The Kingston Frontenacs are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario. The Frontenacs play home games at Slush Puppie Place, which opened in 2008. The team's history predates the Ontario Hockey League, to a team known as the Kingston Victorias in 1945. This current Frontenacs franchise was founded in the Ontario Hockey Association in 1973–74, then known as the Kingston Canadians until 1987–88. The team was briefly known as the Kingston Raiders in 1988–89, and as the Frontenacs since.

Kingston Frontenacs
CityKingston, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionEast
Founded1989 (1989)–90
Home arenaSlush Puppie Place
ColoursBlack, gold and white[1]
     
General managerKory Cooper
Head coachTroy Mann
AffiliateCobourg Cougars
Websitewww.kingstonfrontenacs.com
Franchise history
1945–1952Kingston Victorias
1952–1973Kingston Frontenacs
1973–1988Kingston Canadians
1988–1989Kingston Raiders
1989–presentKingston Frontenacs
Current uniform

History

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1898-99 Kingston Frontenacs intermediates and the J. Ross Robertson Cup (inset, upper left)
 
1910-11 Kingston Frontenacs juniors and the J. Ross Robertson Cup

The original Kingston Frontenacs were founded in 1897, named after Louis de Buade de Frontenac, governor of New France, who established Fort Frontenac on the site of present-day Kingston. The original Frontenacs were coached by James T. Sutherland, played in the intermediate division of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), and won the inaugural J. Ross Robertson Cup during the 1898–99 season.[2]

The Kingston Frontenacs had a junior ice hockey team in the OHA prior to World War I. This version of the Frontenacs won the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 1910–11 season.[3] National Hockey League alumni from this team are Alec Connell, Bill Cook, Allan Davidson, and Flat Walsh.[citation needed]

An Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Sr. League team also existed from the 1910s to 1940s. National Hockey League alumni from this team are Mickey Blake, Glen Brydson, Bill Cook, Gus Giesebrecht, Doug Stevenson, Charles Stewart, Carl Voss and Flat Walsh.[citation needed] Some members of this team then formed an entry in the Ontario Veteran's Hockey League during World War II. National Hockey League alumni from this team are Hub Macey, Gus Marker, Walt McCartney and Ed Nicholson.[citation needed]

1952–1973

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Kingston Junior Frontenacs OHA Jr Semi-Finalists 1963-64

In 1952, the Kingston Victoria were renamed the Kingston Frontenacs. This team played at the Junior B level, then later at the Junior A level. This Frontenacs team lost in the 1963 Sutherland Cup final to the St. Marys Lincolns, 4 games to 1.[citation needed]

From 1959 to 1963, there was also a Kingston Frontenacs team in the Eastern Professional Hockey League.[citation needed]

Kingston Canadians (1973–1988)

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The Kingston Canadians arrival in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) for the 1973–74 season was a result of the Montreal Junior Canadiens move to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 1972. During the summer of 1972, the QMJHL had threatened a lawsuit against the OHA to force the Junior Canadiens to return to the Quebec-based league. To solve the problem, the OHA granted the Junior Canadiens franchise a "one-year suspension" of operations, while team ownership transferred the team and players into the QMJHL, renaming themselves the Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge in the process.[4]

After a one-year hiatus, the OHA then reactivated the suspended franchise under new ownership and with new players, calling the team the Kingston Canadians.[4] The new Kingston team was essentially an expansion franchise promoted from the OHA's Tier II league, that had only common name to share with the old Junior Canadiens. The Tier II Frontenacs originated in the Eastern Junior B Hockey League and date back to at least the early 1940s as the Kingston Victorias. However, in some OHA histories (such as the annual Media Guide) the Kingston team is still shown as the legitimate successors of the Junior Canadiens' legacy.[citation needed]

Kingston Raiders (1988–89)

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Following a change in ownership the club was renamed Kingston Raiders for one season in 1988–89. Due to ownership problems, the team was sold again following that season.[5]

Kingston Frontenacs (1989–present)

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In 1989, the new ownership, including Wren Blair, Don Anderson and Bob Attersley, renamed the team Kingston Frontenacs after the Eastern Professional Hockey League team. The Boston Bruins-style uniforms and logos were revived from the old franchise. The city embraced and welcomed the new ownership. Wren Blair and Bob Attersley were both hockey legends in their own right. In 1997 Wren Blair would be honoured with the Bill Long Award for distinguished service in the OHL. The club was sold to the Springer family of Kingston in June 1998, with Doug Springer becoming the owner and governor.[6]

The Frontenacs franchise has the second-longest championship drought in the OHL (to the Sudbury Wolves by one year), and the fourth-longest in the Canadian Hockey League. The Frontenacs won the Leyden Trophy as the OHL's East Division champions in the 1994–95 and 2015–16. In the 1992–93 season, the Frontenacs reached the Eastern Conference Final but lost to the Peterborough Petes. In 2017-18, Kingston reached the Eastern Conference final for the second time in club history, however, they lost to the Hamilton Bulldogs.[7]

Coaches

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Frontenacs pre-game skate.

During the inaugural season of the Kingston Canadians in 1973–74, Jack Bownass was awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHA Coach of the Year. Former NHL defenceman Jim Morrison coached the team from 1975 to 1982, which was the longest stint a coach had when the club was known as the Canadians.[8]

Larry Mavety coached the Frontenacs for much of the team's history. He originally coached the team in 1988–89, when they were still known as the Kingston Raiders. In 1989–90, the first season the franchise was known as the Frontenacs, he won the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL Coach of the Year. Mavety returned to Kingston in 1997 to become the head coach once again, and stayed in that position until midway through the 2002–03 season when he stepped down to focus on his general manager duties. After a slow start in the 2007–08 season, Mavety once again found himself coaching the Frontenacs until November 2008. Mavety remained as the general manager until the end of the 2010–11 season.[9]

A number of Frontenacs coaches have gone on to coach in the National Hockey League; while Gary Agnew and Dave Allison had short spells as NHL head coaches, Bruce Cassidy is the only Frontenacs coach to become a full-time NHL head coach.[10]

List of coaches

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(Multiple years in parentheses, totals include all incarnations of the Kingston franchise)[citation needed]

  1. ^ McFarland was to coach the 2020–21 season that ended up being cancelled and left before the 2021–22 season.[11][12]

Players

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Paul Coffey is the only former member of the Kingston franchise to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, getting the honour in 2004.[17] In 1977–78, Coffey played for the Kingston Canadians, as a late season addition from the North York Rangers. He played eight games with the Canadians.[18]

Honoured numbers

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Several numbers have been honoured by the Kingston Canadians/Frontenacs. In 2019, Chris Clifford had his number 29 retired, joining Mike O'Connell, Brad Rhiness, Tony McKegney, and Ken Linesman in receiving the honour.[19] In 2023, brothers Anthony Stewart and Chris Stewart had their numbers raised to the rafters.[20]

Larry Mavety is the only builder to be honoured by the organization for his work as a coach and general manager. The coach and manager holds the Kingston Frontenacs all-time wins record with 246.[9]

Award winners

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CHL Player of the Year

CHL Goaltender of the Year

CHL Rookie of the Year

Bobby Smith Trophy
Scholastic Player of the Year

Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy
Humanitarian of the Year

• 2023-24 Mason Vaccari Dave Pinkney Trophy
Lowest Team G.A.A.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
OHL Scoring Champion

Emms Family Award
Rookie of the Year

F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy
Lowest Rookie G.A.A.

Jack Ferguson Award
First Overall Draft Pick

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy
Top Scoring Right Winger

Max Kaminsky Trophy
Most Outstanding Defenceman

OHL Goaltender of the Year

Red Tilson Trophy
Most Outstanding Player

William Hanley Trophy
Most Sportsmanlike Player

Team captains

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First round draft picks

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The Kingston franchise has had several players selected in the first round of the NHL draft.

NHL alumni

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Kingston Canadians
Kingston Raiders
Kingston Frontenacs

Season-by-season results

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Regular season

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  • Kingston Frontenacs 1960–73 (EJBHL & OPJHL)
  • Kingston Canadians 1973–88
  • Kingston Raiders 1988–89
  • Kingston Frontenacs 1989–present

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

Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL SL Points Pct % Goals
For
Goals
Against
Standing
1960–61 20 8 9 3 19 0.475 4th EJBHL
1961–62 statistics unavailable
1962–63 21 20 1 0 40 0.952 153 40 1st EJBHL
1963–64 30 14 11 5 33 0.550 150 122 1st EJBHL
1964–65 26 12 11 3 25 0.519 1st EJBHL
1965–66 34 23 9 2 48 0.706 226 140 1st EJBHL
1966–67 statistics unavailable
1967–68 31 13 14 4 30 0.484 155 135 4th EJBHL
1968–69 30 15 13 2 32 0.533 3rd EJBHL
1969–70 30 19 10 1 39 0.650 176 115 2nd EJBHL
1970–71 30 14 11 5 33 0.550 183 170 3rd EJBHL
1971–72 statistics unavailable
1972–73 44 13 30 1 27 0.307 152 273 12th OPJHL
1973–74 70 20 43 7 47 0.336 256 378 10th in OHA
1974–75 70 25 35 10 60 0.429 297 345 8th in OMJHL
1975–76 66 33 24 9 75 0.568 357 316 3rd in Leyden
1976–77 66 32 24 10 74 0.561 295 259 3rd in Leyden
1977–78 68 27 32 9 63 0.463 288 323 4th in Leyden
1978–79 68 26 38 4 56 0.412 265 306 5th in Leyden
1979–80 68 35 26 7 77 0.566 320 298 4th in Leyden
1980–81 68 39 26 3 - - 81 0.596 334 273 3rd in Leyden
1981–82 68 29 34 5 63 0.463 302 316 5th in Leyden
1982–83 70 24 45 1 49 0.350 351 425 7th in Leyden
1983–84 70 25 45 0 50 0.357 313 378 7th in Leyden
1984–-85 66 18 47 1 37 0.280 239 380 7th in Leyden
1985–86 66 35 28 3 73 0.553 297 257 4th in Leyden
1986–87 66 26 39 1 53 0.402 287 316 4th in Leyden
1987–88 66 14 52 0 28 0.212 246 432 7th in Leyden
1988–89 66 25 36 5 55 0.417 278 313 7th in Leyden
1989–90 66 42 21 3 87 0.659 300 232 2nd in Leyden
1990–91 66 15 47 4 34 0.258 255 382 8th in Leyden
1991–92 66 16 44 6 38 0.288 241 316 8th in Leyden
1992–93 66 36 19 11 83 0.629 314 265 2nd in Leyden
1993–94 66 30 28 8 68 0.515 265 259 5th in Leyden
1994–95 66 40 19 7 87 0.659 284 224 1st in Eastern
1995–96 66 29 31 6 64 0.485 266 267 5th in Eastern
1996–97 66 25 35 6 56 0.424 257 277 4th in Eastern
1997–98 66 35 27 4 74 0.561 330 275 3rd in Eastern
1998–99 68 22 42 4 48 0.353 240 320 5th in East
1999–2000 68 38 22 5 3 84 0.618 258 245 3rd in East
2000–01 68 28 28 11 1 68 0.500 232 218 4th in East
2001–02 68 18 37 9 4 49 0.360 197 272 5th in East
2002–03 68 25 37 2 4 56 0.412 222 287 5th in East
2003–04 68 30 28 7 3 70 0.515 210 221 2nd in East
2004–05 68 28 33 4 3 63 0.463 219 242 4th in East
2005–06 68 37 24 4 3 81 0.596 258 237 2nd in East
2006–07 68 31 30 5 2 69 0.507 269 284 3rd in East
2007–08 68 25 41 0 2 52 0.382 230 317 5th in East
2008–09 68 18 40 6 4 46 0.338 200 278 5th in East
2009–10 68 33 30 2 3 71 0.522 229 251 2nd in East
2010–11 68 29 30 4 5 67 0.493 245 279 3rd in East
2011–12 68 19 41 3 5 46 0.338 188 290 5th in East
2012–13 68 27 35 3 3 60 0.441 217 273 3rd in East
2013–14 68 39 23 3 3 84 0.618 301 255 3rd in East
2014–15 68 32 28 5 3 72 0.529 196 197 3rd in East
2015–16 68 46 17 3 2 97 0.713 252 189 1st in East
2016–17 68 33 26 5 4 75 0.551 179 200 3rd in East
2017–18 68 36 23 6 3 81 0.596 243 202 2nd in East
2018–19 68 14 52 1 1 30 0.221 144 307 5th in East
2019–20 62 19 39 2 2 42 0.339 198 285 5th in East
2020–21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 Season cancelled
2021–22 68 41 22 4 1 87 0.640 285 242 2nd in East
2022–23 68 27 38 1 2 57 0.419 199 260 5th in East
2023–24 68 33 31 4 0 70 0.515 247 272 4th in East

Playoffs

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Junior B Era

  • 1953–54 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final round robin
  • 1955–56 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final round robin
  • 1962–63 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Defeated Lakeshore Bruins in Sutherland Cup quarter-final 3-games-to-2
    Defeated Burlington Cougars in Sutherland Cup semi-final 3-games-to-none
    Lost Sutherland Cup final to St. Marys Lincolns 4-games-to-1
  • 1963–64 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Defeated Burlington Cougars in Sutherland Cup quarter-final 4-games-to-1
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final to Weston Dukes 4-games-to-none
  • 1964–65 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup quarter-final to Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-games-to-2
  • 1969–70 Won Eastern Jr. B championship
    Lost Sutherland Cup semi-final to Hamilton Mountain Bees 4-games-to-3

OPJHL Era

  • 1972–73 Did not qualify.

OHL Era

  • 1973–74 Out of playoffs.
  • 1974–75 Lost to Toronto Marlboros in quarter-finals 9 points to 7.
  • 1975–76 Lost to Ottawa 67's in quarter-finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1976–77 Defeated Sudbury Wolves in quarter-finals 9 points to 3.
    Lost to Ottawa 67's in semi-finals 9 points to 7.
  • 1977–78 Lost to S.S.Marie Greyhounds in first round 6 points to 4.
  • 1978–79 Defeated Ottawa 67's in first round 6 points to 2.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes in quarter-finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1979–80 Lost to Sudbury Wolves in first round 3 games to 0.
  • 1980–81 Defeated Ottawa 67's in division semi-finals 9 points to 5.
    Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds in division finals 9 points to 5.
  • 1981–82 Lost to Peterborough Petes in first round 6 points to 2.
  • 1982–83 Out of playoffs.
  • 1983–84 Out of playoffs.
  • 1984–85 Out of playoffs.
  • 1985–86 Defeated Oshawa Generals in first round 8 points to 4.
    Finished 3rd place in round-robin versus Peterborough Petes and Belleville Bulls, and are eliminated.
  • 1986–87 Defeated Belleville Bulls in first round 4 games to 2.
    Lost to Oshawa Generals in quarter-finals 4 games to 2.
  • 1987–88 Out of playoffs.
  • 1988–89 Out of playoffs.
  • 1989–90 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 3 in first round.
  • 1990–91 Out of playoffs.
  • 1991–92 Out of playoffs.
  • 1992–93 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 1 in first round.
    Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
  • 1993–94 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1994–95 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 1995–96 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1996–97 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
  • 1997–98 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
    Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
  • 1998–99 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 1999–2000 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2000–01 Lost to Belleville Bulls 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2001–02 Out of playoffs. (Lost to North Bay Centennials 6 to 2 in 8th place tie-breaker game.)
  • 2002–03 Out of playoffs.
  • 2003–04 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2004–05 Out of playoffs.
  • 2005–06 Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2006–07 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2007–08 Out of playoffs.
  • 2008–09 Out of playoffs.
  • 2009–10 Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2010–11 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2011–12 Out of playoffs.
  • 2012–13 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2013–14 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2014–15 Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
  • 2015-16 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Niagara IceDogs 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2016-17 Defeated Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2017-18 Defeated North Bay Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
    Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
    Lost to Hamilton Bulldogs 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  • 2018–19 Out of playoffs.
  • 2019–20 Cancelled.
  • 2020–21 Cancelled.
  • 2021-22 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
    Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  • 2022–23 Out of playoffs.
  • 2023-24 Lost to North Bay Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.

Team uniforms and logos

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The original uniforms and logos of the OHL Frontenacs were revived from the EPHL franchise, which was affiliated with the Boston Bruins. The logo featured a yellow letter 'K' with a black outline, surrounded by black spokes leading to a yellow circle border with the name Kingston Frontenacs in black.[21]

In 2002, the team adopted a new logo with a stylized Count Frontenac.[21]

In 2007, the Frontenacs unveiled a 3rd jersey, which was black, yellow, and white, and similar to the Boston Bruins jerseys from the early 1970s. The "K" logo was used on the front of the jersey. The Frontenacs began wearing these jerseys on February 22, 2008, which was the same night that they opened their new arena.[citation needed]

In 2009, the Frontenacs, along with all CHL teams unveiled new uniforms using RBK EDGE templates. In 2012, the Frontenacs began wearing a newly designed set of uniforms featuring a large K as a logo.[21]

Arenas

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The original home arena of the Frontenacs was the Kingston Memorial Centre, with a seating capacity of 3,079 seated, and 3,300 including standing room. Built in 1950, its ice size has unique dimensions of 200' x 92'.[22]

The Kingston Frontenacs began play at their new downtown arena, Slush Puppie Place (then K-Rock Centre), in 2008.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ https://chl.ca/ohl-frontenacs/kingston-frontenacs-reveal-new-uniforms/
  2. ^ Fitsell, J.W. (Bill) (2012). Captain James T. Sutherland: The Grand Old Man of Hockey & The Battle for the Original Hockey Hall of Fame. Kingston, Ontario: Quarry Heritage Books. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-55082-374-5.
  3. ^ Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.
  4. ^ a b MacAlpine, Ian (2022-11-24). "Ten community-minded citizens started Kingston Canadians franchise". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  5. ^ MacAlpine, Ian (2022-11-25). "Trio played for Canadians, Raiders and Frontenacs". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on 2022-11-25. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  6. ^ "Doug Springer". Kingston Frontenacs. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04 – via Ontario Hockey League.
  7. ^ "Hamilton Bulldogs advance to league final with 2-1 win over Kingston Frontenacs". CBC News. 2018-04-27. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  8. ^ "Jim Morrison was the top coach in Kingston franchise history". Original Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  9. ^ a b MacAlpine, Ian (2020-12-04). "'The hockey world has lost one of the greats' as Larry Mavety dies at 78". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  10. ^ MacAlpine, Ian (2022-05-04). "Kingston Connection: How locally linked players fared in NHL this season". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  11. ^ "Paul McFarland Returning to Coach the Kingston Frontenacs". Kingston Frontenacs. May 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Paul McFarland Departs Frontenacs for Opportunity with Seattle Kraken". OurSports Central. July 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "[NEWS] Frontenacs announce Jay Varady as Head Coach". Frontenacs. July 13, 2017.
  14. ^ "Coyotes Name Varady Head Coach of Tucson Roadrunners". Arizona Coyotes. July 2, 2018.
  15. ^ "Kurtis Foster Promoted to Head Coach, Luca Caputi Named as Associate Coach". OurSportsCentral.com. July 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "Frontenacs Promote Luca Caputi to Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 14, 2021.
  17. ^ "Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2004 Legends Classic Heritage Game and other exciting Induction Weekend Activities". Hockey Hall of Fame. 2004-09-22. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  18. ^ "Paul's Biography". Paul Coffey Official Website. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  19. ^ Jeffries, Doug (2019-12-09). "Kingston's Chris Clifford honoured, humbled by hometown Frontenacs". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  20. ^ "Anthony and Chris Stewart will be honoured on January 14th, 2023". Kingston Frontenacs. 2022-12-12. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04 – via Ontario Hockey League.
  21. ^ a b c "Kingston Frontenacs unveil new logo". Kingston Frontenacs. 2021-09-16. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04 – via Ontario Hockey League.
  22. ^ Jordan, Kevin (2019-12-04). "Kingston Frontenacs". OHL Arena Guide. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  23. ^ Jordan, Kevin (2019-10-18). "Kingston Frontenacs". OHL Arena Guide. Archived from the original on 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
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