Nelson Leafs

Canadian junior ice hockey team


title: "Nelson Leafs" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ice-hockey-teams-in-british-columbia", "nelson,-british-columbia", "1968-establishments-in-british-columbia", "ice-hockey-clubs-established-in-1968", "kootenay-international-junior-hockey-league"] description: "Canadian junior ice hockey team" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Leafs" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Canadian junior ice hockey team ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox hockey team"]

FieldValue
teamNelson Leafs
bg_colourbackground:#FFFFFF;border-top:#015424 5px solid;border-bottom:#015424 5px solid;
text_colour#000000
cityNelson, British Columbia
leagueKootenay International Junior Hockey League
conferenceKootenay
divisionNeil Murdoch
founded–69 (KHL)
arenaNelson and District Community Complex
coloursGreen and white

| | coach | Gianni Mangone | | website | | | name1 | Nelson JR. Maple Leafs (KHL/WKHL) | | dates1 | 1968–1971 | | name2 | Nelson Maple Leafs (KIJHL) | | dates2 | 1971–1994 | | name3 | Nelson Leafs (RMJHL) | | dates3 | 1994–1999 | | name4 | Nelson Leafs (KIJHL) | | dates4 | 1999–present | | captain | Vacant | | mascot | Bud the Bear | | gm | Dale Hladun | | president | Corey Viala | | capacity | 1472 | ::

| team = Nelson Leafs | bg_colour = background:#FFFFFF;border-top:#015424 5px solid;border-bottom:#015424 5px solid; | text_colour = #000000 | logo = | city = Nelson, British Columbia | league = Kootenay International Junior Hockey League | conference = Kootenay | division = Neil Murdoch | founded = –69 (KHL) | arena = Nelson and District Community Complex | colours = Green and white

| coach = Gianni Mangone | website = | name1 = Nelson JR. Maple Leafs (KHL/WKHL) | dates1 = 1968–1971 | name2 = Nelson Maple Leafs (KIJHL) | dates2 = 1971–1994 | name3 = Nelson Leafs (RMJHL) | dates3 = 1994–1999 | name4 = Nelson Leafs (KIJHL) | dates4 = 1999–present | captain = Vacant | mascot = Bud the Bear | gm = Dale Hladun | president = Corey Viala | capacity = 1472}}

The Nelson Leafs are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). They play their home games at Nelson and District Community Complex.

History

The team was originally known as the Nelson Maple Leafs but changed its name to the Leafs in 1994 when it joined the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL). The team returned to the KIJHL in 1999 but continued to be known as the Leafs.

The Leafs are the 1968-69, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999-00, 2008–09 KIJHL champions.

In the 2006-07 season, the Leafs made it to the KIJHL finals, but lost to the Fernie Ghostriders 4-2. In the 2008-09 season, the Leafs won the KIJHL championship 4-0 over the Kamloops Storm. Then in the 2009-10 season, the Leafs went to the KIJHL finals, but lost 4-1 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.

The Leafs hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup, the Junior B provincial championship, in April 2014 but finished fourth.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, D = Defaults, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Records as of February 17, 2024. ::data[format=table]

SeasonGPWLTOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1969–703213190261651793rd, KHL
1970–712811170223rd, WKHL
1971–723211210221291984th, WKHL
1972–73306222141092513rd, West
1973–74*1601600391634th, WestDid not participate (withdrew)
1974–75347270141202384th, West
1975–763413210261391843rd, West
1976–774421221431902134th, West
1977–784214280281662404th, West
1978–794011281231512275th, West
1979–804019210382002723rd, West
1980–814017230341972093rd, West
1981–824227150542792182nd, West
1982–834215270302382644th, West
1983–844015250302092776th, West
1984–854019201392362284th, West
1985–86*34330171613246th, WestDid not participate (withdrew)
1986–88*Did not participate (folded)
1988–89454041813731631st, WestLost in finals (Rockies)
1989–90403631732981221st, WestLost in finals (Rockies)
1990–91*4125151512011592nd, West
1991–92383062622501071st, WestKIJHL champions (Braves)
1992–934227141552931393rd, WestKIJHL champions (Rockies)
1993–944027121552791812nd, West
SeasonGPWLTSOLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1994–955237132762872331st, KootenayLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Thunder)
1995–965833232682342362nd, KootenayLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Ghostriders)
1996–976031236682712732nd, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 0-4 (Colts)
1997–985420313432582725th, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 0-4 (Dynamiters)
1998–994520250401901953rd, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 3-4 (Ghostriders)
SeasonGPWLTOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1999–004529115652361381st, Neil MurdochKIJHL champions (Eagles)
2000–0158272443612372374th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2001–0250192254471721993rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels)
2002–0350242330512032022nd, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks)
2003–0450252131542282083rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Braves)
2004–0550182642421671944th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2005–0650241763572081693rd, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2006–0752401020822531631st, Neil MurdochLost in finals, 2–4 (Ghostriders)
2007–0852321190732141621st, Neil Murdoch: WestLost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks)
2008–095243720882481281st, Neil MurdochKIJHL champions, 4-0 (Storm)
2009–1050361022762471281st, Neil MurdochLost in finals, 1–4 (Grizzlies)
2010–1150252203531731873rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Nitehawks)
2011–1252301705652591673rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels)
2012–1352321622682071583rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2013–145238914812471611st, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2014–1552232324521731454th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Nitehawks)
2015–1652202912421431784th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2016–1747212114471481603rd of 5 Neil Murdoch
11th of 20 - KIJHLLost in Division Semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2017–184733923711641011st of 5 Neil Murdoch
3rd of 20 - KIJHLLost in Conf. Finals, 2-4 (Dynamiters)
2018–1949351121722001301st of 5 Neil Murdoch
4th of 20 - KIJHLLost Divisional Finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2019–2049301306661991562nd of 5, Neil Murdoch
6 of 20 KIJHLWon Div Semifinals, 4-0, (Braves)
Incomplete Div Final 2-0 (Nitehawks)
Playoffs cancelled due to covid-19
2020–213300062471st of 5, Neil MurdochRest of season cancelled due to covid-19
2021–224231100163171931st of 5, Neil Murdoch
4th of 19 KIJHLLost League Final, 1-4, (Grizzlies)
2022 - 23442415-5531501372nd, Neil MurdochLost Div Semifinals, 2-4, (Nitehawks)
2023–244424173511671593rd of 5, Neil Murdoch
10th of 20 KIJHLLost Div Semifinals, 1-4, (Border Bruins)
2024–2544192311401421903rd of 5, Neil Murdoch
7th of 10 Kootenay Conf
14th of 21 KIJHLLost Div Semifinals, 0-4, (Nitehawks)
::

; Notes

  1. 1973-74 season: Nelson withdrew from play for balance of season
  2. 1985-86 season: Nelson withdrew on January 15, 1986
  3. 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons: Nelson did not participate (folded)
  4. Stats for the 1990-91 season are only thru February 17, 1991. May not be complete

Playoffs

Records as of February 27, 2024.

::data[format=table]

Season1st round2nd round3rd RoundFinals
1994–95L, 0-4, Creston Valley
1995–96L, 0-4, Fernie
1996–97W, 4-3, Creston ValleyL, 0-4, Cranbrook
1997–98W, 2-0, CastlegarL, 0-4, Kimberley
1998–99L, 3-4, Fernie
1999–00W, 4-2, CastlegarW, Beaver ValleyW, Sicamous
2000–01L, 0-4, Beaver Valley
2001–02L, 1-4, Castlegar
2002–03W, 4-2, SpokaneL, 3-4, Beaver Valley
2003–04L, 3-4, Spokane
2004–05L, 0-4, Beaver Valley
2005–06W, 4-1, CastlegarL, 0-4, Beaver Valley
2006–07W, 4-0, SpokaneW, 4-2, Beaver ValleyByeL, 2-4, Fernie
2007–08ByeL, 3-4, Beaver Valley
2008–09W, 4-1, SpokaneW, 4-0, CastlegarW, 3-0, FernieW, 4-0, Kamloops
2009–10W, 4-3, Beaver ValleyW, 4-3 SpokaneW, 4-1 FernieL, 1-4 Revelstoke
2010–11L, 3-4, Beaver Valley
2011–12L, 1-4, Castlegar
2012–13L, 1-4, Beaver Valley
2013–14W, 4-2, SpokaneL, 2-4, Beaver Valley
2014–15L, 1-4, Beaver Valley
2015–16L, 0-4, Beaver Valley
2016–17W, 4-2, CastlegarL, 0-4, Beaver Valley
2017–18W, 4-1, Grand ForksW, 4-1, CastlegarL, 2-4, Kimberley
2018–19W, 4-3, SpokaneL, 2-4, Beaver Valley
2019-20W, 4-0 SpokaneIncomplete, 2-0, Beaver Valley
2020-21Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
2021-22W, 4-3 CastelgarW, 4-2 Beaver ValleyW, 4-2 KimberleyL, 1-4 Revelstoke
2022-23L, 2-4, Beaver Valley
2023-24L, 1-4, Grand Forks
2024-25L, 0-4, Beaver Valley
::

; Notes

  1. The RMJHL playoffs had three playoff rounds.
  2. The final 1998-99 RMJHL playoffs had two playoff rounds.

[[Cyclone Taylor Cup]]

::data[format=table]

SeasonRound RobinSemifinalsFinals
1999–00no round robinW, 2-1, CRSL, 0-2, ABB
2008–09record unavailable
advance to championship gameL, 2-6, RIC
2013–14Tournament host (0-2-1)
relegated to consolation gameL, 0-3, VIC
::

NHL alumni

Other notable alumni

Awards and trophies

Most Sportsmanlike

  • Chris Cucullu: 2009-2010
  • Mike Lebler: 2006-2007
  • Lindon Horswill: 2011-12

Top Goaltender

  • Billy Faust: 2009-2010
  • Garrett Beckwith: 2008-2009

Rookie of the Year

  • Dylan Walchuk: 2008-2009
  • Nik Newman: 2011-12

Coach of the Year

  • Simon Wheeldon: 2008-2009
  • Simon Wheeldon: 2007-2008
  • Simon Wheeldon: 2006-2007

Top Defenseman

  • Torin Brusven: 2007-2008
  • Jonathon Petrash: 2011-12

Top Scorer

  • Dan Fraser: 2006-2007
  • Nik Newman 2011-12

References

References

  1. link. (2013-01-02)
  2. "KIJHL.ca – KIJHL Final Standings.".
  3. link. (2012-05-05)
  4. "KIJHL.ca – Playoff Records.".
  5. link. (2013-02-09)

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

ice-hockey-teams-in-british-columbianelson,-british-columbia1968-establishments-in-british-columbiaice-hockey-clubs-established-in-1968kootenay-international-junior-hockey-league