London Knights

The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team based in London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The Knights began playing in the 1965–66 season as the London Nationals, then changed to their current name for the 1968–69 season. The Knights have won the J. Ross Robertson Cup six times as OHL champions and the Memorial Cup three times as CHL champions.

History

Early days

The team debuted in 1950 at the Jr. B level as the London Lou Ball Juniors, playing in The 'Big 10' Western Division out of the Ontario Arena at the Western Fairgrounds. The team's namesake was Lou Ball Clothes, a chain of three stores owned by Lou Ball, coach of the team. They then proceeded to win the championship in 1952. The team was renamed to the London Collinson Flyers during the 1955–56 season before reverting to Lou Ball Juniors for two more seasons. In 1956 the 'Big 10' was divided, and London became a member of the Western Ontario Junior "B" Hockey League. The name changed to London Diamonds in 1958, then to the London Athletics in 1960. In 1961, the team was again renamed, being called the Nationals, after their sponsor, the Canadian National Recreation Association, an organization of employees of the Canadian National Railways.

OHA

In 1963, the Toronto Maple Leafs began sponsoring the Nationals. The Maple Leafs traditionally had affiliations with the Toronto Marlboros and St. Michael's Majors, however with the withdrawal of the Majors from the OHA, and the collapse of the Metro Junior A League, the Leafs were left with only one team. They decided to sponsor the junior team in London, which they wanted to play at the new London Gardens and be promoted to the Ontario Hockey Association. The team wore a uniform very similar to that of the Maple Leafs.

1968–1986: the Darwin era

After three seasons, in 1968, direct NHL sponsorship of junior teams ended. The team and arena were sold to businessman Howard Darwin (he also owned the Ottawa 67's) for $500,000 who then changed the name of the team to "Knights". Darwin then held a competition to select new colours for the team, resulting in the selection of green and gold.

1986–1994: new owners, new dawn

In 1986, Howard Darwin sold the Knights and the arena to Paris, Ontario businessmen Jack Robillard, Al Martin and Bob Willson.

1994–2000: "Knightmare" and redemption

In 1994, the Knights were sold to St. Thomas, Ontario, real estate developer Doug Tarry, Senior. Tarry died before the team had played a game under his ownership and his son, Doug Tarry, Junior, inherited the team. Upon taking command, Tarry carried out further renovations on the Gardens including a name change to the "London Ice House." He also alienated a fair portion of the team's fan base by changing the team's colours from green, gold and black to eggplant and teal, and changing the logo to a cartoon logo instantly and derisively nicknamed "Spiderknight".

2000–present: the Hunter era

In 2000, former NHL players Dale Hunter, Mark Hunter, and Basil McRae bought the Knights from Doug Tarry Jr.

The 2003–04 OHL season would mark the beginning of a remarkable dynasty. The Knights had the best regular season record in the CHL and set an OHL record with 110 points, but lost the OHL Western Conference final to the Guelph Storm. In the 2004–05 season, the Knights set a new CHL record by going 31 games in a row without a loss (29–0–2).

The Knights finished the season with 120 points (59 wins, 7 losses, 2 ties), breaking their own OHL record set the previous season. In the playoffs, the Knights started by sweeping two best-of-seven series against the Guelph Storm and Windsor Spitfires. In the Western Conference final, the Knights defeated the Kitchener Rangers 4–1 to win the Wayne Gretzky Trophy. In the OHL finals against the Ottawa 67's, the Knights won the series 4–1 to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup, ending the longest championship drought in the CHL. The London Knights qualified for the 2005 Memorial Cup both as OHL Champion and the tournament host. In the tournament round robin, they defeated the Rimouski Océanic 4–3, the Kelowna Rockets 4–2, and the Ottawa 67's 5–2. This earned the Knights a bye into the championship game in which they defeated Rimouski 4–0 to win their first Memorial Cup. In 2018, the 2004–05 London Knights were named the CHL's "Team of the Century".

Dale Hunter announced on May 14, 2012, he would not return to coach the Capitals in the 2012–13 season, choosing instead to return to the London Knights.

The Knights capped their OHL season with a game seven win over the Barrie Colts as Bo Horvat scored the game-winning goal in the last second of the third period to capture the Knights' second consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup.

London finished the 2013–14 season third in the OHL with 103 regular season points. However, the only two teams above them were their division opponents, the Guelph Storm and Erie Otters, thus denying the Knights a third straight division title. After sweeping the Windsor Spitfires in the first round the Knights were eliminated by the Storm in five games. Nevertheless, the Knights earned a berth in the 2014 Memorial Cup, their third straight, by virtue of being selected to host the tournament the day after winning the OHL championship the year before.

On October 21, 2014, Mark Hunter resigned as Knights general manager after being appointed director of player personnel for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Knights entered the 2016 Memorial Cup as favourites due to their impressive winning streak and did not disappoint, dominating the round robin and outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 20–5. In the championship game, the Knights faced off against the CHL number-one ranked Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The Huskies pushed the Knights to the limit, carrying a 2–1 lead late into the third period before Christian Dvorak scored with 4:11 remaining to force overtime, where a goal by Matthew Tkachuk earned the Knights their 17th-straight win and second Memorial Cup championship.

On July 6, 2016, McRae stepped down as general manager of the London Knights to become the director of player personnel for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was replaced by former assistant general manager and former assistant coach of the London Knights, Rob Simpson.

The Knights subsequently finished the 2016–17 OHL season third in the Midwest. In the playoffs, they defeated the Windsor Spitfires in seven games before falling to the Erie Otters in seven games in the second round.

Having resigned from his role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mark Hunter returned as general manager of the London Knights on August 10, 2018, with Rob Simpson returning to his former role as assistant general manager.

The Knights played at the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Michigan, after winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup that season. London lost to the host Saginaw Spirit by a 4–3 score in the final game. In 2025, the Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4–1 in the final, to win their third Memorial Cup title.

Championships

The London Knights have won the Memorial Cup tournament three times, won the J. Ross Robertson Cup six times, won the Western Conference nine times, and have won seventeen division titles.

Memorial Cup (CHL champions)

2004–05 – Champions vs. Rimouski Océanic
2011–12 – Finalists vs. Shawinigan Cataractes
2012–13 – Finished 3rd place
2013–14 – Finished 4th place
2015–16 – Champions vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
2023–24 – Finalists vs. Saginaw Spirit
2024–25 – Champions vs. Medicine Hat Tigers

J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHL champions)

1976–77 – Lost to Ottawa 67's
1998–99 – Lost to Belleville Bulls
2004–05 – Champions vs. Ottawa 67's
2005–06 – Lost to Peterborough Petes
2011–12 – Champions vs. Niagara IceDogs
2012–13 – Champions vs. Barrie Colts
2015–16 – Champions vs. Niagara IceDogs
2022–23 – Lost to Peterborough Petes
2023–24 – Champions vs. Oshawa Generals
2024–25 – Champions vs. Oshawa Generals

Hamilton Spectator Trophy (Most points in regular reason)

2003–04 – 110 points – 53–11–2–2
2004–05 – 120 points – 59–7–2–0
2005–06 – 102 points – 49–15–1–3
2006–07 – 104 points – 50–14–1–3
2011–12 – 99 points – 49–18–0–1
2012–13 – 105 points – 50–13–2–3
2023–24 – 104 points – 50–14–1–3
2024–25 – 112 points – 55–11–2–0

Wayne Gretzky Trophy (Western Conference champions)

1998–99
2004–05
2005–06
2011–12
2012–13
2015–16
2022–23
2023–24
2024–25

Division trophies

1977–78 – Emms Division
1989–90 – Emms Division
1997–98 – West Division
2003–04 – Midwest Division
2004–05 – Midwest Division
2005–06 – Midwest Division
2006–07 – Midwest Division
2008–09 – Midwest Division
2009–10 – Midwest Division
2011–12 – Midwest Division
2012–13 – Midwest Division
2018–19 – Midwest Division
2019–20 – Midwest Division
2021–22 – Midwest Division
2022–23 – Midwest Division
2023–24 – Midwest Division
2024–25 – Midwest Division

Awards

Canadian Hockey League

CHL Player of the Year

1981–82 – Dave Simpson
1993–94 – Jason Allison
2015–16 – Mitch Marner

Ed Chynoweth Trophy

Top Scorer at the Memorial Cup

2016 – Mitch Marner
2024 – Easton Cowan
2025 – Easton Cowan / Denver Barkey

George Parsons Trophy

Most Sportsmanlike Player at the Memorial Cup

2013 – Bo Horvat

Hap Emms Memorial Trophy

Outstanding Goaltender at the Memorial Cup

2005 – Adam Dennis
2016 – Tyler Parsons
2024 – Michael Simpson
2025 – Austin Elliott

Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy

Most Valuable Player at the Memorial Cup

2005 – Corey Perry
2016 – Mitch Marner
2025 – Easton Cowan

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award

2003–04 – Dale Hunter

CHL Executive of the Year

1997–98 – Paul McIntosh

CHL Defenceman of the Year

2004–05 – Danny Syvret
2024–25 – Sam Dickinson

CHL Goaltender of the Year

2011–12 – Michael Houser

CHL Humanitarian of the Year

1997–98 – Jason Metcalfe

CHL Rookie of the Year

2006–07 – Patrick Kane

CHL Top Draft Prospect Award

2006–07 – Patrick Kane
2008–09 – John Tavares

CHL Top Scorer Award

1993–94 – Jason Allison
2006–07 – Patrick Kane

Ontario Hockey League

Bobby Smith Trophy

Scholastic Player of the Year

1981–82 – Dave Simpson

Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy

Humanitarian of the Year

1998 – Jason Metcalfe
2025 – Denver Barkey

Dave Pinkney Trophy

Lowest Team G.A.A.

2003–04 – Ryan MacDonald & Gerald Coleman
2004–05 – Adam Dennis & Gerald Coleman
2015–16 – Brendan Burke & Tyler Parsons

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy

Top Scorer

1981–82 – Dave Simpson
1993–94 – Jason Allison
2004–05 – Corey Perry
2005–06 – Rob Schremp
2006–07 – Patrick Kane
2008–09 – John Tavares

Emms Family Award

Rookie of the Year

1972–73 – Dennis Maruk
1987–88 – Rick Corriveau
2000–01 – Rick Nash
2006–07 – Patrick Kane

F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy

Lowest G.A.A. among Rookie Goaltenders

1976–77 – Barry Heard
1989–90 – Sean Basilio
2003–04 – Ryan MacDonald
2017–18 – Jordan Kooy
2019–20 – Brett Brochu
2022–23 – Zach Bowen

Jack Ferguson Award

Top Draft Pick

1996 – Rico Fata

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy

Highest Scoring Right Winger

1972–73 – Dennis Ververgaert
1977–78 – Dino Ciccarelli
1997–98 – Maxim Spiridonov
2003–04 – Corey Perry
2004–05 – Corey Perry
2005–06 – Dave Bolland
2006–07 – Patrick Kane
2012–13 – Seth Griffith
2014–15 – Mitch Marner

Matt Leyden Trophy

Coach of the Year

1976–77 – Bill Long
1992–93 – Gary Agnew
1997–98 – Gary Agnew
2003–04 – Dale Hunter
2004–05 – Dale Hunter
2009–10 – Dale Hunter

Max Kaminsky Trophy

Most Outstanding Defenseman

1975–76 – Rick Green
1977–78 – Brad Marsh and Rob Ramage
1984–85 – Bob Halkidis
1999–00 – John Erskine
2004–05 – Danny Syvret
2018–19 – Evan Bouchard
2024–25 – Sam Dickinson

Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy

Team Captain that Best Exemplifies Leadership

2014-15 – Max Domi

OHL Executive of the Year

1997–98 – Paul McIntosh
2003–04 – Mark Hunter

OHL Goaltender of the Year

2005–06 – Adam Dennis
2006–07 – Steve Mason
2011–12 – Michael Houser

Red Tilson Trophy

Most Outstanding Player

1974–75 – Dennis Maruk
1981–82 – Dave Simpson
1993–94 – Jason Allison
2004–05 – Corey Perry
2011–12 – Michael Houser
2015–16 – Mitch Marner
2023–24 - Easton Cowan

Roger Neilson Memorial Award

Top Academic College/University Player

2007–08 – Scott Aarssen

Wayne Gretzky 99 Award

Playoffs MVP

2005 – Corey Perry
2012 – Austin Watson
2013 – Bo Horvat
2016 – Mitch Marner
2024 – Easton Cowan
2025 – Kasper Halttunen

William Hanley Trophy

Most Sportsmanlike Player

1981–82 – Dave Simpson
1993–94 – Jason Allison

Coaches

The London Nationals were coached by Jack McIntyre for the 1965–66 season. For their second and third seasons from 1966 to 1968, the Nationals were coached by Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Turk Broda.

London Knights coaches have won the Matt Leyden Trophy, emblematic of the OHL's Coach of the Year, five times. Bill Long won it once, in 1976–77, Gary Agnew twice, in 1992–93 and in 1997–98, and Dale Hunter twice, in 2003–04 and 2004–05. Dale Hunter also won the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award, emblematic of CHL Coach of the Year honours, in 2003–04.

As London Nationals:

1965–1966 — Jack McIntyre
1966–1968 — Turk Broda

As London Knights:

Notes: Mike Fedorko was entering his second season as Knights' coach and GM in the autumn of 1995. He was fired in October 1995 when the Knights began the season with a 13-game losing streak. Assistant Murray Nystrom took over coaching duties temporarily. Tom Barrett, who had led the Kitchener Rangers to the 1984 Memorial Cup, was named head coach in December. Barrett died of cancer in April 1996, shortly after the conclusion of the season. Moe Mantha was originally named the head coach to take over from Barrett, but left to coach the Baltimore Bandits of the American Hockey League before coaching a game. Brad Selwood was ultimately named Barrett's replacement for 1996–97 but was fired mid-season and GM Paul McIntosh took over on an interim basis for the rest of the season. Gary Agnew was rehired at the start of 1997–98.

Players

NHL or WHA alumni

List of London Nationals alumni who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) or World Hockey Association (WHA):

Jim Blain
Barry Boughner
Bob Cook
Jim Dorey
Darryl Edestrand
Rocky Farr
John Gould
Brent Imlach
Rick Kessell
Rick MacLeish
Brian Marchinko
Walt McKechnie
Brian Murphy
Randy Murray
Ted Ouimet
Glen Shirton
Darryl Sittler
Jim Stanfield
Garry Unger
Bert Wilson

List of London Knights alumni who played in the NHL or WHA:

Akim Aliu
Jason Allison
Josh Anderson
Andreas Athanasiou
Krys Barch
Denver Barkey
Roger Belanger
Stefan Bergkvist
Danny Bois
Mike Boland
Dave Bolland
Adam Boqvist
Dan Bouchard
Evan Bouchard
Pat Boutette
Brian Bradley
Fred Brathwaite
Gord Brooks
Scott Campbell
Frank Caprice
John Carlson
Billy Carroll
Jeff Christian
Dino Ciccarelli
Gerald Coleman
Paul Cotter
Doug Crossman
Louie DeBrusk
Guy Delparte
Michael Del Zotto
Brian Dobbin
Max Domi
Christian Dvorak
Darryl Edestrand
Remi Elie
John Erskine
Kevin Evans
Luke Evangelista
Rico Fata
Alex Formenton
Liam Foudy
Dan Fritsche
Sam Gagner
Gary Geldart
Sam Gellard
Isaiah George
Gilles Gilbert
Dan Girardi
Ben Gleason
Larry Goodenough
John Gould
Rick Green
Seth Griffith
Jonathan Gruden
David Haas
Bob Halkidis
Jim Hamilton
Scott Harrington
Alex Henry
Todd Hlushko
Terry Holbrook
Dean Hopkins
Bill Horton
Bo Horvat
Michael Houser
Michael Hutchinson
Dave Hutchison
Peter Ing
Dan Jancevski
Max Jones
Nazem Kadri
Patrick Kane
Ed Kastelic
Joey Keane
Rick Kehoe
Chris Kelly
Evgeny Korolev
Sergei Kostitsyn
Tom Kostopoulos
Janne Kuokkanen
Steve Langdon
Drew Larman
Roger Lemelin
Dave Lowry
Olli Maatta
Dan Maloney
Mitch Marner
Patrick Maroon
Brad Marsh
Terry Martin
Dennis Maruk
Steve Mason
Michael McCarron
Dennis McCord
Scott McKay
Greg McKegg
Sean McMorrow
Basil McRae
Philip McRae
Dakota Mermis
Victor Mete
Marc Methot
Mike Murray
Vladislav Namestnikov
Rick Nash
Neil Nicholson
Paul Nicholson
Frank Nigro
Lou Nistico
Randy Osburn
Joe Paterson
Matt Pelech
Corey Perry
Tom Price
Barry Potomski
Brandon Prust
Chris Pusey
Kyle Quincey
Rob Ramage
Jeff Reese
Alec Regula
Danny Richmond
Pat Riggin
Zac Rinaldo
Bryan Rodney
Tom Rowe
Drake Rymsha
Jim Sandlak
Brad Schlegel
Jim Schoenfeld
Dwight Schofield
Rob Schremp
Brendan Shanahan
Kole Sherwood
Jason Simon
Darryl Sittler
Gary Sittler
Gemel Smith
Steve Smith
Brad Smyth
Greg Smyth
Andy Spruce
Nick Stajduhar
Vern Stenlund
Charlie Stephens
Shayne Stevenson
Trevor Stienburg
Anthony Stolarz
Danny Syvret
John Tanner
John Tavares
Chris Taylor
Tim Taylor
Christian Thomas
Reg Thomas
Robert Thomas
Billy Tibbetts
Chris Tierney
Jarred Tinordi
Matthew Tkachuk
Larry Trader
Phil Varone
Dennis Ververgaert
Mark Visheau
Austin Watson
Don Wheldon
Dennis Wideman
Jordan Willis
Bert Wilson
Ryan Winterton
Nikita Zadorov
Ron Zanussi

First round picks in NHL or WHA drafts

The London Knights have had at least one player drafted in each NHL entry draft from 1969 onward.

The following players were selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft: