Pembroke Lumber Kings
The Pembroke Lumber Kings are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Central Canada Hockey League and are the winningest team in CCHL (formerly CJHL) history as well as 2011 Royal Bank Cup National Junior A Champions.
| Pembroke Lumber Kings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Pembroke, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Central Canada Hockey League |
| Division | Yzerman |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Operated | 1964-79, 1980-present |
| Home arena | Pembroke Memorial Centre |
| Colours | Red and White |
| Owner(s) | Alex Armstrong |
| General manager | Alex Armstrong |
| Head coach | Alex Armstrong |
History
The Pembroke Lumber Kings are the oldest member of the CCHL beginning operations in 1961. However, in 1979-80 the Lumber Kings were suspended for one season and replaced with the Pembroke Royals. The Pembroke Lumber Kings were approved to rejoin the league for 1980-81.
The Pembroke Lumber Kings won a total of 14 Art Bogart Cup championships between 1973 and 2011. Six of those championships came in the 1980s when the Kings were coached by Jim Farelli. Farelli coached 420 games for the Kings, the most of any Lumber Kings coach in history. His teams advanced to the league championship series eight consecutive years, winning six titles.
The Kings won three championships in the 1970s. The 1972-73 team was coached by Mac MacLean and made it to the Centennial Cup Canadian Junior A Final, losing 4 games to 1 to the Portage la Prairie Terriers. Under coach Bryan Murray the Kings won back to back titles in 1977 and '78. The 1977 team also lost in the Centennial Cup Final to the Prince Albert Raiders. Murray was fired by the Lumber Kings after the 1978 season. Three years later he was starting a long NHL coaching/general manager career as coach of the Washington Capitals.
The Lumber Kings broke a league record winning five consecutive league championships from 2007 to 2011, appearing in five Fred Page Cup tournaments (2006 as hosts), winning in 2007 and 2011, and finishing as finalists in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2011, the Pembroke Lumber Kings became only the second CCHL team since the 1976 Rockland Nationals to win the national championship. The team was led by owner and coach Sheldon Keefe.
Keefe had become the team's coach in June 2006, Sheldon Keefe head coach and general manager.[1]
Owner Sheldon Keefe announced on May 29, 2013 that he had sold the Pembroke Lumber Kings to former Calgary Flames player and Eganville native Dale McTavish.[2] With Keefe no longer in charge of ownership, general management and coaching duties, the Pembroke Lumber Kings success began to fade away, despite making the league finals in 2015 - losing to Carleton Place and not qualifying for the 2017 playoffs - for the first time in 13 years.
The team was sold to Alex Armstrong in June of 2019.
Three books have been written about the history of the Pembroke Lumber Kings, two by author Harold Garton which primarily cover senior hockey in Pembroke until senior hockey ended in the early 1960s, and one by Jamie Bramburger which covers both junior and senior Lumber Kings hockey from 1905 to 2018. Garton's books are called Hockey Town Canada and Hockey Town Canada:The Golden Years and Bramburger's book is called Go Kings Go! A Century of Pembroke Lumber Kings Hockey. Sheldon Keefe wrote the afterword for Bramburger's book.
Notable alumni
- Dainius Zubrus, (1995–96) played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and San Jose Sharks from 1996 to 2016.
- Mike Eastwood, (1984–85) played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, St.Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks,and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1992 to 2004.
- Peter White,(1986–88) played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs,Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks from 1993 to 2004.
- Eric Selleck (2005–06) played for the Florida Panthers and currently a member of the Arizona Coyotes organization playing for the Tucson Roadrunners
- Dmytro Yakushyn (1995–96) played for the Toronto Maple Leafs (2 games in 1999-00)
- Joe Reekie (1981–82) played for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks from 1985 to 2002.
- Dale McTavish (1988–89) played for the Calgary Flames in 1996-97 (9 games) and last played pro hockey for SaiPa and Blues of the Liiga from 1997 to 2000 and again in 2010-2011 season. Currently owner and general manager of the Lumber Kings.
- P.J. Stock (1992–93) played for New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Boston Bruins from 1997 to 2004.
- Matthew Peca played for Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.
- Tim Young (1972-73) Played for Minnesota North Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers.
Retired numbers
- 8 Ben Reinhardt (2006-2011), winner of five CCHL championships, two Fred Page Cup championships, and one Royal Bank Cup championship.
- 11 Gale Linton (1971-72), killed in a car accident while reporting to training camp on October 1, 1972.
- 16 Larry Mick (1963-66), drafted by Minnesota North Stars 13th overall in the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft.
Season by season record
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoff Results | |
| 1958-59 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | --- | -- | -- | 20 | 3rd IPJHL | Won League | |
| 1959-60 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 0 | --- | 122 | 93 | 26 | 3rd IPJHL | Lost Final | |
| 1960-61 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | --- | 104 | 66 | 28 | 1st IPJHL | Won League | |
| 1961-62 | 30 | 16 | 8 | 4 | --- | -- | -- | 36 | 3rd OHDJHL | Lost Final | |
| 1962-63 | 32 | 20 | 10 | 2 | --- | 180 | 128 | 42 | 3rd OHDJHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 1963-64 | 32 | 22 | 8 | 2 | --- | -- | -- | 46 | 2nd OHDJHL | Lost Final | |
| 1964-65 | 35 | 17 | 12 | 6 | --- | 171 | 146 | 40 | 4th CJHL | Lost Quarter-final | |
| 1965-66 | 36 | 27 | 9 | 0 | --- | 203 | 175 | 54 | 3rd CJHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 1966-67 | 50 | 18 | 24 | 8 | --- | 179 | 234 | 44 | 4th CJHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 1967-68 | 39 | 15 | 18 | 6 | --- | 158 | 174 | 36 | 4th CJHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 1968-69 | 40 | 13 | 23 | 4 | --- | 146 | 149 | 30 | 3rd CJHL | Lost Final | |
| 1969-70 | 40 | 13 | 21 | 6 | --- | 136 | 176 | 32 | 3rd CJHL | ||
| 1970-71 | 48 | 13 | 34 | 1 | --- | 164 | 254 | 27 | 5th CJHL | ||
| 1971-72 | 48 | 20 | 26 | 2 | --- | 206 | 220 | 42 | 4th CJHL | ||
| 1972-73 | 55 | 47 | 4 | 4 | --- | 368 | 183 | 98 | 1st CJHL | Won League, Won HDMT | |
| 1973-74 | 50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | --- | 235 | 215 | 56 | 3rd CJHL | ||
| 1974-75 | 50 | 28 | 13 | 9 | --- | 280 | 215 | 65 | 1st CJHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 1975-76 | 50 | 16 | 28 | 6 | --- | 209 | 310 | 38 | 6th CJHL | ||
| 1976-77 | 50 | 28 | 17 | 5 | --- | 282 | 223 | 61 | 2nd CJHL | Won League, Won HDMT | |
| 1977-78 | 48 | 31 | 13 | 4 | --- | 284 | 220 | 66 | 1st CJHL | Won League | |
| 1978-79 | 48 | 21 | 23 | 4 | --- | 254 | 262 | 46 | 4th CJHL | ||
| 1979-80 | Franchise Suspended | ||||||||||
| 1980-81 | 50 | 13 | 32 | 5 | --- | 185 | 219 | 31 | 5th CJHL | ||
| 1981-82 | 50 | 25 | 20 | 5 | --- | 259 | 190 | 55 | 3rd CJHL | Won League | |
| 1982-83 | 48 | 29 | 16 | 3 | --- | 237 | 164 | 61 | 2nd CJHL | ||
| 1983-84 | 54 | 25 | 20 | 9 | --- | 348 | 295 | 59 | 4th CJHL | Won League | |
| 1984-85 | 54 | 38 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 355 | 213 | 79 | 1st CJHL | Won League | |
| 1985-86 | 60 | 42 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 376 | 238 | 78* | 2nd CJHL | ||
| 1986-87 | 54 | 39 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 323 | 179 | 83 | 1st CJHL | ||
| 1987-88 | 56 | 42 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 395 | 217 | 88 | 2nd CJHL | ||
| 1988-89 | 56 | 39 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 319 | 195 | 83 | 1st CJHL | ||
| 1989-90 | 56 | 21 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 218 | 280 | 49 | 5th CJHL | ||
| 1990-91 | 54 | 26 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 220 | 221 | 56 | 6th CJHL | ||
| 1991-92 | 57 | 30 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 291 | 274 | 63 | 5th CJHL | ||
| 1992-93 | 57 | 29 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 285 | 264 | 65 | 7th CJHL | ||
| 1993-94 | 57 | 30 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 293 | 292 | 66 | 6th CJHL | ||
| 1994-95 | 53 | 26 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 290 | 272 | 60 | 4th CJHL | ||
| 1995-96 | 54 | 18 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 237 | 290 | 43 | 4th in Yzerman | ||
| 1996-97 | 53 | 22 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 166 | 197 | 51 | 5th in Robinson | ||
| 1997-98 | 56 | 14 | 34 | 8 | 3 | 215 | 255 | 39 | 5th in Yzerman | ||
| 1998-99 | 54 | 20 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 202 | 242 | 43 | 5th in Yzerman | ||
| 1999-00 | 56 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 244 | 255 | 51 | 5th in Yzerman | ||
| 2000-01 | 55 | 33 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 261 | 184 | 73 | 1st in Yzerman | ||
| 2001-02 | 55 | 27 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 236 | 207 | 64 | 2nd in Yzerman | ||
| 2002-03 | 55 | 16 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 228 | 265 | 40 | 4th in Yzerman | Did not Qualify | |
| 2003-04 | 55 | 23 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 217 | 242 | 50 | 4th in Yzerman | Did not Qualify | |
| 2004-05 | 57 | 37 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 236 | 169 | 80 | 2nd in Yzerman | Lost Semi-finals | |
| 2005-06 | 59 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 320 | 116 | 102 | 1st in Yzerman | Lost Semi-finals, Hosted FPC | |
| 2006-07 | 55 | 41 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 261 | 133 | 86 | 1st in Yzerman | Won League, Won FPC | |
| 2007-08 | 60 | 46 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 281 | 138 | 95 | 1st CJHL | Won League | |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoff Results | |
| 2008-09 | 60 | 43 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 248 | 145 | 90 | 2nd CJHL | Won League | |
| 2009-10 | 62 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 288 | 144 | 105 | 2nd CJHL | Won League | |
| 2010-11 | 62 | 51 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 300 | 142 | 104 | 1st CCHL | Won League, Won FPC, Won RBC | |
| 2011-12 | 62 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 184 | 177 | 70 | 6th CCHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 2012-13 | 62 | 38 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 235 | 185 | 80 | 5th CCHL | Lost Quarter-final | |
| 2013-14 | 62 | 37 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 229 | 184 | 80 | 4th CCHL | Lost Semi-final | |
| 2014-15 | 62 | 42 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 266 | 174 | 91 | 2nd of 6 Yzerman 3 of 12 CCHL | Won Quarterfinal 4-1 (Braves) Won Semifinal 4-3 (Jr. Senators) Lost Finals 1-4 (Canadians) | |
| 2015-16 | 62 | 34 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 197 | 163 | 73 | 3rd of 6 Yzerman 8th of 12 CCHL | Lost Quarterfinal 1-4 (Canadians) | |
| 2016-17 | 62 | 22 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 165 | 220 | 46 | 6th of 6 Yzerman 12th of 12 CCHL | Did Not Qualify | |
| 2017-18 | 62 | 32 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 213 | 223 | 69 | 4th of 6 Yzerman 7th of 12 CCHL | Lost Quarterfinal 2-4 (Jr. Senators) | |
(*) denotes the removal of 9 points from Pembroke's totals by the CJHL for disciplinary reasons.
The Lumber Kings lost their franchise prior to the start of the 1979-80 season for failing to remain in good standing with the league.[3]
Fred Page Cup
Eastern Canada Championships
MHL - QAAAJHL - CCHL - Host
Round robin play with 2nd vs 3rd in semi-final to advance against 1st in the finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | SemiFinal | Gold Medal Game |
| 1999 | ?, Restigouche River Rats ?-? ?, Coaticook Frontaliers ?-? ?, Kanata Valley Lasers ?-? | ?-?-? | ?? of 4 | n/a | W, Restigouche River Rats 4-1 Fred Page Cup Champions advance to Royal Bank Cup |
| 2000 * | W, Coaticook Frontaliers 6-1 L, Halifax Oland Exports 6-8 L, Cornwall Colts 2-5 | 1-2-0 | 3rd of 4 | L, Halifax Oland Exports 4-8 | n/a |
| 2006 * | W, Joliette Action 8-1 OTW, Woodstock Slammers 4-3 W, Hawkesbury Hawks 5-1 | 3-0-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | L, Joliette Action 2-4 |
| 2007 | OTW, St. Jerome Panthers 2-1 W, Joliette Action 4-1 L, Truro Bearcats 5-1 | 2-1-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | W, St. Jerome Panthers 5-2 Fred Page Cup Champions advance to Royal Bank Cup |
| 2008 | W, Weeks Crushers 2-1 OTW, Yarmouth Mariners 3-2 L, College Champain Cougars 1-2 | 2-1-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | L, Weeks Crushers 1-4 |
| 2009 | L, Summerside Western Capitals 3-4 L, Dieppe Commandos 1-3 W, Sherbrooke Cougars 5-2 | 1-2-0 | 3rd of 4 | L, Summerside Western Capitals 1-4 | n/a |
| 2010 | OTW, Terrebonne Cobras 6-5 L, Brockville Braves 1-2 W, Woodstock Slammers 7-4 | 2-1-0 | 2nd of 4 | W, Terrebonne Cobras 6-4 | L, Brockville Braves 1-5 |
| 2011 | W, Longueuil Collège Français 11-3 W, Summerside Western Capitals 9-5 L, Terrebonne Cobras 5-6 | 2-1-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | W, Longueuil Collège Français 6-3 Fred Page Cup Champions advance to Royal Bank Cup |
* Tournament Host
Royal Bank Cup
CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dudley Hewitt Champions - Central, Fred Page Champions - Eastern, Western Canada Cup Champions - Western, Western Canada Cup - Runners Up and Host
Round robin play with top 4 in semi-final and winners to finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Gold Medal Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 * | W, Coaticook Frontaliers 6-1 L, Halifax Oland Exports 6-8 L, Cornwall Colts 2-5 L, South Surrey Eagles 2-9 | 0-4 | 5th of 5 | n/a | na |
| 2007 | L, Prince George Spruce Kings 2-5 W, Aurora Tigers 5-3 L, Camrose Kodiaks 0-3 W, Selkirk Steelers 4-2 | 2-2 | 4th of 5 | OTL, Aurora Tigers 2-3 | na |
| 2011 | L, Portage Terriers 2-5 W, Wellington Dukes 5-2 L, Camrose Kodiaks 1-2 L, Vernon Vipers 3-5 | 1-3 | 3rd of 5 | W, Camrose Kodiaks 4-2 | W, Vernon Vipers 2-0 Royal Bank Cup Champions |
* Tournament Host
Championships
- CJHL Bogart Cup Championships: 1973, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Central Canadian Dudley Hewitt Cup Championships: 1973, 1977, 1987, 1988
- Eastern Canadian Fred Page Cup Championships: 2007, 2011
- CJAHL Royal Bank Cup Championships: 2011
| Preceded by Vernon Vipers |
Royal Bank Cup Champions 2011 |
Succeeded by Penticton Vees |
References
- Peplinskie, Tina (June 7, 2006). "Abrams leaves Lumber Kings, Sheldon Keefe will coach team". Pembroke Daily Observer.
- "Pembroke Lumber Kings sold to Dale McTavish". Pembroke Daily Observer. May 29, 2013.
- Gallagher, Danny (January 21, 1980), "More strife brewing on Pembroke hockey scene", The Ottawa Journal, p. 19, retrieved September 11, 2014