Whitecourt Wolverines

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For the junior "B" hockey team, see Whitecourt Wolverines (2008–2012).
Whitecourt Wolverines
Whitecourt Wolverines logo.svg
City Whitecourt, Alberta
League Alberta Junior Hockey League
Division North
Founded 2012 (2012)
Home arena Scott Safety Centre
Colours Red, black, white[1]
              
Owner(s) Stark Sports Society[2]
General manager Joey Bouchard[3]
Head coach Joey Bouchard[3]
Website
Whitecourt Wolverines
Franchise history
1976–2007 Fort Saskatchewan Traders
2007–2012 St. Albert Steel
2012–present Whitecourt Wolverines

The Whitecourt Wolverines are a junior "A" ice hockey team in North Division of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) based in Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada.

The Wolverines were founded on May 2, 2012, through the relocation of the St. Albert Steel from St. Albert.[4] Their inaugural 2012–13 season in Whitecourt is being played out of the Scott Safety Centre, which has a seating capacity of 1,058.[4] Scott Safety Supply Services Ltd. is the sponsor of the arena[5] and a corporate sponsor of the team.[6]

Contents

[edit] History

The Whitecourt Wolverines junior "A" franchise was originally established in 1976 as the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, with 1976–77 being their inaugural season.[7] The Traders won their first AJHL championship in 1978–79,[8] their third year in the league. After winning the championship, the team then defeated the Richmond Sockeyes of the BCHL in five games at the Doyle Cup, before falling to the Prince Albert Raiders in six games at the Abbott Cup, the eventual national champions at the 1979 Centennial Cup.[9][10] The Traders proceeded to win their second league championship in 1983–84.[8]

Due in part to financial difficulties and low attendance, the AJHL approved a deal on March 15, 2007, to relocate the Traders to St. Albert for the 2007–08 season, ending the Traders' 31-year run in Fort Saskatchewan.[11] The team was renamed the St. Albert Steel, and became the second team to represent the City of St. Albert, replacing the St. Albert Saints who left for Spruce Grove in 2004.[7]

After five years in St. Albert, it was announced on March 29, 2012, that the team applied to relocate to Whitecourt for the 2012–13 season.[12] On May 2, 2012, the AJHL announced it approved the request to relocate the team to Whitecourt, where the team would remain in the AJHL's North Division and be named the Whitecourt Wolverines.[4]

The twice relocated franchise took its current team name from Whitecourt's predecessor junior "B" Whitecourt Wolverines of the North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL).[4] After five years in the NWJHL, four league championships, a provincial title, and a bronze medal at the Keystone Cup,[13][14][15] this junior "B" predecessor team folded to make way for the relocated junior "A" Wolverines.[4]

[edit] Inaugural season

The Whitecourt Wolverines began their inaugural season on a three-game road trip.[16] The team dropped their opening game against the Canmore Eagles on September 14, 2012 by a score of 4–2, in which Colten Meaver scored the first goal in the frachise's history as the Whitecourt Wolverines.[17] The team won its first game on September 15 in overtime by a score of 4–3 over the Okotoks Oilers, in which Ryan Berlin recorded the Wolverines' first hat trick and game-winning goal.[18] The AJHL honoured Berlin as the league's first player of the week for the 2012–13 season after he earned five goals and two assists over the team's opening three games.[19]

Scott Safety Centre, home of the Whitecourt Wolverines

The team's inaugural home opener was held on September 21 against the Spruce Grove Saints[16] – the first regular season game between the two teams that relocated from St. Albert.[20] The Saints defeated the Wolverines 4–3 in overtime in front of 1,283 attendees at Scott Safety Centre.[21] Goaltender Tanner Kovacs recorded the Wolverines' first shutout on September 27 in a 3–0 victory over the Camrose Kodiaks at the league's annual AJHL showcase.[22] The team won its first home game at Scott Safety Centre on October 2 against the Drayton Valley Thunder by a score of 3–1.[23] The victory was the first of four consecutive wins in a six-day span during the first week of October,[24] after which the Wolverines received an honourable mention in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) weekly top 20 rankings on October 8.[25]

The Wolverines extended its winning streak to five games on October 12 with a 8–2 victory over the Sherwood Park Crusaders[16] in which Jerome Raymond scored four goals.[26] The team then proceeded to lose four of its next five games all in overtime.[16] Despite the four overtime losses, the team earned 16 of a total possible 20 points in a 10-game span.[16]

The team's greatest offensive outburst and margin of victory of the season was a 12–0 win over the Lloydminster Bobcats on October 27[16] giving them sole possession of first place in the North Division after 19 games[27] and their first appearance in the CJHL weekly top 20 rankings taking the 14th spot.[28] The team then proceeded to lose four straight games over the first two weekends of November, including one loss in overtime and one loss in a shootout.[16]

[edit] Season-by-season record

See Fort Saskatchewan Traders for the franchise's season-by-season record from 1976 to 2007, and see St. Albert Steel for the franchise's season-by-season record from 2008 to 2012.

Note: GP = games played, W = wins, L = losses, OTL = overtime losses, Pts = points, GF = goals for, GA = goals against, PIM = penalties in minutes

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2012–13[29][30] 60 31 21 8 70 227 220 1503 4th, North Lost in semi-final round[31]

[edit] Current roster

As of October 23, 2012 [3]

Defencemen
Number Player Hometown
2 Adam Nishi Richmond, British Columbia
3 Preston Eshenko Canmore, Alberta
4 Robby Jang Port Moody, British Columbia
6 Dalton Olsen Calgary, Alberta
13 Charles Johnson Quebec City, Quebec
23 Zach Paterson Edmonton, Alberta
24 Matthew Abt Leduc, Alberta
25 Mathieu Gagnon (A)[32] Montreal, Quebec
28 Conner Dea Whitecourt, Alberta
– Brodie Clowes Calgary, Alberta
– Jordan Davies Sherwood Park, Alberta
Forwards
Number Player Hometown
7 Evan Warmington St. Albert, Alberta
8 Colten Meaver Edmonton, Alberta
9 Brady Goebel (A)[32] Stony Plain, Alberta
12 Jared Jerome Lethbridge, Alberta
14 Ryan Berlin Edmonton, Alberta
15 Mathieu Guertin Repentigny, Quebec
16 Jamie Johnson (C)[32] Edmonton, Alberta
17 Steven Alldridge Inuvik, Northwest Territories
18 Clay Spencer Lethbridge, Alberta
19 Jerome Raymond Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
20 Joel Herbert Edson, Alberta
26 Ty Morgan Calgary, Alberta
27 Trace Elson St. Albert, Alberta
39 Linden Penner Sherwood Park, Alberta
– Samuel Lauzon Whitecourt, Alberta
Goaltenders
Number Player Hometown
1 Kris Drott Edmonton, Alberta
31 Tanner Kovacs St. Albert, Alberta
– Trevor Martin Ardrossan, Alberta

[edit] Honoured members

The number 22 was retired for Elias Lachance at the start of the 2011–12 season.[33] Lachance, who played for the Wolverines' predecessor junior "B" hockey team during its 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons,[33] died in a car accident in 2011.[34]

[edit] Leaders

Team captains
  • Jamie Johnson (2012–present)[32]
Head coaches
  • Joey Bouchard (2012–present)[3]
General managers
  • Joey Bouchard (2012–present)[3]
Team presidents
  • Brent Stark (2012–present)[35]

[edit] Community

The Wolverines are engaged in two programs within the community under a "Team for Success" project where players mentor young students on reading and writing, and boys through issues experienced at the junior high level.[36] During their inaugural season, the team hosted a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit that featured the Stanley Cup.[37] The proceeds from the event, sponsored by Scott Safety, benefitted the Whitecourt Minor Hockey Association and the Whitecourt Girl Guides.[38] [39]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines Name Coach". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-05-11. 
  2. ^ "Wolverines / A.J.H.L. solidify club ownership". Whitecourt Wovlerines. 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2012-11-23. 
  3. ^ a b c d e "Team Roster for Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  4. ^ a b c d e "AJHL Moving to Whitecourt, Alberta". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2012-05-03. 
  5. ^ Ann Harvey (2011-08-02). "Scott Safety Place is new name for Twin Arenas". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  6. ^ "About Scott Safety Supply Services". Scott Safety Supply Services Ltd. Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  7. ^ a b "History of the Alberta Junior Hockey League". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  8. ^ a b "AJHL Champions". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  9. ^ "Doyle Cup Champions". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  10. ^ "RBC Cup: 2012 Guide and Record Book". Hockey Canada. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  11. ^ "St. Albert snaps up Fort Saskatchewan hockey team". CBC News. 2007-03-16. Retrieved 2012-05-03. 
  12. ^ Jeff Hansen (2012-03-28). "Steel requests to relocate". St. Albert Gazette (Great West Newspapers LP). Retrieved 2012-03-31. 
  13. ^ Brigette Jobin (2012-03-28). "League records set". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-03-31. 
  14. ^ Remy Greer (2012-04-08). "Wolverines beat Bisons 5-1 in provincial final". Okotoks Western Wheel (Great West Newspapers LP). Retrieved 2012-04-08. 
  15. ^ Brigette Jobin (2012-04-25). "Wolverines prove to be one of Canada’s best". Whitecourt Star (Sun Media Corporation). Retrieved 2012-04-27. 
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Game Schedule for Alberta Junior Hockey League (Team: Whitecourt Wolverines)". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-07-05. 
  17. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Canmore Eagles". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-09-15. 
  18. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Okotoks Oilers". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-09-15. 
  19. ^ "Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  20. ^ Amandalyn Vanover (2012-09-11). "Get Your Red, White and Black On – Whitecourt Wolverines Hit The AJHL". Whitecourt Press (Whitecourt Press). Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  21. ^ "Spruce Grove Saints @ Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-24. 
  22. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Camrose Kodiaks". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2012-09-28. 
  23. ^ "Drayton Valley Thunder @ Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2012-10-02. 
  24. ^ Barry Kerton (2012-10-09). "Whitecourt Wolverines go 4-0 to start October". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  25. ^ "CJHL Announces Weekly Top 20 Rankings". Canadian Junior Hockey League. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  26. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Sherwood Park Crusaders". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  27. ^ "2012–2013 Regular Season Standings". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2012-10-28. 
  28. ^ "CJHL Announces Weekly Top 20 Rankings". Canadian Junior Hockey League. 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  29. ^ "Regular Season Standings (2012–13)". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-03-03. 
  30. ^ "Whitecourt Wolverines Player Statistics". Alberta Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-03-03. 
  31. ^ "Saints Win AJHL North Division Title". Alberta Junior Hockey League. April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 7. 
  32. ^ a b c d Johnna Ruocco (2012-09-18). "Wolverines’ roster and captains announced". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-09-29. 
  33. ^ a b "Team History". Whitecourt Wolverines. Retrieved 2012-09-29. 
  34. ^ Stuart Thomson (2011-09-29). "New foundation will honour former Wolverines player". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-10-24. 
  35. ^ "Wolverines Set to Host Hockey Hall of Fame". Alberta Junior Hockey League. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  36. ^ Jasmine Franklin (2012-11-12). "Wolverines players become mentors off the ice". Whitecourt Press (Whitecourt Press). Retrieved 2012-11-18. 
  37. ^ "Whitecourt Town Council Update". Town of Whitecourt. 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2012-10-23. 
  38. ^ "Stanley Cup weekend spells success". Whitecourt Wovlerines. 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2012-11-23. 
  39. ^ Johnna Ruocco (2012-10-14). "Town Council briefs - Oct. 9, 2012". Whitecourt Star (Canoe Sun Media). Retrieved 2012-10-23. 

[edit] External links
North Division
South Division
Sports teams based in Alberta
Baseball
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Basketball
Football
Hockey
Soccer
Lacrosse
Rugby union
Ringette
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
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