Niagara Whalers

The Niagara Whalers are a junior ice hockey team based in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL). The Whalers were founded in 2014 and joined the GMHL in the 2014–15 season. The club plays their home games at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre.

Niagara Whalers
CityPort Colborne, Ontario, Canada
LeagueGreater Metro Junior A Hockey League
Founded2014
Operated2014–present
Home arenaVale Health & Wellness Centre
Colours                   
General managerAndrew Ferlatte
Head coachTerry Masterson (2016–17)
WebsiteNiagarawhalershockey.com

History
Whalers goalie during 2015-16 season.

In May 2014, the Whalers were granted a franchise in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) for the 2014–15 season.[1] Prior to joining the GMHL, the Whalers competed as a showcase organization in Southern Ontario Bantam and Midget tournaments, winning nine of eleven tournaments. A prospects team will continue to compete in the showcase tournaments and will serve as an affiliate to the Junior A club.[2] After being awarded a GMHL franchise, the Whalers were approved to play out of the Vale Health & Wellness Centre in Port Colborne, Ontario.[3] The Whalers finished their debut regular season in tenth place overall and third in the South Division of the South Conference.[4][5] The club advanced to Round One of the 2014–15 Russell Cup playoffs where they were drawn against the Halton Ravens. The Whalers were defeated by the Ravens three-games-to-one ending their playoff run.[5] In 2015–16, the league realigned the teams into three divisions, North, Central and South. The Whalers finished the season in fourth place, defeated the Komoka Dragons in the first round in three straight games, before losing to the eventual division Champions in the division semifinals. In 2016–17, the league went back to the two conferences, North and South placing the Whalers in the 11 team South Division.[6]

Season-by-season results
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS Finish Playoffs
2014–15422317—2187191483rd of 12, South Div.
10th of 22, GMHL 		Lost in Round One, 1–3 (Ravens)
2015–164226140223114954 4th of 10, South Div.
11th of 30, GMHL		Won Div. Quarter-finals, 3–0 (Dragons)
Lost Div. Semi-finals, 0–3 (Kings)
2016–174238301311112771st of 11, South Div.
1st of 21, GMHL 		Won Div. Quarter-finals, 3–0 (Riverkings)
Won Div. Semi-finals, 3–0 (Renegades)
Won Div. Finals, 4–0 (Ravens)
Won League Finals, 4–0 (Islanders)
Russell Cup Champions
2017–184232901305172653rd of 12, South Div.
3rd of 21, GMHL		Won Div. Quarter-finals, 2–0 (Aces)
Won Div. Semi-finals, 3–0 (Kings)
Lost Div. Finals, 2–4 (Ravens)
2018–1942212001227248436th of 12, South Div.
11th of 22, GMHL		Won Div. Quarter-finals, 2–1 (Aces)
Lost Div. Semi-finals, 1–3 (Ravens)
2019–2042301002264132622nd of 10, South Div.
3rd of 23, GMHL		Won Div. Quarter-finals, 2–0 (Roadrunners)
Won Div. Semi-finals, 3–0 (Renegades)
Trailed Div. Finals, 1–2 (Ravens)
Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Head coaches
Whalers skater during 2015–16 season.
  • Andrew Joyner, 2014–15[7]
  • Bryan Elliott, 2015–16[8]
  • Terry Masterson, 2016–present

References
  1. "Niagara Whalers Expand to Junior". Niagara Whalers. 2014-05-20. Archived from the original on 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  2. "Expansion: Niagara Whalers Join GMHL". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. 2014-06-09. Archived from the original on 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  3. Firth, Maryanne (2014-05-27). "Whalers to dock in Port". Welland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  4. "2014-2015 League Standings". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  5. "2014-15 Russell Cup Playoffs". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. 2015-01-21. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  6. "Standings". Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  7. "Andrew Joyner". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  8. "Bryan Elliott". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
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