London Knights

The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League. The Knights started out in 1965 as the London Nationals but changed to their current name in 1968. The Knights have won two Memorial Cup championships.

London Knights
CityLondon, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionMidwest
Founded1965
Home arenaBudweiser Gardens
ColoursGreen, yellow, black, and white
       
General managerMark Hunter
Head coachDale Hunter
AffiliatesLondon Nationals, St. Thomas Stars
Websitewww.londonknights.com
Franchise history
1965–1968London Nationals
1968–presentLondon Knights
Championships
Playoff championshipsMemorial Cup: 2005, 2016
OHL: 2005, 2012, 2013, 2016

History

Early days

The London Nationals were granted a franchise in the OHA for the 1965–66 season under the ownership of the London Gardens arena, with the Toronto Maple Leafs controlling the team's players.[1]

After three seasons, direct NHL sponsorship of junior teams ended. The team and Gardens was sold to businessman Howard Darwin for $500,000, who renamed the team to the Knights and changed the colours to green and gold.[2]

1968–1986: the Darwin era

In 1968, businessman Howard Darwin bought the London Nationals (he also owned the Ottawa 67's) as the era of NHL sponsorship of junior hockey ended. Darwin wanted to give a fresh look to the team, and so held a contest to rename the team. [3]

1986–1994: new owners, new dawn

In 1986 Howard Darwin sold the Knights and the arena to Paris, Ontario businessmen Jack Robillard, Al Martin and Bob Willson.

1994–2000: "Knightmare" and redemption

In 1994 the Knights were sold to St. Thomas, Ontario, real estate developer Doug Tarry Sr. He died before the team had played a game under his ownership, and the team was inherited by his son, Doug Tarry Jr. Upon taking command, Tarry carried out further renovations on the Gardens including a name change to the "London Ice House." He also alienated a fair portion of the team's fan base by changing the team's colours from green, gold and black to eggplant and teal, and changing the logo to a cartoon logo instantly and derisively nicknamed "Spiderknight".[4]

2000–present: the Hunter era

In 2000, former NHL players Dale Hunter, Mark Hunter and Basil McRae bought the Knights from Doug Tarry Jr.

The 2003–04 OHL season would mark the beginning of a remarkable dynasty. The Knights had the best regular season record in the CHL and set an OHL record with 110 points, but lost the OHL Western Conference final to the Guelph Storm. In the 2004–05 season, the Knights set a new CHL record by going 31 games in a row without a loss (29–0–2).[5]

Dale Hunter announced on May 14, 2012, he would not return to coach the Capitals in the 2012–13 season, choosing instead to return to the London Knights.[6]

The Knights capped their OHL season with a game seven win over the Barrie Colts as Bo Horvat scored the game-winning goal in the last second of the third period to capture the Knights' second consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup.[7]

London finished the 2013–14 season third in the OHL with 103 regular season points. However, the only two teams above them were their division opponents, the Guelph Storm and Erie Otters, thus denying the Knights a third straight division title. After sweeping the Windsor Spitfires in the first round the Knights were eliminated by the Storm in five games. Nevertheless, the Knights earned a berth in the 2014 Memorial Cup, their third straight, by virtue of being selected to host the tournament the day after winning the OHL championship the year before.[8]

On October 21, 2014, Mark Hunter resigned as Knights general manager after being appointed director of player personnel for the Toronto Maple Leafs.[9]

The Knights entered the 2016 Memorial Cup as favourites due to their impressive winning streak and did not disappoint, dominating the round robin and outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 20–5. In the championship game, the Knights faced off against the CHL number-one ranked Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The Huskies pushed the Knights to the limit, carrying a 2–1 lead late into the third period before Christian Dvorak scored with 4:11 remaining to force overtime, where a goal by Matthew Tkachuk earned the Knights their 17th-straight win and second Memorial Cup championship.[10]

On July 6, 2016, McRae stepped down as general manager of the London Knights to become the director of player personnel for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was replaced by former assistant general manager and former assistant coach of the London Knights, Rob Simpson.[11]

Having resigned from his role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mark Hunter returned as general manager of the London Knights on August 10, 2018, with Rob Simpson returning to his former role as assistant general manager.[12]

Championships

The London Knights have won the Memorial Cup tournament two times, won the J. Ross Robertson Cup four times, won the Western Conference eight times, and have won sixteen division titles.

Awards

Canadian Hockey League

Ontario Hockey League

Coaches

The London Nationals were coached by Jack McIntyre for the 1965–66 season. For their second and third seasons from 1966 to 1968, the Nationals were coached by Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Turk Broda.

London Knights coaches have won the Matt Leyden Trophy, emblematic of the OHL's Coach of the Year, five times. Bill Long won it once, in 1976–77, Gary Agnew twice, in 1992–93 and in 1997–98, and Dale Hunter twice, in 2003–04 and 2004–05. Dale Hunter also won the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award, emblematic of CHL Coach of the Year honours, in 2003–04.

As London Nationals:

  • 1965–1966 — Jack McIntyre
  • 1966–1968 — Turk Broda

As London Knights:

  • 1968–1969 — Gene Taylor
  • 1969–1971 — Bep Guidolin
  • 1971–1972 — Bronco Horvath
  • 1972–1980 — Bill Long
  • 1980–1983 — Paul McIntosh
  • 1983–1986 — Don Boyd
  • 1986–1990 — Wayne Maxner
  • 1990–1994 — Gary Agnew
  • 1994–1995 — Mike Fedorko
  • 1995–1996 — Murray Nystrom (interim)
  • 1995–1996 — Tom Barrett
  • 1996–1997 — Brad Selwood
  • 1996–1997 — Paul McIntosh (interim)
  • 1997–2000 — Gary Agnew
  • 2000–2001 — Lindsay Hofford
  • 2001–2011 — Dale Hunter
  • 2011–2012 — Mark Hunter
  • 2012–present – Dale Hunter

Notes: Mike Fedorko was entering his second season as Knights' coach and GM in the autumn of 1995. He was fired in October 1995 when the Knights began the season with a 13-game losing streak. Assistant Murray Nystrom took over coaching duties temporarily. Tom Barrett, who had led the Kitchener Rangers to the 1984 Memorial Cup, was named head coach in December. Barrett died of cancer in April 1996, shortly after the conclusion of the season. Moe Mantha was originally named the head coach to take over from Barrett, but left to coach the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey League before coaching a game. Brad Selwood was ultimately named Barrett's replacement for 1996–97 but was fired mid-season and GM Paul McIntosh took over on an interim basis for the rest of the season. Gary Agnew was rehired at the start of 1997–98.[13]

Players

NHL or WHA alumni

The following is a complete list of London Knights who later played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association.

London Nationals
London Knights

First round picks in NHL or WHA drafts

The London Knights have had at least one player drafted in each NHL Entry Draft from 1969 onward.[14]

The following players were selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft:

The following players were selected in the first round of the WHA amateur draft:

  • Reg Thomas – 1973, 8th overall by the Los Angeles Sharks
  • Rick Green – 1976, 10th overall by the Quebec Nordiques
  • Scott Campbell – 1977, 1st overall by the Houston Aeros

Retired numbers

List of numbers retired by the London Knights.[16]

Hall of Famers

List of London Knights players in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Season-by-season results

Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SL = Shoot-out losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Memorial Cup champions OHL champions OHL runners-up
SeasonGPWLTOTLSLPtsWin %GFGAStandingPlayoffs
1965–664812297--310.3231492359th OHA
1966–674818219--450.4691852146th OHALost Quarterfinal (Niagara Falls Flyers) 8–4
1967–685417316--400.3701772627th OHALost Quarterfinal (Hamilton Red Wings) 8–2
1968–695419269--470.4352422587th OHALost Quarterfinal (Peterborough Petes) 8–4
1969–705422257--510.4722092386th OHAWon Quarterfinal (Peterborough Petes) 8–4
Lost Semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 9–3
1970–716219358--460.3712322818th OHALost Quarterfinal (Montreal Junior Canadiens) 8–0
1971–726323319--550.4372532858th OHALost Quarterfinal (Ottawa 67's) 8–6
1972–736333228--740.5873342464th OHAWon Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 8–0
Lost Semifinal (Peterborough Petes) 9–5
1973–747036277--790.5642822504th OHALost Quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 9–1
1974–757026377--590.4212963689th OHA
1975–766631269--710.5383172562nd EmmsLost Quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 8–2
1976–776651132--1040.7883792032nd EmmsWon Quarterfinal (Toronto Marlboros) 9–3
Won Semifinal (St. Catharines Fincups) 9–7
Lost OHL Championship (Ottawa 67's) 8–4
1977–7868352211--810.5963332511st EmmsWon Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 8–0
Lost Semifinal (Hamilton Fincups) 9–5
1978–796837292--760.5593102872nd EmmsTied First-round (Windsor Spitfires) – Series disputed
Lost Semifinal (Niagara Falls Flyers) – Round-robin
1979–806826384--560.4123283345th EmmsLost First-round (Niagara Falls Flyers) 6–4
1980–816820480--400.2943003886th Emms
1981–826835303--730.5373593283rd EmmsLost First-round (Brantford Alexanders) 6–2
1982–837032371--650.4643363395th EmmsLost First-round (Brantford Alexanders) 6–0
1983–847032371--650.4642883194th EmmsWon First-round (North Bay Centennials) 6–2
Lost Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 8–0
1984–856643221--870.6593402762nd EmmsWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 8–0
Lost Quarterfinal (Hamilton Steelhawks) 6–2
1985–866628335--610.4622712926th EmmsLost First-round (North Bay Centennials) 9–1
1986–876625392--520.3942593297th Emms
1987–886640224--840.6363092732nd EmmsWon First-round (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–2
Lost Quarterfinal (Hamilton Steelhawks) 4–2
1988–896637254--780.5913112643rd EmmsWon First-round (Guelph Platers) 4–3
Won Quarterfinal (North Bay Centennials) 4–3
Lost Semifinal (Niagara Falls Thunder) 4–3
1989–906641196--880.6673132461st EmmsLost First-round (Niagara Falls Thunder) 4–2
1990–916638253--790.5983012703rd EmmsLost First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–3
1991–926637254--780.5913102603rd EmmsWon First-round (Owen Sound Platers) 4–1
Lost Quarterfinal (Niagara Falls Thunder) 4–1
1992–936632277--710.5383232923rd EmmsWon First-round (Kitchener Rangers) 4–3
Lost Quarterfinal (Detroit Junior Red Wings) 4–1
1993–946632304--680.5152932795th EmmsLost First-round (Guelph Storm) 4–1
1994–956618444--400.3032103094th WesternLost First-round (Detroit Junior Red Wings) 4–0
1995–96663603--90.0681794355th Western
1996–976613512--280.2122153655th Western
1997–986640215--850.6443012381st WesternWon First-round (Erie Otters) 4–3
Won Quarterfinal (Kingston Frontenacs) 4–1
Lost Semifinal (Ottawa 67's) 4–0
1998–996834304--720.5292602173rd WestWon First-round (Sarnia Sting) 4–2
Won Quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–3
Won Semifinal (Owen Sound Platers) 4–1
Lost OHL Championship (Belleville Bulls) 4–3
1999–200068223673-540.3971862505th West
2000–0168263453-600.4412222634th WestLost First-round (Erie Otters) 4–1
2001–02682427107-650.4782102495th WestWon First-round (Plymouth Whalers) 4–2
Lost Quarterfinal (Erie Otters) 4–2
2002–0368312773-720.5292202052nd MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–3
Lost Quarterfinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–3
2003–0468531122-1100.8093001471st MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Erie Otters) 4–0
Lost Semifinal (Guelph Storm) 4–3
2004–056859720-1200.8823101251st MidwestWon First-round (Guelph Storm) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0
Won Semifinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–1
Won OHL Championship (Ottawa 67's) 4–1
1st place in Memorial Cup Round-robin
Won Memorial Cup Final (Rimouski Océanic) 4–0
2005–06684915-131020.7503042111st MidwestWon First-round (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Owen Sound Attack) 4–2
Won Semifinal (Guelph Storm) 4–1
Lost OHL Championship (Peterborough Petes) 4–0
2006–07685014-131040.7653112311st MidwestWon First-round (Owen Sound Attack) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) 4–3
Lost Semifinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–1
2007–08683824-42820.6032502302nd MidwestLost First-round (Guelph Storm) 4–1
2008–09684916-121010.7432871941st MidwestWon First-round (Erie Otters) 4–1
Won Quarterfinal (Saginaw Spirit) 4–0
Lost Semifinal (Windsor Spitfires) 4–1
2009–10684916-121010.7432732081st MidwestWon First-round (Guelph Storm) 4–1
Lost Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–3
2010–11683429-41730.5372302535th MidwestLost First-round (Owen Sound Attack) 4–2
2011–12684918-01990.7282771781st MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Saginaw Spirit) 4–2
Won Semifinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–0
Won OHL Championship (Niagara IceDogs) 4–1
1st place in Memorial Cup Round-robin
Lost Memorial Cup Final (Shawinigan Cataractes) 2–1 (OT)
2012–13685013-231050.7722791801st MidwestWon First-round (Saginaw Spirit) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–1
Won Semifinal (Plymouth Whalers) 4–1
Won OHL Championship (Barrie Colts) 4–3
3rd place in Memorial Cup Round-robin
Won Memorial Cup Tiebreaker (Saskatoon Blades) 6–1
Lost Memorial Cup Semifinal (Portland Winterhawks) 2–1
2013–14684914-141030.7573162033rd MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0
Lost Quarterfinal (Guelph Storm) 4–1
4th place in Memorial Cup Round-robin[lower-alpha 1]
2014–15684024-13840.6182892602nd MidwestWon First-round (Kitchener Rangers) 4–2
Lost Quarterfinal (Erie Otters) 4–0
2015–16685114-211050.7723191822nd MidwestWon First-round (Owen Sound Attack) 4–2
Won Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–0
Won Semifinal (Erie Otters) 4–0
Won OHL Championship (Niagara IceDogs) 4–0
1st place in Memorial Cup Round-robin
Won Memorial Cup Final (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) 3–2 (OT)
2016–17684615-34990.7282891943rd MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–3
Lost Quarterfinal (Erie Otters) 4–3
2017–18683925-22820.6032332123rd MidwestLost First-round (Owen Sound Attack) 4–0
2018–19684615-61990.7282992111st MidwestWon First-round (Windsor Spitfires) 4–0
Lost Quarterfinal (Guelph Storm) 4–3
2019–20624515-11920.7422651871st MidwestPlayoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22683922-52850.6252642321st MidwestLost First-round (Kitchener Rangers) 4–3
2022–23684521-20920.6762692141st MidwestWon First-round (Owen Sound Attack) 4–0
Won Quarterfinal (Kitchener Rangers) 4–1
Won Semifinal (Sarnia Sting) 4–2
Lost OHL Championship (Peterborough Petes) 4–2
2023–24685014-131040.7653221971st Midwest
Notes
  1. The London Knights automatically qualified for the 2014 Memorial Cup, since they hosted the tournament.

Arenas
The John Labatt Centre.

The London Gardens was built in 1963 and served as the home of the Knights from the team's inception in 1965 to its closing in 2002. The building was renamed London Ice House in 1994. The Knights final game played at the arena was in the 2002 playoffs, where the Knights lost in overtime in the sixth game of the second round to the eventual OHL Champion Erie Otters. The Knights used the Ice House for their training camp and exhibition schedule for the 2002–03 season and moved out permanently in October 2002.

The Budweiser Gardens opened on October 11, 2002 as the Knights played host to the Plymouth Whalers. The arena, located in downtown London, is the largest in Western Ontario. Tickets for the 2005–06 season in the building sold out in one day, and there is currently a cap on season tickets due to the team's popularity.

See also
  • List of ice hockey teams in Ontario

References
  1. MacLeod, Rex (February 5, 1966). "Nats' inexperience evident, but club directors optimistic". The Globe and Mail.
  2. "Howard Darwin founded Knights". Toronto Sun. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. London Free Press
  4. "London Knights logo 2001". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008.
  5. "Longest Undefeated Streak". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2006.
  6. "Hunter steps down as Capitals coach". May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016.
  7. "Game Summary 19140". May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016.
  8. "Knights to host 2014 Memorial Cup". May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013.
  9. "Leafs name Mark Hunter new director of player personnel". CBC.ca. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014.
  10. "London Knights are 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions". chl.ca. May 29, 2016.
  11. "London Knights' GM Basil McRae steps down". The Hockey Writers. July 6, 2016.
  12. "Mark Hunter returns as London Knights general manager". London Free Press. August 11, 2018.
  13. ". . . worst of times: Only nine years removed from 3-60-3". Archived from the original on November 28, 2004. Retrieved April 15, 2006.
  14. "Knights Extend Historic Streak in 2022 NHL Draft". London Knights. July 7, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  15. Varley, Kristylee (June 29, 2023). "Bonk and Cowan selected in first round of NHL draft". CTV News / CTV London. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  16. Sadler, Emily (October 19, 2018). "How Dale, Mark Hunter turned London Knights into a CHL powerhouse". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
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