Nanaimo Clippers | |
---|---|
City | Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
League | British Columbia Hockey League |
Division | Island |
Founded | 1972 | –73
Home arena | Frank Crane Arena |
Colours | Orange, silver, black, white |
Head coach | Bob Beatty (interim) |
Website | www |
Franchise history | |
1972–1982 | Nanaimo Clippers |
1982–1983 | Esquimalt Buccaneers |
1983–present | Nanaimo Clippers |
The Nanaimo Clippers are a junior ice hockey team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Island Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Frank Crane Arena.
The original owner, Cliff McNabb, drew inspiration for the name from the local teams of the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association who prior to 1972 as well as after, were known as the Clippers. The Nanaimo Clippers won the league championship in the 1976 playoffs but lost by default for the Mowat Cup (Provincial Championship). The Clippers were once again league champions in 1978 when the Penticton Vees refused to play the balance of the series (citing rough play – the series stood at 2 games to 1). The Merritt Centennials were earlier chosen to represent the league for the 1978 CAHA Championships. The Nanaimo Clippers folded after the 1982 season, but were started up again before the 1983 season as the Esquimalt Buccaneers. The franchise was moved to Nanaimo early in the 1983 season, playing at the Nanaimo Civic Arena, and renamed the team the Nanaimo Clippers.
In 1998, the Clippers hosted the Royal Bank Cup getting three wins and a loss in round-robin play. The Clippers entered the semi-finals as the second seed behind the South Surrey Eagles also of the BCHL. The Weyburn Red Wings were the Clippers' opponent in the semi-final and defeated them by a score of 4–1, South Surrey went on to win the National Championship.
On March 13, 2004, with 80 seconds left in the third period and the score tied 3–3 in game seven during the first round of the playoffs against Powell River Kings, the Powell River goalie left his crease and froze the puck for a whistle. Under league rules, the goalie was guilty of delay of game. But instead of calling a two-minute penalty, the referee incorrectly awarded a penalty shot. Nanaimo scored and won the game, 4–3. Powell River protested and league officials agreed to cover all costs for fixing the mistake. The Kings went back to Nanaimo on March 16 to replay the final 1:20 of the third period, with the score tied at 3–3. Powell River started a man short for the delay-of-game penalty but neither team scored in regulation. Just 54 seconds into overtime, Nanaimo captain Michael Olson scored the game-winning goal. The Clippers went on to beat Chilliwack 3–1 in a best-of-five series, Surrey 4–0 in a best-of-seven semifinal and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4–1 in the best-of-seven championship final. After taking the BCHL Championship, the Clippers went on to oust the Grande Prairie Storm for the Doyle Cup, earning themselves a berth in the Royal Bank Cup.
On April 16, 2007, the Clippers won the Fred Page Cup by defeating the Vernon Vipers three to two in game six of the BCHL finals. The winning goal was scored by Tyler Mazzei with 36 seconds remaining in the third period at the Vernon Multiplex.
In March 2017, the Nanaimo city council approved a referendum for the construction of a $88 million arena to help solidify a potential Western Hockey League team, either by relocation or expansion, possibly forcing the Clippers to either relocate to another market or fold. The referendum was on March 11 and was rejected by 80% of those voting. The team was purchased by Vancouver-based lawyer Wesley Mussio in 2017.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972–73 | 62 | 31 | 30 | 1 | — | 352 | 335 | 63 | 1st, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Bruins) | |
1973–74 | 64 | 21 | 41 | 2 | — | 243 | 321 | 44 | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Lords) | |
1974–75 | 66 | 21 | 45 | 0 | — | 303 | 385 | 42 | 4th, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Blazers) | |
1975–76 | 66 | 41 | 21 | 4 | — | 384 | 279 | 89 | 2nd, BCJHL | Fred Page Cup Champions (Vees) | |
1976–77 | 68 | 46 | 19 | 3 | — | 403 | 323 | 95 | 1st, Coastal | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–2 (Vees) | |
1977–78 | 66 | 41 | 23 | 2 | — | 392 | 324 | 84 | 2251 | 1st, Coastal | Fred Page Cup Champions (Vees) |
1978–79 | 62 | 33 | 26 | 3 | — | 367 | 346 | 69 | 1625 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 0–4 (Blazers) |
1979–80 | 66 | 41 | 24 | 1 | — | 433 | 346 | 83 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost finals, 3–4 (Knights) | |
1980–81 | 44 | 33 | 10 | 1 | — | 307 | 200 | 67 | 1417 | 1st, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals |
1981–82 | 48 | 12 | 36 | 0 | — | 232 | 347 | 24 | 6th, Coastal | did not qualify | |
1982–83 | 56 | 30 | 25 | 1 | — | 309 | 314 | 61 | 2420 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Royals) |
1983–84 | 50 | 30 | 19 | 1 | — | 303 | 256 | 61 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Eagles) | |
1984–85 | 52 | 21 | 31 | 0 | — | 328 | 367 | 42 | 5th, Coastal | did not qualify | |
1985–86 | 52 | 25 | 26 | 1 | — | 305 | 337 | 51 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Flyers) | |
1986–87 | 52 | 24 | 27 | 1 | — | 276 | 292 | 49 | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Sockeyes) | |
1987–88 | 52 | 28 | 20 | 4 | — | 277 | 252 | 60 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Flyers) | |
1988–89 | 60 | 32 | 25 | 3 | — | 309 | 312 | 67 | 2931 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Paper Kings) |
1989–90 | 60 | 38 | 21 | 1 | — | 381 | 314 | 77 | 2326 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Royals) |
1990–91 | 60 | 25 | 32 | 3 | — | 307 | 342 | 53 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings) | |
1991–92 | 60 | 27 | 30 | 3 | — | 319 | 309 | 57 | 3059 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Ice Hawks) |
1992–93 | 60 | 29 | 29 | 2 | — | 320 | 326 | 60 | 1738 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Paper Kings) |
1993–94 | 60 | 21 | 36 | 3 | — | 270 | 351 | 45 | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings) | |
1994–95 | 60 | 25 | 33 | 2 | — | 280 | 330 | 52 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost preliminary, 0–2 (Eagles) | |
1995–96 | 60 | 30 | 25 | 5 | — | 251 | 236 | 65 | 1284 | 3rd, Island | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Vipers) |
1996–97 | 60 | 34 | 22 | 4 | — | 263 | 243 | 72 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings) | |
1997–98 | 60 | 30 | 29 | 1 | — | 215 | 223 | 61 | 5th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Eagles) | |
1998–99 | 60 | 37 | 21 | — | 2 | 298 | 229 | 76 | 1st, Coastal | Lost Division Quarterfinals, 0–3 (Salsa) | |
1999–00 | 60 | 28 | 21 | — | 11 | 202 | 218 | 67 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost Conference Semifinals, 2–4 (Chiefs) | |
2000–01 | 60 | 31 | 25 | — | 4 | 221 | 216 | 66 | 1673 | 1st, Island | Lost preliminary, 3–4 (Salsa) |
2001–02 | 60 | 41 | 17 | — | 2 | 262 | 215 | 84 | 1st, Island | Lost semifinals, 1–4 (Chiefs) | |
2002–03 | 60 | 41 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 267 | 196 | 85 | 1st, Island | Lost quarterfinals, 0–3 (Eagles) | |
2003–04 | 60 | 37 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 256 | 161 | 82 | 2131 | 2nd, Island | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–1 (Silverbacks) Doyle Cup Champions |
2004–05 | 60 | 48 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 240 | 142 | 99 | 1st in League | Lost semifinals | |
2005–06 | 60 | 44 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 255 | 160 | 92 | 1st in League | Lost quarterfinals | |
2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 287 | 187 | 89 | 1st in League | Won Fred Page Cup | |
2007–08 | 60 | 42 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 249 | 155 | 88 | 1st in League | Lost in Finals | |
2008–09 | 60 | 28 | 24 | 2 | 6 | 186 | 193 | 64 | 9th BCHL | Lost in First Round | |
2009–10 | 60 | 24 | 25 | 1 | 10 | 197 | 204 | 59 | 10th BCHL | Lost in Quarterfinals | |
2010–11 | 60 | 29 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 203 | 205 | 66 | 5th, Coastal | Lost Division Quarterfinals | |
2011–12 | 60 | 26 | 25 | 0 | 9 | 186 | 193 | 61 | 10th BCHL | did not qualify | |
2012–13 | 56 | 32 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 182 | 167 | 68 | 2nd, Island | Lost Division Semifinals | |
2013–14 | 58 | 27 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 176 | 172 | 57 | 3rd, Island | Lost Division Semifinals | |
2014–15 | 58 | 37 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 235 | 167 | 79 | 1st of 5, Island 2nd of 16, BCHL | Won, Div. Semifinals, 4–3 (Bulldogs) Won, Div. Finals, 4–3 (Kings) 2nd of 3 Mini Series, advanced Lost League Finals, 2–4 (Vees) | |
2015–16 | 58 | 38 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 235 | 186 | 78 | 1st of 5, Island 4th of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 (Bulldogs) Won Div. Finals, 4–0 (Kings) 3rd of 3 Mini Series, eliminated | |
2016–17 | 58 | 23 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 146 | 199 | 53 | 4th of 5, Island 14th of 17, BCHL | Lost div. semi-finals, 1–4 (Grizzlies) | |
2017–18 | 58 | 32 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 198 | 177 | 70 | 2nd of 5, Island 6th of 17, BCHL | Lost div. semi-finals, 2–4 (Kings) | |
2018–19 | 58 | 27 | 30 | — | 1 | 180 | 213 | 55 | 750 | 3rd of 5, Island 14th of 17, BCHL | Lost First Round, 1–4 (Kings) |
2019–20 | 58 | 37 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 183 | 134 | 78 | 772 | 1st of 5, Island 3rd of 17, BCHL | Won First Round, 4–0 (Bulldogs) Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
2020–21 | 20 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 82 | 17 | 255 | 3rd of 4, Alberni Val. Pod 11th of 16, BCHL | Covid-19 "pod season" - no playoffs |
2021–22 | 54 | 33 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 210 | 172 | 70 | 583 | 3rd of 9, Coastal 6th of 18, BCHL | Won Div Quarterfinal, 4–0 (Eagles) Won Div. Semifinal, 4-0 (Chiefs) Won Div. Finals 4-0, (Rivermen) Lost League Finals 0-4 (Vees) |
The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an independent Canadian Junior ice hockey league with 22 teams in British Columbia and Alberta. It was classified as a Junior 'A' league within the Hockey Canada framework until it became independent in 2023. Since becoming independent, the league characterizes itself simply as a Junior ice hockey league.
The Trail Smoke Eaters are a junior A ice hockey team from Trail, British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League.
The Brooks Bandits are a junior A ice hockey team in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play in Brooks, Alberta, Canada, with home games at the Centennial Regional Arena. The team was formerly in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), until they joined the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in February 2024.
The Merritt Centennials are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Merritt, British Columbia. They were members of the Interior Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Starting in the 2024–25 season, the Centennials will be joining the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), and will become members of the Bill Ohlhausen Division. The franchise was established in Kamloops in 1961 and moved to White Rock in 1973 when the WCHL's Vancouver Nats moved to Kamloops and became the Chiefs. The Centennials settled in Merritt midway through the 1973–74 season. They play their home games at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
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 (BCHL). They play their home games at Kal Tire Place.
The Mowat Cup is emblematic of the Junior "A" ice hockey Championship of British Columbia (BC). The winner of the Mowat Cup historically moved on to play the winner of Alberta's Carling O'Keefe Cup for the Doyle Cup, signifying the Canadian Pacific Regions champion.
The Coquitlam Express are a Junior ice hockey team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex.
The Surrey Eagles are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Mainland Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at South Surrey Arena.
The 1998 Royal Bank Cup is the 28th Junior "A" 1998 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.
The 2007 Royal Bank Cup is the 37th Junior "A" 2007 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The 2007 National Champions were the Aurora Tigers, winning their second title in four years.
The 2007–08 BCHL season is the 46th season of the British Columbia Hockey League. It began on September 7, 2007, and ran through February 27, 2008, followed by the Fred Page Cup Playoffs, ending in April, 2008. On February 28, the league announced a partnership with INSINC to live video stream the 2008 playoffs.
The 2008 Fred Page Cup Playoffs of the British Columbia Hockey League began on February 29, 2008. The top two teams in each of the Coastal and Interior Conferences received a bye into the conference semifinals. The remaining eight teams that qualified, four from each conference, played a best-of-5 series elimination round. For the conference semifinals and finals, play reverted to a best-of-7 series. The conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Fred Page Cup.
The 2009 Royal Bank Cup is the 39th Junior "A" 2009 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior Hockey League. 2009 marked the 14th year the Royal Bank Cup has been awarded and the 39th year of modern Junior "A" hockey.
The Powell River Regals are a Canadian Senior AA ice hockey team from Powell River, British Columbia. The Regals played an independent schedule under the supervision of the BC Amateur Hockey Association. Prior to the 2015–16 season, when the team temporarily ceased operation, the Regals competed as a Senior AAA team, winning the BC Senior AAA Savage Cup 14 times between 1994–95 and 2014–15, and were three-time Allan Cup National Senior AAA Champions and one-time Hardy Cup National Intermediate "A" Champions.
The 1997–98 OPJHL season is the fifth season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The twenty-two teams of the MacKenzie, MacKinnon, Phillips, and Ruddock Divisions competed in a 51-game schedule. The top 4 teams of each division make the playoffs.
The 2013–14 BCHL season was the 52nd season of the British Columbia Hockey League. (BCHL) The sixteen teams from the Interior, Island and Mainland divisions played 58 game schedules, starting with the 2013 BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, BC.
The 2012-13 BCHL season was the 51st season of the British Columbia Hockey League. (BCHL) The sixteen teams from the Coastal and Mainland Conferences will play 56 game schedules, starting with the 2012 BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, BC.
The 2011–12 BCHL season marked the 50th anniversary of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The sixteen teams from the Coastal and Interior Conferences played 60 game schedules.
The 2015–16 BCHL season was the 54th season of the British Columbia Hockey League. (BCHL) The seventeen teams from the Interior, Island and Mainland divisions played 58-game schedules, featuring the 2015 BCHL Showcase, hosted in Chilliwack, shortly after the start of the season from September 24 to 27, 2015.
The 2016–17 BCHL season was the 55th season of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The seventeen teams from the Interior, Island and Mainland divisions played 58-game schedules. The 2016 BCHL Showcase, hosted in Chilliwack, was held shortly after the start of the season from September 21 to 25, 2016.