Wikipedia

Toronto Jr. Canadiens

(Redirected from Wexford Raiders)
"Toronto Raiders" redirects here. Not to be confused with the Major League Quadball team of the same name.

The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in the Downsview neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were known as the Wexford Raiders until the end of the 2005–06 season and are a part of Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) but used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League.

Toronto Jr. Canadiens
CityToronto, Ontario, Canada
LeagueOntario Junior Hockey League
ConferenceSouth-West
DivisionSouth
Founded1972
Home arenaScotiaBank Pond
ColoursRed, Blue, and White
     
Owner(s)Peter Friedmann - Joel Feldberg -Jeffrey Bly
General managerDavid DeMarinis
Head coachDavid DeMarinis
AffiliateLeaside Kings (GTHL)
Franchise history
1972-1983Wexford Warriors
1983-2006Wexford Raiders
2006-PresentToronto Jr. Canadiens

History

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The team originated in 1972 as the Wexford Warriors of the Metro Junior B league, when the original Wexford Raiders jumped to the Junior A Ontario Provincial League in 1972. When the Junior A Raiders folded in 1981, the Junior B Warriors adopted the Raider name and kept it until 2006.

The Wexford Raiders were one of the strongest teams to play in the Metro Junior A Hockey League. A losing team for much of its history, they become one of the most dominant squads in 1990, under coaches Stan Butler and Kevin Burkett. Butler and Burkett coached the Wexford Raiders midget team to the 1989 championship, then took most of the players to the Junior B level in 1990, and they served as the foundation to four consecutive Metro championship squads. During the 1990s, under the management of Burkett and Butler, the Raiders sent more players on NCAA Division I hockey scholarships than any other junior team in North America. In 1994, the Raiders defeated the Caledon Canadians 4-games-to-0 in the Metro League final. The Canadians were granted the permission to host the Dudley Hewitt Cup that year and ended up winning it despite losing the Metro final.

In 1998, again playing Caledon, the Raiders won the last Metro Junior "A" title in game 7 by a score of 9–0. In 2006, the Raiders changed their name to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and took on the colors of the Montreal Canadiens.

2006-07

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On February 11, 2007, after 144 minutes and 32 seconds of play, the Canadiens defeated the Pickering Panthers in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs.[1] The game-winning goal was credited to Kyle Wetering at the 4:32 mark of the 5th overtime. Toronto outshot Pickering 88–86.[2] On February 12, 2007, TSN show That's Hockey showed highlights of the game and announced that the history of the game may be preserved in the Hockey Hall of Fame as the longest junior hockey game in history, far surpassing the previous record. The game has been officially named the longest game in Ontario Hockey Association history.[3]

Season-by-season results

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2006 - current History
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
2006-07 49 26 16 5 2 202 162 59 4th OPJHL-S Lost Conf. QF
2007-08 49 29 18 - 2 223 175 60 4th OPJHL-S
2008-09 53 31 20 - 2 242 251 64 3rd OJHL-C
2009-10 50 27 19 - 4 218 195 58 6th CCHL-W Lost Preliminary
2010-11 50 16 30 - 4 136 207 36 6th OJHL-S DNQ
2011-12 49 18 24 - 7 156 184 43 5th OJHL-S Lost Division SF
2012-13 55 27 23 - 5 176 179 59 5th OJHL-S Lost Conf. QF
2013-14 53 23 26 - 4 184 213 50 5th OJHL-S Lost Conf. QF
2014-15 - - - - - - - - - -
2015-16 54 30 16 3 5 184 170 68 3rd of 6 South Div
6th of 11 SW Conf
9th of 22 OJHL		 Lost Conf. Quarters 1-4 (Cougars)
2016-17 54 28 20 2 4 177 164 62 3rd of 6 South Div
5th of 11 SW Conf
11th of 22 OJHL		 Won Conf. Quarters 4-3 (Buzzers)
Lost Conf. Semifinals 0-4 (Raiders)
2017-18 54 33 18 1 2 202 166 69 4th of 6 South Div
5th of 11 SW Conf
8th of 22 OJHL		 Lost Conf. Quarters 2-4 (Blades)
2018–19 54 27 23 1 3 166 180 58 4th of 5 South Div
8th of 11 SW Conf
13th of 22 OJHL		 Lost Conf. Quarters 1-4 (Rangers)
2019–20 54 38 10 2 4 207 144 58 1st of 6 South Div
3rd of 11 SW Conf
4th of 22 OJHL		 Won Conf. Quarters 4-1 (Rangers)
Remaining playoffs cancelled
due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Season Lost to Covid-19 pandemic
2021–22 54 40 12 2 0 235 119 82 1st of 6 South Div
1st of 11 SW Conf
1st of 22 OJHL		 Won Conf. Quarters 2-0 (Patriots)
Won Conf. Semifinals 2-0 (Rangers)
Won Conf. Finals 3-1 (Cougars)
Lost League Finals 3-4 (Panthers)
2022–23 54 45 5 2 2 256 104 94 1st of 12 SE Conf
1st of 24 OJHL		 Won Conf. Quarters 4-1 (Rangers)
Lost Conf. Semifinals 3-4 (Golden Hawks)
2023–24 56 31 19 3 3 210 165 68 6th of 12 East Conf
10th of 22 OJHL		 Won Conf. Quarters 4-1 (Dukes)
Lost Conf Semifinals 0-4 (Golden Hawks)

Playoffs

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MetJHL Years

  • 1990 Lost final
Wexford Raiders defeated Oshawa Legionaires 4-games-to-3
Wexford Raiders defeated Kingston Voyageurs 4-games-to-none
Thornhill Thunderbirds defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-3
  • 1991 Won League
Wexford Raiders defeated Kingston Voyageurs 4-games-to-1
Wexford Raiders defeated Oshawa Legionaires 4-games-to-3
Wexford Raiders defeated Bramalea Blues 4-games-to-3 METJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1992 Won League
Wexford Raiders defeated Kingston Voyageurs 4-games-to-1
Wexford Raiders defeated Thornhill Thunderbirds 4-games-to-2
Wexford Raiders defeated Bramalea Blues 4-games-to-none METJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1993 Won League
Wexford Raiders defeated Richmond Hill Riot 4-games-to-none
Wexford Raiders defeated Wellington Dukes 4-games-to-none
Wexford Raiders defeated St. Michael's Buzzers 4-games-to-1 METJHL CHAMPIONS
  • 1994 Won League, lost OHA Buckland Cup round robin
Wexford Raiders defeated Kingston Voyageurs 4-games-to-1
Wexford Raiders defeated Thornhill Islanders 4-games-to-none
Wexford Raiders defeated Caledon Canadians 4-games-to-none METJHL CHAMPIONS
Third and eliminated in OHA Buckland Cup round robin (1-2)
  • 1995 Lost final
Wexford Raiders defeated Wellington Dukes 4-games-to-2
Wexford Raiders defeated Thornhill Islanders 4-games-to-3
Caledon Canadians defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
  • 1996 Lost semi-final
Wexford Raiders defeated Wellington Dukes 4-games-to-1
Thornhill Islanders defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-2
  • 1997 Lost semi-final
Wexford Raiders defeated Niagara Scenic 4-games-to-none
First in round robin quarter-final (4-2)
Caledon Canadians defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
  • 1998 Won League, lost OHA Buckland Cup
Wexford Raiders defeated Quinte Hawks 3-games-to-none
Wexford Raiders defeated Oshawa Legionaires 4-games-to-2
Wexford Raiders defeated Caledon Canadians 4-games-to-3 METJHL CHAMPIONS
Milton Merchants (OPJHL) defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-1

OJHL Years

Raiders 1970-1981

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Wexford Raiders
 
CityScarborough, Ontario, Canada
LeagueOntario Provincial Junior A Hockey League
Metro Junior B Hockey League
Operated1970-1981
ColoursGreen, Black, and White
     
Franchise history
1970-1971Toronto Raiders
1971-1981Wexford Raiders
1981Folded

There also was a Wexford Raiders team in the Ontario Provincial Junior League based in the Wexford neighbourhood of the Toronto suburb of Scarborough. The team originated in 1970 as the Toronto Raiders of the Metro Junior B league, and was renamed the Wexford Raiders in 1971. In 1972, the team moved to the new Ontario Provincial Junior League in 1972 and operated until 1981. After the Junior A team folded, the Metro B "Warriors" assumed the "Raider" name in 1983.

Season-by-season results

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Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
Toronto Raiders
1970-71 44 17 22 5 - 208 241 39 8th Metro B
Wexford Raiders
1971-72 44 20 19 5 - 206 210 45 6th Metro B
1972-73 44 26 9 9 - 264 185 61 2nd OPJHL Won League
1973–74 44 26 12 6 - 235 172 58 3rd OPJHL Won League
1974-75 44 22 15 7 - 241 196 51 4th OPJHL
1975-76 44 19 19 6 - 207 196 44 4th OPJHL
1976-77 44 20 21 3 - 211 219 43 7th OPJHL
1977-78 50 18 25 7 - 268 308 43 6th OPJHL
1978-79 50 14 31 5 - 208 280 33 10th OPJHL
1979-80 44 17 20 7 - 238 241 41 8th OPJHL
1980-81 44 11 32 1 - 234 334 23 12th OPJHL

Playoffs

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  • 1973 Won League, lost OHA Buckland Cup
Wexford Raiders defeated Weston Dodgers 4-games-to-1
Wexford Raiders defeated Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-2
Wexford Raiders defeated Toronto Nationals 4-games-to-1 OPJHL CHAMPIONS
Chatham Maroons (SOJHL) defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-3
Wexford Raiders defeated Richmond Hill Rams 4-games-to-2
Wexford Raiders defeated North Bay Trappers 4-games-to-3
Wexford Raiders defeated Aurora Tigers 4-games-to-1 OPJHL CHAMPIONS
Wexford Raiders defeated Windsor Spitfires (SOJHL) 4-games-to-3 BUCKLAND CUP CHAMPIONS
Thunder Bay Hurricanes (TBJHL) defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-3
  • 1975 Lost final
Wexford Raiders defeated Aurora Tigers 4-games-to-none
Wexford Raiders defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-3
Toronto Nationals defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-1
  • 1976 Lost quarter-final
North Bay Trappers defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-2
  • 1977 Lost quarter-final
Royal York Royals defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-2
  • 1978 Lost quarter-final
Guelph Platers defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
  • 1979 DNQ
  • 1980 Lost quarter-final
Dixie Beehives defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-none
  • 1981 DNQ

Arena

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The Jr. Canadiens play at Scotiabank Pond at Downsview Park.

The Raiders played at Scarborough Arena Gardens at 75 Birchmount Road. The city rink built in 1954 was used in the 1986 film Youngbloods and being rebuilt due to roof issues.[4] Demolished in 2023 and should open in 2025.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Gamesheet: Pickering at Toronto - Sat, Feb 10, 2007".
  2. ^ "Gamesheet: Pickering at Toronto - Sat, Feb 10, 2007".
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2007-02-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "WHat's GOING ON HERE? Scarborough Gardens Arena has 'reached the end of its lifespan' and will be rebuilt". 30 August 2023.
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