Kingston Frontenacs

The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The Frontenacs play home games at the Leon's Centre, which opened in 2008.

Not to be confused with Kingston Frontenacs (EPHL).
Kingston Frontenacs
CityKingston, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionEast
Founded1989 (1989)–90
Home arenaLeon's Centre
ColoursBlack, gold and white
     
General managerPaul McFarland
Head coachPaul McFarland
Affiliate(s)Cobourg Cougars
Websitewww.kingstonfrontenacs.com
Franchise history
1945–1952Kingston Victorias
1952–1973Kingston Frontenacs
1973–1988Kingston Canadians
1988–1989Kingston Raiders
1989–presentKingston Frontenacs
Frontenacs pre-game skate.

Team history predates the OHA, back to 1945, to a team known as the Kingston Victorias. This franchise was founded in the OHA in 1973–74, then known as the Kingston Canadians until 1987–88. The team was briefly known as the Kingston Raiders in 1988–89, and as the Frontenacs ever since.

History

The original Kingston Frontenacs were founded in 1897, named after Louis de Buade de Frontenac, governor of New France, who established Fort Frontenac on the site of present-day Kingston. The original Frontenacs were coached by James T. Sutherland, played in the intermediate division of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), and won the inaugural J. Ross Robertson Cup during the 1898–99 season.[1]

The Kingston Frontenacs had a junior ice hockey team in the OHA prior to World War I. This version of the Frontenacs won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 1910–11 season.[2] National Hockey League alumni from this team are Alec Connell, Bill Cook, Allan Davidson and Flat Walsh.

An Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Sr. League team also existed from the 1910s to 1940s. National Hockey League alumni from this team are Mickey Blake, Glen Brydson, Bill Cook, Gus Giesebrecht, Doug Stevenson, Charles Stewart, Carl Voss and Flat Walsh. Some members of this team then formed an entry in the Ontario Veteran's Hockey League during World War II. National Hockey League alumni from this team are Hub Macey, Gus Marker, Walt McCartney and Ed Nicholson.

1952–1973
Kingston Junior Frontenacs OHA Jr Semi-Finalists 1963-64

In 1952, the Kingston Victoria were renamed the Kingston Frontenacs. This team played at the Junior B level, then later at the Junior A level. This Frontenacs team lost in the 1963 Sutherland Cup final to the St. Marys Lincolns, 4 games to 1.

From 1959 to 1963, there was also a Kingston Frontenacs team in the Eastern Professional Hockey League.

Kingston Canadians (1973–1988)

The Kingston Canadians arrival in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) for the 1973–74 season, was a result of the Montreal Junior Canadiens switch to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 1972. During the summer of 1972, the QMJHL had threatened a lawsuit against the OHA to force the Junior Canadiens to return to the Quebec-based league. To solve the problem, the OHA granted the Junior Canadiens franchise a "one-year suspension" of operations, while team ownership transferred the team and players into the QMJHL, renaming themselves the Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge in the process.

After a one-year hiatus, the OHA then reactivated the suspended franchise under new ownership and with new players, calling the team the Kingston Canadians. The new Kingston team was essentially an expansion franchise promoted from the OHA's Tier II league, that had only common name to share with the old Junior Canadiens. The Tier II Frontenacs originated in the Eastern Junior B Hockey League and date back to at least the early 1940s as the Kingston Victorias. However, in some OHA histories (such as the annual Media Guide) the Kingston team is still shown as the legitimate successors of the Junior Canadiens' legacy.

Kingston Raiders (1988–89)

Following a change in ownership the club was renamed Kingston Raiders for one season in 1988–89. Due to ownership problems, the team was sold again following that season.

Kingston Frontenacs (1989–present)

In 1989, the new ownership, including Wren Blair, Don Anderson and Bob Attersley, renamed the team Kingston Frontenacs after the Eastern Professional Hockey League team. The Boston Bruins-style uniforms and logos were revived from the old franchise. The city embraced and welcomed the new ownership. Wren Blair and Bob Attersley were both hockey legends in their own right. In 1997 Wren Blair would be honoured with the Bill Long Award for distinguished service in the OHL. The club was sold to the Springer family of Kingston in June 1998, with Doug Springer becoming the owner and governor.

The Frontenacs franchise has the second-longest championship drought in the OHL (to the Sudbury Wolves by one year), and the fourth-longest in the Canadian Hockey League. The Frontenacs won the Leyden Trophy as the OHL's East Division champions in the 1994–95 and 2015–16. In the 1992–93 season, the Frontenacs reached the Eastern Conference Final but lost to the Peterborough Petes. In 2017-18, Kingston reached the Eastern Conference final for the second time in club history, however, they lost to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Coaches

During the inaugural season of the Kingston Canadians in 1973–74, Jack Bownass was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHA Coach of the Year. Former NHL defenceman Jim Morrison coached the team from 1975 to 1982, which was the longest stint a coach had when the club was known as the Canadians.

Larry Mavety coached the Frontenacs for much of the team's history. He originally coached the team in 1988–89, when they were still known as the Kingston Raiders. In 1989–90, the first season the franchise was known as the Frontenacs, he won the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL Coach of the Year. Mavety returned to Kingston in 1997 to become the head coach once again, and stayed in that position until midway through the 2002–03 season when he stepped down to focus on his general manager duties. After a slow start in the 2007–08 season, Mavety once again found himself coaching the Frontenacs until November 2008. Mavety remained as the general manager until the end of the 2010–11 season.

The Frontenacs had head coaches that were also head coaches in the National Hockey League, including Dave Allison, Gary Agnew, and Bruce Cassidy.

List of coaches

(Multiple years in parentheses, totals include all incarnations of the Kingston franchise)

Players

Paul Coffey is the only former member of the Kingston franchise to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, getting the honour in 2004. In 1977–78, Coffey played for the Kingston Canadians, as a late season addition from the North York Rangers. He played eight regular season games and five playoff games with the Canadians.

Honoured numbers

Eight numbers have been "honoured" from the Kingston Canadians/Frontenacs. They are not retired and remain in use. (#5 Mike O'Connell, #7 Tony McKegney, #10 Brad Rhiness, #14 Ken Linseman, #17 David Ling, #7 Mike Zigomanis, #88 Keli Corpse, #29 Chris Clifford)

Award winners

CHL Player of the Year

CHL Goaltender of the Year

CHL Rookie of the Year

  • 2019-20 Shane Wright

Bobby Smith Trophy
Scholastic Player of the Year

Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy
Humanitarian of the Year

Dave Pinkney Trophy
Lowest Team G.A.A.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
OHL Scoring Champion

  • 1983–84 Tim Salmon

Emms Family Award
Rookie of the Year

F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy
Lowest Rookie G.A.A.

  • 1988–89 Jeff Wilson

Jack Ferguson Award
First Overall Draft Pick

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy
Top Scoring Right Winger

Max Kaminsky Trophy
Most Outstanding Defenceman

OHL Goaltender of the Year

Red Tilson Trophy
Most Outstanding Player

William Hanley Trophy
Most Sportsmanlike Player

Team captains
  • 2006–07 Chris Stewart
  • September–November 2007 Cory Emmerton
  • November 2007–April 2008 Justin Wallingford
  • November 2008 Erik Gudbranson
  • December 2008 George Lovatsis
  • January 2009-April 2010 Brian Lashoff
  • 2010–11 Taylor Doherty
  • 2011–January 2012 Tyler J. Brown
  • January 2012–April 2013 Cody Alcock
  • 2013–14 Michael Moffat
  • 2014–16 Roland McKeown
  • 2016–17 Stephen Desrocher
  • 2017–18 Ted Nichol
  • 2018–19 Ryan Cranford
  • 2019–20 Jakob Brahaney

First round draft picks

The Kingston franchise has had several players selected in the first round of the NHL draft.

NHL alumni
Kingston Canadians
Kingston Raiders
Kingston Frontenacs

Season-by-season results

Regular season
  • Kingston Frontenacs 1960–73 (EJBHL & OPJHL)
  • Kingston Canadians 1973–88
  • Kingston Raiders 1988–89
  • Kingston Frontenacs 1989–present

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shoot Out Loss

SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSLPointsPct %Goals
For		Goals
Against		Standing
1960–6120893——190.475——4th EJBHL
1961–62statistics unavailable
1962–63212010——400.952153401st EJBHL
1963–643014115——330.5501501221st EJBHL
1964–652612113——250.519——1st EJBHL
1965–66342392——480.7062261401st EJBHL
1966–67statistics unavailable
1967–683113144——300.4841551354th EJBHL
1968–693015132——320.533——3rd EJBHL
1969–703019101——390.6501761152nd EJBHL
1970–713014115——330.5501831703rd EJBHL
1971–72statistics unavailable
1972–734413301——270.30715227312th OPJHL
1973–747020437——470.33625637810th in OHA
1974–7570253510——600.4292973458th in OMJHL
1975–766633249——750.5683573163rd in Leyden
1976–7766322410——740.5612952593rd in Leyden
1977–786827329——630.4632883234th in Leyden
1978–796826384——560.4122653065th in Leyden
1979–806835267——770.5663202984th in Leyden
1980–816839263--810.5963342733rd in Leyden
1981–826829345——630.4633023165th in Leyden
1982–837024451——490.3503514257th in Leyden
1983–847025450——500.3573133787th in Leyden
1984–-856618471——370.2802393807th in Leyden
1985–866635283——730.5532972574th in Leyden
1986–876626391——530.4022873164th in Leyden
1987–886614520——280.2122464327th in Leyden
1988–896625365——550.4172783137th in Leyden
1989–906642213——870.6593002322nd in Leyden
1990–916615474——340.2582553828th in Leyden
1991–926616446——380.2882413168th in Leyden
1992–9366361911——830.6293142652nd in Leyden
1993–946630288——680.5152652595th in Leyden
1994–956640197——870.6592842241st in Eastern
1995–966629316——640.4852662675th in Eastern
1996–976625356——560.4242572774th in Eastern
1997–986635274——740.5613302753rd in Eastern
1998–996822424——480.3532403205th in East
1999–200068382253—840.6182582453rd in East
2000–01682828111—680.5002322184th in East
2001–0268183794—490.3601972725th in East
2002–0368253724—560.4122222875th in East
2003–0468302873—700.5152102212nd in East
2004–0568283343—630.4632192424th in East
2005–06683724—43810.5962582372nd in East
2006–07683130—52690.5072692843rd in East
2007–08682541—02520.3822303175th in East
2008–09681840—64460.3382002785th in East
2009–10683330—23710.5222292512nd in East
2010–11682930—45670.4932452793rd in East
2011–12681941—35460.3381882905th in East
2012–13682735—33600.4412172733rd in East
2013–14683923—33840.6183012553rd in East
2014–15683228—53720.5291961973rd in East
2015–16684617—32970.7132521891st in East
2016–17683326—54750.5511792003rd in East
2017–18683623—63810.5962432022nd in East
2018–19681452—11300.2211443075th in East
2019–20621939—22420.3391982855th in East

Playoffs

Junior B Era

  • 1953–54 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final round robin
  • 1955–56 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final round robin
  • 1962–63 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Defeated Lakeshore Bruins in Sutherland Cup quarter-final 3-games-to-2
    Defeated Burlington Cougars in Sutherland Cup semi-final 3-games-to-none
    Lost Sutherland Cup final to St. Marys Lincolns 4-games-to-1
  • 1963–64 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Defeated Burlington Cougars in Sutherland Cup quarter-final 4-games-to-1
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final to Weston Dukes 4-games-to-none
  • 1964–65 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup quarter-final to Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-games-to-2
  • 1969–70 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final to Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-games-to-3

OPJHL Era

  • 1972–73 Did not qualify.

OHL Era

  • 1973–74 Out of playoffs.
  • 1974–75 Lost to Toronto Marlboros in quarter-finals 9 points to 7.
  • 1975–76 Lost to Ottawa 67's in quarter-finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1976–77 Defeated Sudbury Wolves in quarter-finals 9 points to 3.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's in semi-finals 9 points to 7.
  • 1977–78 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds in first round 6 points to 4.
  • 1978–79 Defeated Ottawa 67's in first round 6 points to 2.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes in quarter-finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1979–80 Lost to Sudbury Wolves in first round 3 games to 0.
  • 1980–81 Defeated Ottawa 67's in division semi-finals 9 points to 5.
    Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds in division finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1981–82 Lost to Peterborough Petes in first round 6 points to 2.
  • 1982–83 Out of playoffs.
  • 1983–84 Out of playoffs.
  • 1984–85 Out of playoffs.
  • 1985–86 Defeated Oshawa Generals in first round 8 points to 4.
    Finished 3rd place in round-robin versus Peterborough Petes and Belleville Bulls, and are eliminated.
  • 1986–87 Defeated Belleville Bulls in first round 4 games to 2.
    Lost to Oshawa Generals in quarter-finals 4 games to 2.
  • 1987–88 Out of playoffs.
  • 1988–89 Out of playoffs.
  • 1989–90 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 3 in first round.
  • 1990–91 Out of playoffs.
  • 1991–92 Out of playoffs.
  • 1992–93 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 1 in first round.
    Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
  • 1993–94 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1994–95 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 1995–96 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1996–97 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1997–98 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
    Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
  • 1998–99 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 1999–2000 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2000–01 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2001–02 Out of playoffs. (Lost to North Bay Centennials 6 to 2 in 8th place tie-breaker game.)
  • 2002–03 Out of playoffs.
  • 2003–04 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2004–05 Out of playoffs.
  • 2005–06 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2006–07 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2007–08 Out of playoffs.
  • 2008–09 Out of playoffs.
  • 2009–10 Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2010–11 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2011–12 Out of playoffs.
  • 2012–13 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2013–14 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2014–15 Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2015-16 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Niagara IceDogs 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2016-17 Defeated Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2017-18 Defeated North Bay Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
    Lost to Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  • 2018–19 Out of playoffs.
  • 2019–20 Cancelled.

Team uniforms and logos

The original uniforms and logos of the OHL Frontenacs were revived from the EPHL franchise, which was affiliated with the Boston Bruins. The logo featured a yellow letter 'K' with a black outline, surrounded by black spokes leading to a yellow circle border with the name Kingston Frontenacs in black.

In 2002, the team adopted a new logo with a stylized Count Frontenac. The jerseys feature a star striping pattern similar to Dallas of the NHL, and a modified version of the former "K" logo is used on the shoulder.

In 2007, the Frontenacs unveiled a 3rd jersey, which was black, yellow and white, and very similar looking to the Boston Bruins jerseys from the early 1970s. The "K" logo was used on the front of the jersey. The Frontenacs began wearing these jerseys on February 22, 2008, which was the same night that they opened their new arena.

In 2008, The Frontenacs unveiled a new 3rd jersey which was worn at home between opening night and New Years barring 2 games where the black star jersey was worn. The new jersey was a white version of the black alternate which was worn for the second half of the season.

In 2009, the Frontenacs, along with all CHL teams unveiled new uniforms using RBK EDGE templates. In 2012, the Frontenacs began wearing a newly designed set of uniforms featuring a large K as a logo.

Arenas

The former home arena of the Frontenacs was the Kingston Memorial Centre, with a seating capacity 3,079 seated, and 3,300 including standing room. Built in 1950, its ice size has unique dimensions of 200' x 92'. The Frontenacs' final game was played at the Memorial Center on February 15, 2008, a 6–4 win over the London Knights. Kyle Paige scored the final goal ever at the Memorial Centre.

The Kingston Frontenacs began play at their new downtown arena, the Leon's Centre (then the K-Rock Centre) on February 22, 2008, in a 3–2 loss to the Belleville Bulls. The Frontenacs' first win at the Leon's Centre came on February 24, 2008 when they defeated the Peterborough Petes by a score of 7–4.

See also

References
  1. Fitsell, J.W. (Bill) (2012). Captain James T. Sutherland: The Grand Old Man of Hockey & The Battle for the Original Hockey Hall of Fame. Kingston, Ontario: Quarry Heritage Books. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-55082-374-5.
  2. Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.
  3. "[NEWS] Frontenacs announce Jay Varady as Head Coach". Frontenacs. July 13, 2017.
  4. "Coyotes Name Varady Head Coach of Tucson Roadrunners". Arizona Coyotes. July 2, 2018.
  5. "Kurtis Foster Promoted to Head Coach, Luca Caputi Named as Associate Coach". OurSportsCentral.com. July 16, 2018.
  6. "Paul McFarland Returning to Coach the Kingston Frontenacs". Kingston Frontenacs. May 8, 2020.
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