London Knights
:''This article is a text about the
CHL London Knights. For the defunct ice hockey team based in London, UK, see
London Knights (UK)The
London Knights are an
ice hockey team from
London,
Ontario,
Canada, playing in the
Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the
Canadian Hockey League.
Franchise Identities:
*
London Nationals 1965-1968
*London Knights 1968-Present
Early days-1968
The team was founded as an Ontario Hockey Association junior A team in
1965 as the
London Nationals (see article). Prior to 1965, the team's history dated back to the early 1950s, playing in the Western Junior B league out of the
Ontario Arena at the Western Fairgrounds. They won the Western Junior B title in 1952 as the London Lou Ball Juniors, after sponsor Lou Ball's clothing store. In 1963 the
Toronto Maple Leafs began sponsoring the team, by now called the Nationals after sponsor the Canadian National Recreation Association, an organization of
Canadian National Railways employees. The Leafs traditionally had affiliations with the
Toronto Marlboros and
St. Michael's Majors, however with the withdrawal of the Majors from the OHA and the collapse of the
Metro Junior A League, the Leafs were left with one team only. They decided to sponsor the junior team in London, which would play at the new
London Gardens and be promoted to the OHA. The league initially balked at the proposition, however, and so the Nationals continued to play junior B, winning the London Free Press Trophy as league champions in 1964 and 1965. For the 1965-66 season the team was finally admitted to major junior hockey. The team's uniforms were copies of those of the Maple Leafs, coloured in blue and white and with a Leaf logo with "London Nationals" spelled out on the front.
The Darwin Era, 1968-86
|
London Knights logo, 1968-86 |
In
1968, a businessman called
Howard Darwin bought the London Nationals (he also owned the
Ottawa 67's) as the era of NHL sponsorship of junior hockey ended. Darwin wanted to give a fresh look to the team, and so a "rename the team" contest was held. Londoner Brian Logie suggested the name Knights, and the team's colours were changed to green, white and gold. In 1970 the team also hired legendary trainer
Don Brankley, who is still with the Knights as of 2006. The team grew from a chronic also-ran in the late 1960's and early 1970's to a contender near the end of the decade. The highlight of the Darwin era came in
1976-77, when a powerful Knights team led by future NHLers
Rob Ramage,
Brad Marsh and
Dino Ciccarelli defeated the
St. Catharines Fincups in the conference final on an overtime goal by
Dan Eastman to advance to the OHL final against the 67's. However, the 67's were triumphant in six games in the league final. In the early 1980's the Knights descended to a nadir in franchise history, with low crowds and a poor record. However, a young phenom named
Brendan Shanahan would soon rise to prominence and help to draw in new crowds.
New Owners, New Dawn, 1986-94
|
London Knights logo, 1986-94 |
In
1986 Howard Darwin sold the Knights to a group of
Paris, Ontario, businessmen named Jack Robillard, Al Martin and Bob Wilson. The trio also owned the
Hamilton Steelhawks. The team was sold for a dollar but the London Gardens was sold at market value. The new ownership group updated the team's logo to a more modernized Knight and renovated the Gardens. Under their stewardship the Knights would go on a run of success. Between
1987 and
1993 the team would finish no lower than third in the Emms Division, including a division title in
1989-90. However, regular season success did not translate into playoff success, as the Knights would never make the league final in these years.
Knightmare and Redemption 1994-2000
In 1994 the Knights were sold to
St. Thomas, Ontario real estate developer
Doug Tarry, Sr. Unfortunately, Tarry would die before the team had played a game under his ownership, and the team was inherited by his son,
Doug Tarry, Jr.. Upon taking command, Tarry carried out further renovations on the Gardens including a name change to the "London Ice House." He also alienated a fair portion of the team's fan base by changing the team's uniforms from traditional green and gold to eggplant and teal, and changing the logo to a cartoonish
Spider-Man caricature, instantly and derisively nicknamed "Spiderknight" by the faithful. The
1995-96 OHL season went down in history as the worst in the history of the
Canadian Hockey League. The Knights set a new record for futility by winning only three games all season in sixty-six tries, finishing with nine points and a 3-60-3 record. The years following the so-called "Knightmare" season were improved, but the team was still a long way from the league's upper echelon. Meanwhile, the Ice House was falling apart as the Tarry family had stopped putting money into it as a part of their lobbying the city of London for a new arena. In 1999, the Knights went on an unexpected playoff run, in which they defeated the number-one-in-the-CHL
Plymouth Whalers in seven games in the quarterfinals and ultimately went all the way to the OHL championship, which they lost in seven games to the
Belleville Bulls.
Glory, 2000-Present
|
Alternate London Knights logo, 2002-present |
In 2000, former
NHL players
Dale Hunter and
Mark Hunter bought the Knights and began a process of rebuilding. The Hunters rebuilt the Knights' scouting network and began lobbying the city of London for a new arena. The Ice House was scheduled to close at the conclusion of the
2001-02 OHL season, and as a treat for their fans, the Knights changed back to their 1986-94 green and gold uniforms in February of 2002. In October of that year the
John Labatt Centre opened, and new, modernized versions of the old green and gold uniforms debuted. The
2003-04 OHL season would mark the beginning of a remarkable dynasty. The Knights had the best record in the CHL after the regular season, also setting an OHL record with 110 points, but they lost to the
Guelph Storm in the OHL Western Conference final. In the
2004-05 season, the Knights broke an OHL record, going 31 games in a row without a loss (29-0-2). They broke the CHL record of 29 games (held by the 1978-79
Brandon Wheat Kings, who went 25-0-4 during their streak), with a 0-0 tie against the
Guelph Storm on
December 10,
2004. The streak ended at 31 games after a 5-2 loss to the Sudbury Wolves on December 17. The Knights finished the season with 120 points (59 wins, 7 losses, 2 ties), which broke the
Ontario Hockey League record of 110 points that they set the previous year, and also set a new
Canadian Hockey League benchmark for a 68-game season. In the playoffs, the Knights started by sweeping two best-of-seven series against the Guelph Storm and
Windsor Spitfires. In the Western Conference final, the Knights defeated the
Kitchener Rangers 4-1 to win the
Wayne Gretzky Trophy. In the OHL finals against the
Ottawa 67's, the Knights won the series 4-1 to win their first
J. Ross Robertson Cup, and in so doing, ended the longest
championship drought in the CHL. That same year, the London Knights and the John Labatt Centre were awarded the right to host
2005 Memorial Cup Tournament, which was played from May 21 to May 29. In the tournament, they defeated the
Rimouski Océanic 4-3 on
May 21, the
Kelowna Rockets 4-2 on
May 23, and the Ottawa 67's 5-2 on
May 26. This earned the Knights a bye into the championship game. On
May 29, the Knights defeated Rimouski 4-0 to win their first Memorial Cup. In
2005-06, the team won their third consecutive
Hamilton Spectator Trophy for winning the regular season title, but their run into the playoffs ended with a loss to Peterborough in the OHL final.
Current Squad
Goaltenders| Number | | !width=20%|Player | Catches | Positon | Acquired | NHL Rights | Place of Birth |
|---|
| - bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 1 | | align=center|Steve Mason | R | G | 2004 Draft | CBJ 2006 | Oakville, Ontario | | - bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 28 | | align=center|Adam Dennis | L | G | Trade GUE 2005 | BUF 2005 | Toronto, Ontario | | - bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 35 | | align=center|Chris Wall | L | G | Free Agent | Free Agent | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
>Forwards| Number | | !width=20%|Player | Shoots | Positon | Acquired | NHL Rights | Place of Birth |
|---|
| -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 10 | | align=center|Josh Beaulieu | L | LW/C | 2003 Draft | PHI 2005 | Comber, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 11 | | align=center|Trevor Kell- A | R | RW | 2002 Draft | CHI 2004 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 12 | | align=center|Kyle Moore | R | C | 2005 Draft | Eligible in 2007 | Thornhill, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 14 | | align=center|Kris Belan | L | LW | Free Agent | Eligible in 2006 | Florence, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 15 | | align=center|Matt Clarke | L | C | Free Agent | Eligible in 2006 | London, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 17 | | align=center|Robbie Drummond | R | RW/C | 2002 Draft | Eligible in 2006 | London, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 21 | | align=center|Jamie Vanderveeken | L | LW | Waivers 2005 | Eligible in 2006 | Wallaceburg, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 24 | | align=center|Sergei Kostitsyn | L | RW | 2005 Import Draft | MTL 2005 | Navapolatsk, Belarus | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 34 | | align=center|Chris Ferguson | L | C | Waivers 2006 | Eligible in 2006 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 44 | | align=center|Rob Schremp- A | L | C | Trade MIS 2004 | EDM 2004 | Fulton, New York | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 57 | | align=center|Jordan Foreman | R | RW/C | 2003 Draft | Eligible in 2006 | Cambridge, Ontario | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 79 | | align=center|Dylan Hunter- C | L | LW | 2001 Draft | BUF 2004 | Quebec City, Quebec | | -bgcolor="#eeeeee" | 87 | | align=center|Adam Perry | L | LW | 2003 Draft | Eligible in 2006 | Peterborough, Ontario|- | | 91 | | align=center|David Bolland- A | R | RW/C | 2002 Draft | CHI 2004 | Mimico, Ontario | |
NHL/WHA AlumniThe following is a complete list of London Knights who later played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association. London NationalsLondon KnightsBold indicates a player on a current NHL roster, or who played a game in the NHL during the 2005-06 season.
Currently there is only one ex-London Knight in the Hockey Hall of Fame: Darryl Sittler. It is possible that Dino Ciccarelli will be inducted in the next couple of years, and Brendan Shanahan is considered a lock for induction upon his retirement.First Rounders in NHL/WHA Entry DraftThe London Knights have produced more first overall selections in the NHL Entry Draft (3) than any other team in the world. The Knights also produced one first overall selection in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft. London is also ranked third (behind Peterborough and Oshawa) on the all-time list of number of players drafted by the NHL, with 138 as of 2006.1
The following players were selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft:
Darryl Sittler 1970 8th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Dan Maloney 1970 14th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks
Dennis Ververgaert 1973 3rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Rick Green 1976 1st overall by the Washington Capitals
Scott Campbell 1977 9th overall by the St. Louis Blues
Brad Marsh 1978 11th overall by the Calgary Flames
Rob Ramage 1979 1st overall by the Colorado Rockies
Jim Sandlak 1985 3rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks
Brendan Shanahan 1987 2nd overall by the New Jersey Devils
Nick Stajduhar 1993 16th overall by the Edmonton Oilers
Jason Allison 1993 17th overall by the Washington Capitals
Rico Fata 1998 6th overall by the Calgary Flames
Rick Nash 2002 1st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets
Corey Perry 2003 28th overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Rob Schremp 2004 25th overall by the Edmonton Oilers
The following players were selected in the first round of the WHA entry draft:
Reg Thomas 1973 8th overall by the Los Angeles Sharks
Rick Green 1976 10th overall by the Quebec Nordiques
Scott Campbell 1977 1st overall by the Houston Aeros
Retired numbers5 - Rob Ramage
8 - Dino Ciccarelli
9 - Darryl Sittler
19 - Brendan Shanahan
22 - Brad Marsh300 Point ClubThe following players recorded a minimum of 300 career points in a Knights' uniform:
Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points| Player | POS | GP | G | A | Pts | Seasons | NHL | | Corey Perry | RW | 253 | 140 | 240 | 380 | 2001-05 | ANH
| | Chris Taylor | C | 259 | 150 | 228 | 378 | 1988-92 | NYI, BOS, BUF
| | Brian Bradley | C | 210 | 138 | 235 | 373 | 1981-85 | CGY, VAN, TOR, TB
| | Dennis Maruk | F | 193 | 159 | 211 | 370 | 1972-75 | CAL, CLE, MIN, WAS
| | Dylan Hunter | LW | 315 | 106 | 263 | 369 | 2001-06 | None (Still Active)
| | Dennis Ververgaert | F | 187 | 141 | 210 | 351 | 1970-73 | VAN, PHI, WAS
| | Dino Ciccarelli | RW | 226 | 169 | 177 | 346 | 1976-80 | MIN, WAS, DET, TB, FLA
| | Jason Allison | C | 202 | 123 | 202 | 325 | 1991-95 | WAS, BOS, LA, TOR
| | Dave Simpson | F | 204 | 130 | 189 | 3191 | 1977-82 | None
| | Scott Morrison | F | 203 | 116 | 200 | 316 | 1981-84 | None
| | Reg Thomas | C | 180 | 136 | 173 | 309 | 1970-73 | QUE; LA, MICH, IND, CIN (WHA) | | Rob Schremp | C | 179 | 126 | 178 | 304 | 2003-06 | None (Still Active)
|
:1 Dave Simpson recorded the best single season in Knights' history, when he scored 155 points in 1981-82.| Team Records for a single season | | Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|
| Most Points | 120 | 2004-05 | | Most Wins | 59 | 2004-05 | | Most Goals For | 380 | 1983-84 | | Least Goals For | 179 | 1995-96 | | Least Goals Against | 125 | 2004-05 | | Most Goals Against | 435 | 1995-96 |
| Individual player records for a single season | | Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|
| Most Goals | Dino Ciccarelli | 72 | 1977-78 | | Most Assists | Dennis Ververgaert | 89 | 1972-73 | | Most Points | Dave Simpson | 155 | 1981-82 | | Best GAA (Goalie) | Gerald Coleman | 1.70 | 2004-05 | | Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played |
London Knights coaches have won the Matt Leyden Trophy, emblematic of the OHL's Coach of the Year, five times. Bill Long won it once, in 1976-77, Gary Agnew twice, in 1992-93 and in 1997-98, and Dale Hunter twice, in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Dale Hunter also won the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award, emblematic of CHL Coach of the Year honours, in 2003-04. The team's current assistant coaches are former NHLers Dave Gagner and Todd Bidner.
Notes: Mike Fedorko was entering his second season as Knights' coach and GM in the autumn of 1995. He was fired in October 1995 when the Knights began the season with a 13-game losing streak. Assistant Murray Nystrom took over coaching duties temporarily. Tom Barrett, who had led the Kitchener Rangers to the 1984 Memorial Cup, was named head coach in December. Barrett unfortunately died of cancer in April 1996, shortly after the conclusion of the season. Moe Mantha was originally named the head coach to take over from Barrett, but left to coach the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey League before coaching a game. Brad Selwood was ultimately named Barrett's replacement for 1996-97 but was fired mid-season and GM Paul McIntosh took over on an interim basis for the rest of the season. Gary Agnew was rehired at the start of 1997-98. [1]Regular Season* 1965 to 1968 as London Nationals
* 1968 to Present as London Knights
Legend:
T = Tie (1965-2005), SL = Shoot Out Loss (2005-06 onward), OTL = Overtime Loss| Season | Games | Won | Lost | T/SL | OTL | Points | Pct % | Goals
For | Goals
Against | Standing |
|---|
| 1965-66 | 48 | 12 | 29 | 7 | - | 31 | 0.323 | 149 | 235 | 9th OHA | | 1966-67 | 48 | 18 | 21 | 9 | - | 45 | 0.469 | 185 | 214 | 6th OHA | | 1967-68 | 54 | 17 | 31 | 6 | - | 40 | 0.370 | 177 | 262 | 7th OHA | | 1968-69 | 54 | 19 | 26 | 9 | - | 47 | 0.435 | 242 | 258 | 7th OHA | | 1969-70 | 54 | 22 | 25 | 7 | - | 51 | 0.472 | 209 | 238 | 6th OHA | | 1970-71 | 62 | 19 | 35 | 8 | - | 46 | 0.371 | 232 | 281 | 8th OHA | | 1971-72 | 63 | 23 | 31 | 9 | - | 55 | 0.437 | 253 | 285 | 8th OHA | | 1972-73 | 63 | 33 | 22 | 8 | - | 74 | 0.587 | 334 | 246 | 4th OHA | | 1973-74 | 70 | 36 | 27 | 7 | - | 79 | 0.564 | 282 | 250 | 4th OHA | | 1974-75 | 70 | 26 | 37 | 7 | - | 59 | 0.421 | 296 | 368 | 9th OHA | | 1975-76 | 66 | 31 | 26 | 9 | - | 71 | 0.538 | 317 | 256 | 2nd Emms | | 1976-77 | 66 | 51 | 13 | 2 | - | 104 | 0.788 | 379 | 203 | 2nd Emms | | 1977-78 | 68 | 35 | 22 | 11 | - | 81 | 0.596 | 333 | 251 | 1st Emms | | 1978-79 | 68 | 37 | 29 | 2 | - | 76 | 0.559 | 310 | 287 | 2nd Emms | | 1979-80 | 68 | 26 | 38 | 4 | - | 56 | 0.412 | 328 | 334 | 5th Emms | | 1980-81 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 0 | - | 40 | 0.294 | 300 | 388 | 6th Emms | | 1981-82 | 68 | 35 | 30 | 3 | - | 73 | 0.537 | 359 | 328 | 3rd Emms | | 1982-83 | 70 | 32 | 37 | 1 | - | 65 | 0.464 | 336 | 339 | 5th Emms | | 1983-84 | 70 | 32 | 37 | 1 | - | 65 | 0.464 | 288 | 319 | 4th Emms | | 1984-85 | 66 | 43 | 22 | 1 | - | 87 | 0.659 | 340 | 276 | 2nd Emms | | 1985-86 | 66 | 28 | 33 | 5 | - | 61 | 0.462 | 271 | 292 | 6th Emms | | 1986-87 | 66 | 25 | 39 | 2 | - | 52 | 0.394 | 259 | 329 | 7th Emms | | 1987-88 | 66 | 40 | 22 | 4 | - | 84 | 0.636 | 309 | 273 | 2nd Emms | | 1988-89 | 66 | 37 | 25 | 4 | - | 78 | 0.591 | 311 | 264 | 3rd Emms | | 1989-90 | 66 | 41 | 19 | 6 | - | 88 | 0.667 | 313 | 246 | 1st Emms | | 1990-91 | 66 | 38 | 25 | 3 | - | 79 | 0.598 | 301 | 270 | 3rd Emms | | 1991-92 | 66 | 37 | 25 | 4 | - | 78 | 0.591 | 310 | 260 | 3rd Emms | | 1992-93 | 66 | 32 | 27 | 7 | - | 71 | 0.538 | 323 | 292 | 3rd Emms | | 1993-94 | 66 | 32 | 30 | 4 | - | 68 | 0.515 | 293 | 279 | 5th Emms | | 1994-95 | 66 | 18 | 44 | 4 | - | 40 | 0.303 | 210 | 309 | 4th Western | | 1995-96 | 66 | 3 | 60 | 3 | - | 9 | 0.068 | 179 | 435 | 5th Western | | 1996-97 | 66 | 13 | 51 | 2 | - | 28 | 0.212 | 215 | 365 | 5th Western | | 1997-98 | 66 | 40 | 21 | 5 | - | 85 | 0.644 | 301 | 238 | 1st Western | | 1998-99 | 68 | 34 | 30 | 4 | - | 72 | 0.529 | 260 | 217 | 3rd West | | 1999-00 | 68 | 22 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 54 | 0.397 | 186 | 250 | 5th West | | 2000-01 | 68 | 26 | 34 | 5 | 3 | 60 | 0.441 | 222 | 263 | 4th West | | 2001-02 | 68 | 24 | 27 | 10 | 7 | 65 | 0.478 | 210 | 249 | 5th West | | 2002-03 | 68 | 31 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 72 | 0.529 | 220 | 205 | 2nd Midwest | | 2003-04 | 68 | 53 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 110 | 0.809 | 300 | 147 | 1st Midwest | | 2004-05 | 68 | 59 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 0.882 | 310 | 125 | 1st Midwest | | 2005-06 | 68 | 49 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 102 | 0.750 | 304 | 211 | 1st Midwest |
Playoffs*1965-66 Out of playoffs.
*1966-67 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 4 in quarterfinals.
*1967-68 Lost to Hamilton Red Wings 8 points to 2 in quarterfinals.
*1968-69 Lost to Peterborough Petes 8 points to 4 in quarterfinals.
*1969-70 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 4 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 3 in semifinals.
*1970-71 Lost to Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 0 in quarterfinals.
*1971-72 Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 6 in quarterfinals.
*1972-73 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 9 points to 5 in semifinals.
*1973-74 Lost to Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 1 in quarterfinals.
*1974-75 Out of playoffs.
*1975-76 Lost to Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 2 in quarterfinals.
*1976-77 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 9 points to 3 in quarterfinals.
Defeated St. Catharines Fincups 9 points to 7 in semifinals.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 4 in finals.
*1977-78 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Hamilton Fincups 9 points to 5 in semifinals.
*1978-79 Defeated Windsor Spitfires in first round - series protested.
Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers in round-robin.
*1979-80 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 6 points to 4 in first round.
*1980-81 Out of playoffs.
*1981-82 Lost to Brantford Alexanders 6 points to 2 in first round.
*1982-83 Lost to Brantford Alexanders 6 points to 0 in first round.
*1983-84 Defeated North Bay Centennials 6 points to 2 in first round.
Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 0 in quarterfinals.
*1984-85 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 8 points to 0 in first round.
Lost to Hamilton Steelhawks 6 points to 2 in quarterfinals.
*1985-86 Lost to North Bay Centennials 9 points to 1 in first round.
*1986-87 Out of playoffs.
*1987-88 Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 2 in first round.
Lost to Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
*1988-89 Defeated Guelph Platers 4 games to 3 in first round.
Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 3 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 3 in semifinals.
*1989-90 Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 2 in first round.
*1990-91 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in first round.
*1991-92 Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in first round.
Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 1 in quarterfinals.
*1992-93 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in first round.
Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 1 in quarterfinals.
*1993-94 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in first round.
*1994-95 Lost to Detroit Jr. Red Wings 4 games to 0 in first round.
*1995-96 Out of playoffs.
*1996-97 Out of playoffs.
*1997-98 Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 3 in first round.
Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 1 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0 in semifinals.
*1998-99 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 2 in first round.
Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in quarterfinals.
Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 1 in semifinals.
Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 3 in finals.
*1999-00 Out of playoffs.
*2000-01 Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in first round.
*2001-02 Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 2 in first round.
Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
*2002-03 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in first round.
Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
*2003-04 Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in first round.
Defeated Erie Otters 4 games to 0 in quarterfinals.
Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 3 in semifinals.
*2004-05 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in first round.
Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in quarterfinals.
Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 1 in semifinals.
Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place.
Defeated Rimouski Océanic 4-0 in the championship game. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
*2005-06 Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in first round.
Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 2 in quarterfinals.
Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in semifinals.
Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in finals.TeamPlayers/Staff - CHLPlayers/Staff - OHL | "Spiderknight", 1994-2002 |
As the London Nationals, the Knights originally played in the blue and white of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team's logo was the same Leaf as used by the parent club at the time, except with the words "London Nationals" written out across the leaf instead of "Toronto Maple Leafs". After 1968, the colours changed to green, gold and white, and the logo to a classically-inspired Knight's head with an Olde English "K" on the helmet. In 1980 the striping changed slightly, from classical horizontal stripes around the sleeves and bottom of the sweater to large arm stripes and a bare sweater bottom. In 1985-86 the green on the uniforms was darkened and the arm stripes were deleted in favour of broad swathes of secondary colour across the shoulders and down the arms. 1986 saw a total re-design of sweater and logo. Black was added as a secondary colour and the striping returned to a more pedestrian design. The logo was also changed, from a classical Knight's head to a more modernized version on a gold circle with the letter "L". These uniforms were used until 1994. In 1994 the green and gold were disposed of completely in favour of the eggplant and teal used by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The logo was changed to "Spiderknight", with normal horizontal striping and pointed shouder stripes. There was also a teal shoulder patch bearing the word "London" and a hockey stick. In February 2002, the Knights reverted back to their 1986-94 uniforms as a commemoration of the closing of the London Gardens. The special uniforms were identical except for two shoulder patches, one bearing the 1968-86 logo and the other bearing the 1994-2002 logo. These uniforms were also used for the 2002-03 preseason. For the opening of the John Labatt Centre in October of 2002, the Knights debuted new uniforms with the 1986-94 logo, minus the "L" and the gold circle. These were drawn on a home white uniform and a road uniform that, for the first time in team history, bore black as its primary colour. Each uniform also bore a new "shield" shoulder patch. The team also debuted green third jerseys, which featured the word "KNIGHTS" printed diagonally across the front of the sweater.London Gardens/London Ice House, 1965-2002*Built : 1963
*Capacity : 5,075 including standing room.
*Ice Size : 190' x 85'The London Gardens (see article) was built in 1963 and served as the home of the Knights from the team's inception in 1965 to its closing in 2002. The building was renamed London Ice House in 1994. The last meaningful game played at the arena was in the 2002 playoffs, where the Knights lost in overtime in the sixth game of the second round to the eventual OHL Champion Erie Otters. The last goal in the building was scored by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Knights used the Ice House for their training camp and exhibition schedule for the 2002-03 season and moved out permanently in October 2002. The arena is currently home to the Forest City Velodrome.The OHL Arena & Travel Guide - London GardensJohn Labatt Centre, 2002-Present*Built : 2002
*Capacity : 9,090 including standing room.
*Ice Size : 200' x 85'The John Labatt Centre (see article) opened on October 11, 2002 as the Knights played host to the Plymouth Whalers. The first goal in the building was scored by Dylan Hunter. The arena, located in downtown London, is the largest in Western Ontario. Tickets for the 2005-06 season in the building sold out in one day, and there is currently a cap on season tickets due to the team's popularity.
The OHL Arena & Travel Guide - John Labatt Centre
*www.londonknights.com Official web site
*Ontario Hockey League Official web site
*Canadian Hockey League Official web site
*www.knightsvideos.com Knights Videos
*www.knightshistory.com Knights History
*2006 Mayor's Honour's List recipients
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