Windsor Spitfires

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Windsor Spitfires
City:	Windsor, Ontario
League:	Ontario Hockey League
Conference:	Western
Division:	West
Founded:	1975–76
Home Arena:	Windsor Arena
Colours:	Blue, White and Red
Head Coach:	Bob Boughner
General Manager:	Warren Rychel

The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–1976 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which disbanded in 1953.

History

The Original Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey Association played Junior A hockey from 1945 to 1953. During this period the Spitfires reached the league finals twice, and featured four future Hockey Hall of Fame players. Prior to 1945 local junior hockey was divided up into the 6-team Windsor Junior Hockey League. The folding of the Spitfires occurred in 1953 as hockey interests in Windsor chose to focus their attention on the OHA Senior A Hockey League. This resulted in the founding of the Windsor Bulldogs. Eventually five former Spitfires laced up with the Bulldogs and even one, Bobby Brown, won an Allan Cup with the team (1963). The Bulldogs folded in 1964 after one season in the International Hockey League.

The modern Windsor Spitfires started as a Junior A team which played in the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League from 1971–1975. The Spits won the 1973 Jack Oakes Trophy as league playoff champions and were regular season champions in 1974 and 1975. The Spitfires were granted entry into the OMJHL (later known as the OHL) as an expansion franchise for the 1975-76 OMJHL season, after a 22 year hiatus.

The "Spits" as they are commonly known, won their first Emms division title in 1980 and reached the OHL finals, but lost to the Peterborough Petes. Ernie Godden set an all-time OHL record in 1980–81 scoring 87 goals. In 1984 Peter Karmanos, the founder and CEO of Compuware, bought the team and renamed them the Windsor Compuware Spitfires.

In a well executed four-year plan, Windsor won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1987–88, defeating the Peterborough Petes for the OHL championship. The Compuware Spitfires won 35 of their last 36 games played, including being the first team to be undefeated in the OHL playoffs. Windsor also won 54 games and lost none, when leading after two periods. The Spitfires played in the 1988 Memorial Cup hosted in Chicoutimi, Quebec. Windsor lost in the championship game to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Karmanos sold the team to local construction magnate Steve Riolo after the 1988–89 season, and the team reverted back the Windsor Spitfires name and adopted their modern logo.

Conflict and renewal

On October 18, 2005, Head Coach Moe Mantha was handed a 40 game suspension and later terminated without pay, for a hazing incident that occurred aboard a bus after a pre-season game versus the London Knights. An altercation involving players Steve Downie and Akim Aliu, in which Aliu lost four teeth, led to public exposure of the compulsive hazing within the Spitfires organization. Downie was traded to the Peterborough Petes, and Aliu was traded to the Sudbury Wolves.

On April 6, 2006, the Ontario Hockey League Board of Governors announced the approval of a new ownership group for the Windsor Spitfires. The group is composed of Bob Boughner, Warren Rychel and Peter Dobrich. All three men have history in Windsor with OHL hockey, and the group hopes to move the team into a new arena in the near future. Boughner will assume the roles of President and CEO of the Spitfires, Rychel will be Director of player development, and Dobrich its new Business manager.

Mickey Renaud

On the afternoon of February 18, 2008, team captain Mickey Renaud died at Windsor Regional Hospital in the emergency room after collapsing at his home in Tecumseh, at the age of 19. The cause of death has not been released pending the autopsy. Renaud was a 2007 draft pick of the Calgary Flames. [1] The Windsor Spitfires retired his number # 18 the following day, with banner raising plans set for September 2008.[2]

Championships

The Windsor Compuware Spitfires won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and were the top-ranked junior team in Canada during the 1987–88 season.

Coaches

List of coaches with multiple season in parentheses.

• 1970–73 – Jerry Serviss
• 1973–75 – Wayne Maxner
• 1975–76 – Doug Johnston & Wayne Maxner
• 1976–80 – Wayne Maxner (8)
• 1980–81 – Ron Harris & Ron Carroll
• 1981–82 – Marcel Pronovost (2)
• 1982–83 – Marcel Pronovost, Doug Imrie, John Becanic
• 1983–84 – Bob Boucher, Terry McConnell, Wayne Maxner
• 1984–85 – Mark Craig
• 1985–86 – Tom Webster (8)
• 1986–87 – Tom Webster, Jim Rutherford, Tony McDonald
• 1987–89 – Tom Webster (8)
• 1989–91 – Brad Smith (3)
• 1991–92 – Brad Smith, Wayne Maxner, Dave Prpich (3)
• 1992–93 – Wayne Maxner, Kevin McIntosh
• 1993–94 – Shane Parker
• 1994–95 – Mike Kelly (5)
• 1995–96 – Mike Kelly & Paul Gillis
• 1996–97 – Paul Gillis (2)
• 1997–98 – Vern Stenlund, Dave Prpich, Tony Curtale
• 1998–99 – Tony Curtale (2) & Dave Prpich
• 1999–02 – Tom Webster (8)
• 2002–03 – Tom Webster & Mike Kelly
• 2003–04 – Steve Smith & Mike Kelly
• 2004–05 – Mike Kelly
• 2005–06 – Moe Mantha, Jr., Bill Bowler & D.J. Smith (interim co-coaches)
• 2006–present – Bob Boughner

Players

There have been over 100 alumni of the OHA & OHL Junior A Spitfires who have graduated to play in the National Hockey League. Four of those alumni have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Those are:Glenn Hall, Marcel Pronovost, Terry Sawchuk, and Al Arbour as coach.

Award winners

• 1948–49 – Bert Giesebrecht Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy OHL Scoring Champion
• 1949–50 – Earl Reibel Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy OHL Scoring Champion
• 1950–51 – Glenn Hall Red Tilson Trophy OHL Most Outstanding Player
• 1980–81 – Ernie Godden Red Tilson Trophy OHL Most Outstanding Player
• 1987–88 – Darrin Shannon CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Bobby Smith Trophy OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Max Kaminsky Trophy OHL Most Outstanding Defenceman
• 1990–91 – Cory Stillman Emms Family Award OHL Rookie of the Year.
• 1991–92 – Todd Warriner CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
• 1994–95 – Bill Bowler Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy OHL Overage Player of the Year.
• 1996–97 – Peter Sarno Emms Family Award OHL Rookie of the Year.
• 1997–98 – Peter Sarno Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy OHL Scoring Champion
• 2000–01 – Jason Spezza CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
• 2002–03 – Kyle Wellwood CHL Sportsman of the Year, William Hanley Trophy OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player.
• 2007–08 – Bob Boughner Matt Leyden Trophy OHL Coach of the Year, CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award
• 2007–08 – Taylor Hall Emms Family Award OHL Rookie of the Year, CHL Rookie of the Year
• 2007–08 – Ryan Ellis Bobby Smith Trophy OHL Scholastic Player of the Year

NHL alumni

Original Spitfires 1945–1953

SOJHL Spitfires 1971–1975

Modern Spitfires 1975–Present

Current roster

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	NHL Rights	Place of Birth
1		Andrew Engelage (OA)	L	2005 Draft	Free Agent	Oshawa, Ontario

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	NHL Rights	Place of Birth
6		Ryan Ellis	R	2007 Draft	Eligible 2009	Freelton, Ontario
13		Rob Kwiet (OA)	L	Trade MIS 2008	Free Agent	Toronto, Ontario
17		Jesse Blacker	R	2007 Draft	Eligible 2009	Toronto, Ontario
51		Mark Cundari	L	2006 Draft	Free Agent	Woodbridge, Ontario
55		Harry Young	R	Trade GUE 2006	NJ 2008	Windsor, Ontario

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	NHL Rights	Place of Birth
4		Taylor Hall	L	C	2007 Draft	Eligible 2010	Kingston, Ontario
14		Adam Henrique	L	C	2006 Draft	NJ 2008	Burford, Ontario
19		Andrew Yogan	L	C	2007 Draft	Eligible 2010	Boca Raton, Florida
22		Richard Greenop	R	RW	2005 Draft	CHI 2007	Oshawa, Ontario
28		Jacob Lalonde (OA)	L	LW	Trade SSM 2008	Free Agent	Thunder Bay, Ontario
29		Conor O'Donnell	L	LW	Trade BRA 2007	Free Agent	Hamilton, Ontario
44		Justin Shugg	L	LW	Trade OSH 2008	Eligible 2010	Niagara Falls, Ontario
61		Austin Watson	L	LW	2008 Draft	Eligible 2010	Ann Arbor, Michigan
64		Greg Nemisz	R	C	2006 Draft	CGY 2008	Courtice, Ontario
67		Eric Wellwood	L	LW	2006 Draft	Free Agent	Oldcastle, Ontario
71		Dale Mitchell	R	RW	Trade OSH 2008	TOR 2007	Mississauga, Ontario
89		Josh Bailey	L	C	Trade OS 2006	NYI 2008	Bowmanville, Ontario

Team records

Season-by-season results

Regular season

• 1946–53 Original OHA Spitfires
• 1984–89 Windsor Compuware Spitfires

Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shoot Out Loss

Playoffs

• 1973–74 Won Jack Oakes Trophy as SOJAHL Champions.
  Defeated by Wexford Raiders in OHA Championship 4 games to 3.
• 1975–76 Out of playoffs.
• 1976–77 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 3 games to 0 in first round.
  Lost to St. Catharines Fincups 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
• 1977–78 Lost to Hamilton Fincups 9 points to 3 in quarter-finals.
• 1978–79 Lost to London Knights in a 9 games series in quarter-finals. Series protested and both teams moved on.
  Eliminated in semi-final round-robin vs. Niagara Falls Flyers and London Knights.
• 1979–80 Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
  Defeated Brantford Alexanders 4 games to 3 in semi-finals.
  Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in finals.
• 1980–81 Defeated Brantford Alexanders 8 points to 4 in division semi-finals.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 9 points to 1 in division finals.
• 1981–82 Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 6 points to 4 in first round.
  Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 poins to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1982–83 Lost to North Bay Centennials 6 points to 0 in first round.
• 1983–84 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 6 points to 0 in first round.
• 1984–85 Lost to London Knights 8 poins to 0 in first round.
• 1985–86 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 2 in first round.
  Finished quarter-final round robin vs Guelph Platers and North Bay Centennials in second place (4 points).
  Lost to Guelph Platers 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
• 1986–87 Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in first round.
  Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
  Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 2 in semi-finals.
• 1987–88 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 0 in first round.
  Earned bye through quarter-finals. 1st place in Emms division.
  Defeated Hamilton Steelhawks 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
  Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Finished Memorial Cup round-robin in first place, earned berth in finals.
  Lost to Medicine Hat Tigers 7–6 in championship game.
• 1988–89 Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in first round.
• 1989–90 Out of playoffs.
• 1990–91 Defeated London Knights 4 games to 3 in first round.
  Lost to Niagara Falls Thunder 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
• 1991–92 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in first round.
• 1992–93 Out of playoffs.
• 1993–94 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
• 1994–95 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals.
  Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
• 1995–96 Lost to Detroit Whalers 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
• 1996–97 Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
• 1997–98 Out of playoffs.
• 1998–99 Defeated Kitchener Rangers 2–1 in 8th place tiebreaker.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 1999–00 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
• 2000–01 Defeated Owen Sound Attack 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
• 2001–02 Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Erie Otters 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2002–03 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2003–04 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2004–05 Defeated S.S.Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
• 2005–06 Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2006–07 Out of playoffs.
• 2007–08 Lost to Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.

Uniforms and logos

The Windsor Spitfires use jerseys in the white, red & blue colours with the current logo (top of page), with the white jerseys being used on the road until the Christmas and at home in the new year and the red jerseys being used at home until Christmas and on the road in the new year. The Spitfires briefly used a third jersey featuring a white, red and green colour scheme and an alternate logo featuring an airplane flying in front of the Ambassador Bridge. When the team was also known as the Compuware Spitfires the team's colours were brown and orange, with a logo featuring a Spitfire airplane. The original Spitfires logo featured a maple leaf.

Third Logo	Compuware Spitfires Logo	Original Spitfires Logo	SOJHL Spitfires Logo

Arena

The Spitfires play home games at the Windsor Arena, built in 1924 in downtown Windsor, Ontario. The arena was originally known as the "Border Cities Arena" and was once home to the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL prior to 1927. The Windsor Arena, nicknamed "The Barn," is the oldest operating facility in the Canadian Hockey League. It hosted the OHL All-Star game in 1978, and the Memorial Cup in 1981.

Capacity = 4,400

Ice Size = 195'×80'

• Windsor Arena - The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

The Spitfires announced on October 7, 2006 that a new arena has been approved by city council to be ready for the 2008–09 OHL season. [3]

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Ontario

External links

• www.windsorspitfires.com Official web site
• Ontario Hockey League Official web site
• Canadian Hockey League Official web site

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