Barrie Colts
Encyclopedia
The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey
team in Ontario Hockey League
, based in Barrie
, Ontario
, Canada
. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.
who played for the Ottawa Senators
and Toronto 228th of the National Hockey Association
(NHA) and later in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
(PCHA).
The Barrie Colts were revived in 1921 and played in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1921 to 1944. The club started out as a Junior-B team, then were promoted to Junior-A around the start of World War II
. The Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup
Championship in 1934–35. One of its original players was Leighton "Hap" Emms
. Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Harry Lumley played for this team in 1942–43. Other NHL alumni include Ab DeMarco
and Jack Dyte
.
, then moved to the Central Junior B Hockey League
in 1978 when the Mid-Ontario league folded. This version of the Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup
Championship in 1992–93. For the next two seasons (1993–95), the Colts played at the Junior A Tier II level. The team was granted permission to join the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise on May 6, 1994, starting play during the 1995–96 season.
The Colts have been very successful since their inception. Barrie has missed the playoffs one time in team history, and were the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. The Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup
in the 1999–2000 season, playing the seventh game on the road, defeating the Plymouth Whalers
. Barrie travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup
that year, losing to the Rimouski Océanic
in the championship game
.
For their inaugural season in the league, the Colts brought in legendary coach Bert Templeton
to lead the upstart franchise. Jeff Cowan
was named as the franchise's first captain. With a mixture of youth and experience Bert was able to lead the team to a 28-31-7 finish. The Colts became the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round to the Kitchener Rangers
. Although the Colts finished their first season in the league with a below .500 record, and lost in the first round of the playoffs, there was plenty of optimism among Barrie fans. Seventeen year olds Alexandre Volchkov
(63 points), and Jan Bulis
(59 points), and sixteen year old Daniel Tkaczuk
(61 points); who was selected first overall in the 1995 OHL selection, were some of the few reasons for hope. For his efforts in taking an expansion franchise to the playoffs, coach Bert Templeton
was honoured as the OHL Executive of the Year
.
1996-97 OHL Season
The Colts were able to build upon their first year success the following season. In his second year behind the Colts bench Bert Templeton
was able to lead the Barrie franchise to a 33-23-10 record for a total of 76 points; only two points back of the Kitchener Rangers
for first place in the central division. Jan Bulis
, newly appointed captain Daniel Tkaczuk
, and Alexandre Volchkov
once again led the team in scoring with 103, 93, and 82 points respectively. Aside from these three players, the Colts struggled with secondary scoring. Tough-guy Luch Nasato finished the year fourth in team scoring with 45 points and a team leading 219 penalty minutes. Once again the Colts made it to the OHL playoffs. This time they were able to beat the Owen Sound Platers
four games to nothing before losing the next round to the Ottawa 67's
four games to one.
1997-98 OHL Season
Following two years of unprecedented success on the ice, Bert Templeton
was once again able to improve the young Barrie franchise. The team finished the 1997-98 year at the top of the central division with a record of 38-22-5-1 for an 82 point season. Daniel Tkaczuk
once again led the team in offensive output, scoring 75 points. Tough-guy Luch Nasato also improved on the previous season's form, scoring 69 points while having a whopping 254 penalty minutes. First year player Michael Henrich
and rookie Martin Skoula
also added some scoring touch. In the playoffs the Colts would play their first series against division rivals Sudbury Wolves
. The Colts would lose the series in six games.
1998-99 OHL Season
The Colt's once again began the 1998-99 season with Bert Templeton
behind the bench. This would prove to be one of the Colt's best seasons. The Colts got off to a great start in the league. Daniel Tkaczuk
once again led his team on and off the ice, Michael Henrich
, and first year player Denis Shvidki
were able to add some scoring punch. Mid-way through the season the Colts decided to make some moves and bring in players that would hopefully put them at the top of the league. In a trade with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
the Colt's management was able to bring in one of the league's top scorers in Sheldon Keefe
, along with Mike Jefferson
, and Ryan Barnes
. When all the dust settled, the Colts were made up with a young group of players that could possibly make it all the way to the Memorial Cup
finals. At the end of the year the Colts had an eye-popping 49-12-6-1 record for 105 points, and possessed two of the top scorers in the league. The playoffs were a disappointment. After sweeping the Owen Sound Platers
in the conference qurater-finals, the Colts lost in seven games to the fourth place Oshawa Generals
who had finished the season twenty points behind the Colts. Barrie goalie Brian Finley
won the OHL Goaltender of the Year
award as well as the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
as playoff MVP. As well, high-scoring forward Sheldon Keefe
won the Emms Family Award
as rookie of the year.
OHL Season
During the summer of 1999 Bert Templeton
stepped down as the Barrie head coach after being behind the bench for four years. He was replaced by Bill Stewart
. The 1999–2000 season was successful on the ice but had many off-ice problems. There was internal dissension centering around Ryan Barnes
, Shawn Cation, Mike Jefferson
and Sheldon Keefe
(all four had David Frost
as an agent), and Coach Bill Stewart would later be suspended by the OHL when it was found out that he smuggled an imported Russian player across the Canada-United States border
in the luggage compartment of the team bus.
After a relatively slow start to the 1999–2000 season, the Colts were able to quickly pick up the pace, finishing with a record of 43-18-6-1 for a total of 93 points. Newly appointed team captain Sheldon Keefe
led the entire OHL in scoring, winning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy
for his 48 goals and 73 assists on the season. Denis Shvidki
, Mike Jefferson
and Michael Henrich
also finished in the top-twenty in scoring that year with 106, 87, and 86 points respectively. The Colts also received secondary scoring from the likes of rookie Blaine Down and centre Matt Dzieduszycki
. In the playoffs the Colts faced the North Bay Centennials
in the conference quarter finals, winning the series four games to two. In the next round they faced the Sudbury Wolves
, winning that series four games to three. In their first trip to the eastern conference finals the Colts faced the Belleville Bulls
whom they quickly defeated in 5 games, winning their first Bobby Orr Trophy
. This meant that the Colts would face the Plymouth Whalers
, a team who had won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy
for finishing first in the league. The Colts defeated the Whalers in a seven game series, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup
and advancing to the Memorial Cup
finals in Halifax, Nova Scotia
.
Memorial Cup Finals, 2000
The Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup
in the 1999–2000 season, playing the seventh game on the road, defeating the Plymouth Whalers. Barrie travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup that year. In the first game of the round robin round Barrie lost to the host Halifax Mooseheads
5-2. In the second game the Colts did not fair much better, losing to the Rimouski Océanic
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
7-2. One day later Barrie defeated the Kootenay Ice
of the Western Hockey League
3-2 in double overtime. This win allowed Barrie to finish ahead of Kootenay and move on to the semi-finals where they would again play the host team Halifax. Barrie stormed out of the gates defeating the host 6-3. Their final result in the tournament, however, was not the fairy-tale ending they anticipated: one day later the Colts played the Rimouski Océanic
in the championship game, but were defeated with a final score of 6-2.
OHL Season
Beginning in the 2000-01 season, Bud Stefanski
took over a Barrie Colts team that had made it all the way to the Memorial Cup
finals the previous year. No longer part of the Colts roster were players like Sheldon Keefe
, Mike Jefferson
, Denis Shvidki
, and Michael Henrich
, who led the Colts in scoring during their run to the Memorial Cup
finals. Not many people expected great things from a rebuilding Colts franchise, but the Colts made it into the playoffs in seventh place with a 29-28-7-4 record. They would lose in 5 games to the Sudbury Wolves
. Throughout the season, return players Blaine Down, Mike Henderson and newly appointed captain Matt Dzieduszycki
led the charge on offense with 73, 68, and 63 points respectively. In addition, through the several trades that brought in Fraser Clair
, Shayne Fryia, and goaltender David Chant as well as the great play of rookie Jan Platil
the Colts looked to make a deep run into the playoffs the following season.
2001-02
OHL Season
At the start of the 2001-02 season Eric Reitz
was appointed as the fifth captain in Colt's history. Once again, Blaine Down led the Colts in scoring with 61 points. Shayne Fryia, Joey Tenute
, Fraser Clair
, Jan Platil
, Nick Lees and Eric Reitz
each had 40 or more points. The rebuilt Colts team finished two points behind the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
for second in the central division and second in the conference with a record of 38-19-9-2. In the playoffs, the Colts once agaian met the Sudbury Wolves
, this time beating them in a five game series. The following series was played against the Belleville Bulls
whom they defeated in a six game series. In the conference finals the Colts played division rival Toronto St. Michael's Majors
. The Colts dominated the series, sweeping the Majors in 4 games, winning the team's second Bobby Orr Trophy
. After a season of rebuilding, the Colts were off to the OHL Finals for the second time in three years. In the finals the Colts faced the Erie Otters
who had finished level with the Colts in terms of points during the season. Luck ran out on the Colts, who lost in five games to the Otters. At the end of the season, captain Eric Reitz
was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy
as the league's most outstanding defenceman.
2002-03
OHL Season
Beginning the third year of Bud Stefanski
behind the bench of the Colts, defenceman Jeremy Swanson was named as team captain. A Barrie franchise that had made it to the conference finals two of the past three seasons was in the midst of another transition year. The Colts ended the season with a record slightly above .500, finishing at 29-26-4-9 for 71 points and a seventh place finish in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts would lose their first-round playoff series to the Brampton Battalion
in six games. Eric Himelfarb
, and Luc Chiasson who the Colts acquired in the off-season led the team in scoring with 75 and 66 points respectively. Second year Colt Nick Lees finished slightly behind Chiasson with 61 points. Throughout the season several moves were made in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. Players such as Dan Speer, and Chad Thompson were brought in, and would both remain Colts for the next few seasons.
2003-04
OHL Season
The 2003-04 season would be Bud Stefanski
's fourth and final season behind the Colts bench. Jeremy Swanson would remain as team captain. His point total would decline to 34 points by the end of the season. Overager Cory Stillman, acquired during the off-season from the Kingston Frontenacs
led the team in scoring with 59 points. Rookie centre Bryan Little
finished one point behind Stillman with 58 points. At the conclusion of the season he would win the Emms Family Award
as rookie of the year. He was one of nine Colt regulars who played in their rookie season that year. Third year Colt B.J. Crombeen, Mark Langdon and Barrie native Scott Hotham who was acquired from the Mississauga Ice Dogs each also scored 40 plus points. Goaltender Paulo Colaiacovo
also finished with a career year .924 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.34. He would be named as the OHL goaltender of the year in the off-season. A young Colts team, finished with a record of 31-21-12-4 for 78 points; a slight improvement from the previous year. In the playoffs the Colts would dispose of the fifth place Kingston Frontenacs
in five games before losing a seven game series to the second place Mississauga Ice Dogs. At the conclusion of the season he would be replaced by former Aurora Tigers
head coach Marty Williamson. In his last two seasons as head coach of the Tigers he had only lost a combined eight games, winning the RBC Cup in the 2003-04 season.
OHL Season
The franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary in the OHL in 2004–05. The race for the central division title was close the entire year. By the end of the season the difference between first and fourth place was only four points. The Colts finished second in the central division; three points behind leaders Mississauga IceDogs
, and one point ahead of Brampton Battalion
and Sudbury Wolves
. Second year player Bryan Little
continued to build upon the success of his rookie season, scoring 36 goals and 32 assists for a total of 68 points. Third year Colt Hunter Tremblay
was not that far behind, scoring a total of 62 points. After some trades that brought in guys like high scoring overager Rob Hisey
from the Erie Otters
, young role players like Mike Roelofsen and Daniel Lombardi, and a proven goalie in Dan LaCosta
, the Colts looked to have plenty of promise. In the playoffs that year the Colts lost a disappointing first round series to the eventual Memorial Cup
semi-finalist Ottawa 67's
.
2005-06
OHL Season
Bryan Little
was named the 8th team captain in the Colts history to begin the 2005-06 season. He not only led the team off the ice but on the ice as well, scoring a career high 109 points. Hunter Tremblay
finished second in team scoring with 77 points. Ryan Hamilton
(72 points), Andrew Marshall (66 points), and rookie Vladimir Nikiforov (55 points) each enjoyed career seasons. Combined with the stellar goaltending play by Dan LaCosta
and moves that brought in high scoring defenceman David Pszenyczny, the Colts ended the season with a 43-21-1-3 record totaling 90 points. The Colts finished 1 point behind division rivals Brampton Battalion
, and 9 points behind Peterborough Petes
for third in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts quickly disposed of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
and Brampton Battalion
in four games and five games respectively before losing to the eventual OHL champions Peterborough Petes
in five games.
On April 7, 2006, the Ontario Hockey League announced the approval of the transfer of 46% interest in the team, with Howie Campbell as the new majority owner of the franchise. Campbell is a partner in Superior Electric Supply (SESCO). James Massie is a minor partner in ownership, and also owns Georgian International.
On May 16, 2006 the Barrie Colts announced the resignation of the team's general manager, Mike McCann. During McCann's 25 year tenure with the team, he has also been director of player personnel, and a head scout. Mike McCann has also been inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
2006-07
OHL Season
The 2006-07 season was a great one for the Colts. The team finished with a 48-19-0-1 record; winning their third Emms Trophy
for the best record in the central division as well as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Colts were led by their captain Bryan Little
who scored a total of 41 goals and 66 assists for a team leading 107 points. He was selected to represent Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Under 20 Championships held in Sweden that year. Hunter Tremblay
(89 points), Richard Clune
(78 points), and Kris Spare (51 points), each enjoyed career years. Making their OHL and Colts debuts this year was forward Alex Hutchings
, future captains Tomas Marcinko
, and Stefan Della Rovere
, defencemen Brian Lashoff
and Ryan Gottschalk, and goaltender Michael Hutchinson
. Although finishing top in their conference, the playoffs were a disappointment for the Colts who, after defeating Brampton Battalion
in four games, were swept by the sixth place Sudbury Wolves
.
2007-08 OHL Season
The 2007–08 season saw a return of Junior B Colts alumnus Drake Berehowsky
to the team. This time as assistant coach. He left the team at the end of the 2008-09 season. Several trades were made, bringing in many new faces. Goaltender Peter Di Salvo, defenceman Stephen Gaskin as well as forward Kyle Clifford
all made their debut for the Colts this year, becoming the core of a Colts team for many years to come. The Colts finished with a 28-34-3-3 record defeating Brampton Battalion
in a four game playoff series, before losing to the Belville Bulls 4 games to 1 in the conference semi-finals.
2008-09 OHL Season
The 2008-09 season was an average one for the Colts. The team began the season with 2 proven goaltenders in Peter Di Salvo and Michael Hutchinson
and a mixture of 2nd and 3rd year players who were joined by a group of rookies with plenty of promise. The Colts made a few trades throughout the season and before the deadline, bringing in Peter Stevens, Josh Brittain, and Taylor Carnevale in an effort to set them up for a 2009-10 championship run. The Colts finished 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-33-3-2 record. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round, falling in five games to the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
. At the end of 2008-09 season the Colts traded goaltender Michael Hutchinson
to the London Knights
in exchange for four draft picks which would later be traded for proven players during the next season's championship run.
2009-10 OHL Season
In 2009-10 Brad Brown and David Bell joined the coaching team, along with powerplay coach Frank Carnevale.
In 2009-10 the Barrie Colts celebrated their 15th season in the OHL. The Colts attempted to make a run at the Memorial Cup
by bringing in proven goal scorers like Bryan Cameron
and Luke Pither. They also upgraded their defence by bringing in Nick Crawford
, TJ Brodie and St. Louis Blues draftpick Alex Pietrangelo
. Role players like Zac Rinaldo
, Matt Kennedy
, and goalie Mavric Parks were also traded for before the deadline. All of these trades seemed to have paid dividends as the Colts had a 22 game win-streak, and finished the regular season with an unprecedented record of 57-9-0-2, for a total of 116 points. Bryan Cameron
scored a franchise record 53 goals and the team captured their fourth Emms Trophy
for finishing first in the Central Division, and also the franchises first Hamilton Spectator Trophy
for finishing first overall in the OHL. Beginning the 2009-10 playoffs the Colts quickly defeated the Sudbury Wolves
4-0 in the Conference Quarter-Finals, before sweeping the Brampton Battalion
in the Conference Semi-Finals. In the Conference Finals the Colts finally met some stiff competition but were still able to defeat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
4-1 and win the Bobby Orr Trophy. In the J. Ross Robertson Cup
finals the Barrie Colts hosted the defending Memorial Cup
Champions Windsor Spitfires
who the Colts had defeated both times the two teams met in the regular season. The Colts never looked on top of their game, making uncharacteristic defensive mistakes. The Colts were defeated in four games bringing an end to one of the best OHL seasons in history.
22 Game Winning Streak
In the 2009 - 2010 season, the Barrie Colts, were successful in winning 22 consecutive games. During their streak, which extended from October 24 when they beat Brampton Battalion
3-1, until December 31 when they lost to Owen Sound Attack
6-4, the Colts scored 122 goals while allowing a mere 44. The offense was quite balanced throughout the winning streak, with 21 players getting at least a point; 7 of whom had 20 or more points each. Alex Hutchings
led the Colts offense with 17 goals and 14 assists for a total of 31 points. Three players on the Colts roster scored 29 points; Bryan Cameron
(19 goals, 10 assists), Darren Archibald (15 goals, 14 assists), and Luke Pither (12 goals, 17 assists). They were followed closely by Nick Crawford
(5 goals, 19 assists), Taylor Carnavale (9 goals, 14 assists) and Aleksandr Burmistrov
(6 goals, 14 assists) as the Colts top scorers. Although captain Stefan Della Rovere
, missed the last few games while attending the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
, still managed to score 18 points during the streak. In net, Peter Di Salvo managed 17 wins, while back-up Dalton McGrath won 5. Following their incredible run, the Barrie Colts managed to move into second place in the OHL standings, behind the Windsor Spitfires
, and third in the BMO CHL Mastercard Rankings behind the first place Saint John Sea Dogs
and Windsor Spitfires
. Their recent string of success places the franchise amongst the best in OHL history.
Top Ranking in the Country
On February 24, 2010 the Canadian Hockey League
announced the BMO CHL Mastercard Top 10 Rankings for week 23 of the 2009-10 season. For the first time in team history the Barrie Colts claimed top spot, moving ahead of the Saint John Sea Dogs
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
. The Colts would remain in top spot until the end of the season, finishing with a league best record of 57-9-0-2.
At the end of the 2009-10 season, the Colts and Marty Williamson parted ways. Dale Hawerchuk
was named as the new Colts coach for 2010-11 season. The 2010-11 team was a much different one from the previous year. Dalton Prout was named the 11th captain in franchise history. He was joined by Stephen Gaskin, Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, and Colin Behenna as the few returning players from the 2009-10 playoff run. Also returning, were the likes of Zach Hall, Mitch Bennett, Dean Pawlaczuk, and David Mazurek who each only played a handful of games the previous season. This meant that the Colts started the year with 5 rookie defencemen, 7 rookie forwards and a rookie back-up goaltender. David Mazurek, Dean Pawlczuk, and Chris Wiggin were released soon after the start of the season, and players such as Aleksandr Burmistrov
and Kyle Clifford
made their respective NHL teams. After a 4-22-1-1 last place start to the season the Colts traded Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, Stephen Gaskin, and captain Dalton Prout before the trade deadline in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. This left Colin Behenna, Zach Hall, and Mitch Bennett as the only players left from the previous year's championship run. In return the Colts received 17 year old goalies John Chartrand and Josh Malecki as well as 17 year old defenceman Alex Lepkowski, and 17 year old power forward Eric Locke, effectively beginning the rebuilding process. The team finished with 15 wins and missed the playoffs for the first time since they joined the OHL. After missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and finishing last overall in the OHL, the Colts were given the first overall draft pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Hawerchuk used the pick to select defenceman Aaron Ekblad
, a 15 year old phenom whom recently became the second player to be granted exceptional status by the CHL.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
, based in Barrie
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.
Original Colts
The first Barrie Colts played in the junior division of the OHA from 1907 until 1910, prior to the creation of junior A and B levels. One notable alumni is Gordon MeekingGordon Meeking
Gordon Sydney Meeking was a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators , Toronto 228th Battalion, Victoria Aristocrats and Regina Capitals.-Playing career:...
who played for the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
and Toronto 228th of the National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
(NHA) and later in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
Pacific Coast Hockey Association
The Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a professional men's ice hockey league in western Canada and the western United States, which operated from 1911 to 1924 when it then merged with the Western Canada Hockey League...
(PCHA).
The Barrie Colts were revived in 1921 and played in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1921 to 1944. The club started out as a Junior-B team, then were promoted to Junior-A around the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
Championship in 1934–35. One of its original players was Leighton "Hap" Emms
Hap Emms
Leighton A. "Hap" Emms was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, owner, general manager and pioneer of the game. Emms was as controversial as he was successful during close to 60 years in hockey...
. Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Harry Lumley played for this team in 1942–43. Other NHL alumni include Ab DeMarco
Ab DeMarco
Albert George DeMarco, Sr. was a Canadian ice hockey forward.Born in North Bay, Ontario, DeMarco started his National Hockey League career with the Chicago Black Hawks. He would also play with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. His career lasted from 1938 to...
and Jack Dyte
Jack Dyte
John Leonard "Jack" Dyte is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL.-External links:...
.
Modern Colts
The modern Barrie Colts also started out as a Junior B team. They started in the Mid-Ontario Jr.B leagueMid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League
The Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League was a Junior "B" ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario. They were sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, and competed for the All-Ontario Junior "B" title, the Sutherland Cup.-History:The league was formed...
, then moved to the Central Junior B Hockey League
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
The Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The league dates back to 1954 as the Central Junior B Hockey League. In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the...
in 1978 when the Mid-Ontario league folded. This version of the Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
Championship in 1992–93. For the next two seasons (1993–95), the Colts played at the Junior A Tier II level. The team was granted permission to join the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise on May 6, 1994, starting play during the 1995–96 season.
The Colts have been very successful since their inception. Barrie has missed the playoffs one time in team history, and were the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. The Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
in the 1999–2000 season, playing the seventh game on the road, defeating the Plymouth Whalers
Plymouth Whalers
The Plymouth Whalers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, USA.-History:...
. Barrie travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
that year, losing to the Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
in the championship game
2000 Memorial Cup
The 2000 Memorial Cup occurred May 20–28 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It featured the host team, the Halifax Mooseheads as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Barrie Colts, Rimouski...
.
Bert Templeton (1995-96 to 1998-99)
1995-96 OHL SeasonFor their inaugural season in the league, the Colts brought in legendary coach Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
to lead the upstart franchise. Jeff Cowan
Jeff Cowan
Jeff Cowan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a left winger playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
was named as the franchise's first captain. With a mixture of youth and experience Bert was able to lead the team to a 28-31-7 finish. The Colts became the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round to the Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener Rangers
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
. Although the Colts finished their first season in the league with a below .500 record, and lost in the first round of the playoffs, there was plenty of optimism among Barrie fans. Seventeen year olds Alexandre Volchkov
Alexandre Volchkov
Alexandre Aleksandrovich Volchkov is a retired Russian professional ice hockey player.Selected in the first round, fourth overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Volchkov was a talented right-winger who put up impressive offensive numbers while playing junior hockey for...
(63 points), and Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis is a Czech professional hockey winger who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
(59 points), and sixteen year old Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Tkaczuk is a Canadian who is of Polish origin.-Playing career:...
(61 points); who was selected first overall in the 1995 OHL selection, were some of the few reasons for hope. For his efforts in taking an expansion franchise to the playoffs, coach Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
was honoured as the OHL Executive of the Year
OHL Executive of the Year
The OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Dale DeGray, Owen Sound Attack*2009–10 Rick Gaetz, Guelph Storm*2008–09 Warren Rychel, Windsor Spitfires...
.
1996-97 OHL Season
The Colts were able to build upon their first year success the following season. In his second year behind the Colts bench Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
was able to lead the Barrie franchise to a 33-23-10 record for a total of 76 points; only two points back of the Kitchener Rangers
Kitchener Rangers
The Kitchener Rangers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener, Ontario, Canada their home since 1963. The Rangers are a publicly owned hockey team, governed by a 40-person Board of Directors made up of season ticket subscribers. The Rangers hosted...
for first place in the central division. Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis is a Czech professional hockey winger who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, newly appointed captain Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Tkaczuk is a Canadian who is of Polish origin.-Playing career:...
, and Alexandre Volchkov
Alexandre Volchkov
Alexandre Aleksandrovich Volchkov is a retired Russian professional ice hockey player.Selected in the first round, fourth overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Volchkov was a talented right-winger who put up impressive offensive numbers while playing junior hockey for...
once again led the team in scoring with 103, 93, and 82 points respectively. Aside from these three players, the Colts struggled with secondary scoring. Tough-guy Luch Nasato finished the year fourth in team scoring with 45 points and a team leading 219 penalty minutes. Once again the Colts made it to the OHL playoffs. This time they were able to beat the Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:...
four games to nothing before losing the next round to the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
four games to one.
1997-98 OHL Season
Following two years of unprecedented success on the ice, Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
was once again able to improve the young Barrie franchise. The team finished the 1997-98 year at the top of the central division with a record of 38-22-5-1 for an 82 point season. Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Tkaczuk is a Canadian who is of Polish origin.-Playing career:...
once again led the team in offensive output, scoring 75 points. Tough-guy Luch Nasato also improved on the previous season's form, scoring 69 points while having a whopping 254 penalty minutes. First year player Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Henrich is currently a member of HC Asiago of the Serie A in Italy. An NHL first-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, Henrich played several years of professional hockey in North America before moving to professional hockey...
and rookie Martin Skoula
Martin Skoula
Martin Škoula is a professional ice hockey defenceman, currently with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.- Playing career :...
also added some scoring touch. In the playoffs the Colts would play their first series against division rivals Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
. The Colts would lose the series in six games.
1998-99 OHL Season
The Colt's once again began the 1998-99 season with Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
behind the bench. This would prove to be one of the Colt's best seasons. The Colts got off to a great start in the league. Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk
Daniel Tkaczuk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL. Tkaczuk is a Canadian who is of Polish origin.-Playing career:...
once again led his team on and off the ice, Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Henrich is currently a member of HC Asiago of the Serie A in Italy. An NHL first-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, Henrich played several years of professional hockey in North America before moving to professional hockey...
, and first year player Denis Shvidki
Denis Shvidki
Denis Aleksandrovich Shvidki is a Ukrainian professional ice hockey right wing currently playing for Krefeld Pinguine of the German Hockey League.- Draft :...
were able to add some scoring punch. Mid-way through the season the Colts decided to make some moves and bring in players that would hopefully put them at the top of the league. In a trade with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
the Colt's management was able to bring in one of the league's top scorers in Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
, along with Mike Jefferson
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
, and Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes , is an ice hockey left winger who most recently played seven games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League while registering no points and nine penalty minutes. Barnes was drafted in the second round, fifty-fifth overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red...
. When all the dust settled, the Colts were made up with a young group of players that could possibly make it all the way to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
finals. At the end of the year the Colts had an eye-popping 49-12-6-1 record for 105 points, and possessed two of the top scorers in the league. The playoffs were a disappointment. After sweeping the Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:...
in the conference qurater-finals, the Colts lost in seven games to the fourth place Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
who had finished the season twenty points behind the Colts. Barrie goalie Brian Finley
Brian Finley
Brian Finley is a retired professional ice hockey goalie. He was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round, sixth overall of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
won the OHL Goaltender of the Year
OHL Goaltender of the Year
The OHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted on by OHL coaches and general managers.-Winners:*2010-11 Mark Visentin, Niagara Ice Dogs*2009-10 Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St...
award as well as the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
The Wayne Gretzky 99 Award is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. It is named for Wayne Gretzky. The trophy should not be confused with the similarly named Wayne Gretzky Trophy, awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference...
as playoff MVP. As well, high-scoring forward Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
won the Emms Family Award
Emms Family Award
The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St...
as rookie of the year.
Bill Stewart (1999–2000)
1999–20001999–2000 OHL season
The 1999–2000 OHL season was the 20th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Barrie Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Plymouth Whalers.-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-Scoring leaders:...
OHL Season
During the summer of 1999 Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton
Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003....
stepped down as the Barrie head coach after being behind the bench for four years. He was replaced by Bill Stewart
Bill Stewart (ice hockey)
William Donald Stewart is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and former head coach of the New York Islanders.-Playing career:...
. The 1999–2000 season was successful on the ice but had many off-ice problems. There was internal dissension centering around Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes
Ryan Barnes , is an ice hockey left winger who most recently played seven games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League while registering no points and nine penalty minutes. Barnes was drafted in the second round, fifty-fifth overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red...
, Shawn Cation, Mike Jefferson
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
and Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
(all four had David Frost
David Frost (sports agent)
David Frost, a.k.a. Jim McCauley, was a junior ice hockey coach and NHL Players' Association sports agent, best known as the alleged target of a murder-for-hire plot by one of his clients, former St...
as an agent), and Coach Bill Stewart would later be suspended by the OHL when it was found out that he smuggled an imported Russian player across the Canada-United States border
Canada-United States border
The Canada–United States border, officially known as the International Boundary, is the longest border in the world. The terrestrial boundary is 8,891 kilometers long, including 2,475 kilometres shared with Alaska...
in the luggage compartment of the team bus.
After a relatively slow start to the 1999–2000 season, the Colts were able to quickly pick up the pace, finishing with a record of 43-18-6-1 for a total of 93 points. Newly appointed team captain Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
led the entire OHL in scoring, winning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy
The Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy is named in honor of Jim Mahon and given to the Ontario Hockey League right winger with the most points in the regular season. Mahon was a very gifted athlete even as a young child. He played minor league ice hockey in Essex, Ontario...
for his 48 goals and 73 assists on the season. Denis Shvidki
Denis Shvidki
Denis Aleksandrovich Shvidki is a Ukrainian professional ice hockey right wing currently playing for Krefeld Pinguine of the German Hockey League.- Draft :...
, Mike Jefferson
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
and Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Henrich is currently a member of HC Asiago of the Serie A in Italy. An NHL first-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, Henrich played several years of professional hockey in North America before moving to professional hockey...
also finished in the top-twenty in scoring that year with 106, 87, and 86 points respectively. The Colts also received secondary scoring from the likes of rookie Blaine Down and centre Matt Dzieduszycki
Matt Dzieduszycki
Matt Dzieduszycki is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
. In the playoffs the Colts faced the North Bay Centennials
North Bay Centennials
The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:...
in the conference quarter finals, winning the series four games to two. In the next round they faced the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
, winning that series four games to three. In their first trip to the eastern conference finals the Colts faced the Belleville Bulls
Belleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
whom they quickly defeated in 5 games, winning their first Bobby Orr Trophy
Bobby Orr Trophy
The Bobby Orr Trophy is the championship trophy of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, named in honour of Bobby Orr. The corresponding trophy of the OHL Western Conference is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. It was first awarded in 1999...
. This meant that the Colts would face the Plymouth Whalers
Plymouth Whalers
The Plymouth Whalers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, USA.-History:...
, a team who had won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy
Hamilton Spectator Trophy
The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58....
for finishing first in the league. The Colts defeated the Whalers in a seven game series, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
and advancing to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
finals in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
Memorial Cup Finals, 2000
The Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
in the 1999–2000 season, playing the seventh game on the road, defeating the Plymouth Whalers. Barrie travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup that year. In the first game of the round robin round Barrie lost to the host Halifax Mooseheads
Halifax Mooseheads
The Halifax Mooseheads are a CHL ice hockey club in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The team was founded in 1994 and began play in the Dilio division of the QMJHL for the 1994-1995 season. While the franchise has never won a league championship, they have...
5-2. In the second game the Colts did not fair much better, losing to the Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
7-2. One day later Barrie defeated the Kootenay Ice
Kootenay Ice
The Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
3-2 in double overtime. This win allowed Barrie to finish ahead of Kootenay and move on to the semi-finals where they would again play the host team Halifax. Barrie stormed out of the gates defeating the host 6-3. Their final result in the tournament, however, was not the fairy-tale ending they anticipated: one day later the Colts played the Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
in the championship game, but were defeated with a final score of 6-2.
Bud Stefanski (2000-2001 to 2003-04)
2000-012000-01 OHL season
The 2000–01 OHL season was the 21st season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Ottawa 67's won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Plymouth Whalers....
OHL Season
Beginning in the 2000-01 season, Bud Stefanski
Bud Stefanski
Stanley Michael "Bud" Stefanski is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1977–78 NHL season. He is also a former head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael's Majors....
took over a Barrie Colts team that had made it all the way to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
finals the previous year. No longer part of the Colts roster were players like Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe , is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, principally for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He plays right wing,...
, Mike Jefferson
Mike Danton
Michael Sage Danton is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the IFK Ore of the Swedish Division 1. Danton played for the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League between 2000 and 2004, before being imprisoned for a conspiracy to commit murder...
, Denis Shvidki
Denis Shvidki
Denis Aleksandrovich Shvidki is a Ukrainian professional ice hockey right wing currently playing for Krefeld Pinguine of the German Hockey League.- Draft :...
, and Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich
Michael Henrich is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Henrich is currently a member of HC Asiago of the Serie A in Italy. An NHL first-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, Henrich played several years of professional hockey in North America before moving to professional hockey...
, who led the Colts in scoring during their run to the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
finals. Not many people expected great things from a rebuilding Colts franchise, but the Colts made it into the playoffs in seventh place with a 29-28-7-4 record. They would lose in 5 games to the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
. Throughout the season, return players Blaine Down, Mike Henderson and newly appointed captain Matt Dzieduszycki
Matt Dzieduszycki
Matt Dzieduszycki is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
led the charge on offense with 73, 68, and 63 points respectively. In addition, through the several trades that brought in Fraser Clair
Fraser Clair
Fraser Clair is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL. He was never drafted into the National Hockey League. He spent his junior career with the Barrie Colts and the Mississauga IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League-External links:...
, Shayne Fryia, and goaltender David Chant as well as the great play of rookie Jan Platil
Jan Platil
Jan Platil is a professional ice hockey player, who is currently contracted with Tappara.-Draft:He was drafted in the seventh round, 218 th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft....
the Colts looked to make a deep run into the playoffs the following season.
2001-02
2001-02 OHL season
The 2001–02 OHL season was the 22nd season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Erie Otters defeated the Barrie Colts for the J. Ross Robertson Cup.-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-Scoring leaders:...
OHL Season
At the start of the 2001-02 season Eric Reitz
Eric Reitz
Erik Reitz is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.-Playing career:...
was appointed as the fifth captain in Colt's history. Once again, Blaine Down led the Colts in scoring with 61 points. Shayne Fryia, Joey Tenute
Joey Tenute
Joey Tenute is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Tappara of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...
, Fraser Clair
Fraser Clair
Fraser Clair is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL. He was never drafted into the National Hockey League. He spent his junior career with the Barrie Colts and the Mississauga IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League-External links:...
, Jan Platil
Jan Platil
Jan Platil is a professional ice hockey player, who is currently contracted with Tappara.-Draft:He was drafted in the seventh round, 218 th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft....
, Nick Lees and Eric Reitz
Eric Reitz
Erik Reitz is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.-Playing career:...
each had 40 or more points. The rebuilt Colts team finished two points behind the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
for second in the central division and second in the conference with a record of 38-19-9-2. In the playoffs, the Colts once agaian met the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
, this time beating them in a five game series. The following series was played against the Belleville Bulls
Belleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
whom they defeated in a six game series. In the conference finals the Colts played division rival Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
. The Colts dominated the series, sweeping the Majors in 4 games, winning the team's second Bobby Orr Trophy
Bobby Orr Trophy
The Bobby Orr Trophy is the championship trophy of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, named in honour of Bobby Orr. The corresponding trophy of the OHL Western Conference is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. It was first awarded in 1999...
. After a season of rebuilding, the Colts were off to the OHL Finals for the second time in three years. In the finals the Colts faced the Erie Otters
Erie Otters
The Erie Otters are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League . Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, they have played their home games at the Louis J. Tullio Arena since 1996...
who had finished level with the Colts in terms of points during the season. Luck ran out on the Colts, who lost in five games to the Otters. At the end of the season, captain Eric Reitz
Eric Reitz
Erik Reitz is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.-Playing career:...
was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy
Max Kaminsky Trophy
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of...
as the league's most outstanding defenceman.
2002-03
2002-03 OHL season
The 2002–03 OHL season was the 23rd season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The J. Ross Robertson Cup was won by the Kitchener Rangers, who also went on to win the Memorial Cup.-Notes:...
OHL Season
Beginning the third year of Bud Stefanski
Bud Stefanski
Stanley Michael "Bud" Stefanski is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1977–78 NHL season. He is also a former head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael's Majors....
behind the bench of the Colts, defenceman Jeremy Swanson was named as team captain. A Barrie franchise that had made it to the conference finals two of the past three seasons was in the midst of another transition year. The Colts ended the season with a record slightly above .500, finishing at 29-26-4-9 for 71 points and a seventh place finish in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts would lose their first-round playoff series to the Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
in six games. Eric Himelfarb
Eric Himelfarb
Eric Himelfarb is a professional ice hockey player for Rögle BK in Swedish second division HockeyAllsvenskan signed from EHC Biel of the National League A in Switzerland.-Draft:...
, and Luc Chiasson who the Colts acquired in the off-season led the team in scoring with 75 and 66 points respectively. Second year Colt Nick Lees finished slightly behind Chiasson with 61 points. Throughout the season several moves were made in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. Players such as Dan Speer, and Chad Thompson were brought in, and would both remain Colts for the next few seasons.
2003-04
2003-04 OHL season
The 2003–04 OHL season was the 24th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The J. Ross Robertson Cup was won by the Guelph Storm, who swept the Mississauga IceDogs in the league final....
OHL Season
The 2003-04 season would be Bud Stefanski
Bud Stefanski
Stanley Michael "Bud" Stefanski is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the New York Rangers during the 1977–78 NHL season. He is also a former head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael's Majors....
's fourth and final season behind the Colts bench. Jeremy Swanson would remain as team captain. His point total would decline to 34 points by the end of the season. Overager Cory Stillman, acquired during the off-season from the Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
led the team in scoring with 59 points. Rookie centre Bryan Little
Bryan Little
Bryan Matthew Little is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Early life:...
finished one point behind Stillman with 58 points. At the conclusion of the season he would win the Emms Family Award
Emms Family Award
The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St...
as rookie of the year. He was one of nine Colt regulars who played in their rookie season that year. Third year Colt B.J. Crombeen, Mark Langdon and Barrie native Scott Hotham who was acquired from the Mississauga Ice Dogs each also scored 40 plus points. Goaltender Paulo Colaiacovo
Paulo Colaiacovo
Paulo Colaiacovo is a professional ice hockey goaltender. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Etobicoke, Ontario. He is the twin brother of National Hockey League defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.-Playing career:...
also finished with a career year .924 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.34. He would be named as the OHL goaltender of the year in the off-season. A young Colts team, finished with a record of 31-21-12-4 for 78 points; a slight improvement from the previous year. In the playoffs the Colts would dispose of the fifth place Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs
The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,...
in five games before losing a seven game series to the second place Mississauga Ice Dogs. At the conclusion of the season he would be replaced by former Aurora Tigers
Aurora Tigers
The Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
head coach Marty Williamson. In his last two seasons as head coach of the Tigers he had only lost a combined eight games, winning the RBC Cup in the 2003-04 season.
Marty Williamson (2004-05 to 2009-10)
2004-052004-05 OHL season
The 2004–05 OHL season was the 25th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The J. Ross Robertson Cup was won by the London Knights, defeating the Ottawa 67's...
OHL Season
The franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary in the OHL in 2004–05. The race for the central division title was close the entire year. By the end of the season the difference between first and fourth place was only four points. The Colts finished second in the central division; three points behind leaders Mississauga IceDogs
Mississauga IceDogs
The Mississauga IceDogs are a former junior ice hockey team in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Ontario Hockey League from 1998 to 2007. A sale relocated the team to St...
, and one point ahead of Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
and Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
. Second year player Bryan Little
Bryan Little
Bryan Matthew Little is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Early life:...
continued to build upon the success of his rookie season, scoring 36 goals and 32 assists for a total of 68 points. Third year Colt Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League....
was not that far behind, scoring a total of 62 points. After some trades that brought in guys like high scoring overager Rob Hisey
Rob Hisey
Rob Hisey is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the EHC Black Wings Linz in the Austrian Hockey League ....
from the Erie Otters
Erie Otters
The Erie Otters are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League . Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, they have played their home games at the Louis J. Tullio Arena since 1996...
, young role players like Mike Roelofsen and Daniel Lombardi, and a proven goalie in Dan LaCosta
Dan LaCosta
Dan LaCosta is a Canadian college ice hockey goaltender currently with the UNB Varsity Reds of the Atlantic University Sport Conference. He was drafted in the third round, 94th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft...
, the Colts looked to have plenty of promise. In the playoffs that year the Colts lost a disappointing first round series to the eventual Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
semi-finalist Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
.
2005-06
2005-06 OHL season
The 2005–06 OHL season was the 26th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The J. Ross Robertson Cup was won by the Peterborough Petes, who defeated the London Knights in the final.-Rule changes:...
OHL Season
Bryan Little
Bryan Little
Bryan Matthew Little is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Early life:...
was named the 8th team captain in the Colts history to begin the 2005-06 season. He not only led the team off the ice but on the ice as well, scoring a career high 109 points. Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League....
finished second in team scoring with 77 points. Ryan Hamilton
Ryan Hamilton
Ryan Hamilton is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League ....
(72 points), Andrew Marshall (66 points), and rookie Vladimir Nikiforov (55 points) each enjoyed career seasons. Combined with the stellar goaltending play by Dan LaCosta
Dan LaCosta
Dan LaCosta is a Canadian college ice hockey goaltender currently with the UNB Varsity Reds of the Atlantic University Sport Conference. He was drafted in the third round, 94th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft...
and moves that brought in high scoring defenceman David Pszenyczny, the Colts ended the season with a 43-21-1-3 record totaling 90 points. The Colts finished 1 point behind division rivals Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
, and 9 points behind Peterborough Petes
Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
for third in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts quickly disposed of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
and Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
in four games and five games respectively before losing to the eventual OHL champions Peterborough Petes
Peterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
in five games.
On April 7, 2006, the Ontario Hockey League announced the approval of the transfer of 46% interest in the team, with Howie Campbell as the new majority owner of the franchise. Campbell is a partner in Superior Electric Supply (SESCO). James Massie is a minor partner in ownership, and also owns Georgian International.
On May 16, 2006 the Barrie Colts announced the resignation of the team's general manager, Mike McCann. During McCann's 25 year tenure with the team, he has also been director of player personnel, and a head scout. Mike McCann has also been inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
2006-07
2006-07 OHL season
The 2006–07 OHL season was the 27th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The season commenced on September 21, 2006. The Plymouth Whalers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup defeating the Sudbury Wolves in the championship series....
OHL Season
The 2006-07 season was a great one for the Colts. The team finished with a 48-19-0-1 record; winning their third Emms Trophy
Emms Trophy
The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners...
for the best record in the central division as well as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Colts were led by their captain Bryan Little
Bryan Little
Bryan Matthew Little is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Early life:...
who scored a total of 41 goals and 66 assists for a team leading 107 points. He was selected to represent Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Under 20 Championships held in Sweden that year. Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay
Hunter Tremblay is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League....
(89 points), Richard Clune
Richard Clune
Richard Clune is a professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.-Junior career:...
(78 points), and Kris Spare (51 points), each enjoyed career years. Making their OHL and Colts debuts this year was forward Alex Hutchings
Alex Hutchings
Alex Hutchings is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 4th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft....
, future captains Tomas Marcinko
Tomas Marcinko
Tomas Marcinko is a Slovakian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the American Hockey League . He was selected by the New York Islanders in the 4th round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.-External links:...
, and Stefan Della Rovere
Stefan Della Rovere
Stefan Della Rovere is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League...
, defencemen Brian Lashoff
Brian Lashoff
Brian Lashoff is an American professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Ryan Gottschalk, and goaltender Michael Hutchinson
Michael Hutchinson (ice hockey)
Michael Hutchinson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League . He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 3rd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.Hutchinson grew up playing minor hockey for the Barrie Icemen of...
. Although finishing top in their conference, the playoffs were a disappointment for the Colts who, after defeating Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
in four games, were swept by the sixth place Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
.
2007-08 OHL Season
The 2007–08 season saw a return of Junior B Colts alumnus Drake Berehowsky
Drake Berehowsky
Drake Berehowsky is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League...
to the team. This time as assistant coach. He left the team at the end of the 2008-09 season. Several trades were made, bringing in many new faces. Goaltender Peter Di Salvo, defenceman Stephen Gaskin as well as forward Kyle Clifford
Kyle Clifford
Kyle Clifford is a Canadian ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League...
all made their debut for the Colts this year, becoming the core of a Colts team for many years to come. The Colts finished with a 28-34-3-3 record defeating Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
in a four game playoff series, before losing to the Belville Bulls 4 games to 1 in the conference semi-finals.
2008-09 OHL Season
The 2008-09 season was an average one for the Colts. The team began the season with 2 proven goaltenders in Peter Di Salvo and Michael Hutchinson
Michael Hutchinson (ice hockey)
Michael Hutchinson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League . He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 3rd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.Hutchinson grew up playing minor hockey for the Barrie Icemen of...
and a mixture of 2nd and 3rd year players who were joined by a group of rookies with plenty of promise. The Colts made a few trades throughout the season and before the deadline, bringing in Peter Stevens, Josh Brittain, and Taylor Carnevale in an effort to set them up for a 2009-10 championship run. The Colts finished 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-33-3-2 record. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round, falling in five games to the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The team was originally known as the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, whose hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906...
. At the end of 2008-09 season the Colts traded goaltender Michael Hutchinson
Michael Hutchinson (ice hockey)
Michael Hutchinson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League . He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 3rd round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.Hutchinson grew up playing minor hockey for the Barrie Icemen of...
to the London Knights
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.-Early days–1968:...
in exchange for four draft picks which would later be traded for proven players during the next season's championship run.
2009-10 OHL Season
In 2009-10 Brad Brown and David Bell joined the coaching team, along with powerplay coach Frank Carnevale.
In 2009-10 the Barrie Colts celebrated their 15th season in the OHL. The Colts attempted to make a run at the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
by bringing in proven goal scorers like Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
and Luke Pither. They also upgraded their defence by bringing in Nick Crawford
Nick Crawford
Nick Crawford is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing within the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League...
, TJ Brodie and St. Louis Blues draftpick Alex Pietrangelo
Alex Pietrangelo
Alexander Pietrangelo is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . As a junior, he played with the Niagara IceDogs and the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League...
. Role players like Zac Rinaldo
Zac Rinaldo
Zac Rinaldo is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, Matt Kennedy
Matt Kennedy (ice hockey)
Matt Kennedy is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League...
, and goalie Mavric Parks were also traded for before the deadline. All of these trades seemed to have paid dividends as the Colts had a 22 game win-streak, and finished the regular season with an unprecedented record of 57-9-0-2, for a total of 116 points. Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
scored a franchise record 53 goals and the team captured their fourth Emms Trophy
Emms Trophy
The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners...
for finishing first in the Central Division, and also the franchises first Hamilton Spectator Trophy
Hamilton Spectator Trophy
The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58....
for finishing first overall in the OHL. Beginning the 2009-10 playoffs the Colts quickly defeated the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
4-0 in the Conference Quarter-Finals, before sweeping the Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
in the Conference Semi-Finals. In the Conference Finals the Colts finally met some stiff competition but were still able to defeat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The team was originally known as the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, whose hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906...
4-1 and win the Bobby Orr Trophy. In the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
finals the Barrie Colts hosted the defending Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
Champions Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
who the Colts had defeated both times the two teams met in the regular season. The Colts never looked on top of their game, making uncharacteristic defensive mistakes. The Colts were defeated in four games bringing an end to one of the best OHL seasons in history.
22 Game Winning Streak
In the 2009 - 2010 season, the Barrie Colts, were successful in winning 22 consecutive games. During their streak, which extended from October 24 when they beat Brampton Battalion
Brampton Battalion
The Brampton Battalion are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Brampton, Ontario and started playing in 1998.-History:The Brampton Battalion were granted an expansion franchise on December 3, 1996...
3-1, until December 31 when they lost to Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
6-4, the Colts scored 122 goals while allowing a mere 44. The offense was quite balanced throughout the winning streak, with 21 players getting at least a point; 7 of whom had 20 or more points each. Alex Hutchings
Alex Hutchings
Alex Hutchings is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 4th round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft....
led the Colts offense with 17 goals and 14 assists for a total of 31 points. Three players on the Colts roster scored 29 points; Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron
Bryan Cameron is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
(19 goals, 10 assists), Darren Archibald (15 goals, 14 assists), and Luke Pither (12 goals, 17 assists). They were followed closely by Nick Crawford
Nick Crawford
Nick Crawford is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing within the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League...
(5 goals, 19 assists), Taylor Carnavale (9 goals, 14 assists) and Aleksandr Burmistrov
Aleksandr Burmistrov
Alexander Burmistrov is a professional Russian ice hockey forward currently a member of the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL. Burmistrov represented Russia at the 2010 World Junior Championships held in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was drafted by the Barrie Colts 12th overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft...
(6 goals, 14 assists) as the Colts top scorers. Although captain Stefan Della Rovere
Stefan Della Rovere
Stefan Della Rovere is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League...
, missed the last few games while attending the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred to as the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships , was the 34th edition of World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The tournament was hosted in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, from December 26, 2009 to January 5, 2010...
, still managed to score 18 points during the streak. In net, Peter Di Salvo managed 17 wins, while back-up Dalton McGrath won 5. Following their incredible run, the Barrie Colts managed to move into second place in the OHL standings, behind the Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
, and third in the BMO CHL Mastercard Rankings behind the first place Saint John Sea Dogs
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, entering the league as an expansion team in 2005. The Sea Dogs play at Harbour Station, Saint John, New Brunswick, with a capacity of 6,488...
and Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
. Their recent string of success places the franchise amongst the best in OHL history.
Top Ranking in the Country
On February 24, 2010 the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
announced the BMO CHL Mastercard Top 10 Rankings for week 23 of the 2009-10 season. For the first time in team history the Barrie Colts claimed top spot, moving ahead of the Saint John Sea Dogs
Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, entering the league as an expansion team in 2005. The Sea Dogs play at Harbour Station, Saint John, New Brunswick, with a capacity of 6,488...
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
. The Colts would remain in top spot until the end of the season, finishing with a league best record of 57-9-0-2.
Dale Hawerchuk (2010-11 to present)
2010-11 OHL SeasonAt the end of the 2009-10 season, the Colts and Marty Williamson parted ways. Dale Hawerchuk
Dale Hawerchuk
Dale Hawerchuk is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons. He won the NHL's Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year in 1982 and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility in 2001...
was named as the new Colts coach for 2010-11 season. The 2010-11 team was a much different one from the previous year. Dalton Prout was named the 11th captain in franchise history. He was joined by Stephen Gaskin, Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, and Colin Behenna as the few returning players from the 2009-10 playoff run. Also returning, were the likes of Zach Hall, Mitch Bennett, Dean Pawlaczuk, and David Mazurek who each only played a handful of games the previous season. This meant that the Colts started the year with 5 rookie defencemen, 7 rookie forwards and a rookie back-up goaltender. David Mazurek, Dean Pawlczuk, and Chris Wiggin were released soon after the start of the season, and players such as Aleksandr Burmistrov
Aleksandr Burmistrov
Alexander Burmistrov is a professional Russian ice hockey forward currently a member of the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL. Burmistrov represented Russia at the 2010 World Junior Championships held in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was drafted by the Barrie Colts 12th overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft...
and Kyle Clifford
Kyle Clifford
Kyle Clifford is a Canadian ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League...
made their respective NHL teams. After a 4-22-1-1 last place start to the season the Colts traded Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, Stephen Gaskin, and captain Dalton Prout before the trade deadline in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. This left Colin Behenna, Zach Hall, and Mitch Bennett as the only players left from the previous year's championship run. In return the Colts received 17 year old goalies John Chartrand and Josh Malecki as well as 17 year old defenceman Alex Lepkowski, and 17 year old power forward Eric Locke, effectively beginning the rebuilding process. The team finished with 15 wins and missed the playoffs for the first time since they joined the OHL. After missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and finishing last overall in the OHL, the Colts were given the first overall draft pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Hawerchuk used the pick to select defenceman Aaron Ekblad
Aaron Ekblad
Aaron Ekblad is a Canadian major junior ice hockey player for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League . He was selected first overall in the 2011 OHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
, a 15 year old phenom whom recently became the second player to be granted exceptional status by the CHL.
Championships
Memorial Cup Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
J. Ross Robertson Cup J. Ross Robertson Cup The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the... Ontario Hockey League Championship
Bobby Orr Trophy Bobby Orr Trophy The Bobby Orr Trophy is the championship trophy of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, named in honour of Bobby Orr. The corresponding trophy of the OHL Western Conference is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. It was first awarded in 1999... Eastern Conference Championship
Emms Trophy Emms Trophy The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners... Central Division title
Hamilton Spectator Trophy Hamilton Spectator Trophy The Hamilton Spectator Trophy is an award given to the Ontario Hockey League team who finishes the season with the best record. It was first presented to the Ontario Hockey Association by The Hamilton Spectator. The trophy was first presented in 1957–58.... Best Record in the League
(Finishing with a 57-9-0-2 record. #1 in Canada for the final four weeks of the season)
Sutherland Cup Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... Junior 'B' Championship
Division Titles Central Junior 'B'
CoachesThe legendary Bert TempletonBert Templeton Bert Templeton was a junior ice hockey coach. He worked primarily in the Ontario Hockey League from 1974 to 2003.... was the first coach for the OHL Colts. Templeton was awarded the OHL Executive of the Year OHL Executive of the Year The OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Dale DeGray, Owen Sound Attack*2009–10 Rick Gaetz, Guelph Storm*2008–09 Warren Rychel, Windsor Spitfires... in 1995–96 for his role as general manager. Templeton built the inaugural team of the Barrie Colts, who became the first OHL expansion franchise to make the playoffs in its first season. List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.
Barrie Colts Draft PicksFor a complete list of Barrie Colts Draft picks see Barrie Colts Draft PicksBarrie Colts Draft Picks Barrie Colts Draft Picks is a list of players who have been selected by the Barrie Colts; a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League... . Award winners
NHL Drafted ColtsPlayed in the NHL **There have been 30 players who were drafted by the National Hockey League National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... while playing for the Colts. 2011 Entry Draft
2010 Entry Draft
2009 Entry Draft
2008 Entry Draft
2006 Entry Draft
2003 Entry Draft
2002 Entry Draft
2001 Entry Draft
2000 Entry Draft
1999 Entry Draft
1998 Entry Draft
1997 Entry Draft
1996 Entry Draft
There have been 3 players who have signed as free agents in the National Hockey League National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... while playing for the Colts. 2010 Free Agents
2007 Free Agents
NHL alumniThere are 40 Barrie Colts alumni who have played in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... : 29 from the OHL Colts, and 11 from the Junior B Colts. Junior B Colts
OHL Colts
Team captainsList of captains with multiple seasons in parentheses.
All-time rosterFor a complete list of Barrie Colts yearly roster and stats see Barrie Colts All-time RosterBarrie Colts All-time Roster Barrie Colts All-time Roster is a list of players who have played for the Barrie Colts; a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They have competed in the league since the franchise was granted permission to join the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise on May 6, 1994,... . Current roster(as of November 7, 2011)
Single season team recordsThe longest playoff game in Barrie Colts history lasted 118 minutes, and 5 seconds, on March 28, 2009 at the Barrie Molson CentreBarrie Molson Centre The Barrie Molson Centre is a 4,195-seat multi-purpose arena in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The Barrie Molson Centre, also known as the BMC, held its first ever OHL game on December 31, 1995 when the Barrie Colts hosted the Sudbury Wolves. It is home to the Barrie Colts ice hockey team and the former... . The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors Mississauga St. Michael's Majors The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The team was originally known as the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, whose hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906... defeated the Barrie Colts 4 to 3 in the third overtime of game five of the eastern conference quarter-finals and ended the series with the triple overtime goal.
Single season individual recordsAs of March 12, 2010Note: In order to be included in this table, the player played the entire season for the Barrie Colts. Note: Goalies must have played a minimum 1500 minutes.
Career recordsAs of March 12, 2010Note: Pts = Points; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty Minutes; GP = Games Played.
Schedule and resultsFor a complete list of Barrie Colts games and results see Barrie Colts Schedule and ResultsBarrie Colts Schedule and Results Barrie Colts Schedule and Results is a game by game list of Barrie Colts games and results. They have competed in the league since the franchise was granted permission to join the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise on May 6, 1994, starting play during the 1995–96 season.-1997-98 OHL... . Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss
Playoffs
Uniforms and logosThe Barrie Colts logo displays an angry horse holding a hockeystick, surrounded by a horseshoe. The Colts colours are red, white, navy blue & gold. The home uniforms are a white background, with red, navy blue and gold trim. The away uniforms are a navy blue background, with red, white & gold trim. Barrie also briefly used a third jersey which was a red background, with white, navy blue & gold trim.For the 2007–08 season, the Colts have worn a new third jersey. It have a navy blue blackground with white, red and gold trim along the bottom, with the word "Colts" diagonally across the front. For the 2009-10 season the colts will be wearing the Rbk Edge uniforms with a new template. ArenasThe Barrie Colts played at the Barrie ArenaBarrie Arena The Barrie Arena, sometimes also called the Dunlop Arena, was a 3,000 seat arena located in Barrie, Ontario, at the intersection of Dunlop Street West and Eccles Avenue. It was built in 1932 and served as the main ice hockey venue in the city until the opening of the Barrie Molson Centre in 1995... during their tenure in the Junior B days and Junior A Tier II days, and also for a portion of their inaugural OHL season until their new arena was completed. The Barrie Arena was located in downtown Barrie and was formerly home to the Barrie Flyers OHA team from 1945–1960 and other senior hockey teams. The Arena was torn down in 2008. Barrie Molson Centre Barrie Molson Centre The Barrie Molson Centre is a 4,195-seat multi-purpose arena in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The Barrie Molson Centre, also known as the BMC, held its first ever OHL game on December 31, 1995 when the Barrie Colts hosted the Sudbury Wolves. It is home to the Barrie Colts ice hockey team and the former... was completed during the early portion of the 1995–96 season. The layout of the arena served as a blueprint for many new OHL arenas built shortly thereafter. There is a Horsepower restaurant located at the west end of the arena. The Barrie Molson Centre is located near the southern entrance of Park Place Park Place (Ontario) Park Place is a former park located at Highway 400 off Mapleview Drive East in the south end of Barrie, Ontario, Canada.... , close to Highway 400.
Arena profiles from "The OHL Arena & Travel Guide" External links
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
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