Tecumseh Chiefs
Encyclopedia
The LaSalle Vipers are a Canadian
junior ice hockey
team based in LaSalle
, Ontario
, Canada
. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
.
's Windsor Royals. The Royals in 1986 were renamed the Bulldogs and moved up to Junior "B". The team was sold in 1995 and moved out of Windsor, Ontario
into the Tecumseh area, and became known as the Chiefs..png)
In one the franchise's last games in the city of Windsor, the Bulldogs set a league record for futility by suffering the worst loss in Western Ontario Hockey League history. On January 20, 1995, the Leamington Flyers
defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 30-3.
On February 20, 2008, the Chiefs remembered their former "rookie of the year" Mickey Renaud. Renaud, alumnus and captain of the Windsor Spitfires
, died two days earlier after collapsing in his parents home in Tecumseh. After a memorial, the Chiefs announced that Renaud's number, 44, would be retired at the end of the season.
became their first league regular season champions finishing first overall in their conference with 34 wins, 12 losses, and 2 losses in overtime.
After defeating the London Nationals
to win their first Western Ontario crown since 1980, the Chiefs made it known to the press that they are considering a move to LaSalle, Ontario
due to a lack of fan support.
The Chiefs entered the 2008 Sutherland Cup against the Thorold Blackhawks
and the Elmira Sugar Kings
. They finished the round robin in first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. They then faced the Sugar Kings in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, defeating them in 4 straight games to win their first ever provincial title.
After 13 seasons in the town of Tecumseh and winning the 2008 Sutherland Cup
Provincial Championship, the town of Tecumseh has announced that the franchise has elected not to return to their arena. The team is planning to relocate to LaSalle. This marks the third Greater Windsor Area
location that the team has called home in 38 seasons.
On July 9, the ownership of the team held a press conference to enveil the LaSalle Vipers and their new logo. On September 10, the Vipers played their first game in LaSalle, losing 4-2 to the Leamington Flyers
.
4-games-to-1. In the semi-final, the Vipers drew third seed and rival Chatham Maroons
. A hard fought battle occurred, with the Vipers winning 4-games-to-2. In an upset, the seventh seeded St. Thomas Stars
defeated the first place London Nationals
, setting up an unlikely final between the fifth and seventh seeds of the conference. The Vipers would defeat the Stars 4-games-to-2 to take their second Western Championship in three years. The Vipers then moved on to the Sutherland Cup
round robin semi-final with the first seed of the Mid-Western Conference Brantford Eagles and the second seed of the Golden Horseshoe Conference Stoney Creek Warriors
. All three teams had appeared in the Sutherland Cup finals in the previous two seasons. LaSalle took the round robin with a 3-1 record, second was Brantford with a 2-2 record, and third was Stoney Creek, 1-3 and eliminated. The final was the battle of the 2008 and 2009 Sutherland Cup champions. The Vipers took an early 3-games-to-none lead in the series. Brantford took Game 4. LaSalle played Game 5 at home and took it in double overtime on a goal by DJ Turner.
and the Ontario Hockey Association
to represent Canada
in a pair of exhibition games in Mexico City
, Mexico
against the Mexican Under-20 World Junior Team. The first game, on December 16, 2010, saw the Vipers win 9-2. Billed as "Canada Night" by Mexico's Ice Hockey Federation, the Vipers' win was nationally televised across Mexico. A second game was to be played, but was cancelled due to poor ice conditions.
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...
junior ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in LaSalle
LaSalle, Ontario
LaSalle is a town in Essex County, Ontario, Canada, on the Detroit River. It is a bedroom community of the City of Windsor and part of the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area, and is located south of that city. LaSalle, along with Windsor, is the oldest French settlement area in Southwestern Ontario,...
, 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...
. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada...
.
History
The Tecumseh Chiefs originated as the newly-formed Great Lakes Junior C Hockey LeagueGreat Lakes Junior C Hockey League
The Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League is a Junior "C" ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association. The Champion of the Great Lakes will compete for the All-Ontario Championship and the Clarence Schmalz Cup....
's Windsor Royals. The Royals in 1986 were renamed the Bulldogs and moved up to Junior "B". The team was sold in 1995 and moved out of Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
into the Tecumseh area, and became known as the Chiefs.
Leamington Flyers
The Leamington Flyers are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 30-3.
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...
, died two days earlier after collapsing in his parents home in Tecumseh. After a memorial, the Chiefs announced that Renaud's number, 44, would be retired at the end of the season.
2007-08 Championship Season
The 2007-08 season marked the Chiefs' best season since moving to Tecumseh. The Chiefs, members of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey LeagueGreater Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada...
became their first league regular season champions finishing first overall in their conference with 34 wins, 12 losses, and 2 losses in overtime.
After defeating the London Nationals
London Nationals Jr. B
The London Nationals are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in London, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League....
to win their first Western Ontario crown since 1980, the Chiefs made it known to the press that they are considering a move to LaSalle, Ontario
LaSalle, Ontario
LaSalle is a town in Essex County, Ontario, Canada, on the Detroit River. It is a bedroom community of the City of Windsor and part of the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area, and is located south of that city. LaSalle, along with Windsor, is the oldest French settlement area in Southwestern Ontario,...
due to a lack of fan support.
The Chiefs entered the 2008 Sutherland Cup against the Thorold Blackhawks
Thorold Blackhawks
The Thorold Blackhawks are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Thorold, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
and the Elmira Sugar Kings
Elmira Sugar Kings
The Elmira Sugar Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Elmira, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. They finished the round robin in first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. They then faced the Sugar Kings in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, defeating them in 4 straight games to win their first ever provincial title.
After 13 seasons in the town of Tecumseh and winning the 2008 Sutherland Cup
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...
Provincial Championship, the town of Tecumseh has announced that the franchise has elected not to return to their arena. The team is planning to relocate to LaSalle. This marks the third Greater Windsor Area
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
location that the team has called home in 38 seasons.
On July 9, the ownership of the team held a press conference to enveil the LaSalle Vipers and their new logo. On September 10, the Vipers played their first game in LaSalle, losing 4-2 to the Leamington Flyers
Leamington Flyers
The Leamington Flyers are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Leamington, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
.
2009-10 Championship Season
After a bit of a rebuilding year in 2008-09 to readjust after moving, the LaSalle Vipers should themselves to be one of the top teams in the GOJHL during the first half of 2009-10. A mid-season slump put the Vipers near the basement of the Western Conference, but by the end of the season the Vipers had come together and reached the 5th seed of the conference with 30 wins and just a few wins from the lead of the conference. In the Western quarter-final, the Vipers defeated the fourth seeded St. Marys LincolnsSt. Marys Lincolns
The St. Marys Lincolns are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-1. In the semi-final, the Vipers drew third seed and rival Chatham Maroons
Chatham Maroons
----The Chatham Maroons are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. A hard fought battle occurred, with the Vipers winning 4-games-to-2. In an upset, the seventh seeded St. Thomas Stars
St. Thomas Stars
The St. Thomas Stars are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
defeated the first place London Nationals
London Nationals Jr. B
The London Nationals are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in London, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League....
, setting up an unlikely final between the fifth and seventh seeds of the conference. The Vipers would defeat the Stars 4-games-to-2 to take their second Western Championship in three years. The Vipers then moved on to the Sutherland Cup
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...
round robin semi-final with the first seed of the Mid-Western Conference Brantford Eagles and the second seed of the Golden Horseshoe Conference Stoney Creek Warriors
Stoney Creek Warriors
The Stoney Creek Warriors are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. All three teams had appeared in the Sutherland Cup finals in the previous two seasons. LaSalle took the round robin with a 3-1 record, second was Brantford with a 2-2 record, and third was Stoney Creek, 1-3 and eliminated. The final was the battle of the 2008 and 2009 Sutherland Cup champions. The Vipers took an early 3-games-to-none lead in the series. Brantford took Game 4. LaSalle played Game 5 at home and took it in double overtime on a goal by DJ Turner.
2010 and onward
The LaSalle Vipers were invited by Hockey CanadaHockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
and the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
to represent 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...
in a pair of exhibition games in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
against the Mexican Under-20 World Junior Team. The first game, on December 16, 2010, saw the Vipers win 9-2. Billed as "Canada Night" by Mexico's Ice Hockey Federation, the Vipers' win was nationally televised across Mexico. A second game was to be played, but was cancelled due to poor ice conditions.
Season-by-season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
| 1970-71 | 40 | 23 | 13 | 4 | ||||||
| 296 | 192 | 50 | 3rd GLJHL | |||||||
| 1971-72 | 36 | 19 | 12 | 5 | ||||||
| 176 | 130 | 43 | 3rd GLJHL | |||||||
| 1972-73 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 2 | ||||||
| 349 | 141 | 70 | 1st GLJHL | |||||||
| 1973-74 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 4 | ||||||
| 322 | 132 | 66 | 2nd GLJHL | |||||||
| 1974-75 | 40 | 17 | 20 | 3 | ||||||
| 157 | 193 | 37 | 5th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1975-76 | 38 | 15 | 16 | 7 | ||||||
| 206 | 221 | 37 | 4th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1976-77 | 40 | 15 | 16 | 9 | ||||||
| 189 | 178 | 39 | 5th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1977-78 | 40 | 30 | 6 | 4 | ||||||
| 260 | 126 | 64 | 1st WOJHL | |||||||
| 1978-79 | 42 | 31 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| 314 | 172 | 66 | 1st WOJHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1979-80 | 41 | 30 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| 276 | 151 | 64 | 1st WOJHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1980-81 | 42 | 26 | 16 | 0 | ||||||
| 238 | 176 | 52 | 4th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1981-82 | 42 | 25 | 13 | 4 | ||||||
| 252 | 186 | 54 | 2nd WOJHL | |||||||
| 1982-83 | 42 | 17 | 20 | 5 | ||||||
| 190 | 222 | 39 | 5th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1983-84 | 48 | 24 | 18 | 6 | ||||||
| 257 | 195 | 54 | 4th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1984-85 | 48 | 13 | 30 | 5 | ||||||
| 196 | 246 | 31 | 6th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1985-86 | 42 | 9 | 30 | 3 | ||||||
| 185 | 287 | 21 | 7th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1986-87 | 42 | 6 | 33 | 3 | ||||||
| 187 | 291 | 15 | 8th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1987-88 | 42 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 192 | 200 | 47 | 4th WOJHL | |
| 1988-89 | 42 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 214 | 186 | 53 | 4th WOJHL | |
| 1989-90 | 39 | 21 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 197 | 182 | 43 | 3rd WOJHL | |
| 1990-91 | 48 | 34 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 266 | 164 | 71 | 1st WOJHL | |
| 1991-92 | 50 | 33 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 279 | 213 | 67 | 1st WOJHL West | |
| 1992-93 | 52 | 35 | 13 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| 74 | 2nd WOJHL West | |||||||||
| 1993-94 | 50 | 14 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 252 | 352 | 30 | 5th WOJHL West | |
| 1994-95 | 52 | 5 | 43 | 0 | 4 | 169 | 328 | 14 | 5th WOJHL West | |
| 1995-96 | 52 | 27 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 247 | 235 | 58 | 2nd WOJHL West | |
| 1996-97 | 52 | 31 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 256 | 221 | 67 | 2nd WOJHL West | |
| 1997-98 | 52 | 19 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 168 | 254 | 44 | 4th WOJHL West | |
| 1998-99 | 52 | 11 | 35 | 0 | 6 | 144 | 256 | 28 | 5th WOJHL West | |
| 1999-00 | 54 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 4 | 182 | 210 | 54 | 6th GOHL | |
| 2000-01 | 54 | 12 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 165 | 314 | 26 | 9th GOHL | |
| 2001-02 | 54 | 18 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 163 | 236 | 40 | 8th WOJHL | |
| 2002-03 | 48 | 10 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 121 | 261 | 22 | 9th WOJHL | |
| 2003-04 | 48 | 20 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 161 | 197 | 45 | 7th WOJHL | |
| 2004-05 | 48 | 22 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 175 | 179 | 47 | 7th WOJHL | |
| 2005-06 | 48 | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 164 | 171 | 52 | 5th WOJHL | |
| 2006-07 | 48 | 27 | 17 | |||||||
| 4 | 223 | 161 | 58 | 4th WOJHL | Lost Quarter-final | |||||
| 2007-08 | 48 | 34 | 12 | |||||||
| 2 | 235 | 128 | 70 | 1st GOJHL-W | Won League | |||||
| 2008-09 | 52 | 21 | 26 | |||||||
| 5 | 186 | 197 | 47 | 7th GOJHL-W | Lost Conf. QF | |||||
| 2009-10 | 50 | 30 | 16 | |||||||
| 4 | 261 | 184 | 64 | 5th GOJHL-W | Won League | |||||
| 2010-11 | 51 | 28 | 13 | |||||||
| 10 | 252 | 217 | 66 | 3rd GOJHL-W | Lost Conf. SF |
Sutherland Cup appearances
- 1980: Belleville BobcatsBelleville BobcatsThe Belleville Bobcats were a Junior "B" ice hockey team. The Bobcats played in the Metro Junior B Hockey League.-History:The Belleville Bobcats were first formed in 1972 as a member of the Metro Junior "B" league....
defeated Windsor Bulldogs 4-games-to-none - 2008: Tecumseh Chiefs defeated Elmira Sugar KingsElmira Sugar KingsThe Elmira Sugar Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Elmira, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-none - 2010: LaSalle Vipers defeated Brantford Eagles 4-games-to-1
Notable alumni
- Russ AdamRuss Adam----Russell Norman Adam is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played eight games in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs.- Playing career :...
- Tie DomiTie DomiTahir "Tie" Domi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During a sixteen-year NHL career when he was known for his role as an enforcer, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets....
- Murray EavesMurray EavesMurray James Eaves is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. He now coaches Bantam Tier 1 hockey and lacrosse at Shattuck - St. Mary's school in Faribault, Minnesota. Married to Deborah...
- David Gagnon
- Rick HeinzRick HeinzRichard D. Heinz is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 47 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. He now teaches a Goaltender summer camp that has taught many NHL greats, including: Martin Gerber, Curtis Joseph, Manny Legace,...
- Dan JancevskiDan JancevskiDan Jancevski is a Macedonian Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- Ed JovanovskiEd JovanovskiEdward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
- Tim KerrTim KerrTimothy E. Kerr is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers.-Playing career:...
- Richard KrommRichard KrommRichard Gordon "Rich" Kromm was a Canadian American ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames and the New York Islanders....
- Mike NatyshakMike NatyshakMike Natyshak was a professional ice hockey player who played four games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Quebec Nordiques.- References :...
- Joel QuennevilleJoel QuennevilleJoel Norman Quenneville is the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks professional ice hockey team. He is a former ice hockey defenseman and former head coach of the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues...
- D. J. SmithD. J. SmithDenis "D. J." Smith is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 45 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. He is currently an associate coach of the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.-Career statistics:-External...
- Ryan Gelinas
- Kyle WellwoodKyle WellwoodKyle Wellwood is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL. He was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs 134th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and played his first three seasons in the NHL with Toronto, before joining the Vancouver Canucks in...
- Derek WilkinsonDerek WilkinsonDerek Wilkinson is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He was the final head coach of the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL, from 2004 until the team moved up to the American Hockey League in 2011....
- Mickey Renaud
- Stubby Clapp