- Charlottetown Abbies
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Charlottetown Abbies 
City Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island League Maritime Junior A Hockey League
Island Junior Hockey League
Southeast New Brunswick Junior B Hockey LeagueOperated 1972-2008 Home arena MacLaughlin Arena Colors Yellow, Black, and Red Franchise history 1972-1977 Charlottetown Abbies 1977-1986 Charlottetown Eagles 1986-2008 Charlottetown Abbies Previous franchise history 1968-1973 Charlottetown Islanders Circa 1971-1976 Charlottetown Colonels 1976-1977 Charlottetown Generals The Charlottetown Abbies were a Junior "A" team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They played in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. Their home rink was the MacLauchlan Arena on the campus of UPEI.
Contents
History
In 1972, the Charlottetown Abbies were a Midget Hockey program with little competition. They applied for entry into the Island Junior Hockey League in 1972. The IJHL turned down their application on the basis that they were too weak for Junior B competition. The Abbies, undeterred, applied for entry into the Southeast New Brunswick Junior B Hockey League instead. The New Brunswick league allowed the Abbies to join and after a slow start the Abbies ended up finishing second in the regular season (to the Dieppe Voyageurs) and winning the league playoffs. To win the playoffs, the Abbies defeated the Buctouche Seals 3-games-to-none (9-3, 9-3, forfeit) in the Semi-final and then defeated the Memramcook Legionnaires 3-games-to-none (8-1, 10-2, forfeit) in the League Final. The Abbies then failed to qualify for the 5-team New Brunswick provincial championship round robin because they lost the Southeast New Brunswick qualifier to the independent Moncton Flyers 2-games-to-none (4-3, 3-1). In 1973, the IJHL was promoted to Junior A and the Abbies were granted expansion into the league.
The Abbies were an institution in Junior hockey in Charlottetown for several decades. In the 70s the Island Junior Hockey League (IJHL) boasted two Charlottetown teams, the Generals who played out of the old Charlottetown Forum, and the Abbies who were based at the Simmons Sports Center. The league also included at one time or another the Kings County Kings, Summerside Crystals (Summerside Western Capitals), West Prince Bluefins, North River North Stars, and the Sherwood-Parkdale Metros. Eventually the two Charlottetown teams merged, maintaining the Abbies moniker. As costs became prohibitive for an Island wide league at the Junior A level in the late 80s, teams in the league folded. Eventually, in 1991 the Abbies and the Summerside Western Capitals left to join teams in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
In May 2008, it was announced that the Abbies' management had applied for a year's leave of absence from the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, citing financial problems.[1] The team almost relocated to Lewiston, Maine when the Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL) tried to relocate to Broisbriand, Quebec.
In May 2009, the commissioner of the MJAHL stated in a newspaper interview that the Abbies would not operate again.[2] On June 4, 2009, CBC reported the folding of the Abbies franchise.[3] The end of the Charlottetown Abbies means for the first time since 1972 that the City of Charlottetown does not have a Junior A team.
Logos
The abbies have had many versions of the same logo until the 2007-08 season when they switched to their current script logo.
Main logo
1991-1998Main logo
1998-2006Main Logo
2006-2007
Season-by-season record
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs 1972-73 12 9 3 0 - 75 40 28 2nd SNBJHL Won League 1973-74 29 7 20 2 - 115 178 16 6th IJHL 1974-75 40 7 28 5 - 163 247 19 6th IJHL 1975-76 39 6 28 5 - 145 278 17 6th IJHL 1976-77 40 12 25 3 - 194 224 27 4th IJHL 1977-78 39 23 8 8 - -- -- 54 2nd IJHL Won League 1978-79 40 31 5 4 - 219 96 66 1st IJHL 1979-80 39 19 14 6 - 210 167 44 3rd IJHL 1980-81 34 13 18 3 - 186 197 29 3rd IJHL 1981-82 42 22 17 3 - 336 287 47 2nd IJHL 1982-83 42 10 29 3 - 212 301 23 4th IJHL 1983-84 40 19 15 6 - 230 200 44 2nd IJHL 1984-85 38 15 18 5 - 175 211 35 3rd IJHL 1985-86 36 13 15 8 - 184 202 34 3rd IJHL Lost Semi-final 1986-87 42 26 10 6 - 224 174 58 1st IJHL 1987-88 42 16 19 7 - 231 253 39 3rd IJHL 1988-89 44 22 15 7 - 245 185 56 2nd IJHL 1989-90 40 30 5 2 3 203 121 65 1st IJHL 1990-91 42 29 8 3 2 277 167 63 2nd IJHL 1991-92 47 22 16 9 - 276 203 53 3rd MJAHL 1992-93 48 20 19 8 1 199 227 49 4th MJAHL 1993-94 48 17 27 1 3 216 253 38 6th MJAHL 1994-95 Did Not Participate 1995-96 54 18 29 3 4 217 272 43 7th MJAHL 1996-97 56 21 30 2 3 294 324 47 7th MJAHL 1997-98 52 26 20 3 3 237 227 58 5th MJAHL 1998-99 48 41 5 2 - 266 141 84 1st MJAHL Won League, Won FPC 1999-00 52 19 31 2 0 198 247 40 6th MJAHL 2000-01 52 28 20 3 1 215 187 60 5th MJAHL 2001-02 52 24 24 4 0 198 194 52 7th MJAHL 2002-03 52 43 5 1 3 229 130 90 1st MJAHL Won League 2003-04 52 22 24 2 4 231 238 50 6th MJAHL 2004-05 56 26 19 7 4 207 205 63 5th MJAHL 2005-06 56 20 34 0 2 193 240 43 10th MJAHL Lost Division QF 2006-07 58 9 47 0 2 145 322 20 12th MJAHL DNQ 2007-08 58 29 25 - 4 215 236 62 8th MJAHL National playdowns
1978
- Charlottetown Eagles defeated Cole Harbour Colts (MVJHL) 4-games-to-none in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
- Guelph Platers (OPJHL) defeated Charlottetown Eagles 4-games-to-2 in Eastern Centennial Cup Final
1985
- Cole Harbour Colts (MVJHL) defeated Charlottetown Eagles 4-games-to-2 in Callaghan Cup Final
1987
- Dartmouth Fuel Kids (MVJHL) defeated Charlottetown Abbies 4-games-to-1 in Callaghan Cup Final
1990
- Charlottetown Abbies defeated Avalon Jr. Capitals (SJJHL) in Callaghan Cup Semi-final
- Amherst Ramblers (MVJHL) defeated Charlottetown Abbies 4-games-to-1 in Callaghan Cup Final
1991
- Halifax Canadians (MVJHL) defeated Charlottetown Abbies 4-games-to-none in Callaghan Cup Semi-final
1999
- Charlottetown Abbies win Fred Page Cup
- Defeated Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL 6-3
- Defeated Valleyfield Braves (QJAAAHL) 5-2
- Defeated Antigonish Bulldogs (MJAHL)
- Defeated Hawkesbury Hawks (CJHL) 2-0 in Finals
- Charlottetown Abbies lost 1999 Royal Bank Cup Final
- Lost to Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) 2-1
- Defeated Vernon Vipers (BCHL) 6-5
- Lost to Estevan Bruins (SJHL) 5-4
- Defeated Bramalea Blues (OPJHL) 5-1
- Defeated Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) 6-5 2OT in Semi-final
- Lost to Vernon Vipers (BCHL) 9-3 in Final
2003
- Charlottetown Abbies finish 4th at Fred Page Cup
- Lost to Cornwall Colts (CJHL) 3-2
- Lost to Nepean Raiders (CJHL) 3-1
- Defeated Lennoxville Cougars (QJAAAHL) 7-5
- Charlottetown Abbies finish 5th at 2003 Royal Bank Cup as hosts
- Lost to Lennoxville Cougars (QJAAAHL) 5-4 2OT
- Defeated Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) 3-2
- Lost to Wellington Dukes (OPJHL) 1-0 OT
- Lost to Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) 8-5
Notable alumni
Colonels/Generals
The Charlottetown Generals were members of the Island Junior Hockey League in the 1970s. The folded in the summer of 1977 after winning multiple league championships. The Generals folded due to financial trouble. The full name of the team was the Charlottetown Colonel Grays from their founding up until 1976 as they were affiliated with Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown.
Season-by-season record
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs 1971-72 26 17 6 3 - 130 96 43 2nd IJBHL 1972-73 40 29 8 3 - 231 125 61 1st IJBHL 1973-74 30 18 10 2 - 178 114 38 3rd IJHL Won League 1974-75 40 24 14 2 - 202 163 50 1st IJHL Won League 1975-76 40 32 7 1 - 345 138 65 1st IJHL Won League 1976-77 40 32 6 2 - 331 129 66 2nd IJHL Won League National playdowns
1974
- Charlottetown Colonels defeated Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) 3-games-to-2 in Eastern Centennial Cup Quarter-final
- Smiths Falls Bears (CJHL) defeated Charlottetown Colonels 4-games-to-1 in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
1975
- Gander Flyers (NJAHL) defeated Charlottetown Colonels 3-games-to-none in Atlantic Jr. A Final
1976
- Charlottetown Colonels defeated St. John 77's (NBJHL) 4-games-to-2 in Eastern Centennial Cup Quarter-final
- Charlottetown Colonels defeated Sydney Millionaires (EJHL) 4-games-to-1 in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
- Rockland Nationals (CJHL) defeated Charlottetown Colonels 4-games-to-none in Eastern Centennial Cup Final
1977
- Charlottetown Generals defeated Sydney Millionaires (EJHL) in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
- Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) defeated Charlottetown Generals 4-games-to-none in Eastern Centennial Cup Final
Notable alumni
Islanders
The Charlottetown Islanders were founded in 1968 to represent the province of Prince Edward Island in the Memorial Cup playoffs. From 1968 until 1971, the Islanders played in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. In 1970, Major Junior A and Tier II Junior A were created from the Junior A classification and the Islanders and their league found themselves in the Tier II level playing for the Centennial Cup. Their first year of Tier II saw them go deep and win the Eastern Canadian Championship in six games over the Detroit Jr. Red Wings of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League, but lose the inaugural 1971 Centennial Cup 4-games-to-2 to the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Red Deer Rustlers. In 1971, the MJAHL folded and the Islanders opted to play an independent schedule in instead of joining the neighbouring Junior A leagues in New Brunswick or Newfoundland. For the 1971-72 season, the Islanders did not play a game until March 1972, playing a two-game exhibition series against the Hamilton Red Wings of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (2-2 Tie and 4-3 Win) and then jumping directly into National Playdowns as PEI's only representative. In the playoffs, the Islanders dropped the Moncton Hawks of the New Brunswick Junior Hockey League 4-games-to-1 to advance to the Eastern Centennial Cup Final. In the final, they faced the Guelph CMC's of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League and were swept in four games. The Islanders were disbanded prior to the start of the 1972-73 season.
Season-by-season record
Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs 1968-69 39 16 16 7 - 152 154 39 2nd MJAHL Lost Final 1969-70 45 36 6 3 - 323 151 75 1st MJAHL Won League 1970-71 40 26 9 5 - 229 161 57 1st MJAHL Won League 1971-72 No League Play National playdowns
1970
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Fredericton Chevies (NBJHL) 3-games-to-1 in Atlantic Jr. A Final
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Ottawa M&W Rangers (CJHL) 4-games-to-1 in Eastern Memorial Cup Quarter-final
- Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) defeated Charlottetown Islanders 4-games-to-2 in Eastern Memorial Cup Semi-final
1971
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) 4-games-to-none in Eastern Centennial Cup Quarter-final
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Thunder Bay Marrs (TBJHL) 4-games-to-1 in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Detroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL) 4-games-to-2 in Eastern Centennial Cup Final
- Red Deer Rustlers (AJHL) defeated Charlottetown Islanders 4-games-to-2 in Centennial Cup Final
1972
- Charlottetown Islanders defeated Moncton Hawks (NBJHL) 4-games-to-1 in Eastern Centennial Cup Semi-final
- Guelph CMC's (SOJHL) defeated Charlottetown Islanders 4-games-to-none in Eastern Centennial Cup Final
Notable alumni
- Kevin Devine
- Hilliard Graves
- John Hughes
- Al MacAdam
- Bob MacMillan
See also
External links
References
- ^ "Abbies Taking a Break." The Guardian, PEI, May 1, 2008. Accessed July 11, 2008.
- ^ http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/682551
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2009/06/04/pei-abbies-fold.html
Maritime Junior Hockey League Teams Amherst Ramblers · Bridgewater Lumberjacks · Campbellton Tigers · Dieppe Commandos · Metro Marauders · Miramichi Timberwolves · Pictou County Crushers · Summerside Western Capitals · Truro Bearcats · Woodstock Slammers · Yarmouth MarinersFormer Teams Cape Breton Islanders · Charlottetown Abbies · Dartmouth Pepsis · Glace Bay Miners · Saint John AlpinesHistory Original Maritime Junior A League · Eastern Junior A Hockey League · Island Junior Hockey League · New Brunswick Junior Hockey League · Newfoundland Junior A Hockey League · St. John's Junior Hockey League · J. Pius Callaghan CupCJHL: · Fred Page Cup · Royal Bank Cup Categories:- Maritime Junior A Hockey League teams
- Sport in Charlottetown
- Ice hockey teams in Prince Edward Island
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