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The '''LaSalle Vipers''' are a [[Canada|Canadian]] junior [[ice hockey]] team based in [[LaSalle, Ontario|LaSalle]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. They play in the Western division of the [[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]].
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The '''LaSalle Vipers''' are a [[Canada|Canadian]] junior [[ice hockey]] team based in [[LaSalle, Ontario|LaSalle]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. They play in the Western division of the [[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]].
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
⚫
The Tecumseh Chiefs originated as the newly-formed [[Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League]]'s Windsor Royals. The Royals in 1986 were renamed the Bulldogs and moved up to Junior "B". The team was sold in 1995 and moved out of [[Windsor, Ontario]] into the Tecumseh area, and became known as the Chiefs.[[Image:Tecumseh Chiefs with Sutherland Cup (2008).png|225px|right|thumbnail|Tecumseh Chiefs' Matt Rehman being presented the [[Sutherland Cup]] (2008)]]
  
   
  +
===The Royals===
⚫
In one the franchise's last games in the city of Windsor, the Bulldogs set a league record for futility by suffering the worst loss in [[Western Ontario Hockey League]] history. On January 20, 1995, the [[Leamington Flyers]] defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 30-3.
  
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The expansion of the Windsor Royals started to circulate in the [[Windsor Star]] around July 1970. The Border Cities League had decided to no long incorporate American teams and was looking to change its name. It also wanted to operate at a Junior B level. The team was based in St. Clair Beach in [[Tecumseh, Ontario]].<ref>'''40 games on hockey schedule''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. July 16, 1970, Pg. 7.</ref> The team's first ever coach was Cliff Stevens. The Royals played their first ever game as members of the [[Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League|Great Lakes Junior Hockey League]] at home in St. Clair Beach Arena against the [[Blenheim Golden Blades]] on October 11, 1970. The Royals were victorious, crushing the Blades 13-5. Bill Salzer scored the first goal in team history 1:29 into the first period. Salzer added one more goal and three assists, while teammate Rich Bissonnette aided with five assists.<ref>'''Royals blister Blenheim, 13-5''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. October 13, 1970, Pg. 39.</ref> At the end of the 1970-71 season, the Royals finished in third place with a record of 23 wins, 13 losses, and 4 ties. As the league had included a pair of Junior C teams in their loop, the Royals acquired the second seed in the league playoffs. In the league semi-final, the Royals drew the winless, last place [[Tilbury Bluebirds]] (0-40-0). Things did not improve for the Bluebirds. On February 23, at St. Clair Beach, the Glen Urquhart led the way for the Royals with three goals and two assists in a 14-1 romp of Tilbury. This gave Windsor the first playoff win in their history. Ted Pruyn picked up the win in net.<ref>'''Urquhart scores as Royals romp''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. February 24, 1971, Pg. 48.</ref> Game two was a different story in [[Tilbury, Ontario|Tilbury]], as the Bluebirds kept it close but the Royals prevailed 4-3. The Royals ended the Best-of-5 series in game three with a 7-3 win. The victory gave the Royals their first ever playoff series victory.<ref>'''Royals end Tilbury misery''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 1, 1971, Pg. 24.</ref> In the league final, the Royals would meet the first place [[Petrolia Jets]] (31-8-1). The Royals took game one at home 6-3, but went on the road in [[Petrolia, Ontario|Petrolia]] and dropped game two 4-0. The walls caved in on the Royals in games three and four, losing 12-3 and 9-1 on back-to-back nights to fall behind in the series 3-games-to-1. On March 17, the Royals traveled to Petrolia and again were crushed, 13-2, to end the series and their playoffs.<ref>'''Butler's 'trick' sparks Jets' 13-2 romp over Royals''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 18, 1971, Pg. 31.</ref>
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In their second season, the Royals relocated to the Riverside Arena<ref>'''The Talent Picture''' by Jim Nelson. [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. September 1, 1971, Pg. 50.</ref> and finished in third place in the GLJHL (2nd amongst Junior B teams). In the playoffs, the Royals drew the [[Blenheim Golden Blades]] in the semi-final and beat them 3-games-to-1 to again meet the [[Petrolia Jets]] in the final. Game one in Riverside saw the Royals lose 7-2 to the Jets, despite starting future pro goaltender [[Tony Piroski]] (35 saves on the night). Game two in Petrolia did not go much better, as Greg Cecile made 31 saves for the Royals in a 7-4 loss.<ref>'''Jets still flying high''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 6, 1972, Pg. 23.</ref> The Royals were never given the chance to redeem themselves, as the Jets swept them in four games to end their season. The 1971-72 also included future [[NHL]]er [[Ted Bulley]]<ref>http://wecshof.org/print_individual.php?id=218</ref>
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In 1972, the Royals moved, this time to the [[Windsor Arena]] in Downtown Windsor. Their rival, the [[Petrolia Jets]], jumped to the [[Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League]], clearing the Royals of their biggest hurdle in the league Junior B playoffs. The Royals would feature future [[NHL]] goaltender [[Rick Heinz]] during the 1972-73 season.<ref>http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18545</ref> The Royals finished the season in first place with a record of 34 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties. In the 1973 league semi-final, the Royals faced the last place [[Sandwich West Thunderbirds]] of present-day [[LaSalle, Ontario|LaSalle]]. In game one, at the [[Windsor Arena]], the Royals beat the Thunderbirds 8-2. The Royals would take the series in a three-game sweep. In the finals against the [[Blenheim Golden Blades]], the Blades would draw first blood, beating the Royals at home 3-1. At home, the Royals would gain some revenge in game two, beating the Blades 10-2. At home again, the Royals would defeat the Blades 6-3 in game three. Back in Blenheim for game four, the Royals kept the momentum going with a 9-2 win. On March 10, 1973, the Royals defeated the Blades 4-3 to win the series 4-games-to-1 and win their first ever league championship. Fred Gagnon scored the winner for the Royals with only 38 seconds to go in the game.<ref>'''District junior B title won by Royals, 4-3''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 12, 1973, Pg. 22.</ref> The [[Leamington Flyers]] won the Great Lakes Junior C championship and challenged the Royals to a best-of-5 Grand Championship. The two teams finished the league in first with identical records, but the Flyers were awarded first on a better head-to-head record, despite the Royals having a much better Goals For/Against ratio. In Leamington, the Flyers would take game one 7-6. Back at the [[Windsor Arena]], Vince Mullins scored a [[hat-trick]], for the Royals, in game two to even the series with a 6-3 win. At home again for game three, the Royals defeated Leamington 6-2. Leamington came back in game four with a 7-5 win to tie the series. The series remained unresolved, as the Flyers were required to carry on their playoffs by the OHA, while the Royals still waited on their next opponent.<ref>'''Now Royals must wait''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 30, 1973, Pg. 29.</ref> The Royals ended up playing the [[Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League]] Champion [[Sarnia Bees]] in the [[Sutherland Cup]] quarter-final. The Bees swept the Royals with scores of 6-5, 6-5, 4-3, and 7-3 to move on to the next round.
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In the Summer of 1973, the Royals and their Tier II Junior A affiliate, the [[Windsor Spitfires]], broke off their affiliation agreement over each other's wishes to apply for expansion into the [[Ontario Major Junior Hockey League]] - a deadline that was upcoming to make the move for the start of the 1974-75 season. The Spitfires chose to affiliated with the ill-fated [[Belle River Bulldogs]] for 1973-74 instead. The Royals also requested a move to the [[Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League]], a more skillful league than the GLJHL, but were denied.<ref>'''Spits-Royals impasse remains''' by Alan Halberstadt. [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. June 14, 1973, Pg. 61.</ref>
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In the Spring of 1974, both the Royals and [[Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League]]'s [[Windsor Spitfires]] put in rival bids in an attempt to promote one of the two teams to the [[Ontario Hockey League|Major Junior A]] level. Both bids were rejected due to lack of a suitable arena.<ref>'''Windsor major A bid rejected''' [[Windsor Star]]. Windsor, Ontario. March 19, 1974, Pg 22.</ref> A year later, the [[Ontario Major Junior Hockey League]] (OHL as of 1980) granted expansion to the Spitfires.
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===The Bulldogs===
  ⚫
The Royals in 1986 were renamed the Bulldogs and moved up to Junior "B". The team was sold in 1995 and moved out of [[Windsor, Ontario]] into the Tecumseh area, and became known as the Chiefs.[[Image:Tecumseh Chiefs with Sutherland Cup (2008).png|225px|right|thumbnail|Tecumseh Chiefs' Matt Rehman being presented the [[Sutherland Cup]] (2008)]]
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  ⚫
In one the franchise's last games in the city of Windsor, the Bulldogs set a league record for futility by suffering the worst loss in [[Western Ontario Hockey League]] history. On January 20, 1995, the [[Leamington Flyers]] defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 30-3.<ref>http://wohl.ca/download/records_wohl.htm</ref>
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===The Chiefs===
 
[[Image:Tecumseh Chiefs.jpg|120px|thumbnail|right|Tecumseh Chiefs]]
  
[[Image:Tecumseh Chiefs.jpg|120px|thumbnail|right|Tecumseh Chiefs]]
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On February 20, 2008, the Chiefs remembered their former "rookie of the year" [[Mickey Renaud]]. Renaud, alumnus and captain of the [[Windsor Spitfires]], died two days earlier after collapsing in his parents home in Tecumseh. After a memorial, the Chiefs announced that Renaud's number, 44, would be retired at the end of the season.
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On February 20, 2008, the Chiefs remembered their former "rookie of the year" [[Mickey Renaud]]. Renaud, alumnus and captain of the [[Windsor Spitfires]], died two days earlier after collapsing in his parents home in Tecumseh. After a memorial, the Chiefs announced that Renaud's number, 44, would be retired at the end of the season.
   
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====2007-08 Championship Season====
⚫
The 2007-08 season marked the Chiefs' best season since moving to Tecumseh. The Chiefs, members of the newly formed [[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]] became their first league regular season champions finishing first overall in their conference with 34 wins, 12 losses, and 2 losses in overtime.
  
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[[File:07-08TecChi.jpg|thumb|304px|2008 Sutherland Cup champions Tecumseh Chiefs]]
  ⚫
The 2007-08 season marked the Chiefs' best season since moving to Tecumseh. The Chiefs, members of the newly formed [[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]] became their first league regular season champions finishing first overall in their conference with 34 wins, 12 losses, and 2 losses in overtime.
   
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After defeating the [[London Nationals Jr. B|London Nationals]] to win their first Western Ontario crown since 1980, the Chiefs made it known to the press that they are considering a move to [[LaSalle, Ontario]] due to a lack of fan support.
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After defeating the [[London Nationals Jr. B|London Nationals]] to win their first Western Ontario crown since 1980, the Chiefs made it known to the press that they are considering a move to [[LaSalle, Ontario]] due to a lack of fan support.<ref>http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=f8530bcc-71c1-4981-87bd-2a1bc8c77b28</ref>
   
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The Chiefs entered the 2008 Sutherland Cup against the [[Thorold Blackhawks]] and the [[Elmira Sugar Kings]]. They finished the round robin in first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. They then faced the Sugar Kings in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, defeating them in 4 straight games to win their first ever provincial title.
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The Chiefs entered the 2008 Sutherland Cup against the [[Thorold Blackhawks]] and the [[Elmira Sugar Kings]]. They finished the round robin in first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. They then faced the Sugar Kings in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, defeating them in 4 straight games to win their first ever provincial title.
   
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After 13 seasons in the town of Tecumseh and winning the 2008 [[Sutherland Cup]] Provincial Championship, the town of Tecumseh has announced that the franchise has elected not to return to their arena. The team is planning to relocate to LaSalle. This marks the third [[Windsor, Ontario|Greater Windsor Area]] location that the team has called home in 38 seasons.
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After 13 seasons in the town of Tecumseh and winning the 2008 [[Sutherland Cup]] Provincial Championship, the town of Tecumseh announced that the franchise elected not to return to their arena.<ref>http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=0d361f7c-df34-444c-ac74-27ac0ade7dc0</ref> The team relocated to LaSalle. This marks the third [[Windsor, Ontario|Greater Windsor Area]] location that the team has called home in 38 seasons.
   
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On [[July 9]], the ownership of the team held a press conference to enveil the LaSalle Vipers and their new logo. On September 10, the Vipers played their first game in LaSalle, losing 4-2 to the [[Leamington Flyers]].
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On July 9, the ownership of the team held a press conference to enveil the LaSalle Vipers and their new logo. On September 10, the Vipers played their first game in LaSalle, losing 4-2 to the [[Leamington Flyers]].
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  +
===2009-10 Championship Season===
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After a bit of a rebuilding year in 2008-09 to readjust after moving, the LaSalle Vipers showed themselves to be one of the top teams in the GOJHL during the first half of 2009-10. A mid-season slump put the Vipers near the basement of the Western Conference, but by the end of the season the Vipers had come together and reached the 5th seed of the conference with 30 wins and just a few wins from the lead of the conference. In the Western quarter-final, the Vipers defeated the fourth seeded [[St. Marys Lincolns]] 4-games-to-1. In the semi-final, the Vipers drew third seed and rival [[Chatham Maroons]]. A hard fought battle occurred, with the Vipers winning 4-games-to-2. In an upset, the seventh seeded [[St. Thomas Stars]] defeated the first place [[London Nationals Jr. B|London Nationals]], setting up an unlikely final between the fifth and seventh seeds of the conference. The Vipers would defeat the Stars 4-games-to-2 to take their second Western Championship in three years. The Vipers then moved on to the [[Sutherland Cup]] round robin semi-final with the first seed of the Mid-Western Conference [[Brantford Eagles]] and the second seed of the Golden Horseshoe Conference [[Stoney Creek Warriors]]. All three teams had appeared in the Sutherland Cup finals in the previous two seasons. LaSalle took the round robin with a 3-1 record, second was Brantford with a 2-2 record, and third was Stoney Creek, 1-3 and eliminated. The final was the battle of the 2008 and 2009 Sutherland Cup champions. The Vipers took an early 3-games-to-none lead in the series. Brantford took Game 4. LaSalle played Game 5 at home and took it in double overtime on a goal by DJ Turner.
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====2010====
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The LaSalle Vipers were invited by [[Hockey Canada]] and the [[Ontario Hockey Association]] to represent [[Canada]] in a pair of exhibition games in [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]] against the Mexico Under-20 World Junior Team. The first game, on December 16, 2010, saw the Vipers win 9-2. Billed as "Canada Night" by Mexico's Ice Hockey Federation, the Vipers' win was nationally televised across Mexico. A second game was to be played, but was cancelled due to poor ice conditions.<ref>http://www.windsorstar.com/Vipers+enjoy+being+part+Hockey+Night+Mexico/3998053/story.html</ref>
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====2011-2012 season====
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On December 12, 2011 the Lasalle Vipers fired Head Coach John Nelson after a 13-15-2 8th place start to the season. Nelson had a 92-70-21 record in 3 and a half seasons behind the Lasalle bench.
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{{clear}}
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====2012-13 season====
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The LaSalle Vipers hired Ryan Donally as the team's head coach in April. They finished third in the Western Conference behind the Chatham Maroons and Leamington Flyers with 29 wins and 62 points. They were led offensively by Dylan Denommé's 34 goals and 76 points. Taylor Speed recorded 22 wins.
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====2013-14 season====
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The LaSalle Vipers hired former NHLer and Windsor Spitfires all-time leading scorer Bill Bowler to be their head coach and general manager. The Vipers started the season with a 14-0-1 stretch that kept them in first place until the season's final month, before ultimately being passed by the Leamington Flyers.
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Dylan Denomme led the team in scoring with 72 points in 39 gams. Paolo Battisti and Cameron Zanussi each started 26 games, winning 15 and 17 games respectively. Taylor Speed won two games before joining the University of Windsor Lancers.
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They finished the season in second place and drew a first round matchup with the St. Thomas Stars, who they defeated in five games. They were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Chatham Maroons.
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Rookie Devon Paliani led the team in playoff scoring with 11 goals and 15 points in nine games. Following the season, Paliani would be signed by the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. Also signed to an OHL contracts was defenceman Austin Hall, while Denomme joined the University of Windsor Lancers.
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Paliani was named GOJHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year, while Mark Manchurek earned Top Rookie Scorer honours. Battisti (February) and Zanussi (October) each won Goaltender of the Month honours, while defenceman Brett Langlois (October) won Defenceman of the Month. Denomme was nominated for league MVP and was named to the All-Star team. Andrew Burns was named Most Outstanding First Year Defenceman.
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The Vipers bench, led by Bill Bowler, also won coaching staff of the year.
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====2014-15 season====
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The Vipers signed rookie forwards Manny Silverio and Brett Primeau July 17 after impressive performances in the team's rookie camp.
   
 
==Season-by-Season Results==
  
==Season-by-Season Results==
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[[File:ChiefsSutherlandC_large.jpg|thumb|312px|The Tecumseh Chiefs won the 2008 [[Sutherland Cup]]]]
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{|class="wikitable"
  
{|class="wikitable"
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
−
|'''Season''' ||'''GP''' || '''W''' || '''L''' || '''T''' || '''OTL''' || '''GF''' || '''GA''' || '''P''' || '''Results''' || '''Playoffs'''
 +
|'''Season''' ||'''GP''' || '''W''' || '''L''' || '''T''' || '''OL''' || '''GF''' ||'''GA''' || '''P''' || '''Results''' || '''Playoffs'''
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffeeee"
  +
|colspan="11"|'''''Windsor Royals'''''
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
−
|1970-71 ||40 ||23 ||13 ||4 ||- ||296 ||192 ||50 ||3rd GLJHL||
 +
|1970-71 ||40 ||23 ||13 ||4 || - ||296 ||192 ||50 ||3rd GLJHL||Won Semi-final, 3-0 ([[Tilbury Bluebirds|Tilbury]])<br />Lost Final, 1-4 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
−
|1971-72 ||36 ||19 ||12 ||5 ||- ||176 ||130 ||43 ||3rd GLJHL||
 +
|1971-72 ||36 ||19 ||12 ||5 || - ||176 ||130 ||43 ||3rd GLJHL||Won Semi-final, 3-1 ([[Blenheim Blades|Blenheim]])<br />Lost Final, 0-4 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
−
|1972-73 ||42 ||34 ||6 ||2 ||- ||349 ||141 ||70 ||1st GLJHL||
 +
|1972-73 ||42 ||34 ||6 ||2 || - ||349 ||141 ||70 ||1st GLJHL||Won Semi-final, 3-0 ([[Sandwich West Thunderbirds|Sandwich West]])<br />'''Won League''', 4-1 ([[Blenheim Blades|Blenheim]])<br />Lost [[Sutherland Cup|SC]] QF, 0-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
−
|1973-74 ||43 ||31 ||8 ||4 ||- ||322 ||132 ||66 ||2nd GLJHL||
 +
|1973-74 ||43 ||31 ||8 ||4 || - ||322 ||132 ||66 ||2nd GLJHL||Won Semi-final, 3-0 ([[Tilbury Bluebirds|Tilbury]])<br />'''Won League''', 4-1 ([[Belle River Bulldogs|Belle River]])<br />Lost [[Sutherland Cup|SC]] QF, 0-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1974-75 ||40 ||17 ||20 ||3 ||- ||157 ||193 ||37 ||5th WOJHL||
 +
|1974-75 ||40 ||17 ||20 ||3 || - ||157 ||193 ||37 ||5th WOJHL||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1975-76 ||38 ||15 ||16 ||7 ||- ||206 ||221 ||37 ||4th WOJHL||
 +
|1975-76 ||38 ||15 ||16 ||7 || - ||206 ||221 ||37 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Semi-final, 0-4 ([[St. Marys Lincolns|St. Marys]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1976-77 ||40 ||15 ||16 ||9 ||- ||189 ||178 ||39 ||5th WOJHL||
 +
|1976-77 ||40 ||15 ||16 ||9 || - ||189 ||178 ||39 ||5th WOJHL||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
  +
|1977-78 ||40 ||30 ||6 ||4 || - ||260 ||126 ||64 ||1st WOJHL||Won Semi-final, 4-1 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])<br />'''Won League''', 4-1 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])<br />Won SC QF, 4-0 ([[Welland Jr. Canadians|Welland]])<br />Lost SC SF, 0-4 ([[Streetsville Derbys|Streetsville]])
−
|1977-78 ||40 ||30 ||6 ||4 ||- ||260 ||126 ||64 ||1st WOJHL||
  
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1978-79 ||42 ||31 ||7 ||4 ||- ||314 ||172 ||66 ||1st WOJHL ||Won League
+
|1978-79 ||42 ||31 ||7 ||4 || - ||314 ||172 ||66 ||1st WOJHL ||Won Semi-final, 9-1 pts ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])<br />'''Won League''', 4-0 ([[Strathroy Rockets|Strathroy]])<br />Won SC QF, 4-2 ([[Stratford Cullitons|Stratford]])<br />Lost SC SF, 1-4 ([[St. Catharines Falcons Jr. B|St. Catharines]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1979-80 ||41 ||30 ||7 ||4 ||- ||276 ||151 ||64 ||1st WOJHL ||Won League
+
|1979-80 ||41 ||30 ||7 ||4 || - ||276 ||151 ||64 ||1st WOJHL ||Won Semi-final, 4-1 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])<br />'''Won League''', 4-0 ([[London Nationals|London]])<br />Won SC QF, 4-3 ([[Waterloo Siskins|Waterloo]])<br />Won SC SF, 4-2 ([[Welland Jr. Canadians|Welland]])<br />Lost SC Final, 0-4 ([[Belleville Bobcats|Belleville]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1980-81 ||42 ||26 ||16 ||0 ||- ||238 ||176 ||52 ||4th WOJHL||
 +
|1980-81 ||42 ||26 ||16 ||0 || - ||238 ||176 ||52 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Semi-final, 0-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1981-82 ||42 ||25 ||13 ||4 ||- ||252 ||186 ||54 ||2nd WOJHL||
+
|1981-82 ||42 ||25 ||13 ||4 || - ||252 ||186 ||54 ||2nd WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 1-3 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1982-83 ||42 ||17 ||20 ||5 ||- ||190 ||222 ||39 ||5th WOJHL||
 +
|1982-83 ||42 ||17 ||20 ||5 || - ||190 ||222 ||39 ||5th WOJHL||Won Quarter-final, 2-1 ([[Strathroy Rockets|Strathroy]])<br />Lost Semi-final, 3-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1983-84 ||48 ||24 ||18 ||6 ||- ||257 ||195 ||54 ||4th WOJHL||
 +
|1983-84 ||48 ||24 ||18 ||6 || - ||257 ||195 ||54 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Semi-final, 0-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1984-85 ||48 ||13 ||30 ||5 ||- ||196 ||246 ||31 ||6th WOJHL||
 +
|1984-85 ||48 ||13 ||30 ||5 || - ||196 ||246 ||31 ||6th WOJHL||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1985-86 ||42 ||9 ||30 ||3 ||- ||185 ||287 ||21 ||7th WOJHL||
 +
|1985-86 ||42 ||9 ||30 ||3 || - ||185 ||287 ||21 ||7th WOJHL||DNQ
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffeeee"
  +
|colspan="11"|'''''Windsor Bulldogs'''''
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1986-87 ||42 ||6 ||33 ||3 ||- ||187 ||291 ||15 ||8th WOJHL||
 +
|1986-87 ||42 ||6 ||33 ||3 || - ||187 ||291 ||15 ||8th WOJHL||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1987-88 ||42 ||20 ||15 ||6 ||1 ||192 ||200 ||47 ||4th WOJHL||
 +
|1987-88 ||42 ||20 ||15 ||6 ||1 ||192 ||200 ||47 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1988-89 ||42 ||24 ||13 ||2 ||3 ||214 ||186 ||53 ||4th WOJHL||
 +
|1988-89 ||42 ||24 ||13 ||2 ||3 ||214 ||186 ||53 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Semi-final, 1-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1989-90 ||39 ||21 ||17 ||0 ||1 ||197 ||182 ||43 ||3rd WOJHL||
 +
|1989-90 ||39 ||21 ||17 ||0 ||1 ||197 ||182 ||43 ||3rd WOJHL||Won Quarter-final, 4-2 ([[St. Thomas Stars|St. Thomas]])<br />Lost Semi-final, 1-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1990-91 ||48 ||34 ||11 ||3 ||0 ||266 ||164 ||71 ||1st WOJHL||
 +
|1990-91 ||48 ||34 ||11 ||3 ||0 ||266 ||164 ||71 ||1st WOJHL||Won Quarter-final, 4-1 ([[London Nationals|London]])<br />Lost Semi-final, 1-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1991-92 ||50 ||33 ||16 ||1 ||0 ||279 ||213 ||67 ||1st WOJHL West||
 +
|1991-92 ||50 ||33 ||16 ||1 ||0 ||279 ||213 ||67 ||1st WOJHL West||Won Quarter-final, 4-2 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])<br />Won Semi-final, 4-3 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])<br />Lost Final, 3-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1992-93 ||52 ||35 ||13 ||3 ||1 ||- ||- ||74 ||2nd WOJHL West||
 +
|1992-93 ||52 ||35 ||13 ||3 ||1 || - || - ||74 ||2nd WOJHL West||Won Quarter-final, 4-2 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])<br />Lost Semi-final, 0-4 ([[Sarnia Bees|Sarnia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1993-94 ||50 ||14 ||34 ||2 ||0 ||252 ||352 ||30 ||5th WOJHL West||
 +
|1993-94 ||50 ||14 ||34 ||2 ||0 ||252 ||352 ||30 ||5th WOJHL West||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1994-95 ||52 ||5 ||43 ||0 ||4 ||169 ||328 ||14 ||5th WOJHL West||
+
|1994-95 ||52 ||5 ||43 ||0 ||4 ||169 ||328 ||14 ||5th WOJHL West||DNQ
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffeeee"
  +
|colspan="11"|'''''Tecumseh Bulldogs'''''
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1995-96 ||52 ||27 ||21 ||3 ||1 ||247 ||235 ||58 ||2nd WOJHL West||
 +
|1995-96 ||52 ||27 ||21 ||3 ||1 ||247 ||235 ||58 ||2nd WOJHL West||Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1996-97 ||52 ||31 ||16 ||3 ||2 ||256 ||221 ||67 ||2nd WOJHL West||
 +
|1996-97 ||52 ||31 ||16 ||3 ||2 ||256 ||221 ||67 ||2nd WOJHL West||Lost Quarter-final, 2-4 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1997-98 ||52 ||19 ||27 ||3 ||3 ||168 ||254 ||44 ||4th WOJHL West||
 +
|1997-98 ||52 ||19 ||27 ||3 ||3 ||168 ||254 ||44 ||4th WOJHL West||Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1998-99 ||52 ||11 ||35 ||0 ||6 ||144 ||256 ||28 ||5th WOJHL West||
 +
|1998-99 ||51 ||23 ||26 ||0 ||2 ||221 ||245 ||48 ||4th WOJHL West||Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 ([[Leamington Flyers|Leamington]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|1999-00 ||54 ||25 ||25 ||0 ||4 ||182 ||210 ||54 ||6th GOHL||
 +
|1999-00 ||54 ||25 ||25 ||0 ||4 ||182 ||210 ||54 ||6th GOHL||Won Quarter-final, 4-3 ([[Leamington Flyers|Leamington]])<br />Lost Semi-final, 0-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2000-01 ||54 ||12 ||40 ||0 ||2 ||165 ||314 ||26 ||9th GOHL||
 +
|2000-01 ||54 ||12 ||40 ||0 ||2 ||165 ||314 ||26 ||9th GOHL||DNQ
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffeeee"
  +
|colspan="11"|'''''Tecumseh Chiefs'''''
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2001-02 ||54 ||18 ||32 ||2 ||2 ||163 ||236 ||40 ||8th WOJHL||
 +
|2001-02 ||54 ||18 ||32 ||2 ||2 ||163 ||236 ||40 ||8th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2002-03 ||48 ||10 ||36 ||1 ||1 ||121 ||261 ||22 ||9th WOJHL||
 +
|2002-03 ||48 ||10 ||36 ||1 ||1 ||121 ||261 ||22 ||9th WOJHL||DNQ
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2003-04 ||48 ||20 ||23 ||1 ||4 ||161 ||197 ||45 ||7th WOJHL||
 +
|2003-04 ||48 ||20 ||23 ||1 ||4 ||161 ||197 ||45 ||7th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 2-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2004-05 ||48 ||22 ||23 ||2 ||1 ||175 ||179 ||47 ||7th WOJHL||
 +
|2004-05 ||48 ||22 ||23 ||2 ||1 ||175 ||179 ||47 ||7th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 ([[St. Thomas Stars|St. Thomas]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2005-06 ||48 ||24 ||20 ||2 ||2 ||164 ||171 ||52 ||5th WOJHL||
 +
|2005-06 ||48 ||24 ||20 ||2 ||2 ||164 ||171 ||52 ||5th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 ([[Petrolia Jets|Petrolia]])
 
|- align="center"
  
|- align="center"
−
|2006-07 ||48 ||27 ||17 ||- ||4 ||223 ||161 ||58 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final
 +
|2006-07 ||48 ||27 ||17 || - ||4 ||223 ||161 ||58 ||4th WOJHL||Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
−
|2007-08 ||48 ||34 ||12 ||- ||2 ||235 ||128 ||70 ||2nd GOJHL ||Won League
 +
|2007-08 ||48 ||34 ||12 || - ||2 ||235 ||128 ||70 ||1st GOJHL-W ||Won Conf. QF, 4-0 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])<br />Won Conf. SF, 4-1 ([[Strathroy Rockets|Strathroy]])<br />'''Won Conf. Final''', 4-1 ([[London Nationals|London]])<br />First in SF Round Robin (3-1)<br />'''Won League''', 4-0 ([[Elmira Sugar Kings|Elmira]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffeeee"
  +
|colspan="11"|'''''LaSalle Vipers'''''
 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
−
|2008-09 ||52 ||21 ||26 ||- ||5 ||186 ||197 ||47 ||18th GOJHL||
 +
|2008-09 ||52 ||21 ||26 || - ||5 ||186 ||197 ||47 ||7th GOJHL-W||Lost Conf. QF, 1-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2009-10 ||50 ||30 ||16 || - ||4 ||261 ||184 ||64 ||5th GOJHL-W ||Won Conf. QF, 4-1 ([[St. Marys Lincolns|St. Marys]])<br />Won Conf. SF, 4-2 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])<br />'''Won Conf. Final''', 4-2 ([[St. Thomas Stars|St. Thomas]])<br />First in SF Round Robin (3-1)<br />'''Won League''', 4-1 ([[Brantford Eagles|Brantford]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2010-11 ||51 ||28 ||13 || - ||10 ||252 ||217 ||66 ||3rd GOJHL-W ||Won Conf. QF, 4-3 ([[Leamington Flyers|Leamington]])<br />Lost Conf. SF, 3-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2011-12 ||51 ||25 ||23 || - ||3 ||188 ||198 ||53 ||6th GOJHL-W ||Lost Conf. QF, 1-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2012-13 ||51 ||29 ||18 || - ||4 ||196 ||171 ||62 ||3rd GOJHL-W ||Lost Conf. QF, 2-4 ([[Strathroy Rockets|Strathroy]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2013-14 ||49 ||34 ||10 || - ||5 ||229 ||151 ||73 ||2nd GOJHL-W ||Won Conf. QF, 4-1 ([[St. Thomas Stars|St. Thomas]])<br />Lost Conf. SF, 0-4 ([[Chatham Maroons|Chatham]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2014-15 ||49 ||28 ||20 || - ||1 ||207 ||174 ||57 ||4th GOJHL-W ||Won Conf. QF, 4-0 ([[Lambton Shores Predators|Lambton Shores]])<br />Won Conf. SF, 4-2 ([[London Nationals|London]])<br />Lost Conf. Final, 2-4 ([[Leamington Flyers|Leamington]])<br />Won SF, 4-3 ([[Elmira Sugar Kings|Elmira]])<br />Lost Final, 2-4 ([[Caledonia Corvairs|Caledonia]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2015-16 ||50 ||31 ||14 ||3 ||2 ||215 ||162 ||67 ||3rd of 9-W<br />7th of 26-GOJHL ||Won Conf. QF, 4-3 ([[Sarnia Legionnaires (1969–)|Sarnia]])<br />Lost Conf. SF 2-4 ([[London Nationals|London]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2016-17 ||50 ||37 ||9 ||0 ||4 ||224 ||136 ||78 ||'''1st of 9-W'''<br />4th of 27-GOJHL ||Won Conf. QF, 4-0 ([[Strathroy Rockets|Strathroy]])<br />Lost Conf. SF, 2-4 ([[Leamington Flyers|Leamington]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2017-18 ||50 ||32 ||16 ||1 ||1 ||182 ||141 ||66 ||3rd of 9-W<br />9th of 26-GOJHL ||Lost Conf. QF, 0-4 ([[Chatham Maroons (junior)|Chatham]])
  +
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeff"
  +
|2018-19 || 48 || 22 || 20 || 2 || 4 || 181 || 189 ||50|| 5th W || Lost Conf. QF, 0-4 ([[Sarnia Legionnaires (1969–)|Sarnia]]
 
|}
  
|}
   
Line 124: Line 205:
 
:'''1980''': '''[[Belleville Bobcats]]''' defeated Windsor Bulldogs ''4-games-to-none''
  
:'''1980''': '''[[Belleville Bobcats]]''' defeated Windsor Bulldogs ''4-games-to-none''
 
:'''2008''': '''Tecumseh Chiefs''' defeated [[Elmira Sugar Kings]] ''4-games-to-none''
  
:'''2008''': '''Tecumseh Chiefs''' defeated [[Elmira Sugar Kings]] ''4-games-to-none''
  +
:'''2010''': '''LaSalle Vipers''' defeated [[Brantford Eagles]] ''4-games-to-1''
  +
:'''2015''': '''[[Caledonia Corvairs]]''' defeated LaSalle Vipers ''4-games-to-2''
   
 
==Notable alumni==
  
==Notable alumni==
 
*[[Russ Adam]]
  
*[[Russ Adam]]
  +
*[[Ted Bulley]]
 
*[[Tie Domi]]
  
*[[Tie Domi]]
 
*[[Murray Eaves]]
  
*[[Murray Eaves]]
Line 136: Line 220:
 
*[[Richard Kromm]]
  
*[[Richard Kromm]]
 
*[[Mike Natyshak]]
  
*[[Mike Natyshak]]
−
*[[Joel Quenneville]]
+
*[[Joel Quenneville]]
 
*[[D. J. Smith]]
  
*[[D. J. Smith]]
−
*[[Ryan Gelinas]]
  
 
*[[Kyle Wellwood]]
  
*[[Kyle Wellwood]]
 
*[[Derek Wilkinson]]
  
*[[Derek Wilkinson]]
 
*[[Mickey Renaud]]
  
*[[Mickey Renaud]]
 
*[[Stubby Clapp]]
  
*[[Stubby Clapp]]
  +
  +
==References==
  +
{{reflist}}
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
 
*[http://lasallevipers.pointstreaksites.com/ Vipers Webpage]
  
*[http://lasallevipers.pointstreaksites.com/ Vipers Webpage]
   
  +
{{GOJHL}}
−  
   
   
Line 154: Line 240:
 
[[Category:Western Junior B Hockey League teams]]
  
[[Category:Western Junior B Hockey League teams]]
 
[[Category:Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]]
  
[[Category:Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]]
  +
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey teams]]

Revision as of 19:16, 2 July 2019

LaSalle Vipers
LaSalle Vipers
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
City LaSalle, Ontario
Founded 1970
Conference Western
Franchise history 1970-1986: Windsor Royals
1986-1995: Windsor Bulldogs
1995-2001: Tecumseh Bulldogs
2001-2008: Tecumseh Chiefs
2008-Pres: LaSalle Vipers
Head coach John Nelson
General manager Kevin McIntosh
Arena Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex
Team colors Black, Olive, and White
Affiliate team(s) Windsor Spitfires
Belle River Canadiens
Sutherland Cups 2008

The LaSalle Vipers are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

History

The Royals

The expansion of the Windsor Royals started to circulate in the Windsor Star around July 1970. The Border Cities League had decided to no long incorporate American teams and was looking to change its name. It also wanted to operate at a Junior B level. The team was based in St. Clair Beach in Tecumseh, Ontario.[1] The team's first ever coach was Cliff Stevens. The Royals played their first ever game as members of the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League at home in St. Clair Beach Arena against the Blenheim Golden Blades on October 11, 1970. The Royals were victorious, crushing the Blades 13-5. Bill Salzer scored the first goal in team history 1:29 into the first period. Salzer added one more goal and three assists, while teammate Rich Bissonnette aided with five assists.[2] At the end of the 1970-71 season, the Royals finished in third place with a record of 23 wins, 13 losses, and 4 ties. As the league had included a pair of Junior C teams in their loop, the Royals acquired the second seed in the league playoffs. In the league semi-final, the Royals drew the winless, last place Tilbury Bluebirds (0-40-0). Things did not improve for the Bluebirds. On February 23, at St. Clair Beach, the Glen Urquhart led the way for the Royals with three goals and two assists in a 14-1 romp of Tilbury. This gave Windsor the first playoff win in their history. Ted Pruyn picked up the win in net.[3] Game two was a different story in Tilbury, as the Bluebirds kept it close but the Royals prevailed 4-3. The Royals ended the Best-of-5 series in game three with a 7-3 win. The victory gave the Royals their first ever playoff series victory.[4] In the league final, the Royals would meet the first place Petrolia Jets (31-8-1). The Royals took game one at home 6-3, but went on the road in Petrolia and dropped game two 4-0. The walls caved in on the Royals in games three and four, losing 12-3 and 9-1 on back-to-back nights to fall behind in the series 3-games-to-1. On March 17, the Royals traveled to Petrolia and again were crushed, 13-2, to end the series and their playoffs.[5]

In their second season, the Royals relocated to the Riverside Arena[6] and finished in third place in the GLJHL (2nd amongst Junior B teams). In the playoffs, the Royals drew the Blenheim Golden Blades in the semi-final and beat them 3-games-to-1 to again meet the Petrolia Jets in the final. Game one in Riverside saw the Royals lose 7-2 to the Jets, despite starting future pro goaltender Tony Piroski (35 saves on the night). Game two in Petrolia did not go much better, as Greg Cecile made 31 saves for the Royals in a 7-4 loss.[7] The Royals were never given the chance to redeem themselves, as the Jets swept them in four games to end their season. The 1971-72 also included future NHLer Ted Bulley[8]

In 1972, the Royals moved, this time to the Windsor Arena in Downtown Windsor. Their rival, the Petrolia Jets, jumped to the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League, clearing the Royals of their biggest hurdle in the league Junior B playoffs. The Royals would feature future NHL goaltender Rick Heinz during the 1972-73 season.[9] The Royals finished the season in first place with a record of 34 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties. In the 1973 league semi-final, the Royals faced the last place Sandwich West Thunderbirds of present-day LaSalle. In game one, at the Windsor Arena, the Royals beat the Thunderbirds 8-2. The Royals would take the series in a three-game sweep. In the finals against the Blenheim Golden Blades, the Blades would draw first blood, beating the Royals at home 3-1. At home, the Royals would gain some revenge in game two, beating the Blades 10-2. At home again, the Royals would defeat the Blades 6-3 in game three. Back in Blenheim for game four, the Royals kept the momentum going with a 9-2 win. On March 10, 1973, the Royals defeated the Blades 4-3 to win the series 4-games-to-1 and win their first ever league championship. Fred Gagnon scored the winner for the Royals with only 38 seconds to go in the game.[10] The Leamington Flyers won the Great Lakes Junior C championship and challenged the Royals to a best-of-5 Grand Championship. The two teams finished the league in first with identical records, but the Flyers were awarded first on a better head-to-head record, despite the Royals having a much better Goals For/Against ratio. In Leamington, the Flyers would take game one 7-6. Back at the Windsor Arena, Vince Mullins scored a hat-trick, for the Royals, in game two to even the series with a 6-3 win. At home again for game three, the Royals defeated Leamington 6-2. Leamington came back in game four with a 7-5 win to tie the series. The series remained unresolved, as the Flyers were required to carry on their playoffs by the OHA, while the Royals still waited on their next opponent.[11] The Royals ended up playing the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League Champion Sarnia Bees in the Sutherland Cup quarter-final. The Bees swept the Royals with scores of 6-5, 6-5, 4-3, and 7-3 to move on to the next round.

In the Summer of 1973, the Royals and their Tier II Junior A affiliate, the Windsor Spitfires, broke off their affiliation agreement over each other's wishes to apply for expansion into the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League - a deadline that was upcoming to make the move for the start of the 1974-75 season. The Spitfires chose to affiliated with the ill-fated Belle River Bulldogs for 1973-74 instead. The Royals also requested a move to the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League, a more skillful league than the GLJHL, but were denied.[12]

In the Spring of 1974, both the Royals and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires put in rival bids in an attempt to promote one of the two teams to the Major Junior A level. Both bids were rejected due to lack of a suitable arena.[13] A year later, the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OHL as of 1980) granted expansion to the Spitfires.

The Bulldogs

The Royals in 1986 were renamed the Bulldogs and moved up to Junior "B". The team was sold in 1995 and moved out of Windsor, Ontario into the Tecumseh area, and became known as the Chiefs.

Tecumseh Chiefs with Sutherland Cup (2008)

Tecumseh Chiefs' Matt Rehman being presented the Sutherland Cup (2008)

In one the franchise's last games in the city of Windsor, the Bulldogs set a league record for futility by suffering the worst loss in Western Ontario Hockey League history. On January 20, 1995, the Leamington Flyers defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 30-3.[14]

The Chiefs

Tecumseh Chiefs

Tecumseh Chiefs

On February 20, 2008, the Chiefs remembered their former "rookie of the year" Mickey Renaud. Renaud, alumnus and captain of the Windsor Spitfires, died two days earlier after collapsing in his parents home in Tecumseh. After a memorial, the Chiefs announced that Renaud's number, 44, would be retired at the end of the season.

2007-08 Championship Season

07-08TecChi

2008 Sutherland Cup champions Tecumseh Chiefs

The 2007-08 season marked the Chiefs' best season since moving to Tecumseh. The Chiefs, members of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League became their first league regular season champions finishing first overall in their conference with 34 wins, 12 losses, and 2 losses in overtime.

After defeating the London Nationals to win their first Western Ontario crown since 1980, the Chiefs made it known to the press that they are considering a move to LaSalle, Ontario due to a lack of fan support.[15]

The Chiefs entered the 2008 Sutherland Cup against the Thorold Blackhawks and the Elmira Sugar Kings. They finished the round robin in first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. They then faced the Sugar Kings in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, defeating them in 4 straight games to win their first ever provincial title.

After 13 seasons in the town of Tecumseh and winning the 2008 Sutherland Cup Provincial Championship, the town of Tecumseh announced that the franchise elected not to return to their arena.[16] The team relocated to LaSalle. This marks the third Greater Windsor Area location that the team has called home in 38 seasons.

On July 9, the ownership of the team held a press conference to enveil the LaSalle Vipers and their new logo. On September 10, the Vipers played their first game in LaSalle, losing 4-2 to the Leamington Flyers.

2009-10 Championship Season

After a bit of a rebuilding year in 2008-09 to readjust after moving, the LaSalle Vipers showed themselves to be one of the top teams in the GOJHL during the first half of 2009-10. A mid-season slump put the Vipers near the basement of the Western Conference, but by the end of the season the Vipers had come together and reached the 5th seed of the conference with 30 wins and just a few wins from the lead of the conference. In the Western quarter-final, the Vipers defeated the fourth seeded St. Marys Lincolns 4-games-to-1. In the semi-final, the Vipers drew third seed and rival Chatham Maroons. A hard fought battle occurred, with the Vipers winning 4-games-to-2. In an upset, the seventh seeded St. Thomas Stars defeated the first place London Nationals, setting up an unlikely final between the fifth and seventh seeds of the conference. The Vipers would defeat the Stars 4-games-to-2 to take their second Western Championship in three years. The Vipers then moved on to the Sutherland Cup round robin semi-final with the first seed of the Mid-Western Conference Brantford Eagles and the second seed of the Golden Horseshoe Conference Stoney Creek Warriors. All three teams had appeared in the Sutherland Cup finals in the previous two seasons. LaSalle took the round robin with a 3-1 record, second was Brantford with a 2-2 record, and third was Stoney Creek, 1-3 and eliminated. The final was the battle of the 2008 and 2009 Sutherland Cup champions. The Vipers took an early 3-games-to-none lead in the series. Brantford took Game 4. LaSalle played Game 5 at home and took it in double overtime on a goal by DJ Turner.


2010

The LaSalle Vipers were invited by Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Association to represent Canada in a pair of exhibition games in Mexico City, Mexico against the Mexico Under-20 World Junior Team. The first game, on December 16, 2010, saw the Vipers win 9-2. Billed as "Canada Night" by Mexico's Ice Hockey Federation, the Vipers' win was nationally televised across Mexico. A second game was to be played, but was cancelled due to poor ice conditions.[17]

2011-2012 season

On December 12, 2011 the Lasalle Vipers fired Head Coach John Nelson after a 13-15-2 8th place start to the season. Nelson had a 92-70-21 record in 3 and a half seasons behind the Lasalle bench.

2012-13 season

The LaSalle Vipers hired Ryan Donally as the team's head coach in April. They finished third in the Western Conference behind the Chatham Maroons and Leamington Flyers with 29 wins and 62 points. They were led offensively by Dylan Denommé's 34 goals and 76 points. Taylor Speed recorded 22 wins.

2013-14 season

The LaSalle Vipers hired former NHLer and Windsor Spitfires all-time leading scorer Bill Bowler to be their head coach and general manager. The Vipers started the season with a 14-0-1 stretch that kept them in first place until the season's final month, before ultimately being passed by the Leamington Flyers.

Dylan Denomme led the team in scoring with 72 points in 39 gams. Paolo Battisti and Cameron Zanussi each started 26 games, winning 15 and 17 games respectively. Taylor Speed won two games before joining the University of Windsor Lancers.

They finished the season in second place and drew a first round matchup with the St. Thomas Stars, who they defeated in five games. They were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Chatham Maroons.

Rookie Devon Paliani led the team in playoff scoring with 11 goals and 15 points in nine games. Following the season, Paliani would be signed by the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. Also signed to an OHL contracts was defenceman Austin Hall, while Denomme joined the University of Windsor Lancers.

Paliani was named GOJHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year, while Mark Manchurek earned Top Rookie Scorer honours. Battisti (February) and Zanussi (October) each won Goaltender of the Month honours, while defenceman Brett Langlois (October) won Defenceman of the Month. Denomme was nominated for league MVP and was named to the All-Star team. Andrew Burns was named Most Outstanding First Year Defenceman.

The Vipers bench, led by Bill Bowler, also won coaching staff of the year.

2014-15 season

The Vipers signed rookie forwards Manny Silverio and Brett Primeau July 17 after impressive performances in the team's rookie camp.

Season-by-Season Results

ChiefsSutherlandC large

The Tecumseh Chiefs won the 2008 Sutherland Cup

Season GP W L T OL GF GA P Results Playoffs
Windsor Royals
1970-71 40 23 13 4 - 296 192 50 3rd GLJHL Won Semi-final, 3-0 (Tilbury)
Lost Final, 1-4 (Petrolia)
1971-72 36 19 12 5 - 176 130 43 3rd GLJHL Won Semi-final, 3-1 (Blenheim)
Lost Final, 0-4 (Petrolia)
1972-73 42 34 6 2 - 349 141 70 1st GLJHL Won Semi-final, 3-0 (Sandwich West)
Won League, 4-1 (Blenheim)
Lost SC QF, 0-4 (Sarnia)
1973-74 43 31 8 4 - 322 132 66 2nd GLJHL Won Semi-final, 3-0 (Tilbury)
Won League, 4-1 (Belle River)
Lost SC QF, 0-4 (Sarnia)
1974-75 40 17 20 3 - 157 193 37 5th WOJHL DNQ
1975-76 38 15 16 7 - 206 221 37 4th WOJHL Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (St. Marys)
1976-77 40 15 16 9 - 189 178 39 5th WOJHL DNQ
1977-78 40 30 6 4 - 260 126 64 1st WOJHL Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Sarnia)
Won League, 4-1 (Petrolia)
Won SC QF, 4-0 (Welland)
Lost SC SF, 0-4 (Streetsville)
1978-79 42 31 7 4 - 314 172 66 1st WOJHL Won Semi-final, 9-1 pts (Chatham)
Won League, 4-0 (Strathroy)
Won SC QF, 4-2 (Stratford)
Lost SC SF, 1-4 (St. Catharines)
1979-80 41 30 7 4 - 276 151 64 1st WOJHL Won Semi-final, 4-1 (Petrolia)
Won League, 4-0 (London)
Won SC QF, 4-3 (Waterloo)
Won SC SF, 4-2 (Welland)
Lost SC Final, 0-4 (Belleville)
1980-81 42 26 16 0 - 238 176 52 4th WOJHL Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (London)
1981-82 42 25 13 4 - 252 186 54 2nd WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 1-3 (Petrolia)
1982-83 42 17 20 5 - 190 222 39 5th WOJHL Won Quarter-final, 2-1 (Strathroy)
Lost Semi-final, 3-4 (Sarnia)
1983-84 48 24 18 6 - 257 195 54 4th WOJHL Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (London)
1984-85 48 13 30 5 - 196 246 31 6th WOJHL DNQ
1985-86 42 9 30 3 - 185 287 21 7th WOJHL DNQ
Windsor Bulldogs
1986-87 42 6 33 3 - 187 291 15 8th WOJHL DNQ
1987-88 42 20 15 6 1 192 200 47 4th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 (Sarnia)
1988-89 42 24 13 2 3 214 186 53 4th WOJHL Lost Semi-final, 1-4 (Sarnia)
1989-90 39 21 17 0 1 197 182 43 3rd WOJHL Won Quarter-final, 4-2 (St. Thomas)
Lost Semi-final, 1-4 (Chatham)
1990-91 48 34 11 3 0 266 164 71 1st WOJHL Won Quarter-final, 4-1 (London)
Lost Semi-final, 1-4 (Chatham)
1991-92 50 33 16 1 0 279 213 67 1st WOJHL West Won Quarter-final, 4-2 (Petrolia)
Won Semi-final, 4-3 (Sarnia)
Lost Final, 3-4 (London)
1992-93 52 35 13 3 1 - - 74 2nd WOJHL West Won Quarter-final, 4-2 (Chatham)
Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (Sarnia)
1993-94 50 14 34 2 0 252 352 30 5th WOJHL West DNQ
1994-95 52 5 43 0 4 169 328 14 5th WOJHL West DNQ
Tecumseh Bulldogs
1995-96 52 27 21 3 1 247 235 58 2nd WOJHL West Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 (Petrolia)
1996-97 52 31 16 3 2 256 221 67 2nd WOJHL West Lost Quarter-final, 2-4 (Petrolia)
1997-98 52 19 27 3 3 168 254 44 4th WOJHL West Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 (Chatham)
1998-99 51 23 26 0 2 221 245 48 4th WOJHL West Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 (Leamington)
1999-00 54 25 25 0 4 182 210 54 6th GOHL Won Quarter-final, 4-3 (Leamington)
Lost Semi-final, 0-4 (Chatham)
2000-01 54 12 40 0 2 165 314 26 9th GOHL DNQ
Tecumseh Chiefs
2001-02 54 18 32 2 2 163 236 40 8th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 (Chatham)
2002-03 48 10 36 1 1 121 261 22 9th WOJHL DNQ
2003-04 48 20 23 1 4 161 197 45 7th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 2-4 (Chatham)
2004-05 48 22 23 2 1 175 179 47 7th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 (St. Thomas)
2005-06 48 24 20 2 2 164 171 52 5th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 1-4 (Petrolia)
2006-07 48 27 17 - 4 223 161 58 4th WOJHL Lost Quarter-final, 0-4 (Chatham)
2007-08 48 34 12 - 2 235 128 70 1st GOJHL-W Won Conf. QF, 4-0 (Chatham)
Won Conf. SF, 4-1 (Strathroy)
Won Conf. Final, 4-1 (London)
First in SF Round Robin (3-1)
Won League, 4-0 (Elmira)
LaSalle Vipers
2008-09 52 21 26 - 5 186 197 47 7th GOJHL-W Lost Conf. QF, 1-4 (London)
2009-10 50 30 16 - 4 261 184 64 5th GOJHL-W Won Conf. QF, 4-1 (St. Marys)
Won Conf. SF, 4-2 (Chatham)
Won Conf. Final, 4-2 (St. Thomas)
First in SF Round Robin (3-1)
Won League, 4-1 (Brantford)
2010-11 51 28 13 - 10 252 217 66 3rd GOJHL-W Won Conf. QF, 4-3 (Leamington)
Lost Conf. SF, 3-4 (London)
2011-12 51 25 23 - 3 188 198 53 6th GOJHL-W Lost Conf. QF, 1-4 (London)
2012-13 51 29 18 - 4 196 171 62 3rd GOJHL-W Lost Conf. QF, 2-4 (Strathroy)
2013-14 49 34 10 - 5 229 151 73 2nd GOJHL-W Won Conf. QF, 4-1 (St. Thomas)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-4 (Chatham)
2014-15 49 28 20 - 1 207 174 57 4th GOJHL-W Won Conf. QF, 4-0 (Lambton Shores)
Won Conf. SF, 4-2 (London)
Lost Conf. Final, 2-4 (Leamington)
Won SF, 4-3 (Elmira)
Lost Final, 2-4 (Caledonia)
2015-16 50 31 14 3 2 215 162 67 3rd of 9-W
7th of 26-GOJHL		 Won Conf. QF, 4-3 (Sarnia)
Lost Conf. SF 2-4 (London)
2016-17 50 37 9 0 4 224 136 78 1st of 9-W
4th of 27-GOJHL		 Won Conf. QF, 4-0 (Strathroy)
Lost Conf. SF, 2-4 (Leamington)
2017-18 50 32 16 1 1 182 141 66 3rd of 9-W
9th of 26-GOJHL		 Lost Conf. QF, 0-4 (Chatham)
2018-19 48 22 20 2 4 181 189 50 5th W Lost Conf. QF, 0-4 (Sarnia

Sutherland Cup Appearances

1980: Belleville Bobcats defeated Windsor Bulldogs 4-games-to-none
2008: Tecumseh Chiefs defeated Elmira Sugar Kings 4-games-to-none
2010: LaSalle Vipers defeated Brantford Eagles 4-games-to-1
2015: Caledonia Corvairs defeated LaSalle Vipers 4-games-to-2

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ 40 games on hockey schedule Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. July 16, 1970, Pg. 7.
  2. ↑ Royals blister Blenheim, 13-5 Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. October 13, 1970, Pg. 39.
  3. ↑ Urquhart scores as Royals romp Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. February 24, 1971, Pg. 48.
  4. ↑ Royals end Tilbury misery Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 1, 1971, Pg. 24.
  5. ↑ Butler's 'trick' sparks Jets' 13-2 romp over Royals Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 18, 1971, Pg. 31.
  6. ↑ The Talent Picture by Jim Nelson. Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. September 1, 1971, Pg. 50.
  7. ↑ Jets still flying high Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 6, 1972, Pg. 23.
  8. ↑ http://wecshof.org/print_individual.php?id=218
  9. ↑ http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18545
  10. ↑ District junior B title won by Royals, 4-3 Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 12, 1973, Pg. 22.
  11. ↑ Now Royals must wait Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 30, 1973, Pg. 29.
  12. ↑ Spits-Royals impasse remains by Alan Halberstadt. Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. June 14, 1973, Pg. 61.
  13. ↑ Windsor major A bid rejected Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 19, 1974, Pg 22.
  14. ↑ http://wohl.ca/download/records_wohl.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=f8530bcc-71c1-4981-87bd-2a1bc8c77b28
  16. ↑ http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=0d361f7c-df34-444c-ac74-27ac0ade7dc0
  17. ↑ http://www.windsorstar.com/Vipers+enjoy+being+part+Hockey+Night+Mexico/3998053/story.html

External links

Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Golden
Horseshoe		Buffalo Regals  · Caledonia Corvairs  · Fort Erie Meteors  · Hamilton Kilty B's  · Niagara Falls Canucks  · Pelham Panthers  · St. Catharines Falcons  · Thorold Blackhawks  · Welland Jr. Canadians
MidwesternBrampton Bombers  · Brantford 99ers  · Cambridge Redhawks  · Elmira Sugar Kings  · Kitchener Dutchmen  · Listowel Cyclones  · Stratford Warriors  · Waterloo Siskins
WesternChatham Maroons  · Komoka Kings  · LaSalle Vipers  · Leamington Flyers  · London Nationals  · Sarnia Legionnaires  · St. Marys Lincolns  · St. Thomas Stars  · Strathroy Rockets
HistoryCJBHL  · MetJHL  · WJBHL  · GHL  · MWJHL  · WOHL  · MOJBHL  · EJBHL  · NDJBHL
Ontario Junior B Seasons
Sutherland Cup  · Ontario Hockey Association  · Hockey Canada



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