Stratford Cullitons
Encyclopedia
The Stratford Cullitons are a Canadian
junior ice hockey
team based in Stratford, Ontario
, Canada
. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
. The team was originally named the Warriors but was changed to Culliton in 1975 in honour of the team sponsor the Culliton brothers.
, who became the Kroehlers and Kist Canadians
won a Sutherland Cup
in the 1940s and competed as Junior A team for the J. Ross Robertson Cup
. Stratford played in the Central "B" from 1962 until 1969. When they joined the reformed Western "B" in 1969, they became the Warriors and stayed on board until 1975. In 1975, the team jumped to the precursor to the Mid-Western "B", the "Waterloo-Wellington Junior "B" Hockey League" and changed their name to the Cullitons, finishing first both seasons. They continued their dominance when the league was renamed the Mid-Western, winning eight of the first 13 championships they competed for. They have since won five more league championships. If the Stratford Canadians era is included, the Stratford Junior "B" club has captured eight Sutherland Cup
titles, leading the Mid-Western "B" with six since its founding in 1977. The Cullitons have never failed to make the playoffs since joining the Mid-Western "B", a feat matched only by the Waterloo Siskins
. Between 1975-76 and 2004-05, the Cullitons never placed lower than third in the league standings.
One thing that sets the Cullitons apart from any other teams in the league, including the Siskins, is that until 2006 the Cullitons have only suffered one losing season. In fact, in their 32-year history the Cullitons have lost more than 10 games only eight times. On three occasions they registered more ties than losses. They have scored more than 300 goals in a season 11 times, and have only allowed more than 200 goals once. The Cullitons have also been regular-season champions 19 times.
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...
junior ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Stratford, 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 play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada...
. The team was originally named the Warriors but was changed to Culliton in 1975 in honour of the team sponsor the Culliton brothers.
History
Between the years of 1951 and 1962, not much is known about junior hockey in the town of Stratford-St. Marys District. Prior to 1952, the Stratford MidgetsStratford Midgets
The Stratford Midgets were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Ontario Hockey Association. The team played at the Stratford Arena, now known as the William Allman Memorial Arena, in Stratford, Ontario....
, who became the Kroehlers and Kist Canadians
Stratford Kroehlers
The Stratford Kroehlers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Ontario Hockey Association. The Kroehlers were named for the Kroehler Furniture Company, a local manufacturer and team sponsor...
won a Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
in the 1940s and competed as Junior A team for the J. Ross Robertson Cup
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
. Stratford played in the Central "B" from 1962 until 1969. When they joined the reformed Western "B" in 1969, they became the Warriors and stayed on board until 1975. In 1975, the team jumped to the precursor to the Mid-Western "B", the "Waterloo-Wellington Junior "B" Hockey League" and changed their name to the Cullitons, finishing first both seasons. They continued their dominance when the league was renamed the Mid-Western, winning eight of the first 13 championships they competed for. They have since won five more league championships. If the Stratford Canadians era is included, the Stratford Junior "B" club has captured eight Sutherland Cup
Sutherland Cup
The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship...
titles, leading the Mid-Western "B" with six since its founding in 1977. The Cullitons have never failed to make the playoffs since joining the Mid-Western "B", a feat matched only by the Waterloo Siskins
Waterloo Siskins
The Waterloo Siskins are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. Between 1975-76 and 2004-05, the Cullitons never placed lower than third in the league standings.
One thing that sets the Cullitons apart from any other teams in the league, including the Siskins, is that until 2006 the Cullitons have only suffered one losing season. In fact, in their 32-year history the Cullitons have lost more than 10 games only eight times. On three occasions they registered more ties than losses. They have scored more than 300 goals in a season 11 times, and have only allowed more than 200 goals once. The Cullitons have also been regular-season champions 19 times.
Season-by-Season record
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs |
| 1962-63 | 36 | 18 | 17 | 1 | ||||||
| 168 | 177 | 37 | 3rd CJBHL | |||||||
| 1963-64 | 36 | 25 | 11 | 0 | ||||||
| 241 | 178 | 50 | 1st CJBHL | |||||||
| 1964-65 | 42 | 18 | 20 | 4 | ||||||
| 184 | 147 | 40 | 4th CJBHL | |||||||
| 1965-66 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
| 210 | 184 | 44 | 3rd CJBHL | |||||||
| 1966-67 | 32 | 11 | 18 | 3 | ||||||
| 130 | 140 | 25 | 4th CJBHL | |||||||
| 1967-68 | 40 | 17 | 21 | 2 | ||||||
| 163 | 194 | 36 | 5th CJBHL | |||||||
| 1968-69 | 36 | 17 | 13 | 6 | ||||||
| 188 | 184 | 40 | 3rd CJBHL | |||||||
| 1969-70 | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| 227 | 162 | 53 | 1st WOJHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1970-71 | 42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | ||||||
| 302 | 174 | 64 | 2nd WOJHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1971-72 | 40 | 19 | 16 | 5 | ||||||
| 214 | 212 | 43 | 4th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1972-73 | 42 | 17 | 20 | 5 | ||||||
| 241 | 236 | 39 | 6th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1973-74 | 39 | 21 | 17 | 1 | ||||||
| 211 | 199 | 43 | 3rd WOJHL | |||||||
| 1974-75 | 40 | 11 | 24 | 5 | ||||||
| 181 | 226 | 27 | 6th WOJHL | |||||||
| 1975-76 | 42 | 37 | 5 | 0 | ||||||
| 349 | 176 | 74 | 1st WWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1976-77 | 40 | 34 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| 278 | 162 | 71 | 1st WWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
||||||
| 1977-78 | 40 | 34 | 2 | 4 | ||||||
| 277 | 127 | 72 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
||||||
| 1978-79 | 42 | 33 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| 321 | 141 | 71 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1979-80 | 42 | 31 | 6 | 5 | ||||||
| 251 | 149 | 67 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1980-81 | 42 | 31 | 10 | 1 | ||||||
| 240 | 118 | 63 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1981-82 | 42 | 35 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| 272 | 140 | 70 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1982-83 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 2 | ||||||
| 293 | 179 | 56 | 2nd MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1983-84 | 42 | 35 | 6 | 1 | ||||||
| 284 | 126 | 71 | 2nd MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1984-85 | 42 | 25 | 15 | 2 | ||||||
| 280 | 185 | 52 | 2nd MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1985-86 | 40 | 36 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| 333 | 134 | 73 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
||||||
| 1986-87 | 42 | 35 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| 345 | 131 | 70 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1987-88 | 48 | 35 | 11 | 2 | ||||||
| 332 | 172 | 72 | 3rd MWJBHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 1988-89 | 48 | 43 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| 398 | 161 | 87 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1989-90 | 48 | 41 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| 396 | 197 | 82 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
||||||
| 1990-91 | 48 | 41 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| 367 | 148 | 82 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1991-92 | 48 | 32 | 10 | 6 | ||||||
| 299 | 171 | 70 | 3rd MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1992-93 | 48 | 32 | 15 | 1 | ||||||
| 279 | 206 | 65 | 3rd MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1993-94 | 48 | 39 | 8 | 1 | ||||||
| 278 | 127 | 79 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 1994-95 | 48 | 41 | 6 | 1 | ||||||
| 338 | 125 | 83 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
||||||
| 1995-96 | 48 | 38 | 10 | 0 | ||||||
| 294 | 140 | 76 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1996-97 | 48 | 34 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| 348 | 183 | 74 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1997-98 | 48 | 38 | 9 | 1 | ||||||
| 315 | 147 | 77 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 1998-99 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 0 | ||||||
| 347 | 123 | 86 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League | ||||||
| 1999-00 | 48 | 33 | 10 | 5 | ||||||
| 231 | 139 | 71 | 1st MWJBHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 2000-01 | 48 | 31 | 14 | 3 | ||||||
| 263 | 167 | 65 | 2nd MWJBHL | Lost Semi-final | ||||||
| 2001-02 | 48 | 33 | 7 | 8 | ||||||
| 270 | 124 | 74 | 2nd MWJBHL | Lost Final | ||||||
| 2002-03 | 48 | 38 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 262 | 115 | 82 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
| 2003-04 | 48 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 294 | 133 | 88 | 1st MWJBHL | Won League, Won SC Sutherland Cup The Sutherland Cup is the ice hockey Ontario Junior "B" Provincial Championship trophy. The Sutherland Cup is now the championship trophy of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Until 2007, the Cup served as an interleague provincial championship... |
| 2004-05 | 48 | 31 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 227 | 133 | 66 | 2nd MWJBHL | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2005-06 | 48 | 24 | 22 | 2 | ||||||
| 176 | 175 | 50 | 5th MWJBHL | Lost Quarter-final | ||||||
| 2006-07 | 48 | 19 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 158 | 180 | 43 | 7th MWJBHL | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2007-08 | 48 | 22 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 167 | 158 | 54 | 4th GOJHL-MW | |
| 2008-09 | 52 | 28 | 22 | |||||||
| 2 | 211 | 177 | 58 | 5th GOJHL-MW | ||||||
| 2009-10 | 51 | 23 | 27 | |||||||
| 1 | 183 | 178 | 47 | 5th GOJHL-MW | Lost Conf. Final | |||||
| 2010-11 | 51 | 33 | 16 | |||||||
| 2 | 217 | 150 | 68 | 4th GOJHL-MW | Lost Conf. QF |
- 1974-1975
- 1975-1977
- 1977-2002
- 2002-Present
Sutherland Cup Appearances
- 1977: Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville DerbysStreetsville DerbysThe Streetsville Derbys were a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 when they merged into the Cobourg Cougars.-History:...
4-games-to-2 - 1978: Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville DerbysStreetsville DerbysThe Streetsville Derbys were a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 when they merged into the Cobourg Cougars.-History:...
9-points-to-5 - 1981: Burlington CougarsBurlington CougarsThe Burlington Cougars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Division Hockey.-History:Founded in the early 1950s, the Burlington Mohawks found their footing in the Central Junior B Hockey League...
defeated Stratford Cullitons 8-points-to-4 - 1983: Henry Carr Crusaders defeated Stratford Cullitons 4-games-to-none
- 1986: Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville DerbysStreetsville DerbysThe Streetsville Derbys were a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2011 when they merged into the Cobourg Cougars.-History:...
4-games-to-none - 1990: Stratford Cullitons defeated St. Catharines FalconsSt. Catharines Falcons Jr. BThe St. Catharines Falcons are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Falcons play their home games inside Jack Gatecliff Arena in downtown St. Catharines.-History:The...
4-games-to-none - 1995: Stratford Cullitons defeated St. Thomas StarsSt. Thomas StarsThe St. Thomas Stars are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-none - 1999: Chatham MaroonsChatham Maroons----The Chatham Maroons are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
defeated Startford Cullitons 4-games-to-3 - 2003: Stratford Cullitons defeated Thorold BlackhawksThorold BlackhawksThe Thorold Blackhawks are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Thorold, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-3 - 2004: Stratford Cullitons defeated Thorold BlackhawksThorold BlackhawksThe Thorold Blackhawks are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Thorold, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
4-games-to-none
Notable alumni
- Rob BlakeRob BlakeRobert Bowlby Blake is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, appearing in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy and serving as team captain for five seasons in his initial 11 season-stint with...
- Boyd DevereauxBoyd DevereauxBoyd Fletcher Devereaux is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, most recently played for HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A. He now resides in Kitchener, Ontario with his wife and 2 kids.-Playing career:...
- Greg de VriesGreg de VriesGreg de Vries is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played over 800 games with six teams in the National Hockey League...
- Nelson EmersonNelson EmersonNelson Donald Emerson is a Canadian former ice hockey right winger.-Playing career:Emerson grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of Waterford, Ontario with the Waterford Wildcats of the OMHA...
- Dave FarrishDave FarrishDavid Allan Farrish is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 430 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, and Toronto Maple Leafs...
- Jeff HalpernJeff HalpernJeffrey C. Halpern is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
- Jay Heinbuck
- Rem MurrayRem MurrayRaymond Joseph "Rem" Murray is a professional ice hockey left winger who plays for Pustertal-Val Pusteria Wolves in the Serie A.- Draft :...
- Ed OlczykEd OlczykEdward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk is an American former head coach for the National Hockey League Pittsburgh Penguins and former center for Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins...
- Mike PelusoMike David PelusoMichael David Peluso, is an American former professional ice hockey player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer throughout his National Hockey League career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998...
- Chris ProngerChris ProngerChristopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
- David Shaw
- Bryan SmolinskiBryan SmolinskiBryan Anthony Smolinski is an American professional ice hockey center. The Boston Bruins drafted him 21st overall in 1990. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and...
- Garth SnowGarth SnowGarth E. Snow is an American retired professional ice hockey goaltender and is currently the general manager for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- Tim Taylor
- Mike WattMike Watt (ice hockey)Michael Watt is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for four different National Hockey League teams.-Playing career:...
- James FitzpatrickJames FitzpatrickThis article is about the Australian medical student. For other persons named James Fitzpatrick, see James Fitzpatrick.James Fitzpatrick is an Australian medical science student at the University of New South Wales notable for his advocacy of rural and indigenous health issues...
More sources
- OHA Webpage Sutherland Cup History provided by OHA via Official 2006-07 Handbook
- Official Game Puck Basic Team Name History