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GOJHL London Nationals

HISTORY/RECORDS

Thanks to Harold Rank for providing this photo of the 1951/52 team.

HISTORY OF JR. B HOCKEY IN LONDON

BEGINNINGS
The first documented London team to play at the Jr. B level of the Ontario Hockey Association was the London Tecumsehs, who played in a division along with Brantford, Paris, Hamilton, and Woodstock during the 1937-38 season. London had a regular season record of 6-2 that year, and defeated Woodstock in the semi-final before falling to Brantford in the final, which sent the winner to the Sutherland Cup tournament.

The war years resulted in patchy Jr. B representation for London, and incomplete records. London and Woodstock combined to form an entry into the Sutherland Cup tournament in 1941, and lost to Brantford in the quarter-finals. The next documented Jr. B team from London played in the 1945-46 season, and advanced to the quarter-final of the Sutherland Cup tournament before losing to Kitchener. A London team also went to the Sutherland Cup in 1948, losing in the second round to Upper Canada College.

LOU BALL JUNIORS
Consistent representation of the city of London at the Jr. B level began in the 1950-51 season with the London Lou Ball Juniors, playing in The 'Big 10' Western Division out of the Ontario Arena at the Western Fairgrounds. Named for Lou Ball Clothes - stores owned by coach Lou Ball - the team won the Big 10 Western championship in 1952.

The name changed to London Collinson Flyers during the 1955-56 season before reverting back to Lou Ball Juniors for two more seasons. Another name change saw the team called the London Diamonds in 1958, then switch to Athletics in 1960.

LEAFS, NATIONALS, AND KNIGHTS
In 1961 the team was renamed again - they were called the Nationals, after sponsor Canadian National Recreation Association, an organization of Canadian National Railway employees. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs began sponsoring the team in 1963, and moved the team to OHA Major Junior A in 1965.  That team was sold in 1968, and became the current OHL London Knights franchise.

London's Junior B team moved to Ingersoll for the 1965-66 season, and was known as the Ingersoll Nationals before returning to London as the 'Bees' the following year, and was dormant for two subsequent seasons.

JUNIOR B RETURNS TO LONDON
Junior B hockey returned to London in 1969 under the name Squires, and the team was known as the London-Glencoe Squires from 1973 to 1976. The team's name changed back to London Diamonds for the 1976-77 season, after sponsor Chester Pegg jewellers.  Under the name Diamonds, the team won Western Jr. B championships in 1981, 1983, and 1984.

SIMPSON STARS
The early 80's teams included many talented players, including arguably London's most famous Jr. B alumnus. Craig Simpson wasn't a Diamond for long, but set several team records which still stand. In just 42 regular season games during the 1982-83 season, Simpson led the league with 47 goals and 64 assists. London won the Western Jr. B championship in 1983, while Craig finished the requirements for grades 11 and 12 in the same year at Oakridge Secondary School so that he could enter college at age 16.

Simpson went on to a starring role at Michigan State University, went second overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985 NHL entry draft, and continued to put points on the board for three different teams before a back injury ended his career at age 28. Following his retirement in 1995, he went on to stints in broadcasting and coaching and is currently part of Hockey Night in Canada's primary broadcast team along with play-by-play partner Jim Hughson. 

NATS NAME RETURNS
The Nationals name returned to London's sports landscape for the 1991-92 season, and they won the Western Jr. B championship that same year. The Nationals next claimed a Western Jr. B championship in 2012. They won the Bill Weir Trophy as champions of the GOJHL Western Conference in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017.

London won the Sutherland Cup for the first time in the city's history on May 5, 2013.

TEAM RECORDS*

Best Regular Season record (by Win %): 34-5-3 (1985-86)

Most Goals (52 game season): 320 (1992-93)

Fewest Goals Allowed (42 game season): 127 (1979-80)

Fewest Goals Allowed (50 game season): 133 (2009-2010)

Most Consecutive Wins: 19 (Dec. 22, 2000 – Feb. 17 2001)

INDIVIDUAL SKATER RECORDS

(Since 1978-79)

CAREER RECORDS (Regular Season)

Most Games Played: 233 - Scott Lombardi (2009 – 2014)

Most Goals: 112 - Aaron Dartch (2008 – 2013)

Most Assists: 155 - Adam McKee (2007 – 2010)

Most Points: 251 - Aaron Dartch (2008 – 2013)

Most Game-Winning Goals**: 18 - Noah Schwartz (2010 - 2013)

Most Powerplay Goals**: 39 - Aaron Dartch (2008 – 2013) (Also leads Western Conference)

Most Shorthanded Goals**: 6 - Craig Watson (1996 – 1997), Adam McKee (2007 – 2010)

SINGLE SEASON RECORDS (Regular Season)

Most Goals: 47 - Craig Simpson (1982-83)

Most Assists: 65 - Adam McKee (2009-10)

Most Points: 111 - Craig Simpson (1982-83)

Most Game-Winning Goals**: 9 - Shaun Furlong (2009-10)

Most Powerplay Goals**: 17 - Chris McKay (2009-10), Aaron Dartch (2012-2013)

Most Shorthanded Goals**: 5 - Graham Spriel (2005-06), Pat Barbieri (2002-03)

INDIVIDUAL GOALTENDER RECORDS**

CAREER RECORDS (Regular Season)

Most Games Played: 116 -  Taylor Edwards (2009-2013)

Most Wins: 74 - Taylor Edwards (2009-2013) (Also leads Western Conference)

Most Shutouts: 5 - Jacob Riley (2011-2014), Mike Coulter (2008-2011), Ian Burt (1995-1997)

SINGLE SEASON RECORDS (Regular Season)

Most Games Played: 42 - Kevin Kapalka (2006-07)

Most Wins: 26 - Mike Coulter (2009-10)

Most Shutouts: 4 - Jacob Riley, (2013-14), Mike Coulter (2009-10), Ryan McDonald (2001-02)

Regular Season Standings Since 1950

 

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
1950-51 14 8 6 0 - -- -- 18 2nd Big '10' West
1951-52 16 11 5 0 - 107 68 22 2nd Big '10' West
1952-53 18 14 4 0 - -- -- 28 1st Big '10' West
1953-54 24 6 18 0 - 119 189 12 4th Big '10' West
1954-55 25 5 20 0 - 110 204 10 4th Big '10' West
1955-56 27 0 27 0 - 68 249 0 5th Big '10' West
1956-57 27 9 18 0 - 126 167 18 5th WJBHL
1957-58 30 20 10 0 - -- -- 40 2nd WJBHL
1958-59 36 14 22 0 - 165 224 28 3rd WJBHL
1959-60 25 1 24 0 - -- -- 2 6th WJBHL
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
1960-61 32 0 32 0 - 86 399 0 5th WJBHL
1961-62 36 10 25 1 - 201 254 21 7th WJBHL
1962-63 35 3 32 0 - 133 348 6 6th WJBHL
1963-64 40 28 11 1 - 260 159 57 2nd WJBHL
1964-65 40 23 17 0 - 213 181 46 3rd WJBHL
1965-66 40 25 15 0 - 237 178 50 3rd WJBHL
1966-67 40 5 35 0 - 124 278 10 5th WJBHL
1967-68 Did Not Participate            
1968-69 Did Not Participate            
1969-70 36 16 17 3 - 137 169 35 3rd WOJHL
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
1970-71 41 10 29 2 - 139 240 22 4th WOJHL
1971-72 39 12 18 9 - 173 185 33 5th WOJHL
1972-73 42 21 15 6 - 224 203 48 2nd WOJHL
1973-74 40 4 32 4 - 114 239 12 5th WOJHL
1974-75 40 19 15 6 - 186 172 44 2nd WOJHL
1975-76 39 11 22 6 - 168 206 28 6th WOJHL
1976-77 38 13 24 1 - 191 274 27 5th SWJBHL
1977-78 40 30 8 2 - 261 171 62 1st SWJBHL
1978-79 42 19 18 5 - 227 213 43 5th WOJHL
1979-80 42 22 12 8 - 182 127 52 5th WOJHL
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
1980-81 42 31 9 2 - 256 147 64 1st WOJHL
1981-82 42 22 16 4 - 196 180 48 3rd WOJHL
1982-83 42 31 7 4 - 263 138 66 1st WOJHL
1983-84 48 34 7 7 - 297 148 75 1st WOJHL
1984-85 48 35 13 0 - 285 164 70 1st WOJHL
1985-86 42 34 5 3 - 275 150 71 1st WOJHL
1986-87 42 28 10 4 - 272 162 60 2nd WOJHL
1987-88 42 13 24 3 2 190 213 31 7th WOJHL
1988-89 41 19 16 4 2 197 193 44 5th WOJHL
1989-90 40 20 18 1 1 205 231 42 4th WOJHL
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
1990-91 48 15 30 3 0 170 259 33 8th WOJHL
1991-92 48 30 13 3 2 274 191 65 1st WOJHL East
1992-93 52 25 20 5 2 - - 57 2nd WOJHL East
1993-94 50 25 21 3 1 273 251 54 2nd WOJHL East
1994-95 52 16 34 0 2 223 281 34 4th WOJHL East
1995-96 51 27 17 5 2 208 184 61 3rd WOJHL East
1996-97 52 23 19 7 3 220 230 56 3rd WOJHL East
1997-98 52 14 35 0 3 205 307 31 5th WOJHL East
1998-99 52 19 32 0 1 213 282 39 4th WOJHL East
1999-00 54 22 27 0 5 189 232 49 8th GOHL
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
2000-01 54 39 11 1 3 251 143 82 2nd GOHL
2001-02 54 32 21 0 1 251 169 65 6th WOHL
2002-03 48 31 14 0 3 207 182 65 3rd WOHL
2003-04 48 27 18 2 1 172 150 57 5th WOHL
2004-05 48 22 22 1 3 161 173 48 5th WOHL
2005-06 48 22 25 1 0 148 165 45 8th WOHL
2006-07 48 21 23 - 4 183 178 46 7th WOHL
2007-08 48 30 14 - 4 214 175 64 3rd GOJHL-W
2008-09 52 33 10 - 9 221 174 75 2nd GOJHL-W
2009-10 50 37 10 - 3 244 133 77 1st GOJHL-W
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Standing
2010-11 51 34 13 - 4 235 162 72 2nd GOJHL-W
2011-12 51 28 20 - 3 185 190 59 3rd GOJHL-W
2012-13 51 28 17 - 6 196 172 62 4th GOJHL-W
2013-14 49 29 19 - 1 188 150 59 5th GOJHL-W
2014-15 49 22 24 - 3 166 166 47 7th GOJHL-W

WOJBHL/WOJHL/GOHL/WOHL/GOJHL Playoff Results: 1950 to Present

1951
Semi-Final (2 game total goals): Windsor def. London 8-6 (2-3, 6-3)

1952
Semi-Final (Best of 5): London def. Windsor 3-0
Final (Best of 7): London def. Sarnia 4-0

1953
Semi-Final (Round Robin):
1st - Seaforth 4-3-1, 2nd - Sarnia 3-3-2, 3rd - London 2-3-3 (eliminated)

1954
Semi-Final: Sarnia def. London 4-0 (6-1, 9-7, 5-4, 6-4)

1955
Semi-Final (Best of 5): Sarnia def. London 3-2

1956 - Did Not Qualify

1957 - Did Not Qualify

1958
Quarter-Final: London def. Woodstock 3-0 (4-3, 4-1, 6-4)
Semi-Final: London def. St. Marys 3-1 (3-1, 3-4, 10-4, 5-3)
Final: Sarnia def. London 4-1 (9-0, 6-9, 8-4, 7-1, 5-2)

1959
Semi-Final: Sarnia def. London 4-1-1 (4-6, 12-4, 3-2, 5-1, 7-7, 6-4)

1960 - Did Not Qualify

1961 - Did Not Qualify

1962 - Did Not Qualify

1963 - Did Not Qualify

1964
Semi-Final: London def. Sarnia 4-2 (7-4, 2-5, 4-2, 5-7, 6-2, 5-3)
Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-2 (7-6, 3-5, 4-2, 5-2, 3-7, 6-1)

1965
Semi-Final: London def. Chatham 4-1 (4-6, 6-5, 5-3, 5-0, 7-4)
Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-0 (8-4, 6-3, 3-1, 7-5)

1966
Semi-Final: Sarnia def. Ingersoll Nationals 4-1 (4-3, 2-8, 7-2, 3-2, 5-2)

1967 - Did Not Qualify

1968 - Did Not Participate

1969 - Did Not Participate

1970-1978 - No Records Available

1979
First Round: London def. Petrolia 7-3 (6-pt series)
Second Round: Strathroy def. London 8-0 (8-pt series)

1980
First Round: London def. Chatham 3-1
Second Round: London def. Strathroy 4-0
Final: Windsor def. London 4-0

1981
First Round: London def. Windsor 4-0 (London advances directly to final)
Final: London def. Chatham 4-1

1982
First Round: London def. Chatham 3-0
Second Round: London def. Petrolia 3-0
Final: Sarnia def. London 4-3

1983
First Round: London def. St. Thomas 5-2 (Best 5-of-9; London advances directly to final)
Final: London def. Sarnia 4-1

1984
First Round: London def. Windsor 4-0 (London advances directly to final)
Final: London def. Sarnia 4-0

1985
First Round: London def. St. Thomas 3-0 (London advances directly to final)

1986
First Round: Chatham def. London 5-4 (Best 5-of-9)

1987
First Round: London def. Chatham 4-0
Second Round (Double Round-Robin):
1st - St. Thomas, 2nd - London, 3rd - Sarnia (eliminated) 
Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-0

1988 - Did Not Qualify

1989 - Did Not Qualify

1990
Quarter-Final: St. Marys def. London 4-0

1991
Quarter-Final: Windsor def. London 4-1

1992
Division Semi-Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-1
Division Final: London def. St. Marys 4-3
Final: London def. Windsor 4-3

1993
Division Semi-Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-1
Division Final: St. Marys def. London 4-0

1994
Division Semi-Final: London def. Aylmer 4-2
Division Final: St. Marys def. London 4-0

1995
Division Semi-Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-0

1996
Division Semi-Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-0

1997
Division Semi-Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-1

1998 - Did Not Qualify

1999
Division Semi-Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-0

2000 - Did Not Qualify

2001
Quarter-Final: London def. Strathroy 4-0
Semi-Final: London def. Sarnia 4-2
Final: Chatham def. London 4-2

2002
Quarter-Final: Sarnia def. London 4-1

2003
Quarter-Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-1
Semi-Final: Sarnia def. London 4-3

2004
Quarter-Final: London def. Leamington 4-2
Semi-Final: London def. Sarnia 4-0
Final: Chatham def. London 4-2

2005
Quarter-Final: London def. St. Marys 4-1
Semi-Final: Chatham def. London 4-0

2006
Quarter-Final: St. Marys def. London 4-3

2007
Quarter-Final: Sarnia def. London 4-3

2008
Quarter-Final: London def. Leamington 4-2
Semi-Final: London def. St. Marys 4-0
Final: Tecumseh def. London 4-1

2009
Quarter-Final: London def. LaSalle 4-1
Semi-Final: London def. St. Marys 4-3
Final: Sarnia def. London 4-2

2010
Quarter-Final: London def. Leamington 4-0
Semi-Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-2

2011
Quarter-Final: London def. Sarnia 4-0
Semi-Final: London def. LaSalle 4-2
Final: St. Thomas def. London 4-3

2012
Quarter-Final: London def. LaSalle 4-1
Semi-Final: London def. St. Marys 4-2
Final: London def. Strathroy 4-2

2013
Quarter-Final: London def. St. Thomas 4-2
Semi-Final: London def. Leamington 4-1
Final: London def. Chatham 4-1

2014
Quarter-Final: London def. Sarnia 4-3
Semi-Final: Leamington def. London 4-1

Page last updated: March 19, 2015

*Most stats listed on this page include seasons from 1977-78 to present day only.

**Special teams, Game Winning Goals, and Goaltending totals include stats from 1994-95 to present day only.

Retired Numbers

Western Jr. B Championships

London Lou Ball Juniors 1951-52
("Big 10" West)

London Nationals 1963-64 (WJBHL)

London Nationals 1964-65 (WJBHL)

London Diamonds 1980-81 (WOJHL)

London Diamonds 1982-83 (WOJHL)

London Diamonds 1983-84 (WOJHL)

London Nationals 1991-92 (WOJHL)

London Nationals 2011-2012
(GOJHL Western Conference)

London Nationals 2012-2013
(GOJHL Western Conference)

London Nationals 2015-2016
(GOJHL Western Conference)

London Nationals 2016-2017
(GOJHL Western Conference)

Sutherland Cup Championships

London Nationals 2012-2013 (GOJHL)

1951/52 London Lou Ball Juniors

2011 - Present

2004 - 2010

2002 - 2003

1994 - 2001

1991 - 1994

1988 - 1990

1981 - 1985

1979 - 1980

1961 - 1965

LONDON'S WESTERN CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS

(Most since 1989/90 only)

Kelly Hearn Award
(Volunteer of the Year)

1992/93 - Bill McCullough
2006/07 - Bill Westgate
2012/13 - Steve Davidson
2013/14 - Bruce Keck

Pete's Sports Award
(Coaching Staff of the Year)

1991/92
2001/02

Chester Pegg Memorial Award
(Sportsmanship and Ability)

1991/92 - Bill Weir
1995/96 - Craig Watson
2000/01 - Matt Meyer
2009/10 - Adam McKee
2010/11 - Noah Schwartz
2012/13 - Noah Schwartz

Roy Bruhlman Memorial Award
(Rookie of the Year)

1989/90 - Keli Corpse
1990/91 - Trevor Gallant
1997/98 - Scott Dickie
2000/01 - Kyle Piwowarczyk

Phibbs Incorporated Award
(Most Valuable Defenseman)

1991/92 - Dan Brown
1992/93 - Chad Palmer
1993/94 - Chad Palmer
1994/95 - John Barrett
1996/97 - Mike Van Ryn
2008/09 - Jake McClelland
2013/14 - Matt Fuller

CHOK Award
(Most Valuable Player)

1992/93 - Chris Legg
1993/94 - Shane Johnson
2000/01 - Ash Goldie
2008/09 - Adam McKee

Phibbs Incorporated Award
(Most Valuable Rookie Defenseman)

2003/04 - Patrick Dobie
2014/15 - Justin Murray

Hugh McLean Award
(Regular Season Scoring Champion)

1982/83 - Craig Simpson
1988/89 - Bill Weir
1991/92 - Bill Weir
1992/93 - Mike Legg
1993/94 - Shane Johnson
2007/08 - Glen McCarron
2009/10 - Adam McKee

Pat & Jackie Stapleton Award
(Playoff Scoring Champion)

2000/01 - Ash Goldie

Sharon Williamson Award
(Playoff MVP)

2012/13 - Noah Schwartz

Smith-Buys Award
(Rookie Scoring Champion)

2000/01 - Kyle Piwowarczyk

Roy Caley Award
(Best Team Goals Against Average)

1979/80
1980/81
1982/83 (D. Sceli, Craig Billington)
1983/84 (Richard McCullough, Rob Nixon)
1984/85
1985/86
1986/87 (Joe Noval, Brian Morris)
1991/92 (Shawn O'Hagan, Dave Grasso)
1995/96 (Steve Tutt, Ian Burt)
2009/10 (Mike Coulter, Taylor Edwards)

Stan Moore Memorial Trophy
(1st place regular season)

1980/81
1982/83
1983/84
1984/85
1985/86
2009/10

Top Goal Scorer
1982/83 - Craig Simpson 47
1992/93 - Mike Legg 49
2000/01 - Ash Goldie 39

Most Assists
1982/83 - Craig Simpson 64
1991/92 - Bill Weir 57
1992/93 - Mike Legg 55
2000/01 - Matt Meyer 39
2007/08 - Glen McCarron 55

Best Goals Against Average
1982/83 - D. Sceli 3.16
1983/84 - Richard McCullough 3.95
1995/96 - Ian Burt 2.80

ALL STARS
1990/91 - Dan Brown
1991/92 - Dan Brown
1992/93 - Chad Palmer
1993/94 - Chad Palmer, Shane Johnson
1994/95 - Dan Stewart
1995/96 - Steve Tutt, Mike Van Ryn
1996/97 - Mike Van Ryn
2000/01 - Ash Goldie
2001/02 - Mike Manley
2003/04 - Mike McLeod
2005/06 - Jordan Berk, Patrick Dobie
2007/08 - Glen McCarron, Josh Johnston, Mike Sharp
2008/09 - Jake McLelland, Adam McKee, Stephen Sanza
2009/10 - Adam McKee, Brett Petrie
2010/11 - Noah Schwartz, Brendan Schwartz
2011/12 - Noah Schwartz
2012/13 - Noah Schwartz
2013/14 - Matt Fuller

ROOKIE ALL STARS
2000/01 - Kyle Piwowarczyk
2001/02 - Ryan MacDonald
2003/04 - Patrick Dobie
2006/07 - Kevin Kapalka, Jamie Commerford
2007/08 - Torin Lauziere, Adam McKee
2009/10 - Aaron Dartch, Jake Monaghan
2013/14 - Tristen Elie
2014/15 - Justin Murray

Sutherland Cup Appearances by Teams from London

1941
Quarter-Final (2 game total goals):
Brantford def. London-Woodstock 19-6

1946
First Round (1 game):
London def. Windsor 8-4

Second Round (2 game total goals):
London def. Chatham 19-5

Quarter-Final (2 game total goals):
Kitchener def. London 9-4

1948
First Round (Best of 3):
London def. Sarnia 1-0 (Sarnia conceded after 1 game)

Second Round (2 game total goals):
Upper Canada College def. London 10-6

1949
Second Round (2 game total goals):
Windsor def. London 15-5

1952
First Round (Best 3 of 5):
London def. Dundas 3-0

Quarter-Final (Double Round Robin):
1st - Hamilton 3-1,
2nd - Waterloo 2-2,
3rd - London 1-3 (eliminated)

1964
Semi-Final: Waterloo def. London 4-3

1965
Semi-Final: Kitchener def. London 4-2

1981
?? (No record of Round Robin results)

1983
Semi-Final: Stratford def. London 4-1

1984
?? (No record of Round Robin results)

1992
Semi-Final: Kitchener def. London 4-3

2012
Double Round Robin:
1st - Brantford 4-0,
tie 2nd - London 1-3, 
tie 2nd - St. Catharines 1-3

Tiebreaker:
St. Catharines def. London 3-2OT

2013
Double Round Robin:
1st - London 3-1,
2nd - Cambridge 2-2, 
3rd - St. Catharines 1-3

Final: London def. Cambridge 4-3