Victoria Cougars (WHL)

The Victoria Cougars were a major junior ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia that played in the WCHL (Western Canadian Hockey League) a precursor to the Western Hockey League between 1971 and 1994. Prior to 1971, the Cougars were members of the Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League (1962–1967) and the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (1967–1971). The Cougars played their home games at the Victoria Memorial Arena, which was demolished in 2003.

Victoria Cougars
CityVictoria, British Columbia
LeagueWestern Hockey League
Operated1971 (1971)–94
Home arenaVictoria Memorial Arena
ColoursBlue, red, gold and white
Franchise history
1971–1994Victoria Cougars
1994-presentPrince George Cougars

They won the WHL championship in 1981. The team moved to Prince George, British Columbia in 1994 and are now the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars earned several WHL records during their time in Victoria, both for most wins (60 in 1980–81) and for fewest points (12 in 1989–90). Their five wins that season set a WHL record for futility within a 72-game season, which included a record setting 32 game losing streak (November 22, 1989 – February 11, 1990).[1]

Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1967–68 40 11 23 6 146 198 28 6th BCJHL DNQ
1968–69 40 22 12 6 223 150 50 1st BCJHL Won League, won Mowat Cup
1969–70 48 31 12 5 238 155 67 2nd BCJHL Lost final
1970–71 60 40 12 8 348 187 88 1st BCJHL Lost quarter-final
1971–72 68 18 48 2 215 321 38 5th West Out of playoffs
1972–73 68 13 51 4 231 390 30 5th West Out of playoffs
1973–74 68 22 40 6 259 336 50 5th West Out of playoffs
1974–75 70 47 18 5 416 257 99 1st West
1st WCHL
Lost semi-final
1975–76 72 37 28 7 343 320 81 4th West Lost semi-final
1976–77 72 27 32 13 299 301 67 4th West Lost quarter-final
1977–78 72 34 29 9 365 333 77 2nd West Lost West Division final
1978–79 72 34 27 11 318 295 79 2nd West Lost West Division final
1979–80 72 51 21 0 349 226 102 2nd West Lost final
1980–81 72 60 11 1 462 217 121 1st West
1st WHL
Won championship
1981–82 72 43 28 1 398 314 87 2nd West Lost West Division semi-final
1982–83 72 47 24 1 444 335 95 2nd West Lost West Division final
1983–84 72 32 40 0 340 338 64 5th West Out of playoffs
1984–85 72 24 43 4 314 385 52 6th West Out of playoffs
1985–86 72 22 49 1 346 439 45 6th West Out of playoffs
1986–87 72 30 41 1 334 412 61 4th West Lost West Division semi-final
1987–88 72 37 34 1 326 335 75 3rd West Lost West Division semi-final
1988–89 72 36 32 4 341 351 76 2nd West Lost West Division semi-final
1989–90 72 5 65 2 221 565 12 6th West Out of playoffs
1990–91 72 10 59 3 201 437 23 6th West Out of playoffs
1991–92 72 15 52 5 231 372 35 7th West Out of playoffs
1992–93 72 20 49 3 217 326 43 7th West Out of playoffs
1993–94 72 18 51 3 222 393 39 7th West Out of playoffs

NHL alumni

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There were 58 alumni of the Victoria Cougars who graduated from junior hockey to play in the National Hockey League. Source. Goaltender Grant Fuhr was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "WHL Network". whl.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-09-25.