Burlington Cougars

The Burlington Cougars are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Burlington, Ontario. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

History

Founded in the early 1950s, the Burlington Mohawks found their footing in the Central Junior B Hockey League. After seven seasons in the league and two league championships, the team was transferred to the Niagara District Junior B Hockey League.

In the Niagara League, the Mohawks (briefly renamed Industrials from 57 to 60) won both the 1963 and 1964 league championships before dropping down to Junior C in 1967.

In 1970, the Mohawks jumped back up to the Junior B level in the Mid-Ontario Junior B Hockey League. They were in the league for one season before the Ontario Hockey Association shifted them back to the Central Junior B Hockey League.

The Mohawks were renamed the Cougars in 1976 and stayed in the Central League for twenty-two seasons, from 1971 until 1993.

In 1981, the Cougars won their first Central League championship since 1958. They went on to face the Stratford Cullitons of the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League in the Sutherland Cup final. The Cougars won the series 8-points-to-4 to defeat the Cullitons and claim their only Sutherland Cup.

In 1987, the Cougars won their fourth and final Central League championship.

In 1993, the Central League was promoted to become the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, the Cougars made the jump with the league. The Cougars have yet to win an OPJHL title.

The Cougars moved their home rink from Central Arena on Drury Lane to The Wave Twin Rinks on Mainway and have since returned to Central Arena.

Season-by-season results

Playoffs

*1994 ''Lost quarter-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Georgetown Raiders ''4-games-to-none''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-none''
*1995 ''Lost Preliminary''
: Brampton Capitals defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-1''
*1996 ''Did not qualify''
*1997 ''Did not qualify''
*1998 ''Lost Preliminary''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-2''
*1999 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Georgetown Raiders defeated Burlington Cougars ''3-games-to-1''
*2000 ''Lost Division Semi-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Milton Merchants ''4-games-to-3''
: Georgetown Raiders defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-3''
*2001 ''Did not qualify''
*2002 ''Did not qualify''
*2003 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-none''
*2004 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-none''
*2005 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Milton Icehawks defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-1''
*2006 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-1''
*2007 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Georgetown Raiders defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-2''
*2008 ''Lost Division Quarter-final''
: Brampton Capitals defeated Burlington Cougars ''3-games-to-none''
*2009 ''Lost Division Semi-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Milton Icehawks ''3-games-to-none''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-1''
*2010 ''Lost CCHL Semi-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated North York Rangers ''4-games-to-none''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Streetsville Derbys ''4-games-to-none''
:Newmarket Hurricanes defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-none''
*2011 ''Lost quarter-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Hamilton Red Wings ''4-games-to-none''
: Oakville Blades defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-2''
*2012 ''Lost Division Semi-final''
:Burlington Cougars defeated Milton Icehawks ''3-games-to-1''
: Georgetown Raiders defeated Burlington Cougars ''4-games-to-1''

Sutherland Cup appearances

''1981'': Burlington Cougars defeated Stratford Cullitons ''8-points-to-4''

Notable alumni

* Kevin Bieksa
* Tim Bothwell
* Eric Cairns
* Greg Carey
* Paul Crowley
* Dan Currie
* Bob Dillabough
* Steve Durbano
* Paul Henderson
* Larry Jeffrey
* Jeff Johnson (running back - CFL)
* Josh Jooris
* Rick Lanz
* Mark Lawrence
* Lowell MacDonald
*Pit Martin
* Scott McKay
* John Miszuk
* Lance Nethery
* Danny Olesevich
* Murray Oliver
* Pat Quinn
* Dennis Ribant (pitcher - MLB)
* Wayne Rivers
* Ron Sedlbauer
* Fred Speck
* Steve Valiquette
* Mark Visheau
* Chad Wiseman
* Dino Felicetti

External links

Cougars Website

{{Toronto Sports

Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League teams
Sports clubs and teams in Burlington, Ontario
1952 establishments in Ontario
Ice hockey clubs established in 1952
Ice hockey teams in Ontario