Victoria Cougars (VIJHL)

Last updated
Victoria Cougars
Victoria Cougars.png
City Esquimalt, British Columbia
League Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League
DivisionSouth
Founded1998 (1998)–99
Home arenaArchie Browning Arena
ColoursBlack, Grey, Yellow, and White
    
General manager Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chris Lynn
Head coach Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chris Lynn
Captain Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ethan Roworth
Website victoriacougars.com
Franchise history
1998–PresentVictoria Cougars
Championships
Playoff championshipsBrent Patterson Memorial Trophy (VIJHL) – 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019
Cyclone Taylor Cup2007


The Victoria Cougars are a junior ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Cougars play their home games at Archie Browning Arena, located in Esquimalt, British Columbia.

Contents

The Cougars joined the league in 1998 as an expansion team. In its VIJHL history, the team has won the Cyclone Taylor Cup once, in 2007. The Cougars have won the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Eight times in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019 as league Playoff Champions. They have also won the Andy Hebenton Trophy nine times, as the team with the league's best regular season record in 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2019–2020.

History

In March 2005, the Victoria Cougars won their first Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy, and won the bronze medal at the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial championships.

They followed that up with their best regular season record in the 2006–07 season, going 39–6–0–3 for 81 points, and a winning percentage of 0.840, second best in the province. In the 2007 playoffs the Cougars won their second VIJHL playoff championship in three years. They then hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial Junior "B" championships at Esquimalt's Archie Browning Sports Centre, and won the tournament, defeating the Abbotsford Pilots 4–1 to earn the title of the best Junior "B" team in the province in their ninth year of operation.

The Cougars have captured the regular season championship in the 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2019–2020 seasons; they have been in the VIJHL Finals 13 times, capturing eight Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy's. In 2012–13 they set a new league record, winning 45 of 48 games, losing once in regulation and twice in overtime. In the same season former player and current Head Coach, Brody Coulter, set the VIJHL record for points in a season. In 48 games Coulter scored 118 points (39G 79A 2.5 PPG).


Season-by-season record

Division ChampionsRegular Season ChampionsLeague ChampionsProvincial Champions
SeasonDivisionRegular seasonPlayoffs
GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAResultGPWLGFGAResult
1998–99South40138131204074thLost Division Semifinals
1999–00South4011227291682193rd4131426Lost Division Semifinals 1–3 (Panthers)
2000–01South4823196522332123rd3031118Lost in Division Semifinals, 0–3 (Islanders)
2001–02South48231564562232092nd4131318Lost Division Semifinals 1–3 (Islanders)
2002–03South48271614592541911st12753841Won Division Semifinals 4–0 (Islanders)
Won Division Finals 3–2 (Panthers)
Lost Finals, 0–3 (Storm)
2003–04South48281730592301862nd11654033 Won in Division Semifinals, 4–1 (Braves)
Lost in Division Finals, 2–4 (Panthers)
2004–05South48291153612191452nd131036646 Won in Division Semifinals (Islanders)
Won in Division Finals (Panthers)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 2–0 (Storm)
Finished 3rd in Cyclone Taylor Cup, 1–2–1 (Final vs Pilots)
2005–06South4229823612311292nd5141217 Lost in Division Semifinals, 1–4 (Braves)
2006–07South4839603813031322nd231678336 Won in Division Semifinals, 4–0 (Stingers)
Won in Division Finals, 4–0 (Panthers)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–2 (Islanders)
Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions, 3–1–0 (Final vs Pilots)

Finished 4th in Keystone Cup
2007–08South4834923712261201st191278244 Won in Division Semifinals, 4–0 (Stingers)
Won in Division Finals, 4–1 (Panthers)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–2 (Islanders)
Finished 4th in Cyclone Taylor Cup, 0–4–0 (Final vs Ghostriders)
2008–09South483486742361322nd15966346 Won Div. Semifinals 4–1 (Braves)
Won in Division Finals, 4–1 (Panthers)
Lost in Finals, 1–4 (Generals)
2009–10South483477752291412nd1477 Won in Division Semifinals, 4–3 (Braves)
Lost in Division Finals, 3–4 (Panthers)
2010–11South443392682021101st10642620 Bye in Quarterfinals
Won Semifinals 3–0 (Generals)
Lost in Finals, 3–4 (Panthers)
2011–12South42365173200931st131036030 Bye in Quarterfinals
Won Semifinals 4–1 (Islanders)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–0 (Panthers)
Finished 2nd in Cyclone Taylor Cup, 2–2–0 (Final vs Pilots)
2012–13South48461294280981st181449442 Won Division Semifinals 4–1 (Panthers)
Won in Division Finals, 4–1 (Braves)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–0 (Glacier Kings)
Finished 2nd in Cyclone Taylor Cup, 2–2–0 (Final vs Sockeyes)
2013–14South4835101273225921st191457836 Won Div Semifinals 4–0 (Islanders)
Won in Division Finals, 4–1 (Storm)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–2 (Panthers)
Finished 3rd in Cyclone Taylor Cup, 2–2–0 (Final vs Leafs)
2014–15South48425185256991st12846621 Won Quarterfinals 4–0 (Islanders)
Won Semiinals, 4–0 (Wolves)
Lost League Finals, 0–4 (Storm)
2015–16South484151184265881st161238542 Won Quarterfinal 4–0 (Islanders)
Won Semifinals, 4–0 (Panthers)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions, 4–2 (Storm)
Cyclone Cup (see below)
2016–17South4835805752081241st181176049Won Quarterfinals, 4–2 (Wolves)
Won Div. Finals, 4–1 (Islanders)
Lost League Finals, 3–4 (Storm)
2017–18South48242121511451453rdLost Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Wolves)
2018–19South48281271991861201st161145931Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Generals)
Won Div. Finals, 4–2 (Buchaneers)
Won League Finals, 4–1 (Storm)
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Champions
Cyclone Taylor Cup (see below)
2019–20South4841601832261171st6602413Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21South13111012361321st00000Regular season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. Playoffs were not played.
2021–22South49351103732311311stLost Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Islanders)
2022–23South48361110732321222Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Islanders)
Lost Semifinals, 2–4 (Predators)
2023–24South48341121712321201stWon Div Semiinals, 4–0 (Panthers)
Lost Div. Finals, 3-4 (Predators)

Provincial Champions

SeasonRound RobinRecordBronze Medal GameGold Medal Game
2005N/AN/AW, Abbotsford Pilots 4–2

Bronze Medalists

n/a
2007N/AN/An/aW, Abbotsford Pilots 4–1

Gold Medalists

2008N/AN/AL, Fernie Ghostriders 5–3

4th Place

n/a
2012W, Abbotsford Pilots 3–2

W, Beaver Valley Nitehawks 3–0

L, Delta Ice Hawks 7–2

2–1n/aL, Abbostford Pilots 3–2 (OT)

Silver Medalists

2013L, Richmond Sockeyes 5–2

W, Castlegar Rebels 1–0

W, Comox Valley Glacier Kings 6–1

2–1n/aL, Richmond Sockeyes 4–1

Silver Medalists

2014W, Nelson Leafs 6–1

L, Aldergrove Kodiaks 4–1

L, Beaver Valley Nitehawks 3–0

1–2W, Nelson Leafs 3–0

Bronze Medalists

n/a
2016*W, 100 Mile House 4–2
W, Campbell River 5–3
W, Mission City 7–5
3–0–0n/aL, 100 Mile House 5–4
Silver Medalists
2019W, Revelstoke Grizzlies 4–1

L (OT), Campbell River Storm 3–2

W, N Vancouver Wolf Pack 3–0

2–0–0–1n/aL, Revelstoke Grizzlies 5–1

Silver Medalists

Awards and trophies

Cyclone Taylor Cup

Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy
VIJHL Championship

Andy Hebenton Trophy
Regular Season Champion

Grant Peart Memorial Trophy
Least Penalized Team

Doug Morton Trophy
Leading Scorer

Top Forward
(New award for 2011–12 season)

Jack Kingston Memorial Trophy
Top Defenceman

Jamie Benn Trophy
Most Valuable Player

Jamie Robertson Trophy
Most Sportsmanlike Player

Larry Lamoureaux Trophy
Rookie of the Year

Ray's Sports Centre Trophy
Top Goaltender

Walt McWilliams Memorial Trophy
Unsung Hero

Coach of the Year
(New award for 2011–12 season)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanier Cup</span> Canadian university gridiron football championship trophy

The Vanier Cup is a post season college football championship game, used to determine the national champion in U Sports football. The game is the final for the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl. In turn, the participating teams are determined by the winners of 4 bowl games: the Loney Bowl (AUS), Hardy Cup, Dunsmore Cup (RSEQ), and Yates Cup (OUA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy</span> NHL ice hockey award

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one player in competition. It is often awarded to a player who has come back from career– or even life-threatening illness or injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vancouver Giants</span> Western Hockey League team in Langley, British Columbia

The Vancouver Giants are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team playing based in Langley, British Columbia, and playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Founded in 2001, the Giants won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions in 2006 and the Memorial Cup as Canadian junior champions in 2007. The team was based in the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, the former arena of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, until moving to the Langley Events Centre in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Columbia Hockey League</span> Junior hockey league

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an independent Canadian Junior ice hockey league with 21 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spokane Chiefs</span> Western Hockey League team in Spokane, Washington

The Spokane Chiefs are an American major junior ice hockey team based in Spokane, Washington. The Chiefs play in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League's Western Conference, playing home games at Spokane Arena. The Chiefs are two-time Memorial Cup champions—the second American team to win the title—winning in 1991 and 2008. Spokane hosted the first outdoor game in WHL history on January 15, 2011, at Avista Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League</span> Junior ice hockey league

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) is a junior ice hockey league of 11 clubs on Vancouver Island. The Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season. In 2024, the league decided to withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and operate as an independent farm league for the BCHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of WHL history</span>

This is a timeline of events throughout the history of the Western Hockey League (WHL), which dates back to its founding in 1966. The league was founded by a group of team owners and managers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Bill Hunter, Scotty Munro, Del Wilson, and Jim Piggott, who thought a larger western league would help western teams compete for the Memorial Cup against teams from the larger associations in Ontario and Quebec. Since the league's founding, it has expanded to include 22 teams across the four Western Canadian provinces along with the Northwest United States, and it has produced 19 Memorial Cup championship teams.

The 1980–81 WHL season was the 15th season of the Western Hockey League (WHL), featuring thirteen teams and a 72-game regular season. The Victoria Cougars won both the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for topping the regular season standings—setting a league record with 60 wins—and the President's Cup as league champions, defeating the Calgary Wranglers in the playoff finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Hebenton</span> Canadian ice hockey player (1929–2019)

Andrew Alexander "Spuds" Hebenton was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger, and holds the record for the longest streak without missing a game in professional hockey history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernie Ghostriders</span> Ice hockey team in Fernie, British Columbia

The Fernie Ghostriders are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Ghostriders play their home games at the Fernie Memorial Arena in Fernie, British Columbia. Barb Anderson is the team's president; Ty Valin is the general manager and coach. They are currently captained by Taylor Haggerty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbell River Storm</span> Junior ice hockey team

The Campbell River Storm are a junior ice hockey team based in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Storm play their home games at Rod Brind'Amour Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creston Valley Thunder Cats</span> Junior ice hockey team

The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are a Junior ice hockey team based in Creston, British Columbia. They are members of the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Thunder Cats play their home games at Johnny Bucyk Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comox Valley Glacier Kings</span> Ice hockey team in Courtenay, British Columbia

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings are a junior ice hockey team based in Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Glacier Kings play their home games at Comox Valley Sports Centre, which has a capacity of 1,400. David Webb is the team's president. Mike Nesbitt is the coach and General Manager, and they are captained by forward Logan Furlong 2023-24. The Glacier Kings were the hosts of the 2013 Cyclone Taylor Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerry Park Islanders</span> Ice hockey team in Mill Bay, British Columbia

The Kerry Park Islanders are a junior ice hockey team based in Mill Bay, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Islanders play their home games at Kerry Park Recreation Center. They are coached by Henry Acres

The Oceanside Generals are a junior ice hockey team based in Parksville, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The team operates as a not for profit society, run by a hockey passionate board of directors. The Generals play their home games at Oceanside Place. Dan Lemmon is the team's Head Coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peninsula Panthers</span> Ice hockey team in North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers are a junior ice hockey team based in North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Panthers play their home games at Panorama Recreation Centre. Coreen Zubersky is the team's president, Pete Zubersky is the general manager and Tyler Stanton is the head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saanich Predators</span> Junior ice hockey team

The Saanich Predators are a Junior ice hockey team based in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The team changed its name from the Saanich Braves in 2020. They play their home games at George Pearkes Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Royals</span> Western Hockey League team in Victoria, British Columbia

The Victoria Royals are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Royals play in the B.C. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team began play during the 2011–12 season after the league announced the relocation of the Chilliwack Bruins to Victoria. It marked the return of the WHL to Vancouver Island, 17 years after the departure of the Victoria Cougars. The Royals play their home games at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100 Mile House Wranglers</span> Ice hockey team in Mile House, British Columbia

The 100 Mile House Wranglers are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Wranglers play their home games at the South Cariboo Rec Centre.Levi Stuart is the coach. They are currently captained by no one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports women's basketball</span> University womens basketball

U Sports women's basketball is the highest level of play of women's basketball at the university level under the auspices of U Sports, Canada's governing body for university sports. There are 48 teams, all of which are based in Canada, that are divided into four conferences that are eligible to compete for the year-end championship. As these players compete at the university level, they are obligated to follow the rule of standard eligibility of five years. The winning team of the U Sports women's basketball championship is awarded the Bronze Baby trophy. The championship has been played for since 1972, with the UBC Thunderettes capturing the inaugural championship.