 |
| Vaughan Vipers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Vaughan, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Ontario Junior Hockey League |
| Operated | 1991-2012 |
| Home arena | Al Palladini Community Centre |
| Colours | Purple, Black and White |
| General manager | Jason Fortier |
| Head coach | Jason Fortier |
| Affiliate | Vaughan Kings (GTHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1991-1996 | Royal York Rangers |
| 1996-2012 | Vaughan Vipers |
The Vaughan Vipers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
In 1991, the expansion Royal York Rangers joined the Central Jr. B league, which became the Ontario Provincial league. In 1996, the team moved to become the Vaughan Vipers. In the first season in 1996-97, the Vipers failed to make the playoffs and were the fourth-worst team. After managing only 7 wins out of a 51-game schedule, the Vipers finished with only 18 points, and the Vipers finished out of playoff contention for the third-consecutive year. The 1999-00 season would bring changes, and the Vipers produced talent with some local players, who were discarded from major junior hockey, especially the Ontario Hockey League. The records from the previous years were identical, but in different categories. Vaughan made the post-season for the first time in their short history, especially defeating the Pickering Panthers in four games and the Markham Waxers in 5 games. The Thornhill Rattlers were no match for the Vipers and lost the series in 4 games. The following seasons, the Vipers began to sink to the bottom of the standings and were fortunate to qualify for the playoffs, only to exit the first round. The Vipers would not advance to another playoff round until 2007.
Vaughan's best season came in 2007-08, when the team boosted a 41-4-4 record, despite finishing 2nd place in the OPJHL's South Conference behind the dominant St. Michael's Buzzers. The Vipers received a bye to the next round of the playoffs, but lost the second round series to the Markham Waxers in four games.
In their final 2011-12 season, the Vipers finished 2nd behind the St. Michael's Buzzers, but would lose a heart-breaking series to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots in 7 games. Marcus Hinds scored the final goal in Vaughan Vipers history just over 11 minutes into the third period in a 4-2 loss to Toronto at the Al Palladini Community Centre in front of 323 fans.
In March 2012, the Vipers withdrew their membership from the OJHL. The news came as a shock, as the Vipers were potential top team in the OJHL and surprise to head coach/general manager Jason Fortier, who had just came up with some marketing ideas for the team, but owner Al Doria claimed it was too late and went ahead with the buyout option offered by the league.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
| 1991-92 | 42 | 2 | 40 | 0 | - | 83 | 349 | 4 | 16th CJBHL | |
| 1992-93 | 49 | 6 | 42 | 1 | - | 152 | 347 | 17 | 17th CJBHL | |
| 1993-94 | 42 | 1 | 40 | 1 | - | 124 | 345 | 3 | 8th OPJHL-W | |
| 1994-95 | 49 | 11 | 33 | 5 | - | 183 | 312 | 29 | 7th OPJHL-W | |
| 1995-96 | 50 | 9 | 39 | 2 | - | 181 | 364 | 21 | 6th OPJHL-Me | |
| 1996-97 | 51 | 16 | 33 | 2 | - | 179 | 272 | 35 | 6th OPJHL-Me | |
| 1997-98 | 51 | 7 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 192 | 354 | 18 | 5th OPJHL-Me | |
| 1998-99 | 51 | 9 | 38 | 2 | 2 | 198 | 346 | 22 | 11th OPJHL-W | |
| 1999-00 | 49 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 221 | 125 | 78 | 1st OPJHL-S | |
| 2000-01 | 49 | 19 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 169 | 173 | 45 | 8th OPJHL-S | |
| 2001-02 | 49 | 19 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 173 | 196 | 43 | 7th OPJHL-S | |
| 2002-03 | 49 | 26 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 205 | 204 | 58 | 4th OPJHL-S | |
| 2003-04 | 49 | 18 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 161 | 200 | 38 | 7th OPJHL-S | |
| 2004-05 | 49 | 20 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 157 | 177 | 48 | 6th OPJHL-S | |
| 2005-06 | 49 | 22 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 193 | 180 | 52 | 6th OPJHL-S | Lost Conf. QF |
| 2006-07 | 49 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 192 | 108 | 74 | 1st OPJHL-S | Lost Conf. SF |
| 2007-08 | 49 | 41 | 4 | - | 4 | 256 | 127 | 86 | 2nd OPJHL-S | |
| 2008-09 | 49 | 33 | 13 | - | 3 | 242 | 152 | 69 | 4th OJHL-M | |
| 2009-10 | 56 | 29 | 17 | - | 10 | 217 | 183 | 68 | 8th OJAHL | Lost quarter-final |
| 2010-11 | 50 | 34 | 13 | - | 3 | 233 | 145 | 71 | 1st OJHL-S | Lost quarter-final |
| 2011-12 | 49 | 29 | 18 | - | 2 | 196 | 153 | 60 | 2nd OJHL-S | Lost Division SF |
The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Buffalo, New York. They are part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Its current general manager is Sean Wallace.
The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They compete in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
The Newmarket Hurricanes were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Newmarket, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The franchise existed from 1972 until 2019, based in Newmarket starting in 1975.
The Caledon Admirals are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Caledon, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The 2005–06 OPJHL season is the 13th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-six teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions will compete in a 49-game schedule.
The 2004–05 OPJHL season is the 12th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 2003–04 OPJHL season is the 11th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 2002–03 OPJHL season is the tenth season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 2001–02 OPJHL season is the ninth season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-six teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 2000–01 OPJHL season is the eighth season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-seven teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 1999–2000 OPJHL season is the seventh season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.
The 1998–99 OPJHL season is the sixth season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL). The thirty-seven teams of the Central, East, and West divisions competed in a 51-game schedule. The top eight of each division made the Buckland Cup playoffs.
The 1995–96 OPJHL season is the third 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 50-game schedule. The top 4 teams of each division make the playoffs.
The 1985–86 OJHL season is the 14th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The six teams of the league played a 50-game season. The top four teams made the playoffs.
The 1984–85 OJHL season is the 13th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The eight teams of the league played a 48-game season. The all eight teams made the playoffs.
The 2010–11 OJHL season is the 17th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the first since the league existed as two separate bodies in 2009–10. The thirty-one teams of the North, South, East and West Divisions will play 50-game schedules.
The 2012–13 OJHL season is the 19th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the third since the league existed as two separate bodies in 2009–10. The twenty-two teams of the North, South, East and West Divisions will play 55-game schedules.
The 2013–14 OJHL season is the 20th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the fourth since the league existed as two separate bodies in 2009–10. The twenty-two teams of the North, South, East and West Divisions will play 55-game schedules.
