The Collingwood Blues are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) based in Collingwood, Ontario, and the 2024 Centennial Cup national championship team.
| Collingwood Blues | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Collingwood, Ontario |
| League | OJHL |
| Division | North |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Home arena | Eddie Bush Memorial Arena |
| Colours | |
| General manager | Mike Tarantino |
| Head coach | Andrew Campoli |
| Website | cwoodblues |
| Franchise history | |
| 1974-2019 | Kingston Voyageurs |
| 2019–2020 | Collingwood Colts |
History
editThe team came into being with sale and relocation of the Kingston Voyageurs to Collingwood after the 2018–19 OJHL season.[1] The Kingston Voyageurs had been a league staple since 1974.[2] After the 2019–20 OJHL season, the team was rebranded the Collingwood Blues.[3]
The 2020–21 OJHL season was cancelled due to public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]
The Blues won consecutive league championships in 2023 and 2024.[6][7] They went on to win the 2024 Centennial Cup national championship tournament in 2024.[8][9]
Arena
editThe team plays its home games at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena in Collingwood.[10] In 2024, the team entered a 10-year agreement with the Town of Collingwood to continue its use of facility, following protracted negotiations.[11] The agreement included the option to renew for a further 10 years.[12]
Season-by-season results
editThe team won its second consecutive league championship in 2024 and went on to win the national championship 2024 Centennial Cup.[13][14]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | 54 | 27 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 164 | 155 | 64 | 2nd of 5 North Div 5th of 11 NW Conf 10th of 22 OJHL |
Lost Conf. Quarters 3-4 (Spirit) |
| 2020–21 | Season cancelled | |||||||||
| 2021–22 | 54 | 28 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 170 | 140 | 61 | 2nd of 5 North Div 4th of 10 NW Conf 11th of 21 OJHL |
Lost Conf. Quarters 2-0 (Tigers) Lost Conf Semifinals 0-2 (Panthers) |
| 2022–23 | 54 | 44 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 226 | 113 | 89 | 1st of 10 NW Conf 2nd of 21 OJHL |
Won Conf. Quarters 4-0 (Spirit) Won Conf Semifinals 4-0 (Menace) Won Conf Finals 4-1 (Cougars) Won League Finals 4-1 (Golden Hawks) advance to Centennial Cup |
| 2023–24 | 56 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 284 | 88 | 99 | 1st of 12 NW Conf 1st of 24 OJHL |
Won Conf. Quarters 4-0 (99ers) Won Conf Semifinals 4-1 (Blades) Won Conf Finals 4-0 (Flyers) Won League Finals 2-4 (Golden Hawks) Won national championship 1-0 (Melfort Mustangs) |
Source: "Collingwood Blues hockey team [2021-2025 OJHL] statistics and history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
National championships
editIn 2022, the Centennial Cup moved to a 10-team format, including the champions from each of the nine leagues that make up the CJHL, and the host team, thus eliminating the intervening regional contests for the ANAVET Cup, the Fred Page Cup and the Doyle Cup.[15] The format consists of a 4-game round-robin with two groups of five teams, followed by a six-team single-elimination play-off.[16]
2023
edit| Centennial Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| City | Portage la Prairie |
| Venue(s) | Stride Place |
| Dates | 11-21 May 2023 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Host team | Portage Terriers |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Brooks Bandits |
| Runner-up | Battlefords North Stars |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Games played | 25 |
| MVP | Aiden Fink |
| Official website | |
| Hockey Canada | |
The 2023 Centennial Cup tournament took place at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba from 11 – 21 May 2023. It was the second year of the 10-team format, including the championship teams of nine CJHL affiliate leagues and the host team, the Portage Terriers.[17] The Portage Terriers and city of Portage la Prairie were to be the host for the 2020 Centennial Cup, but were renamed as the 2023 host when the 2020 tournament was cancelled at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[18][19]
| Round-robin | Record | Standing | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTW, Steinbach Pistons (ManJHL), 2-1 W, Battlefords North Stars (SJHL), 3-1 W, Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL), 4-1 L, Portage Terriers (Host), 3-4 |
2-1-1-0 | 3rd of 5 Pool B |
Lost - 2-4 Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) |
Did not Qualify | Did not Qualify |
2024
edit| Centennial Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| City | Oakville, Ontario |
| Venue(s) | Sixteen Mile Sports Complex |
| Dates | 9–19 May 2024 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Host team | Oakville Blades |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Collingwood Blues |
| Runner-up | Melfort Mustangs |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Games played | 25 |
| MVP | Julien Gervais |
| Official website | |
| Hockey Canada | |
The 2024 Centennial Cup was hosted by the Oakville Blades at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario from 9 – 19 2024.[20][21]
| Round-robin | Record | Standing | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W, Calgary Canucks (AJHL), 5-4 W, Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL), 10-2 W, Longueuil Collège Français (QJHL), 8-0 W, Navan Grads (CCHL), 3-2 |
4-0-0-0 | 1st of 5 Group A |
Earned bye | Won 5-2 Miramichi Timberwolves |
Won 1-0 Melfort Mustangs Centennial Cup National Junior A Champions |
References
edit- ^ Ian MacAlpine (March 6, 2019). "Kingston Voyageurs may move to Collingwood". Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Kingston Voyageurs are no more". Kingstonist - Kingston News. March 21, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Engel, Erika (February 22, 2020). "Collingwood Colts will be Collingwood Blues next year". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Lockhart, Brian (April 22, 2021). "That's it for Junior A hockey - League calls it quits". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Steiner, Laura (April 13, 2021). "OJHL announces cancellation of 2020–21 season". Milton Reporter. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Engel, Erika (April 29, 2023). "Collingwood Blues earn OJHL title, punch ticket to Centennial Cup". OrilliaMatters.com. Village Media. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Engel, Erika (April 30, 2024). "Collingwood Blues win OJHL playoffs again". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ O'Flanagan, Rob (May 19, 2024). "Mustangs fall short in Centennial Cup final". Melfort Journal. Postmedia. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "Collingwood Blues edge Melfort Mustangs to win Centennial Cup". TSN. Bell Media. Canadian Press. May 20, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Breaking: Collingwood Colts awarded tenancy of Eddie Bush Arena". CollingwoodToday.ca. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ Owen, Jessica (July 30, 2024). "'It's like a phone book': Blues contract negotiations continue". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Owen, Jessica (September 24, 2024). "Town and Collingwood Blues net new contract". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Owen, Jessica (May 2, 2023). "Parade planning underway to celebrate Blues as OJHL champs". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Carneiro, Alessandra (May 19, 2024). "Collingwood Blues crowned Centennial Cup champions". CTV News Barrie. Bell Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Willberg, David (March 22, 2022). "The 2022 Centennial Cup in Estevan will be the biggest ever with 10 teams". sasktoday.ca. Harvard Media. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Willberg, David (May 16, 2022). "The field is set for the Centennial Cup in Estevan". sasktoday.ca. Harvard Media. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
The top three teams from each pool will advance to the playoff round. The top seed gets a direct bye to the semifinal, while the second and third place teams move onto the quarter-finals.
- ^ Foster, River (May 29, 2022). "2023 Centennial Cup officially coming to Portage". PembinaValleyOnline. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Sawatzky, Mike (June 19, 2023). "Portage la Prairie earns praise for hosting 'best' Centennial Cup ever". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Punkari, Lucas (May 21, 2023). "Bandits win third straight Centennial Cup". Brandon Sun. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Bernasiewicz, Lukas (May 7, 2024). "Centennial Cup ready to hit the ice". Oakville News. Village Media. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Ben (April 29, 2024). "Centennial Cup estimated to bring $5 million for Oakville businesses". Oakville News. Village Media. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
Further reading
edit- Engel, Erika (July 5, 2024). "Collingwood Blues given rare Legion Friendship award from Portage La Prarie". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Robinson, Peter (May 20, 2024). "'Amazing feeling': Collingwood Blues score first Centennial Cup". OrilliaMatters.com. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Wallace, Fred (August 6, 2024). "2024-25 Collingwood Blues OJHL Schedule". Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- "Collingwood Blues shut-out Quebec team for third Centennial Cup win". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. May 13, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Owen, Jessica (January 11, 2024). "Arena deal between Collingwood Blues, town on ice — for now". OrilliaMatters.com. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Edwards, John (February 24, 2024). "'We have come to love the community': Collingwood Blues score new rental agreement with town". Simcoe.com. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- Owen, Jessica (February 15, 2024). "Emergency council meeting nets new Blues contract". CollingwoodToday.ca. Village Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.