Barrie Colts

The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

Barrie Colts
CityBarrie, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionCentral
Founded1946 (1946)–79 (Jr. B.)
May 6, 1995 (OHL)
Home arenaSadlon Arena
ColoursNavy blue, yellow, red and white
                   
General managerJason Ford
Head coachTodd Miller (interim)
Affiliate(s)Collingwood Colts
Websitewww.barriecolts.com

Pre-OHL history

There were two previous Barrie Colts teams which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s. The first Barrie Colts played in the senior division of the OHA from 1907 until 1910, prior to the creation of junior A and B levels. One notable alumnus is Gordon Meeking, who played for the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey Association (NHA), and later in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA).

The Barrie Colts were revived in 1921 and played in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1921 to 1944. The club started out as a Junior-B team, then was promoted to Junior-A around the start of World War II. The Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup Championship in 1934–35. One of its original players was Leighton "Hap" Emms. Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Harry Lumley played for this team in 1942–43. Other NHL alumni include Ab DeMarco.

Modern Colts

The modern Barrie Colts also started out as a Junior B team. They started in the Mid-Ontario Jr.B league, then moved to the Central Junior B Hockey League in 1978 when the Mid-Ontario league folded. This version of the Junior B Colts won the Sutherland Cup Championship in 1992–93. For the next two seasons (1993–95), the Colts played at the Junior A Tier II level. The team was granted permission to join the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise on May 6, 1994, starting play during the 1995–96 season.

The Colts have been very successful since their inception. David Graham created the modern Colts logo for the team. Barrie has missed the playoffs 2 times in team history, and were the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. The Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 1999–2000 season, playing the seventh game on the road, defeating the Plymouth Whalers. Barrie travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup that year, losing to the Rimouski Océanic in the championship game.

Bert Templeton (1995–1996 to 1998–1999)
1995–96 OHL season

For their inaugural season in the league, the Colts brought in coach Bert Templeton to lead the upstart franchise. Jeff Cowan was named as the franchise's first captain. With a mixture of youth and experience, Templeton led the team to a 28–31–7 finish. The Colts became the first OHL team to make the post-season in their inaugural year. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round to the Kitchener Rangers. Although the Colts finished their first season in the league with a below-.500 record, and lost in the first round of the playoffs, there was plenty of optimism among Barrie fans. Seventeen-year-olds Alexandre Volchkov (63 points), and Jan Bulis (59 points), and sixteen-year-old Daniel Tkaczuk (61 points), who was selected first overall in the 1995 OHL selection, were some of the few reasons for hope. For his efforts in taking an expansion franchise to the playoffs, Templeton was honoured as the OHL Executive of the Year.

1996–97 OHL season

The Colts built upon their first year success in the following season. In his second year behind the Colts bench, Bert Templeton led the Barrie franchise to a 33–23–10 record for a total of 76 points; two points back of the Kitchener Rangers for first place in the central division. Jan Bulis, newly appointed captain Daniel Tkaczuk, and Alexandre Volchkov once again led the team in scoring with 103, 93, and 82 points respectively. Aside from these three players, the Colts struggled with secondary scoring. Tough-guy Luch Nasato finished the year fourth in team scoring with 45 points and a team-leading 219 penalty minutes. Once again the Colts made it to the OHL playoffs. This time they were able to beat the Owen Sound Platers four games to nothing before losing the next round to the Ottawa 67's four games to one.

1997–98 OHL season

Following two years of success on the ice, Bert Templeton was once again able to improve the young Barrie franchise. The team finished the 1997–98 season at the top of the central division with a record of 38–22–5–1 for an 82-point season. Daniel Tkaczuk once again led the team in offensive output, scoring 75 points. Luch Nasato also improved on the previous season's form, scoring 69 points while having 254 penalty minutes. First-year player Michael Henrich and rookie Martin Skoula also added some scoring touch. In the playoffs the Colts played their first series against division rivals Sudbury Wolves and lost the series in six games.

1998–99 OHL season

The Colts once again began the 1998–99 season with Bert Templeton behind the bench. Daniel Tkaczuk once again led his team on and off the ice, Michael Henrich and first-year player Denis Shvidki added some scoring punch. Midway through the season the Colts decided to make some moves and bring in players that would hopefully put them at the top of the league. In a trade with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, the Colts' management brought in one of the league's top scorers in Sheldon Keefe, along with Mike Jefferson, and Ryan Barnes. After that, the Colts had a young group of players that could possibly make it all the way to the Memorial Cup finals. At the end of the year the Colts had a 49–12–6–1 record for 105 points, and possessed two of the top scorers in the league. After defeating the Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 1 in the conference quarter-finals, the Colts lost in seven games to the fourth-place Oshawa Generals, who had finished the season twenty points behind the Colts. Barrie goalie Brian Finley won the OHL Goaltender of the Year award as well as the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP, and high-scoring forward Sheldon Keefe won the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year.

Bill Stewart and the Brampton Boys championship season (1999–2000)
1999–2000 OHL Season

During the summer of 1999 Bert Templeton stepped down as the Barrie head coach after being behind the bench for four years. He was replaced by Bill Stewart. The 1999–2000 season was successful on the ice but had many off-ice problems. There was internal dissension centering on Ryan Barnes, Shawn Cation, Mike Jefferson and Sheldon Keefe (all four had David Frost as an agent), and coach Stewart was later suspended by the OHL when it was discovered that he smuggled an imported Russian player across the Canada–United States border in the luggage compartment of the team bus.

After a relatively slow start to the 1999–2000 season, the Colts were able to quickly pick up the pace, finishing with a record of 43–18–6–1 for a total of 93 points. Newly appointed team captain Sheldon Keefe led the entire OHL in scoring, winning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy for his 48 goals and 73 assists on the season. Denis Shvidki, Mike Jefferson and Michael Henrich also finished in the top twenty in scoring that year with 106, 87, and 86 points respectively. The Colts also received secondary scoring from rookie Blaine Down and centre Matt Dzieduszycki. In the playoffs, the Colts faced the North Bay Centennials in the conference quarter finals, winning the series four games to two. In the next round they faced the Sudbury Wolves, winning that series four games to three. In their first trip to the eastern conference finals the Colts faced the Belleville Bulls whom they quickly defeated in 5 games, winning their first Bobby Orr Trophy. This meant that the Colts would face the Plymouth Whalers, a team who had won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy for finishing first in the league. The Colts defeated the Whalers in a seven-game series, playing the seventh game on the road, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup and advancing to the Memorial Cup finals in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Memorial Cup Finals, 2000

The Colts travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to compete in the Memorial Cup that year. In the first game of the round robin round Barrie lost to the host Halifax Mooseheads 5–2. In the second game the Colts did not fare much better, losing to the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 7–2. One day later Barrie defeated the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League 3–2 in double overtime. This win allowed Barrie to finish ahead of Kootenay and move on to the semi-finals where they once again played the host team Halifax. Barrie stormed out of the gates defeating the hosts 6–3. Their final result in the tournament, however, was not the fairy-tale ending they anticipated: one day later the Colts played the Rimouski Océanic in the championship game, but were defeated with a final score of 6–2.

Bud Stefanski (2000–2001 to 2003–04)
2000–01 OHL Season

Beginning in the 2000–01 season, Bud Stefanski took over a Barrie Colts team that had made it all the way to the Memorial Cup finals the previous year. No longer part of the Colts roster were players like Sheldon Keefe, Mike Jefferson, Denis Shvidki, and Michael Henrich, who led the Colts in scoring during their run to the Memorial Cup finals. Not many people expected great things from a rebuilding Colts franchise, but the Colts made it into the playoffs in seventh place with a 29–28–7–4 record. They would lose in 5 games to the Sudbury Wolves. Throughout the season, return players Blaine Down, Mike Henderson and newly appointed captain Matt Dzieduszycki led the charge on offense with 73, 68, and 63 points respectively. In addition, through the several trades that brought in Fraser Clair, Shayne Fryia, and goaltender David Chant as well as the great play of rookie Jan Platil the Colts looked to make a deep run into the playoffs the following season.

2001–02 OHL Season

At the start of the 2001–02 season Eric Reitz was appointed as the fifth captain in Colt's history. Once again, Blaine Down led the Colts in scoring with 61 points. Shayne Fryia, Joey Tenute, Fraser Clair, Jan Platil, Nick Lees and Eric Reitz each had 40 or more points. The rebuilt Colts team finished two points behind the Toronto St. Michael's Majors for second in the central division and second in the conference with a record of 38–19–9–2. In the playoffs, the Colts once again met the Sudbury Wolves, this time beating them in a five-game series. The following series was played against the Belleville Bulls whom they defeated in a six-game series. In the conference finals the Colts played division rival Toronto St. Michael's Majors. The Colts dominated the series, sweeping the Majors in 4 games, winning the team's second Bobby Orr Trophy. After a season of rebuilding, the Colts were off to the OHL Finals for the second time in three years. In the finals the Colts faced the Erie Otters who had finished level with the Colts in terms of points during the season. Luck ran out on the Colts, who lost in five games to the Otters. At the end of the season, captain Eric Reitz was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's most outstanding defenceman.

2002–03 OHL Season

Beginning the third year of Bud Stefanski behind the bench of the Colts, defenceman Jeremy Swanson was named as team captain. A Barrie franchise that had made it to the conference finals two of the past three seasons was in the midst of another transition year. The Colts ended the season with a record slightly above .500, finishing at 29–26–4–9 for 71 points and a seventh-place finish in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts would lose their first-round playoff series to the Brampton Battalion in six games. Eric Himelfarb, and Luc Chiasson who the Colts acquired in the off-season led the team in scoring with 75 and 66 points respectively. Second year Colt Nick Lees finished slightly behind Chiasson with 61 points. Throughout the season several moves were made in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. Players such as Dan Speer, and Chad Thompson were brought in, and would both remain Colts for the next few seasons.

2003–04 OHL Season

The 2003–04 season would be Bud Stefanski's fourth and final season behind the Colts bench. Jeremy Swanson would remain as team captain. His point total would decline to 34 points by the end of the season. Overager Cory Stillman, acquired during the off-season from the Kingston Frontenacs led the team in scoring with 59 points. Rookie centre Bryan Little finished one point behind Stillman with 58 points. At the conclusion of the season he would win the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year. He was one of nine Colt regulars who played in their rookie season that year. Third year Colt B. J. Crombeen, Mark Langdon and Barrie native Scott Hotham who was acquired from the Mississauga Ice Dogs each also scored 40 plus points. Goaltender Paulo Colaiacovo also finished with a career year .924 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.34. He would be named as the OHL goaltender of the year in the off-season. A young Colts team, finished with a record of 31–21–12–4 for 78 points; a slight improvement from the previous year. In the playoffs the Colts would dispose of the fifth place Kingston Frontenacs in five games before losing a seven-game series to the second place Mississauga Ice Dogs. At the conclusion of the season he would be replaced by former Aurora Tigers head coach Marty Williamson. In his last two seasons as head coach of the Tigers he had only lost a combined eight games, winning the RBC Cup in the 2003–04 season.

Marty Williamson (2004–05 to 2009–10)
2004–05 OHL Season

The franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary in the OHL in 2004–05. The race for the central division title was close the entire year. By the end of the season the difference between first and fourth place was only four points. The Colts finished second in the central division; three points behind leaders Mississauga IceDogs, and one point ahead of Brampton Battalion and Sudbury Wolves. Second year player Bryan Little continued to build upon the success of his rookie season, scoring 36 goals and 32 assists for a total of 68 points. Third year Colt Hunter Tremblay was not that far behind, scoring a total of 62 points. Filling out the Colts offence were the likes of Travis Fuller, Dan Speer, and B. J. Crombeen. Rookie defencemen Andrew Marshall, Nathan Martine, Todd Perry, and Nick Plastino, along with local brothers Andrew Hotham, and Scott Hotham would protect the Colts goal all season. Throughout the season, the Colts would make trades that brought in guys like high scoring overager Rob Hisey from the Erie Otters, young role players like Mike Roelofsen and Daniel Lombardi, and a proven goalie in Dan LaCosta. Heading into the playoffs the Colts would look to have plenty of promise for the present, as well as the future. In the playoffs that year the Colts lost a disappointing first round series to the eventual Memorial Cup semi-finalist Ottawa 67's.

2005–06 OHL Season

Bryan Little was named the 8th team captain in the Colts history to begin the 2005–06 season. He not only led the team off the ice but on the ice as well, scoring a career high 109 points. Hunter Tremblay finished second in team scoring with 77 points. He was closely followed by forward Ryan Hamilton (72 points), defenceman Andrew Marshall (66 points), and rookie Vladimir Nikiforov (55 points) who each enjoyed career seasons. This offensive punch combined with the stellar defence led by Nick Plastino, and Todd Perry, solid goaltending play by Dan LaCosta and moves that brought in high scoring defenceman David Pszenyczny, helped the Colts end the season with a 43–21–1–3 record totaling 90 points. The Colts finished 1 point behind division rivals Brampton Battalion, and 9 points behind Peterborough Petes for third in the eastern conference. In the playoffs the Colts quickly disposed of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and Brampton Battalion in four games and five games respectively before losing to the eventual OHL champions Peterborough Petes in five game eastern conference final series.

On April 7, 2006, the Ontario Hockey League announced the approval of the transfer of 46% interest in the team, with Howie Campbell as the new majority owner of the franchise. Campbell is a partner in Superior Electric Supply (SESCO). James Massie is a minor partner in ownership, and also owns Georgian International.

On May 16, 2006 the Barrie Colts announced the resignation of the team's general manager, Mike McCann. During McCann's 25-year tenure with the team, he has also been director of player personnel, and a head scout. Mike McCann has also been inducted into the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.

2006–07 OHL Season

The 2006–07 season was a great one for the Colts. The team finished with a 48–19–0–1 record; winning their third Emms Trophy for the best record in the central division as well as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Colts were led by their captain Bryan Little who scored a total of 41 goals and 66 assists for a team leading 107 points. He was selected to represent Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Under 20 Championships held in Sweden that year. Hunter Tremblay (89 points), Richard Clune (78 points), and Kris Spare (51 points), each enjoyed career years. Making their OHL and Colts debuts this year was forward Alex Hutchings, future captains Tomas Marcinko, and Stefan Della Rovere, defencemen Brian Lashoff and Ryan Gottschalk, and goaltender Michael Hutchinson. These players would prove to be the core of the Colts team for the next four years. Also added to the roster were forwards Cory McGillis, and T.J. Battani, as well as defenceman Mike Weber. Although finishing top in their conference, the playoffs were a disappointment for the Colts who, after defeating Brampton Battalion in four games, were swept by the sixth place Sudbury Wolves in the conference semi-finals.

2007–08 OHL Season

The 2007–08 season saw a return of Junior B Colts alumnus Drake Berehowsky to the team. This time as assistant coach. He left the team at the end of the 2008–09 season. The Colts season was an average one. They would finish with a 28–34–3–3 record; good for seventh in the Eastern Conference. Second year forward Alex Hutchings led the Colts in offence throughout the year, finishing with a team high 54 points. Several other forwards including Tomas Marcinko, Cory McGillis, Stefan Della Rovere, and rookie Daniel Michalsky would add to the Colts offence. Throughout the year, several trades were made, sending goaltender Andrew Perugini, and high-scoring forward Vladimir Nikiforov away, while bringing in many new faces including Colt Kennedy, Ryan Berard, Andrew Clouthier, and future captain Dalton Prout. Goaltender Peter Di Salvo, defenceman Stephen Gaskin, Marcus Pepe as well as forward Kyle Clifford all made their debut for the Colts this year, becoming the core of a Colts team for many years to come. In the playoffs the Colts would again meet Brampton Battalion, this time sweeping them in a four-game playoff series. In the conference semi-finals the Colts would lose a quick series to the Belville Bulls 4 games to 1.

2008–09 OHL Season

The 2008–09 season was an average one for the Colts. The team began the season with two proven goaltenders in Peter Di Salvo and Michael Hutchinson. Joining these two goalies were a mixture of 2nd and 3rd year players such as Alex Hutchings, Stefan Della Rovere, Kyle Clifford, Dalton Prout, and Ryan Gottschalk as well as a group of rookies with plenty of promise. Included in this group were Darren Archibald, Michael Sgarbossa, Ryan O'Connor, Stephen Gaskin and Colin Behenna; all of which would prove to be valuable assets both this year and in the future. The Colts made a few trades throughout the season and before the deadline, sending away the likes of Mitch Lebar, Marcus Pepe, Cory McGillis, Colt Kennedy, and Brian Lashoff in exchange for tough guy Peter Stevens, and goal scorers Josh Brittain, and Taylor Carnevale. The Colts would finish a disappointing 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 30–33–3–2 record. In the playoffs the Colts lost in the first round, falling in five games to the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors. At the end of 2008–09 season the Colts traded goaltender Michael Hutchinson to the London Knights in exchange for four draft picks which would later be traded for proven players during the next season's championship run. The longest playoff game in Barrie Colts history lasted 118 minutes, and 5 seconds, on March 28, 2009 at the Barrie Molson Centre (now known as Sadlon Arena). The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors defeated the Barrie Colts 4 to 3 in the third overtime of game five of the eastern conference quarter-finals and ended the series with the triple overtime goal.

2009–10 OHL Season

In 2009–10 Brad Brown and David Bell joined the coaching team, along with powerplay coach Frank Carnevale.

In 2009–10 the Barrie Colts celebrated their 15th season in the OHL. The Colts attempted to make a run at the Memorial Cup by bringing in proven goal scorers like Bryan Cameron and Luke Pither. They also upgraded their defence by bringing in Nick Crawford, T. J. Brodie and St. Louis Blues draftpick Alex Pietrangelo. Role players like Zac Rinaldo, Matt Kennedy, and goalie Mavric Parks were also traded for before the deadline. All of these trades seemed to have paid dividends as the Colts had a 22-game win-streak, and finished the regular season with an unprecedented record of 57–9–0–2, for a total of 116 points. Bryan Cameron scored a franchise record 53 goals and the team captured their fourth Emms Trophy for finishing first in the Central Division, and also the franchises first Hamilton Spectator Trophy for finishing first overall in the OHL. Beginning the 2009–10 playoffs the Colts quickly defeated the Sudbury Wolves 4–0 in the Conference Quarter-Finals, before sweeping the Brampton Battalion in the Conference Semi-Finals. In the Conference Finals the Colts finally met some stiff competition but were still able to defeat the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 4–1 and win the Bobby Orr Trophy. In the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals the Barrie Colts hosted the defending Memorial Cup Champions Windsor Spitfires who the Colts had defeated both times the two teams met in the regular season. The Colts never looked on top of their game, making uncharacteristic defensive mistakes. The Colts were defeated in four games bringing an end to one of the best OHL seasons in history.

22 Game Winning Streak

In the 2009 – 2010 season, the Barrie Colts, were successful in winning 22 consecutive games. During their streak, which extended from October 24 when they beat Brampton Battalion 3–1, until December 31 when they lost to Owen Sound Attack 6–4, the Colts scored 122 goals while allowing a mere 44. The offense was quite balanced throughout the winning streak, with 21 players getting at least a point; 7 of whom had 20 or more points each. Alex Hutchings led the Colts offense with 17 goals and 14 assists for a total of 31 points. Three players on the Colts roster scored 29 points; Bryan Cameron (19 goals, 10 assists), Darren Archibald (15 goals, 14 assists), and Luke Pither (12 goals, 17 assists). They were followed closely by Nick Crawford (5 goals, 19 assists), Taylor Carnavale (9 goals, 14 assists) and Alexander Burmistrov (6 goals, 14 assists) as the Colts top scorers. Although captain Stefan Della Rovere, missed the last few games while attending the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, still managed to score 18 points during the streak. In net, Peter Di Salvo managed 17 wins, while back-up Dalton McGrath won five. Following their incredible run, the Barrie Colts managed to move into second place in the OHL standings, behind the Windsor Spitfires, and third in the BMO CHL MasterCard Rankings behind the first place Saint John Sea Dogs and Windsor Spitfires. Their recent string of success places the franchise amongst the best in OHL history.

Top Ranking in the Country

On February 24, 2010 the Canadian Hockey League announced the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings for week 23 of the 2009–10 season. For the first time in team history the Barrie Colts claimed top spot, moving ahead of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Colts would remain in top spot until the end of the season, finishing with a league best record of 57–9–0–2.

Dale Hawerchuk (2010–11 to present)
2010–11 OHL Season

At the end of the 2009–10 season, the Colts and Marty Williamson parted ways. Dale Hawerchuk was named as the new Colts coach for 2010–11 season. The 2010–11 team was a much different one from the previous year. Dalton Prout was named the 11th captain in franchise history. He was joined by Stephen Gaskin, Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, and Colin Behenna as the few returning players from the 2009–10 playoff run. Also returning, were the likes of Zach Hall, Mitch Bennett, Dean Pawlaczuk, and David Mazurek who each only played a handful of games the previous season. This meant that the Colts started the year with 5 rookie defencemen, 7 rookie forwards and a rookie back-up goaltender. David Mazurek, Dean Pawlczuk, and Chris Wiggin were released soon after the start of the season, and players such as Alexander Burmistrov and Kyle Clifford made their respective NHL teams. After a 4–22–1–1 last place start to the season the Colts traded Peter Di Salvo, Darren Archibald, Taylor Carnevale, Stephen Gaskin, and captain Dalton Prout before the trade deadline in an effort to make the Colts a younger team. This left Colin Behenna, Zach Hall, and Mitch Bennett as the only players left from the previous year's championship run. In return the Colts received 17-year-old goalies John Chartrand and Josh Malecki as well as 17-year-old defenceman Alex Lepkowski, and 17-year-old power forward Eric Locke, effectively beginning the rebuilding process. The team finished with 15 wins and missed the playoffs for the first time since they joined the OHL. After missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and finishing last overall in the OHL, the Colts were given the first overall draft pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. Hawerchuk used the pick to select defenceman Aaron Ekblad, a 15-year-old phenom whom recently became the second player to be granted exceptional status by the CHL.

2011–12 OHL Season

Dale Hawerchuk began his second season as coach of the Barrie Colts with several trades. Sent packing were players such as Josh Malecki and John Chartrand in goal, Tyler Mort, Brandon Devlin, Mackenzie Braid, and Kyler Nixon on defence, as well as Mitch Bennett and Petr Beranek on forward. In exchange, the Colts acquired a couple of experienced defencemen in Reid McNeill, and Dereck Hartwick and Ivan Telegin and Gregg Sutch on forward. Several rookies made their debut this season including goalie Alex Fotinos, defencemen Aaron Ekblad, Alex Yuill and Jonathan Laser, as well as forwards Brendan Bell and Josh MacDonald. Forward Mark Scheifele began the season with the Winnipeg Jets, scoring a goal in the seven games he started in before being sent back to Barrie. In Scheifele's absence, the Colts top line of Colin Behenna, Zach Hall, and Tanner Pearson lit the lamp several times. After approximately one month in the season all three forwards were in the top five in league scoring, with Tanner Pearson leading for the majority of the year. Because of his good start to the season Tanner Pearson was selected to play in the CHL Top Prospects Game alongside fellow Colt Mark Scheifele. The two players would later play together in the IIHF U20 World Junior Championship. Daniel Erlich, Anthony Camara and former Colt Ryan O'Connor were traded for during the season, both having an immediate impact. Goalie Clint Windsor and forward Eric Locke were sent packing after a sub-par beginning to the season. The Colts would finish 3rd in the conference and faced a tough Mississauga squad in the first round. The Colts took care of the Majors in 6 games, and would face the 2nd seed Ottawa 67's in the second round. After the Colts built a commanding 3–1 series lead, injuries to forwards Tanner Pearson, Zach Hall, Steven Beyers, Gregg Sutch, and Ivan Telegin in game 7, as well as defencemen Ryan O'Connor, and Alex Yuill would eventually take their toll. The Colts would lose the next 3 games (including game 7 in overtime), ending the season for the CHL's most improved team.

2012–13 OHL Season

The Barrie Colts would begin the season without the previous season's top scorers Tanner Pearson and Ivan Telegin who would play the season in the AHL. Overage defenceman Ryan O'Connor was named team captain. With the likes of Mark Scheifele, Anthony Camara, Steven Beyers, Zach Hall, and former London Knight Andreas Athanasiou, the Colts would continue to pack an offensive punch. Leading the way on defence were returnees Alex Yuill, Johnathan Laser, Aaron Ekblad, and Alex Lepkowski. Overager Mathias Neiderberger was stellar all year in goal. With this crop of experienced players, as well as a handful of rookies to fill in the gaps, the Colts would quickly take the top spot in the Eastern Conference; a position they would hold for the majority of the season. The Colts would also be ranked amongst the CHL Top Ten teams for most of the year as well. Throughout the season, many Colts would say goodbye through trades. Included in this group were Brendan Bell, Sammu Markula, Dylan Smoskowitz, and the Colts 2012 first round draft pick Brendan Perlini. In exchange they would receive many draft picks as well as defenceman Jake Dotchin, and forwards Devon Rymarchuk, and Mitchell Theoret in the hopes that the Colts could make a run deep into the playoffs. Over the Christmas Break, sophomore defenceman Aaron Ekblad would captain Team Ontario's Under 17 squad, and both Anthony Camara, and Mark Scheifele would make Team Canada's Under 20 team. Scheifele would soon after be recalled to the NHL after the lockout was settled. He would remain with the Winnipeg Jets until early February when he was returned to the OHL. The Colts would lock down the 2nd place seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs. After quickly beating the 7th seed Kingston Frontenacs and 3rd seed Oshawa Generals 4 games to 0 a piece, the Colts would meet the first place Belleville Bulls in the conference finals. The Colts would need 7 games to beat Belleville for a trip to the OHL Championships. No one gave the Colts a chance at winning this series as they would play the defending champions London Knights. After 4 games, the Colts would lead the series 3 games to 1. At this point, injuries to Mark Scheifele and suspensions (10 games for Ryan O'Connor, 5 games for Anthony Camara, and 5 games for Jake Dotchin) would catch up with the Colts. London would win game 5 at home and game 6 in Barrie in thrilling fashion. In game 6 London would hold a 4–0 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the third period. The Colts stormed back to score 4 goals before losing in overtime. In game 7 Barrie headed back to London where the game was tied 2–2 in the dying seconds of the third period. A miscommunication between the Colts players led to a turnover, and a London goal with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock to deny the Colts a trip to the Memorial Cup. To add insult to injury, London was awarded the 2014 Memorial Cup early the next day; a tournament that Barrie also had a solid bid for.

2013–14 OHL Season

Despite losing the likes of leading scorers Mark Scheifele, Anthony Camara, Steven Beyers, Alex Lepkowski, Ryan O'Connor, and Mathias Neiderberger the Colts began the season as Eastern Conference favourites. Aaron Ekblad was named as team captain, and was expected to carry much of the defensive load. The season began slowly for the Colts, losing many of their opening games. After a few trades which sent goaltender Alex Fotinos and forward Josh MacDonald to Windsor and Peterborough respectively, the Colts found their stride, vaulting to near the top of the conference in November. Rookies forwards Matthew Kreis, Andrew Mangiapane, Cordell James, and Kevin Labanc, as well as rookie defenceman Josh Carrick, and Mackenzie Blackwood in goal each received plenty of ice time in this run which helped the Colts reach the top of their division. The middle of the season saw the Colts settle into the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. Rookie forward Matthew Kreis represented team Ontario in the World U17 Challenge, and captain Aaron Ekblad shouldered much of Team Canada's defensive load at the IIHF World Men's U20 Championship in Malmö, Sweden. Moves before the trade deadline sent Eric Bradford to the Ottawa 67's, Dylan Corson to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and defenceman Alex Yuill to the Belleville Bulls in exchange for forwards Nick Patorious (Sault. Ste Marie), Garrett Hooey (Belleville), and Joseph Blandisi (Ottawa) as well as defenceman Mac Clutsam (Sault Ste. Marie). The Colts finished 4th in a tight race for the Central Division title, drawing the Sudbury Wolves in the first round. The Colts would dispose of the pesky Wolves in five games. In the second round the Colts would face the North Bay Battalion, eventually losing a tight defensive series in 6 games.

2014–15 OHL Season

The 2014–15 season marked Dale Hawerchuk's fifth season behind the Barrie Colts bench. With last season's captain Aaron Ekblad lost to the Florida Panthers, there was a large void on defense. Partway through the season overage forward Joseph Blandisi was named the sixteenth captain in franchise history. The season was one of highs and lows for the Colts franchise, with many individual records being set. Captain Joseph Blandisi, Kevin Labanc, and Andrew Mangiapane all broke the 100 point mark having scored 112, 107, and 104 points respectively. This marked the first time in franchise history that 3 players scored 100+ points in the same season. Captain Blandisi also became the second Colt to score over 50 goals, scoring 52 by season end. He also set a franchise mark for insurance goals, and fell one shy of the franchise record of short-handed goals with 10. Kevin Labanc broke the franchise record for assists with 76, Brendan Lemieux set the franchise mark for power play goals with 25, and Andrew Mangiapane tied the franchise mark with 5 short-handed assists. First-year import defenceman Rasmus Andersson led the Colts backend with 12 goals and 52 assists for a total of 64 points and goaltending prospect Mackenzie Blackwood once again was solid for the Colts in goal. The Colts made a few trades before the deadline, mostly to shore up their sometimes shaky defence, bringing in Brandon Prophet, Chad Baumann, Ben Harpur as well as forward Stephen Nosad. In the playoffs, the Colts made quick work of the Belleville Bulls, sweeping the series. They once again met the North Bay Battalion in the second round. The series held promise as both teams finished the season with 85 points; the Colts winning the central division based on a better win record. For the second straight year the Colts could not solve the Battalion system, losing the series in 5 games.

2015–16 OHL Season

The Colts would begin 2015-16 with mixed expectations. Mackenzie Blackwood was expected to once again be a huge presence in goal. On defense, offensively talented Rasmus Andersson, and overage captain Michael Webster returned and would be expected to log the majority of the minutes. They were joined by rookies Matt Brassard, Justin Murray, and Rocky Kaura as well as returning Brandon Prophet and Josh Carrick. On forward, 100-point scorer Joseph Blandisi left for the New Jersey Devils farm system, but fellow century scorers from the previous year, Kevin Labanc and Andrew Mangiapane would return. Along with overager Justin Scott, explosive Brendan Lemieux, and import Julius Nättinen they would share the majority of the ice time on offense. The Colts first few games were a roller coaster ride. While their defense was surprisingly sound, their offense was sporadic. The start of the season was also marred by suspensions to Andrew Mangiapane, Mackenzie Blackwood; which would delay his World Junior start, and several to Brendan Lemieux which would lead to his off-loading to the Windsor Spitfires. Ironically, after the Lemieux trade, the Colts offense picked up and late in the season the division leading Colts decided to take a shot at making the finals by trading Rocky Kaura, Brandon Prophet and a bunch of draft picks in several deals for goalie David Ovjannikov, forwards Keigan Goetz and Dylan Sadowy as well as Cameron Lizotte, and Greg DiTomasso on defense. The Colts would again win the division in record-breaking fashion where once again Andrew Mangiapane and Kevin Labanc would score over 100 points, the latter breaking many franchise records in the process. In the playoffs the Mississauga Steelheads would take the Colts the distance before the Colts came out on top. The Colts would get their revenge in the next round, beating the North Bay Battalion in four straight, only to find themselves on the wrong side of a sweep in the conference finals by a surprise Niagara IceDogs team.

2016–17 OHL Season

The 2016-17 Colts roster would look much different from the one the previous year. One hundred point scorers Kevin Labanc and Andrew Magiapane had moved on to their respective AHL and NHL clubs. Mackenzie Blackwood would not return in goal. Also not returning was defensemen Michael Webster, Rasmus Andersson and Greg DiTomasso, and forwards Justin Scott, Keigan Goetz, Dylan Sadoway, and Julius Nättinen. The youth movement was on, as signaled by the blockbuster trade made preseason where the Colts sent a package including 10 draft picks to the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for 16-year old Russian Kirill Niznikov. The Colts season would be a tough one, having them spend the majority of the year in the basement of the league. Come trade deadline the Colts were active, trading captain Cordell James to the Owen Sound Attack, Cameron Lizotte to the Erie Otters, and Barrie native Matt Brassard to the Oshawa Generals while acquiring Robert Proner and Jason Smith from the Saginaw Spirit and Mississauga Steelheads. The Colts would finish off the year with the youngest roster in the OHL and finishing last place overall in the league. The Colts were awarded the number one overall draft pick who ended up being Ryan Suzuki.

Championships
OHL

Memorial Cup

J. Ross Robertson Cup Ontario Hockey League Championship—1 Championship, 3 Finalists

Bobby Orr Trophy Eastern Conference Championship—4 Championships, 2 Finalists

Emms Trophy Central Division title—8 Championships

  • 1998–99—105 Points (First in Eastern Conference)
  • 1999–2000—93 Points (First in Eastern Conference)
  • 2006–07—97 Points (First in Eastern Conference)
  • 2009–10—116 Points (First in OHL)
  • 2012–13—92 Points (Second in Eastern Conference)
  • 2014–15—85 Points (Second in Eastern Conference)
  • 2015–16—89 Points (Second in Eastern Conference)
  • 2017-18—89 Points (Second in Eastern Conference)

Hamilton Spectator Trophy—1 Championship Best Record in the League

  • 2009–10,—116 Points

(Finishing with a 57–9–0–2 record. #1 in Canada for the final four weeks of the season)

OHA Jr. B

Sutherland Cup Junior 'B' Championship

  • 1934–35 and 1992–93

Division Titles Central Junior 'B'

  • 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93

Coaches

The legendary Bert Templeton was the first coach for the OHL Colts. Templeton was awarded the OHL Executive of the Year in 1995–96 for his role as general manager. Templeton built the inaugural team of the Barrie Colts, who became the first OHL expansion franchise to make the playoffs in its first season.

List of coaches with multiple seasons in parentheses.

Players

OHL Award winners

CHL Award Winners

NHL alumni

As of the end of 2016-17 NHL Season, there are 59 Barrie Colts alumni who have played in the National Hockey League: 48 from the OHL Colts, and 11 from the Junior B Colts.

Junior B Colts
OHL Colts

Team captains

List of captains with multiple seasons in parentheses.

Yearly results

Regular season
  • 196x–78 Mid-Ontario Junior B League
  • 1978–93 Central Junior B League
  • 1993–95 OPJHL Junior A
  • 1995–Present OHL

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss

SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSLPointsPct %Goals
For		Goals
Against		Standing
1970–713314154--320.4851681796th MOJBHL
1971–724019174--420.525----4th MOJBHL
1972–734019165--430.5382051943rd MOJBHL
1973–744024133--510.6382491773rd MOJBHL
1974–754011254--260.3251792355th MOJBHL
1975–763617136--400.5561421382nd MOJBHL
1976–774016195--370.4631721764th MOJBHL
1977–783217105--390.6091761452nd MOJBHL
1978–794415272--320.364----10th CJBHL
1979–804414219--370.4202192618th CJBHL
1980–814410295--250.28421529611th CJBHL
1981–824019201--390.4882392336th CJBHL
1982–834222146--500.5952221774th CJBHL
1983–844022126--500.6251831603rd CJBHL
1984–854023107--530.6632311651st CJBHL
1985–864828155--610.6352731971st CJBHL
1986–87423363--690.8212821201st CJBHL
1987–88443815--810.9203251271st CJBHL
1988–894227123--570.6792691754th CJBHL
1989–90423246--700.8332411251st CJBHL
1990–914221174--460.5481781487th CJBHL
1991–92423714--780.9293191291st CJBHL
1992–93484701--950.9904361451st CJBHL
1993–944022162--470.5881751458th OPJHL
1994–95483486--740.7712851552nd OPJHL
1995–966628317--630.4772582665th Central
1996–9766332310--760.5762722363rd Central
1997–986638235--810.6142362152nd Central
1998–996849136--1040.7653431921st Central
1999–200068431861-930.6763062121st Central
2000–0168292874-690.4782142304th Central
2001–0268381992-870.6252261922nd Central
2002–0368292649-710.4562282233rd Central
2003–04683121124-780.5441961713rd Central
2004–0568332393-780.5512322102nd Central
2005–06684321-13900.6622581942nd Central
2006–07684819-01970.7132731931st Central
2007–08682834-33620.4561852234th Central
2008–09683033-32650.4782142073rd Central
2009–1068579-021160.8533271861st Central
2010–11681549-22340.2502323525th Central
2011–12684023-32850.6252482102nd Central
2012–13684420-22920.6762451851st Central
2013–14683728-12770.5662662182nd Central
2014–15684124-12850.6252782271st Central
2015–16684322-03890.6542952071st Central
2016–17681744-61410.3011922915th Central
2017–18684221-41890.6542972291st Central
2018–19682638-31560.4122212455th Central
2019–20632928-42640.5082202612nd Central

Playoffs
  • 1969–70 Defeated Woodstock Navy-Vets 4-games-to-3 for George S. Dudley Trophy Super "C" Championship
  • 1992–93 Defeated Kitchener Dutchmen 4-games-to-none for Sutherland Cup
  • 1995–96 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1996–97 Defeated Owen Sound Platers 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals..
  • 1997–98 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1998–99 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  • 1999–2000 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
    Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
    Defeated Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
    Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in third place (1 win, 2 losses).
    Defeated Halifax Mooseheads 6–3 in semi-final game.
    Lost to Rimouski Oceanic 6–2 in championship game.
  • 2000–01 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2001–02 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
    Defeated St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 0 in conference finals.
    Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in finals.
  • 2002–03 Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2003–04 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Mississauga IceDogs 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2004–05 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2005–06 Defeated St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  • 2006–07 Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2007–08 Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2008–09 Lost to Mississauga Majors 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2009–10 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
    Defeated Mississauga St.Michaels Majors 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
    Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in Finals.
  • 2010–11 Did not qualify.
  • 2011–12 Defeated Mississauga St. Michaels Majors 4 games to 2 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2012–13 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 0 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
    Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 3 in the conference finals.
    Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in Finals.
  • 2013–14 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2014–15 Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2015-16 Defeated Mississauga Steelheads 4 games to 3 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated North Bay Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
    Lost to Niagara IceDogs 4 games to 0 the conference finals.
  • 2016–17 Did not qualify.
  • 2017–18 Defeated Mississauga Steelheads 4 games to 2 in the conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2018–19 Did not qualify.
  • 2019–20 Cancelled.

Uniforms and logos

The Barrie Colts logo displays an angry horse holding a hockeystick, surrounded by a horseshoe. The Colts colours are red, white, navy blue & gold. The home uniforms are a white background, with red, navy blue and gold trim. The away uniforms are a navy blue background, with red, white & gold trim. Barrie also briefly used a third jersey which was a red background, with white, navy blue & gold trim.

For the 2007–08 season, the Colts have worn a new third jersey. It has a navy blue blackground with white, red and gold trim along the bottom, with the word "Colts" diagonally across the front. For the 2009–10 season the colts wore the Rbk Edge uniforms with a new template.

Arenas

The Barrie Colts played at the Barrie Arena during their tenure in the Junior B days and Junior A Tier II days, and also for a portion of their inaugural OHL season until their new arena was completed. The Barrie Arena was located in downtown Barrie and was formerly home to the Barrie Flyers OHA team from 1945–1960 and other senior hockey teams. The Arena was torn down in 2008.

Barrie Molson Centre was completed during the early portion of the 1995–96 season. The layout of the arena served as a blueprint for many new OHL arenas built shortly thereafter. There is a Horsepower restaurant located at the west end of the arena. The Barrie Molson Centre is located near the southern entrance of Park Place, close to Highway 400.

Capacity = 4,195
Ice Size = 200' x 85'

Arena profiles from "The OHL Arena & Travel Guide"

gollark: Infinite world height and infinite incompatibility.
gollark: Can I just mention that Cubic Chunks is cool?
gollark: PHP. Really. Why.
gollark: Yep! lunatic86.
gollark: It no longer does (I have to stick that manually in now...)

See also

References
  1. "Barrie Colts Hire Warren Rychel as Head Coach". OurSports Central. September 9, 2019.
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