Mississauga IceDogs
Encyclopedia
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in Mississauga, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They played in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
from 1998 to 2007. A sale relocated the team to St. Catharines, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
for the 2007–08 season
2007–08 OHL season
The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the schedule, that started on September 19, 2007, and concluded on March 16, 2008....
and they are now called the Niagara IceDogs
Niagara IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was originally known as the Mississauga IceDogs and founded in 1996. The team was relocated to St. Catharines and played its inaugural season in the Niagara...
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History
From 1998 to 2002, the IceDogs enjoyed little success, finishing last in the OHLOntario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's Central Division every year. During this building phase, the team had six head coaches within the span of 4 years, including the owner, Don Cherry. Mississauga drafted first overall each year, leading to two rookies of the year, including one of the highest touted NHL prospects in Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
.
In the 2002–03 season, the IceDogs finished fourth in the Central Division and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but lost in the first round in five games against the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
.
2003–04 was the IceDogs' best season. The team finished second in the Central Division, two points behind the division champion Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
, and third overall in the Eastern Conference.
In the first round of the playoffs, the IceDogs defeated the Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
in seven games, winning their first-ever playoff series. The IceDogs were down three games to two against the Barrie Colts
Barrie Colts
The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The...
in the second round but managed to come back and win the series in seven games. The surprise IceDogs then upset the St. Michael's Majors in the Eastern Conference Championship series in six games to win the Bobby Orr Trophy
Bobby Orr Trophy
The Bobby Orr Trophy is the championship trophy of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, named in honour of Bobby Orr. The corresponding trophy of the OHL Western Conference is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. It was first awarded in 1999...
and earn their first-ever trip to the Ontario Hockey League finals. The dream ended there as they fell to the Guelph Storm
Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...
in four straight games in the OHL final, losing the fourth game at the Hershey Centre.
The 2004–05 season was another record setting season for the IceDogs. They won their first ever Central Division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference with 81 points. Despite regular season success, the IceDogs were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the eighth-seeded St. Michael's Majors in five games. In 2005–06, the IceDogs started rebuilding and missed the playoffs again.
Change in ownership
On July 12, 2006, Eugene MelnykEugene Melnyk
Eugene Melnyk is a Ukrainian Canadian businessman who now resides in Barbados. He is the current owner, governor, and chairman of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey club of the National Hockey League . He also owns the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors junior-age ice hockey club...
, owner of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors
Toronto St. Michael's Majors
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors, was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hockey program was founded and operated by St. Michael's College School in 1906, and adopted the name "Majors" in 1934, and was commonly referred to as St. Mike's...
and the NHL's Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, bought the Mississauga IceDogs. After the 2006–07 season, Melnyk sold the IceDogs, and moved the Majors to the Hershey Centre
Hershey Centre
The Hershey Centre is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex located in Mississauga, Ontario, across the street from Iceland Mississauga.-History:...
in Mississauga. On January 8, 2007, Toronto businessman Tom Bitove proposed to buy the team with plans to move to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
, but city council declined the proposal to build a new arena. As an alternative, the team approached the City of St. Catharines about moving the team into Jack Gatecliff Arena
Jack Gatecliff Arena
The Gatorade Garden City Complex is the main arena facility in St. Catharines, Ontario. It houses two arena pads - the Jack Gatecliff Arena which is home to the Niagara IceDogs, and the smaller Rex Stimers Arena. The original section was constructed in 1938, and was named the Garden City Arena...
in the downtown core. St. Catharines City Council
St. Catharines City Council
The St. Catharines City Council is the governing body of the City of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.The council consists of the mayor plus twelve elected councilors, with two councilors representing each of the six municipal wards...
voted on a leasing arrangement on April 23, 2007, which passed. Bill Burke bought the IceDogs and relocated the team to St. Catharines in time for the 2007–08 season, to be known as the Niagara IceDogs. The IceDogs played their final game in Mississauga on April 1, 2007, losing in game five of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at home to the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
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Championships
Bobby Orr Trophy Bobby Orr Trophy The Bobby Orr Trophy is the championship trophy of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, named in honour of Bobby Orr. The corresponding trophy of the OHL Western Conference is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. It was first awarded in 1999... Eastern Conference Champions
| Emms Trophy Emms Trophy The Emms Trophy was first presented in 1975–76 to the winners of the Ontario Hockey League's Emms Division. Since 1994–95 it has been presented to the winner of the Central Division. The award is named in recognition of Leighton "Hap" Emms and his contribution to junior hockey in Ontario.-Winners... Central Division Champions
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Coaches
Former team owner and hockey commentator Donald S. Cherry stepped behind the bench to coach the IceDogs for the 2001–02 season, after going through five coaches in three years. The team had its best season to the date, but still failed to reach the playoffs. The IceDogs were one of the highest-selling road teams in the OHL that year, as many spectators attended games to see Don Cherry coach and seek autographs.
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Players
The Mississauga IceDogs had the first overall draft pick four years in a row, which produced two rookies of the year, and a total of ten alumni have played in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
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Award winners
CHL Rookie of the Year CHL Rookie of the Year The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting*2009–10 Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes*2008–09 Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars...
Emms Family Award Emms Family Award The Emms Family Award is presented annually to the top first year player in the Ontario Hockey League.The award was donated to the OHL by Leighton "Hap" Emms, former owner of franchises in Barrie, Niagara Falls and St... OHL Rookie of the Year
| Jack Ferguson Award Jack Ferguson Award The Jack Ferguson Award, or "Fergie", is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. The trophy is named in honour of Jack Ferguson, a former director of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:... First Overall Draft Pick
| OHL Goaltender of the Year OHL Goaltender of the Year The OHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given to the best goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League, as voted on by OHL coaches and general managers.-Winners:*2010-11 Mark Visentin, Niagara Ice Dogs*2009-10 Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St...
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NHL alumni
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Team records
| Team records for a single season | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most points | 90 | 2006-07 2006-07 OHL season The 2006–07 OHL season was the 27th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The season commenced on September 21, 2006. The Plymouth Whalers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup defeating the Sudbury Wolves in the championship series.... |
| Most wins | 43 | 2006-07 |
| Most goals for | 326 | 2006–07 |
| Least goals for | 145 | 1998–99 1998–99 OHL season The 1998–99 OHL season was the 19th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Belleville Bulls won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.... |
| Least goals against | 172 | 2004–05 |
| Most goals against | 426 | 1998–99 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Luca Caputi Luca Caputi Gianluca Caputi is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Luca grew up in Maple, Ontario, a suburban community northor the same team for four seasons, even after the Mississauga IceDogs moved and became the Niagara... |
51 | 2007–08 |
| Most assists | Michael Swift Michael Swift (ice hockey) Michael Swift is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Worcester Sharks in the American Hockey League. On April 19, 2008, he was signed as a free agent by the New Jersey Devils... |
62 | 2007–08 |
| Most points | Luca Caputi | 111 | 2007–08 |
| Best GAA (goalie) | Michael Ouzas | 2.18 | 2004–05 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing |
| 1998–99 1998–99 OHL season The 1998–99 OHL season was the 19th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Belleville Bulls won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.... |
68 | 4 | 61 | 3 | — | — | 16 | 0.118 | 145 | 426 | 5th Central |
| 1999–2000 1999–2000 OHL season The 1999–2000 OHL season was the 20th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Barrie Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Plymouth Whalers.-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-Scoring leaders:... |
68 | 9 | 56 | 1 | 2 | — | 21 | 0.154 | 160 | 346 | 5th Central |
| 2000–01 | 68 | 3 | 56 | 7 | 2 | — | 15 | 0.110 | 157 | 380 | 5th Central |
| 2001–02 | 68 | 11 | 47 | 6 | 4 | — | 32 | 0.235 | 212 | 327 | 5th Central |
| 2002–03 | 68 | 23 | 31 | 11 | 3 | — | 60 | 0.441 | 212 | 231 | 4th Central |
| 2003–04 | 68 | 36 | 21 | 7 | 4 | — | 83 | 0.610 | 217 | 199 | 2nd Central |
| 2004–05 | 68 | 34 | 21 | 12 | 1 | — | 81 | 0.596 | 207 | 172 | 1st Central |
| 2005–06 | 68 | 21 | 40 | — | 5 | 2 | 49 | 0.360 | 192 | 299 | 5th Central |
| 2006–07 | 68 | 43 | 21 | — | 0 | 4 | 90 | 0.662 | 326 | 251 | 2nd Central |
| Total | 612 | 184 | 354 | 47 | 21 | 6 | - | 0.301 | 1828 | 2631 |
Playoffs
- 1998–99 Out of playoffs.
- 1999–2000 Out of playoffs.
- 2000–01 Out of playoffs.
- 2001–02 Out of playoffs.
- 2002–03 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2003–04 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
Defeated St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in finals. - 2004–05 Lost to St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2005–06 Out of playoffs.
- 2006–07 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
Uniforms and logos
Arena
The Mississauga IceDogs played their home games at the Hershey CentreHershey Centre
The Hershey Centre is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex located in Mississauga, Ontario, across the street from Iceland Mississauga.-History:...
in northeast Mississauga, near the junction of Highways 401, 403 and 410. The Hershey Centre hosted the OHL All-Star Game in 2000.
- Capacity = 5,420
- Ice Size = 200' x 85'
- Hershey Centre - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide