Stratford Cullitons

GOJHL team
team_name = Stratford Cullitons
bg_color = Red
text_color =
logo_

division = Mid-Western
founded = 1962
history = 1962-1967: Stratford Braves
1967-1968: Stratford Burtols
1968-1975: Stratford Warriors
1975-Pres: Stratford Cullitons
alternate =
arena = William Allman Memorial Arena
city = Stratford, Ontario
team_colors = Red, Blue, and White
head_coach = Phil Westman
general_manager = Phil Westman
affiliates = Goderich Sailors
sutherland_cup = 1977, 1978, 1986, 1990, 1995, 2003, and 2004
bucklands =
schmalz_cup = The Stratford Cullitons are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Mid-Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

History

Between the years of 1951 and 1962, not much is known about junior hockey in the town of Stratford. Prior to 1952, the Stratford Midgets, who became the Kroehlers and Kist Canadians won a Sutherland Cup in the 1940s [Ontario Hockey Association 2006-2007 Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition by The Ontario Hockey Association (2006)] and competed as Junior A team for the J. Ross Robertson Cup. Stratford played in the Central "B" from 1962 until 1969. When they joined the reformed Western "B" in 1969, they became the Warriors and stayed on board until 1975. In 1975, the team jumped to the precursor to the Mid-Western "B", the "Waterloo-Wellington Junior "B" Hockey League" and changed their name to the Cullitons, finishing first both seasons. They continued their dominance when the league was renamed the Mid-Western, winning eight of the first 13 championships they competed for. They have since won five more league championships. If the Stratford Canadians era is included, the Stratford Junior "B" club has captured eight Sutherland Cup titles, leading the Mid-Western "B" with six since its founding in 1977. [Ontario Hockey Association 2006-2007 Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition by The Ontario Hockey Association (2006)] The Cullitons have never failed to make the playoffs since joining the Mid-Western "B", a feat matched only by the Waterloo Siskins. [Mid-Western Ontario OHA Jr. B Hockey League 25th Anniversary Program by J. Clark Hayman (2002)] Between 1975-76 and 2004-05, the Cullitons never placed lower than third in the league standings.

One thing that sets the Cullitons apart from any other teams in the league, including the Siskins, is that until 2006 the Cullitons have only suffered one losing season. [Mid-Western Ontario OHA Jr. B Hockey League 25th Anniversary Program by J. Clark Hayman (2002)] In fact, in their 32-year history the Cullitons have lost more than 10 games only eight times. On three occasions they registered more ties than losses. They have scored more than 300 goals in a season 11 times, and have only allowed more than 200 goals once. [Mid-Western Ontario OHA Jr. B Hockey League 25th Anniversary Program by J. Clark Hayman (2002)] The Cullitons have also been regular-season champions 19 times. [Mid-Western Ontario OHA Jr. B Hockey League 25th Anniversary Program by J. Clark Hayman (2002)]

eason-by-Season Record

*1974-1975 [ The Windsor Star, February 1975]
*1975-1977 [ [http://www.stratfordcullitons.on.ca/ Welcome to The Stratford Cullitons ] ]
*1977-2002 [Mid-Western Ontario OHA Jr. B Hockey League 25th Anniversary Program by J. Clark Hayman (2002)]
*2002-Present [ [http://www.midwesternjrb.com/ Midwestern Junior Hockey League ] ]

Sutherland Cup Appearances

:"1977": Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville Derbys "4-games-to-2":"1978": Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville Derbys "9-points-to-5":"1981": Burlington Cougars defeated Stratford Cullitons "8-points-to-4":"1983": Henry Carr Crusaders defeated Stratford Cullitons "4-games-to-none":"1986": Stratford Cullitons defeated Streetsville Derbys "4-games-to-none":"1990": Stratford Cullitons defeated St. Catharines Falcons "4-games-to-none":"1995": Stratford Cullitons defeated St. Thomas Stars "4-games-to-none":"1999": Chatham Maroons defeated Startford Cullitons "4-games-to-3":"2003": Stratford Cullitons defeated Thorold Blackhawks "4-games-to-3":"2004": Stratford Cullitons defeated Thorold Blackhawks "4-games-to-none" [Ontario Hockey Association 2006-2007 Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition by The Ontario Hockey Association (2006)]

Notable Alumni

:*Rob Blake:*Boyd Devereaux:*Greg de Vries:*Nelson Emerson:*Dave Farrish:*Jeff Halpern:*Jay Heinbuck:*Rem Murray:*Ed Olczyk:*Mike Peluso:*Chris Pronger:*David Shaw:*Bryan Smolinski:*Garth Snow:*Tim Taylor:*Mike Watt :*James Fitzpatrick [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayersByTeam.jsp?team=Stratford+Cullitons Legends of Hockey -- Cullitons Pro Alumni List provided by NHLPA]

Captains

Denis Flanagan Jr.,Kendrick Nicholson,Travis Hofstetter,Tim Schultz,Ed Olczyk,Erik Anderson,Walt Morris,Tyler Townsend,John Chisolm,Steve Hamulecki,Dave Cousineau,Geoff Fullerton

External links

* [http://www.stratfordcullitons.on.ca/ Cullitons Webpage]

References

More sources

* [http://www.ohahockey.org/ OHA Webpage] Sutherland Cup History provided by OHA via Official 2006-07 Handbook
* [http://www.officialgamepuck.com/TownIndex/Canadian/OntarioTowns/Stratford.htm Official Game Puck] Basic Team Name History