Cup and the host city, the Streetsville Derbys of the Ontario...

.

The Stars started up their first Royal Bank Cup with a loss to the host OPJHL Streetsville Derbys
Streetsville Derbys
The Streetsville Derbys were a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 when they merged into the Cobourg Cougars.-History:...

 3-2. The second game saw them defeat the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League
Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League
The Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA Quebec or Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League is a Hockey Quebec Junior "AAA" ice hockey league and is a member of Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League...

's Joliette Action
Joliette Action
Le Rangers de Montreal-Est are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team from Montréal-Est, Quebec, Canada. They are a part of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League.-2004-05 season:...

 4-3 in overtime. In the third game, the British Columbia Hockey League
British Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...

's Burnaby Express
Burnaby Express
The Coquitlam Express are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League...

 beat them 3-2. The fourth game had to be won to avoid the chance of elimination and to lock up 3rd seed in the semi-final. To do this, the Stars defeated the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of age or younger, the SJHL's 12 teams play in two divisions: the Bauer and Sherwood conferences...

's Yorkton Terriers
Yorkton Terriers
The Yorkton Terriers are a team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League based out of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The team plays their home games in the Farrell Agencies Arena which has a seating capacity of 2,300. Their arch rivals are the Melville Millionaires. The team colours are black, orange, and...

 in a hard fought 2-1 victory. The semi-final saw the luck fade from the North Stars. Up 2-0 with less than two minutes to go in the semi against the Burnaby Express, the Express scored two quick goals to send the game into overtime. Roughly a minute into the overtime, the Express sniped again, leaving the North Stars to sit on their bench and wonder about what could have been.

Nevertheless, the North Stars are now the only team in SIJHL history to have ever won the Dudley Hewitt Cup or play in the Royal Bank Cup.

For the 2007-08 season, the North Stars have switched to a Black, Silver, and White colour scheme as opposed to their traditional Green, Yellow, Black, and White one.

In October 2010, the North Stars folded, but their complete assets, roster, and name, were transferred to a new ownership group. The teams name was changed to the Thunder Bay North Stars.

Season-by-season results

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
2000-01 30 7 20 3 0
14 5th TBJBHL
2001-02 48 4 42 2 0 111 289 10 5th SIJHL DNQ
2002-03 52 23 19 5 5 211 193 56 4th SIJHL Lost Semi-final
2003-04 48 40 6 1 1 270 119 82 1st SIJHL Won League
2004-05 48 42 2 4 0 322 66 88 1st SIJHL Won League
2005-06 52 50 2 0 0 353 101 100 1st SIJHL Won League, Won DHC
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

2006-07 50 41 6 3 0 307 132 85 1st SIJHL Lost Final
2007-08 50 35 11 1 3 218 134 74 2nd SIJHL Lost Final
2008-09 50 39 7
4 307 129 82 1st SIJHL Won League
2009-10 52 45 5
2 270 104 92 1st SIJHL Won League
2010-11 56 32 21
3 191 163 67 4th SIJHL Lost Semi-final

Playoffs

  • 2002 DNQ
  • 2003 Lost Semi-final
Thunder Bay Bulldogs
Thunder Bay Bulldogs
The Thunder Bay Bulldogs were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

defeated Fort William Wolves 4-games-to-1
  • 2004 Won League, Lost Dudley Hewitt Cup
    Dudley Hewitt Cup
    The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

     semi-final
Fort William North Stars defeated Thunder Bay Bulldogs
Thunder Bay Bulldogs
The Thunder Bay Bulldogs were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-none
Fort William North Stars defeated Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1 SIJHL CHAMPIONS
Second in Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

 round robin (1-2)
North Bay Skyhawks
North Bay Skyhawks
The North Bay Trappers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from North Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. As the Powassan Hawks, this team won two Dudley Hewitt Cups .-History:...

(NOJHL) defeated Fort William North Stars 3-2 in semi-final
  • 2005 Won League, Lost Dudley Hewitt Cup
    Dudley Hewitt Cup
    The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

     semi-final
Fort William North Stars defeated K&A First Nations Golden Hawks 4-games-to-none
Fort William North Stars defeated Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
The Borderland Thunder are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-none SIJHL CHAMPIONS
Second in Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

 round robin (2-1)
St. Michael's Buzzers
St. Michael's Buzzers
The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Canadian Hockey League.-History:...

(OPJHL) defeated Fort William North Stars 6-2 in semi-final
  • 2006 Won League, Won Dudley Hewitt Cup
    Dudley Hewitt Cup
    The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

    , Lost 2006 Royal Bank Cup semi-final
Fort William North Stars defeated K&A First Nations Golden Hawks 4-games-to-none
Fort William North Stars defeated Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-none SIJHL CHAMPIONS
First in Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

 round robin (2-1)
Fort William North Stars defeated Sudbury Jr. Wolves (NOJHL) 7-6 OT in final DUDLEY HEWITT CUP CHAMPIONS
Third in 2006 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2-2)
Burnaby Express
Burnaby Express
The Coquitlam Express are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League...

(BCHL) defeated Fort William North Stars 3-2 OT in semi-final
  • 2007 Lost Final
Fort William North Stars defeated Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1
Schreiber Diesels
Schreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...

defeated Fort William North Stars 4-games-to-3
  • 2008 Lost Final
Fort William North Stars defeated Thunder Bay Bearcats
Thunder Bay Bearcats
The Thunder Bay Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1
Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

defeated Fort William North Stars 4-games-to-1
  • 2009 Won League, Lost Dudley Hewitt Cup
    Dudley Hewitt Cup
    The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

     final
Fort William North Stars defeated Schreiber Diesels
Schreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...

 4-games-to-3
Fort William North Stars defeated Thunder Bay Bearcats
Thunder Bay Bearcats
The Thunder Bay Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1 SIJHL CHAMPIONS
Second in Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

 round robin (2-1)
Fort William North Stars defeated Schreiber Diesels
Schreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...

 4-3 in semi-final
Kingston Voyageurs
Kingston Voyageurs
The Kingston Voyageurs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.-History:The Voyageurs entered the Metro Junior B Hockey League in 1974...

(OJHL) defeated Fort William North Stars 4-1 in final
  • 2010 Won League, Lost Dudley Hewitt Cup
    Dudley Hewitt Cup
    The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

     final
Second in round robin (2-0-2) vs. Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 and Sioux Lookout Flyers
Sioux Lookout Flyers
The Sioux Lookout Flyers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

Fort William North Stars defeated Sioux Lookout Flyers
Sioux Lookout Flyers
The Sioux Lookout Flyers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-none
Fort William North Stars defeated Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1 SIJHL CHAMPIONS
Second in Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...

 round robin (1-0-2)
Fort William North Stars defeated Soo Thunderbirds
Soo Thunderbirds
The Soo Thunderbirds are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Soo Thunderbirds will host the 2010 Dudley Hewitt Cup....

 (NOJHL) 3-0 in semi-final
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:...

(OJAHL) defeated Fort William North Stars 2-1 in final
  • 2011 Lost Semi-final
Thunder Bay North Stars defeated Sioux Lookout Flyers
Sioux Lookout Flyers
The Sioux Lookout Flyers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...

 4-games-to-1
Wisconsin Wilderness defeated Thunder Bay North Stars 4-games-to-none
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