The Victoria Salmon Kings
are a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They are members of the West Division of the National Conference of the ECHL and began play in the 2004–05 ECHL season. They play out of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
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VICTORIA SALMON KINGS TICKETS
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History
While the Victoria region has had a long and distinguished hockey history - the
Victoria Cougars won the
Stanley Cup in 1925 - the region was the largest Canadian region without either professional or Major-Junior hockey when the
WHL Victoria Cougars (a team with no connection to the aforementioned Cougars) moved to
Prince George in 1994. This was a crippling blow to Victoria hockey fans, whose highest-level remaining local team was the Tier II Junior 'A' Victoria Salsa, who later became the
Victoria Grizzlies.
By this time, it had become evident that the 50-year-old
Victoria Memorial Arena, seating only 4,000 for hockey, would have to be replaced if Victoria expected to be able to attract a new hockey club. After several years of discussion, the construction of a new arena was approved by Victoria voters in a 2002 referendum, with one key condition being that its construction was dependent on Victoria securing a WHL team.
When the private-sector partner, RG Properties, was unable to secure a
WHL club, the company bought the rights to the defunct
ECHL Baton Rouge Kingfish, formerly the
Erie Panthers, a charter member of the ECHL, and announced that Victoria's new team would be named the Salmon Kings. Reaction in the community was somewhat mixed; while securing a club was good enough for construction of the new arena to begin, many were troubled by the perception that they would be receiving a lesser quality of hockey than that seen in the major-junior WHL. In addition, the ECHL was virtually unknown in Canada; Victoria was to be the first Canadian team in league history. In response to all this, the Salmon Kings began
marketing efforts to convince Victoria residents that the Salmon Kings and the ECHL would offer a high quality product. Controversy remains about whether or not the ECHL is a better fit than the WHL. While many have embraced the third-tier professional hockey, believing it to be superior to the WHL, others - including many Salmon Kings season ticket holders - say they would prefer the WHL if they had a choice. And, to that end, local businessmen and former NHL'er
Len Barrie has made overtures about bringing a WHL franchise to nearby
Colwood, to compete head-to-head with the Salmon Kings for the southern
Vancouver Island market.
In the summer of
2006, the Salmon Kings became the ECHL affiliate of the nearby
Vancouver Canucks.
It became clear as the
2004–05 ECHL season approached that Victoria's new arena, now called the
Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, was not going to be ready in time for the season. In response, the ECHL scheduled the Salmon Kings to begin their inaugural season with an unheard-of 14 game road trip. Unfortunately, even this was not enough time for the arena to be completed, and in the summer of
2004 the Salmon Kings were forced to secure ice time in the
Bear Mountain Arena in the suburban community of
Colwood, which had been constructed with the needs of the junior 'A'
Victoria Salsa and the
Victoria Shamrocks box lacrosse club in mind.
Despite all this, the Salmon Kings took to the ice in their first regular-season game on
October 22,
2004, in
Bakersfield, California, against the
Bakersfield Condors. Former
University of Alberta player
Ryan Wade scored the first goal in Salmon Kings history. Unfortunately, they lost this game 7-2; the Salmon Kings would struggle during their 14-game road trip, only winning 3 games, losing 10 games in regulation and one in a shootout. Their first victory came at the expense of the
Fresno Falcons on
October 24, which the Salmon Kings won by a convincing 5-0 margin.
David Brumby, the Kings' starting goaltender at the time, turned away 37 shots for the shutout.
As the
NHL lockout progressed,
Dale Purinton and
Dan Blackburn of the
New York Rangers and
Mark Smith of the
San Jose Sharks played for the Salmon Kings. Purinton, an enforcer, was suspended twice by the league, the first for a career-ending check into the boards of Condors player
Krzysztof Wieckowski, and the second for returning to the ice to fight after being ejected during a bench-clearing brawl involving the Kings and the Falcons. After the latter suspension, Purinton was suspended indefinitely by the Salmon Kings and did not play again that season.
After the grueling 14-game road trip which lasted for over a month, the Salmon Kings finally played their first home game on
December 5,
2004, at
Bear Mountain Arena. Unfortunately, the Salmon Kings lost this game 4-3 in overtime. They would continue to struggle during
their first season, going only 15-52-5 over 72 games; notably, they set an ECHL record for a continuous winless streak, going 0-18-2 between
December 31,
2004 and
February 4,
2005.
After going through another losing season in
'05–'06, which had four different coaches behind the bench, the Salmon Kings would eventually rebound with their best season, to date, in the
2006–07 season. Under head coach,
Mark Morrison, the Victoria Salmon Kings established their first winning season with a 36-32-1-3 record and finished off their remaining regular season games on a nine-game winning streak. The Salmon Kings finished the season 7th overall in the National Conference and faced the
Alaska Aces in their first playoff appearance. The Salmon Kings would eventually win Game 1 by a score of 3-2, but the Aces managed to win their next 4 out of 5 games to win the series 4-2.
The
2007–08 season saw the Salmon Kings establish themselves in the ECHL. With a 91 point season, and winning 42 from 72 games, the Salmon Kings narrowly won the National West division, and took the number two seed into the
Kelly Cup playoffs. In the playoffs, the Salmon Kings won their first-ever playoff round by eliminating the
Bakersfield Condors in six games. Unfortunately in the second round, the Salmon Kings were eliminated from the playoffs by the
Utah Grizzlies in five games.
Season-by-season record
Note:
GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against''
| Season
| GP
| W
| L
| T1
| OTL
| SOL
| Pts
| GF
| GA
| Finish
| Playoffs
|
| 2004–05
| 72
| 15
| 52
| 5
| —
| —
| 35
| 178
| 298
| 8th in West
| Did not qualify
|
| 2005–06
| 72
| 26
| 37
| 9
| —
| —
| 61
| 204
| 261
| 5th in West
| Did not qualify
|
| 2006–07
| 72
| 36
| 32
| —
| 1
| 3
| 76
| 239
| 249
| 3rd in West
| Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Aces)
|
| 2007–08
| 72
| 42
| 23
| —
| 4
| 3
| 91
| 256
| 239
| 1st in West
| Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1–4 (Grizzlies)
|
| 2008–09
| 72
| 38
| 27
| —
| 2
| 5
| 83
| 232
| 200
| 3rd in West
| Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1-4 (Aces)
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1 As of the 2006–07 ECHL season, all games will have a winner, with overtime losses (OTL) and shootout losses (SOL) earning a single point.
Franchise records
Scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed ECHL regular season.
Note:
Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game * = still active with the team
Updated at completion of 2008–09 ECHL season
| Player
| Pos
| GP
| G
| A
| Pts
| P/G
|
| Wes Goldie*
| RW
| 216
| 131
| 70
| 201
| .93
|
| Ryan Wade
| RW
| 265
| 57
| 113
| 170
| .64
|
| Milan Gajic
| RW
| 102
| 39
| 67
| 106
| 1.04
|
| Jordan Krestanovich
| LW
| 124
| 25
| 77
| 102
| .82
|
| Kiel McLeod
| C
| 113
| 47
| 51
| 98
| .87
|
| Chris St. Jacques*
| C
| 121
| 28
| 65
| 93
| .77
|
| Matt Kelly*
| D
| 175
| 26
| 67
| 93
| .53
|
| Ash Goldie
| RW
| 70
| 40
| 43
| 83
| 1.19
|
| Marc-Andre Bernier
| RW
| 99
| 39
| 42
| 81
| .82
|
| Steve Lingren
| D
| 124
| 29
| 52
| 81
| .65
|
| Darryl Lloyd
| C
| 183
| 39
| 42
| 81
| .44
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Playoff scoring leaders
These are the top-ten playoff point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed ECHL regular season.
Note:
Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game * = still active with the team
Updated at completion of 2008–09 ECHL season
| Player
| Pos
| GP
| G
| A
| Pts
| P/G
|
| Wes Goldie*
| RW
| 26
| 14
| 14
| 28
| 1.08
|
| Milan Gajic
| RW
| 15
| 4
| 10
| 14
| .93
|
| Matt Kelly*
| D
| 23
| 1
| 12
| 13
| .57
|
| Patrick Coulombe*
| D
| 26
| 1
| 11
| 12
| .46
|
| Ryan Wade
| RW
| 17
| 7
| 4
| 11
| .65
|
| Chris St. Jacques*
| C
| 20
| 4
| 7
| 11
| .55
|
| Jordan Krestanovich
| LW
| 11
| 1
| 7
| 8
| .73
|
| Marc-Andre Bernier
| RW
| 17
| 7
| 1
| 8
| .47
|
| Darryl Lloyd
| LW
| 24
| 2
| 6
| 8
| .33
|
| Kiel McLeod
| C
| 9
| 4
| 3
| 7
| .78
|
| Dylan Yeo*
| D
| 20
| 4
| 3
| 7
| .35
|
Regular season
- Most goals in a season: Wes Goldie, 48 (2008–09)
- Most goals in a season by a rookie: Ryan Wade, 19 (2004-05) & Adam Taylor, 19 (2005-06)
- Most assists in a season: Jordan Krestanovich, 52 (2007–08)
- Most assists in a season by a rookie: Adam Taylor, 38 (2005-06)
- Most points in a season: Ash Goldie, 83 (40g, 43a) (2007–08)
- Most points in a season by a rookie: Adam Taylor, 57 (19g, 38a) (2005-06)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Blue Bennefield, 195 (2004–05)
- Most goals in a season by a defenseman: Steve Lingren, 22 (2005-06)
- Most assists in a season by a defenseman: Gary Gladue, 37 (2007-08)
- Most points in a season by a defenseman: Steve Lingren, 47 (22g, 25a) (2005–06)
- Most wins in a season: Julien Ellis, 24 (2007–08)
- Most shutouts in a season: Todd Ford, 4 (2008–09)
- Lowest goals against avg-(minimum 1000 minutes): Todd Ford, 2.64 (2008-09)
- Highest save percentage-(minimum 1000 minutes): Todd Ford & Julien Ellis, 0.915 (2008-09)
Playoffs
- Most goals in a playoff season: Wes Goldie, 6 (2006-07)
- Most goals by a defenseman in a playoff season: Dylan Yeo, 4 (2007-08)
- Most assists in a playoff season: Wes Goldie, 8 (2007-08)
- Most points in a playoff season: Wes Goldie, 13 (5g, 8a) (2007-08)
- Most points by a defenseman in a playoff season: Steve Lingren, 7 (2g, 5a) (2006-07) & Dylan Yeo, 7 (4g, 3a) (2007-08)
- Most penalty minutes in a playoff season: Olivier Labelle, 32 (2008-09)
Team
- Longest winless streak, one season: 20 (December 31, 2004 – February 4, 2005) (also the ECHL record)
- Longest home winless streak, one season: 12 (December 31, 2004 – February 4, 2005) (also the ECHL record)
- Most penalty minutes, both teams, one game: 306 (Victoria Salmon Kings (171) vs. Fresno Falcons (135), February 16, 2005) (also the ECHL record)
Current roster
As of April 3, 2009. Data taken from ECHL website.
| GOALTENDERS
|
| #
|
| align=left
| Player
| Catches
| Date of birth
| Place of birth
|
| 30
|
| Todd Ford
| R
| May 1, 1984
| Calgary, AB, Canada
|
| 60
|
| Julien Ellis
| L
| January 27, 1986
| Sorel, QC, Canada
|
| DEFENSEMEN
|
| #
|
| align=left
| Player
| Shoots
| Date of birth
| Place of birth
|
| 2
|
| Gary Gladue
| L
| April 9, 1984
| Chetwynd, BC, Canada
|
| 4
|
| Dylan Yeo
| L
| July 16, 1986
| Prince Albert, SK, Canada
|
| 5
|
| Patrick Coulombe
| L
| April 23, 1985
| St. Fabien, QC, Canada
|
| 8
|
| Jordie Benn
| L
| July 26, 1987
| Victoria, BC, Canada
|
| 21
|
| Aaron Brocklehurst
| L
| June 10, 1985
| Nanaimo, BC, Canada
|
| 28
|
| Tim Wedderburn – A
| L
| June 29, 1981
| Okotoks, AB, Canada
|
| 44
|
| Matt Kelly – A
| R
| March 23, 1985
| Tottenham, ON, Canada
|
| FORWARDS
|
| #
|
| align=left
| Player
| Position
| Shoots
| Date of birth
| Place of birth
|
| 7
|
| Adam Taylor
| C
| R
| June 24, 1984
| Courtenay, BC, Canada
|
| 10
|
| Brady Leavold
| RW
| R
| August 27, 1987
| Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
|
| 12
|
| Scott Howes
| LW
| L
| September 3, 1987
| Toronto, ON, Canada
|
| 13
|
| Sean D. O'Connor
| RW
| R
| October 19, 1981
| Victoria, BC, Canada
|
| 14
|
| Chris St. Jacques
| C
| R
| January 22, 1983
| Edmonton, AB, Canada
|
| 16
|
| Wes Goldie – C
| RW
| R
| May 5, 1979
| London, ON, Canada
|
| 18
|
| Dan Gendur
| RW
| R
| May 21, 1987
| Vancouver, BC, Canada
|
| 19
|
| Olivier Labelle
| RW
| R
| July 15, 1985
| St. Eustache, QC, Canada
|
| 25
|
| Shaun Landolt
| C
| R
| October 2, 1984
| Cloverdale, BC, Canada
|
| 26
|
| Curtis Billsten
| RW
| R
| September 10, 1986
| Calgary, AB, Canada
|
| 27
|
| Darryl Lloyd
| LW
| L
| February 10, 1984
| Pickering, ON, Canada
|
| 64
|
| Olivier Filion
| C
| L
| October 3, 1982
| Montreal, QC, Canada
|
| Staff
|
| Title
| align=left
| STAFF MEMBER
|
| Head Coach
| Mark Morrison
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| Assistant Coach
| Ryan Wade
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| Athletic Trainer
| Dave Zarn
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Leaders
Team captains
- Brad Dexter, 2004–05
- Ryan Wade, 2005–06
- Kiel McLeod, 2006–08
- Jordan Krestanovich, 2008
- Wes Goldie, 2008–present
Head coaches
- Bryan Maxwell, 2004–06
- Troy Ward, 2006
- Tony MacAulay, 2006
- Mark Morrison, 2006–present
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in British Columbia
- List of Victoria Salmon Kings players
References