Niagara Falls Thunder
Encyclopedia
The Niagara Falls Thunder was a junior ice hockey
team in the Ontario Hockey League
from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario
.
departed for North Bay
in 1982.
The Thunder picked up on the winning note of the Steelhawks' last season in Hamilton. Coach Bill LaForge returned with a strong core of players that lead the team to a second place finish in 1988–89. Niagara Falls reached the OHL finals the first year in their new home city, losing to the Peterborough Petes
.
Many players graduated from the OHL after that season and the Thunder began to rebuild for 1989–90. Shortly into the season, growing tensions between team owner Rick Gay and coach Bill LaForge led to the coach being fired. LaForge was never forgiven by the fans for perhaps costing the team a chance of the Memorial Cup
in 1989.
The Thunder hired the younger and up-and-coming Oshawa Generals
' assistant coach George Burnett to take over. The team rallied from out fo the playoffs to 6th place. Niagara Falls continued its momentum into the third round of the playoffs knocking off the first place London Knights
before losing to the Kitchener Rangers
.
The Thunder finished the next two seasons in second place, and made it to the third round of the playoffs both years, a feat they managed four years in a row. Coach Burnett was voted Coach of the Year
for 1990–91 and 1991–92. Both years their playoff nemesis, the Soo Greyhounds, eliminated them in the semi-finals.
Many players graduated in 1992 for professional careers, and Coach Burnett was promoted to the Cape Breton Oilers
of the AHL. He won the Calder Cup
with the team in 1992–93.
The team never regained its strength of the first four seasons. After three poor seasons on the ice from 1992–93 to 1994–95, game attendance was dropping. This, combined with rescheduling of Sunday games to Saturday nights, and an aging arena with no new arena deal in sight, resulted in the Thunder moving to Erie, Pennsylvania
to play as the Otters.
in only his first and second full seasons as a head coach in the OHL.
from 1988 to 1996.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
.
History
Niagara Falls became home to its third OHL franchise in 1988 upon the relocation of the Hamilton Steelhawks. The new team was named the Niagara Falls Thunder. The team filled the void left behind when the Niagara Falls FlyersNiagara Falls Flyers
----The Niagara Falls Flyers were two junior ice hockey franchises that played in the top tier in the Ontario Hockey Association. The first, a Junior "A" team existed from 1960 until 1972, and the second in Tier I Junior "A" from 1976 until 1982....
departed for North Bay
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
in 1982.
The Thunder picked up on the winning note of the Steelhawks' last season in Hamilton. Coach Bill LaForge returned with a strong core of players that lead the team to a second place finish in 1988–89. Niagara Falls reached the OHL finals the first year in their new home city, losing to the Peterborough Petes
Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
.
Many players graduated from the OHL after that season and the Thunder began to rebuild for 1989–90. Shortly into the season, growing tensions between team owner Rick Gay and coach Bill LaForge led to the coach being fired. LaForge was never forgiven by the fans for perhaps costing the team a chance of the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1989.
The Thunder hired the younger and up-and-coming Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
' assistant coach George Burnett to take over. The team rallied from out fo the playoffs to 6th place. Niagara Falls continued its momentum into the third round of the playoffs knocking off the first place London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
before losing to the Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener Rangers
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
.
The Thunder finished the next two seasons in second place, and made it to the third round of the playoffs both years, a feat they managed four years in a row. Coach Burnett was voted Coach of the Year
Matt Leyden Trophy
The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club...
for 1990–91 and 1991–92. Both years their playoff nemesis, the Soo Greyhounds, eliminated them in the semi-finals.
Many players graduated in 1992 for professional careers, and Coach Burnett was promoted to the Cape Breton Oilers
Cape Breton Oilers
The Cape Breton Oilers were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1988 and was renamed for Cape Breton Island. Home games were played in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Centre 200...
of the AHL. He won the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
with the team in 1992–93.
The team never regained its strength of the first four seasons. After three poor seasons on the ice from 1992–93 to 1994–95, game attendance was dropping. This, combined with rescheduling of Sunday games to Saturday nights, and an aging arena with no new arena deal in sight, resulted in the Thunder moving to Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
to play as the Otters.
Coaches
George Burnett was voted the OHL Coach of the Year in the 1990–91 and 1991–92 seasons, winning the Matt Leyden TrophyMatt Leyden Trophy
The Matt Leyden Trophy is awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. Teams were not permitted to vote for a coach from their own hockey club...
in only his first and second full seasons as a head coach in the OHL.
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Award winners
- 1988–89 - Bryan Fogarty, CHL Player of the YearCHL Player of the YearThe CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from the winners of the Red Tilson Trophy , Michel Briere Memorial Trophy , and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy .-Winners:* 2010-11 Ryan Ellis,...
& CHL Defenceman of the Year Award; Red Tilson TrophyRed Tilson TrophyThe Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War...
, Most Outstanding Player; Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
, Scoring Champion; Max Kaminsky TrophyMax Kaminsky TrophyThe Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of...
, Most Outstanding Defenceman - 1988–89 - Stan Drulia, Jim Mahon Memorial TrophyJim Mahon Memorial TrophyThe Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is named in honor of Jim Mahon and given to the Ontario Hockey League right winger with the most points in the regular season. Mahon was a very gifted athlete even as a young child. He played minor league ice hockey in Essex, Ontario...
, Top Scoring Right Winger, Leo Lalonde Memorial TrophyLeo Lalonde Memorial TrophyThe Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the best overage player in the Ontario Hockey League. The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former chief scout of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:*2010-11...
, Overage Player of the Year - 1989–90 - Keith Primeau, Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
, Scoring Champion - 1991–92 - Todd Simon, Red Tilson TrophyRed Tilson TrophyThe Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War...
, Most Outstanding Player; Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
, Scoring Champion - 1991–92 - Manny Legace, OHL Goaltender of the YearOHL Goaltender of the YearThe OHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted on by OHL coaches and general managers.-Winners:*2010-11 Mark Visentin, Niagara Ice Dogs*2009-10 Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St...
- 1993–94 - Ethan Moreau, Bobby Smith TrophyBobby Smith TrophyThe Bobby Smith Trophy is awarded annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence....
, Scholastic Player of the Year
NHL alumni
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Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Pct % | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing |
| 1988–89 | 66 | 41 | 23 | 2 | 84 | 0.636 | 410 | 319 | 2nd Emms |
| 1989–90 | 66 | 23 | 39 | 4 | 50 | 0.379 | 278 | 355 | 6th Emms |
| 1990–91 | 66 | 39 | 18 | 9 | 87 | 0.659 | 335 | 259 | 2nd Emms |
| 1991–92 | 66 | 39 | 23 | 4 | 82 | 0.621 | 307 | 254 | 2nd Emms |
| 1992–93 | 66 | 29 | 30 | 7 | 65 | 0.492 | 299 | 274 | 5th Emms |
| 1993–94 1993–94 OHL season The 1993–94 OHL season was the 14th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The North Bay Centennials won the J... |
66 | 21 | 41 | 4 | 46 | 0.348 | 277 | 352 | 8th Emms |
| 1994–95 1994–95 OHL season The 1994–95 OHL season was the 15th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Detroit Junior Red Wings won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm... |
66 | 18 | 40 | 8 | 44 | 0.333 | 231 | 298 | 4th Central |
| 1995–96 1995–96 OHL season The 1995–96 OHL season was the 16th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm. The Detroit Junior Red Wings become the Detroit Whalers.-Notes:... |
66 | 29 | 30 | 7 | 65 | 0.492 | 248 | 238 | 3rd Central |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 1988-89 OHL season The 1988–89 OHL season was the 9th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Niagara Falls Thunder. The Hamilton Steelhawks move to Niagara Falls becoming the Niagara Falls Thunder... |
W, 4-0 Windsor | Bye | W, 4-3 London | L 4-2 Peterborough |
| W, 4-2 London | W, 4-2 Owen Sound | L, 4-1 Kitchener | — | |
| 1990-91 1990-91 OHL season The 1990–91 OHL season was the 11th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Oshawa Generals... |
W, 4-2 Kitchener | W, 4-0 Windsor | L 4-0 S.S. Marie | — |
| 1991-92 1991-92 OHL season The 1991–92 OHL season was the 12th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the North Bay Centennials... |
W, 4-3 Detroit | W, 4-1 London | L 4-1 S.S. Marie | — |
| 1992-93 1992-93 OHL season The 1992–93 OHL season was the 13th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Cornwall Royals become the Newmarket Royals... |
L, 4-0 Owen Sound | |||
| — | ||||
| 1994-95 | L, 4-2 Owen Sound | |||
| 1995-96 | W, 4-2 Owen Sound | L, 4-0 Guelph | ||
Arena
The Niagara Falls Thunder played home games at Niagara Falls Memorial ArenaNiagara Falls Memorial Arena
The Niagara Falls Memorial Arena is an arena located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It was built in 1950 and has a capacity of approximately 3,000. The arena was home to various ice hockey teams in the past, including the Niagara Falls Thunder and the Niagara Falls Flyers...
from 1988 to 1996.
- Niagara Falls Memorial Arena - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide