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Windsor Lancers men's ice hockey

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Windsor Lancers men's ice hockey
UniversityUniversity of Windsor
ConferenceOUA
OUA West Division
Head coachKevin Hamlin
Since 2008–09 season
Assistant coachesKyle Makaric
Andrew Donaldson
Andy Delmore
Andrew Corchis
ArenaCapri Pizzeria Recreation Complex
Windsor, Ontario
ColorsNavy and Gold [1]
   
U Sports Tournament appearances
1998, 2014, 2015, 2023
Conference Tournament championships
1998, 2014
Conference regular season championships
1965, 1998, 2015

The Windsor Lancers men's ice hockey team is an active ice hockey program representing the Windsor Lancers athletic department of the University of Windsor. The team has been active since the early 1960s and is currently a member of the Ontario University Athletics conference under the authority of U Sports. The Lancers play at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex in Windsor, Ontario.

Team history

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Lancers at Windsor Arena vs. York Lions in playoff game (February 16, 2012)

History

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The Windsor Lancers men's hockey team began in the early 1960s as members of the Ontario Intercollegiate Athletics Association (as the Assumption College Lancers). The Lancers won their division in 1965, but lost the OIAA final to Laurentian University in a sudden-death 4–2 loss. In 1968, the Lancers were promoted to the QOAA. In 1971, the QOAA was dissolved and the Lancers joined the newly formed Ontario University Athletics Association, now known as the OUA.

The Windsor Lancers men's hockey team is currently led by Head Coach Kevin Hamlin. Coach Hamlin has led the Lancers to tremendous success including the 2013–14 OUA Queen's Cup Championship and two straight CIS national championship tournament appearances.

In 2008–09, Hamlin's first season, he was named the OUA Men's Hockey Coach of the Year after leading the Lancers to a 15-point turnaround in the standings from the previous year. In 2010–11, Hamlin's Lancers finished the regular season with a 12–12–4 record as he led Windsor back into the playoffs for the second straight season. His second year behind the Lancer bench came in 2009–10 where led the Lancers back to the playoffs as they advanced to the OUA West Semi-finals. In 2011–12, he led the Lancers to their best season in over a decade as they finished 15–12–1 and advanced the Western Conference finals. Coach Hamlin's squad finished the year ranked #11 in the country. In 2012–13, Coach Hamlin's squad finished 18–9–1 and in second place in the OUA Western conference. The Lancers finished as one of the top scoring teams in the nation including 8th in Canada in goals and 6th in the CIS in power-play goals.

In 2013–14, Coach Hamlin led his squad to the Queen's Cup Ontario Championship for only the second time in school history. They also finished the season ranked #5 in Canada – the program's highest ever finish in the national rankings. Hamlin was honoured with both the Windsor Essex Sports (WESPY) Coach of the Year award and the Gino Fracas Coach of the Year award for his outstanding work behind the bench.

2013–14 home opener vs. Carleton Ravens

En route to winning the Queen's Cup, the Lancers enjoyed a tremendous playoff run that included playoff series wins over Toronto, Western, Lakehead and McGill to earn the title. At the CIS National Championship tournament, Windsor also earned their first ever victory at Nationals as they knocked off the A.U.S. champion Acadia Axemen 4–2 in pool play.

In 2014–15, Hamlin was named the Ontario University Men's Hockey Coach of the Year for the second time in his career and was a finalist for the CIS National Coach of the Year after leading the Lancers to a program best 22–4–1 record and first place overall in the OUA. The Lancers were ranked in the CIS top ten for 17 straight weeks and captured an Ontario bronze medal while earning their second consecutive trip to the CIS national championships. Individually, the team received tremendous recognition for their outstanding season. Senior forward Spencer Pommells, a native of Grande Prairie, Alta., became the first Lancer to claim the Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy as CIS player of the year and only the third Windsor player to capture a CIS major award in men's hockey. Forwards Chris Gignac (1999) and Ken Minello (1989) had previously merited the R.W. Pugh Award presented annually to the most sportsmanlike player. The senior forward racked up 50 points in 27 league games, including 16 goals and a CIS-leading 34 assists, to win the national scoring race by eight points and the OUA crown by 11. Of his team-leading 16 goals, five were game-winners, leaving him one short of the nation's lead. Kenny Bradford was named the OUA Defenseman of the year and a CIS All-Canadian after he led the CIS in scoring by a defenceman with 28 points, scoring eight goals and adding 20 assists. He was a key cog in the Lancers third-ranked power play, scoring six of his eight goals on the man advantage. Senior netminder Parker Van Buskirk was named the OUA goaltender of the year after he led the conference with 20 wins and made the second most starts of any goaltender with 24. His 2.86 goals against average was the second-best of any western conference goalie, and his .904 save percentage was sixth best overall. Dylan Denomme was named the OUA West rookie of the year as he finished second on the Lancers in points with 31, scoring 13 goals and 18 assists, while appearing in all 27 games. He led all CIS rookies in scoring and tied Bradford for the team lead with six power play goals as well.

In recent years the Lancer's have continued their winning ways. Led by USports goaltender of the year, Nathan Torchia, the 2022-23 Lancers had an incredible season. Finishing 2nd in the OUA west after the regular season. They earned a first round bye which led to them playing the Brock Badgers in the second round. They won this series in 2 games which meant they were onto the OUA West conference finals. Were they met the Lakehead Thunderwolves and this series was very tight and a 3rd and deciding game was needed. The Lancers ultimately won this game which punched their ticket to USports Men's Hockey National Championship's held in PEI and gave them rights to hosting the Queens Cup in Windsor. The Queens Cup was a hard fought game and needed 6 total periods to decide a winner. Unfortunately the Lancer's surrendered a goal early on in the 3rd overtime to the UQTR Patriot's. After a 2nd place finish in the OUA playoffs, this still meant the Lancer's were heading to PEI for the Usports Championships. Where they met the Alberta Golden Bears in the first round, winner takes all game. Unfortunately the game didn't go as planned and the Golden Bears came out to a scorching hot start scoring multiple goals early on. The Lancers were unable to battle back and lost. Overall it was an incredible season for them, going on such a terrific run and falling a goal post short of being Queens Cup champions.

Season-by-season results

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, Pts = Points

U Sports Champion U Sports Semifinalist Conference regular season champions Conference Division Champions Conference Playoff Champions
Season Conference Regular Season Conference Tournament Results National Tournament Results
Conference Overall
GP W L T OTL SOL Pts* Finish GP W L T %
1964–65 OIAA 6 6 0 0 12 T–1st 7 6 1 0 .857 Lost Final, 2–4 (Laurentian)
1965–66 OIAA 10 1 9 0 2 6th 10 1 9 0 .813
1966–67 OIAA 12 7 5 0 14 3rd 12 7 5 0 .583
1967–68 OIAA 12 6 6 0 12 4th 12 6 6 0 .500
1968–69 QOAA 15 5 8 2 12 7th 15 5 8 2 .400
1969–70 QOAA 15 4 9 2 10 10th 15 4 9 2 .333
1970–71 QOAA 15 3 9 3 9 T–10th 15 3 9 3 .300
1971–72 OUAA 19 8 8 3 19 8th 20 8 9 3 .475 Lost Quarterfinal, 2–5 (Western Ontario)
1972–73 OUAA 17 9 8 0 18 8th 18 9 9 0 .500 Lost Quarterfinal, 1–7 (Western Ontario)
1973–74 OUAA 18 2 14 2 6 14th 18 2 14 2 .167
1974–75 OUAA 17 1 15 1 3 14th 17 1 15 1 .088
1975–76 OUAA 20 3 14 3 9 13th 20 3 14 3 .225
1976–77 OUAA 18 5 12 1 11 12th 18 5 12 1 .306
1977–78 OUAA 20 6 9 5 17 10th 21 6 10 5 .405 Lost Quarterfinal, 4–9 (Western Ontario)
1978–79 OUAA 16 8 7 1 17 7th 17 8 8 1 .500 Lost Quarterfinal, ? (Guelph)
1979–80 OUAA 22 1 20 1 3 T–11th 22 1 20 1 .068
1980–81 OUAA 22 8 13 1 17 8th 22 8 13 1 .386
1981–82 OUAA 22 7 13 2 16 T–9th 22 7 13 2 .364
1982–83 OUAA 24 11 12 1 23 T–8th 24 11 12 1 .479
1983–84 OUAA 24 8 15 1 17 10th 24 8 15 1 .354
1984–85 OUAA 24 12 8 4 28 7th 24 12 8 4 .583
1985–86 OUAA 24 13 6 5 31 5th 25 13 7 5 .620 Lost Quarterfinal, 3–4 (Western Ontario)
Lost Semifinal series, 0–2 (Wilfrid Laurier)
1986–87 OUAA 24 9 9 6 .500 6th 29 12 11 6 .517 Won Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Lost Semifinal series, 1–2 (York)
1987–88 OUAA 26 16 7 3 35 4th 32 20 9 3 .672 Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Ryerson)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Brock)
Lost Semifinal, 2–5 (York)
1988–89 OUAA 26 14 11 1 29 T–8th 29 15 13 1 .534 Lost Division Semifinal series, 1–2 (Ryerson)
1989–90 OUAA 22 12 9 1 25 7th 24 12 11 1 .521 Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Waterloo)
1990–91 OUAA 22 13 8 1 27 T–6th 24 13 10 1 .563 Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Wilfrid Laurier)
1991–92 OUAA 22 12 10 0 24 9th 22 12 10 0 .545
1992–93 OUAA 22 9 12 1 19 T–10th 22 9 12 1 .432
1993–94 OUAA 24 8 14 2 18 11th 24 8 14 2 .375
1994–95 OUAA 24 8 11 5 21 12th 24 8 11 5 .438
1995–96 OUAA 26 14 11 1 29 9th 29 15 13 1 .534 Won Division Semifinal, 5–4 (2OT) (Western Ontario)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Waterloo)
1996–97 OUAA 26 15 8 3 33 4th 27 15 9 3 .611 Lost Division Semifinal, 2–6 (Western Ontario)
1997–98 OUA 26 22 3 1 45 1st 33 27 5 1 .833 Won Division Final series, 3–0 (Waterloo)
Won Semifinal, 6–2 (York)
Won Championship, 2–1 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 2–3 (New Brunswick), 3–6 (Alberta)
1998–99 OUA 26 17 6 3 37 2nd 31 19 9 3 .661 Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Waterloo)
Lost Semifinal, 1–3 (York)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 1–4 (Saskatchewan), 3–4 (Moncton)
1999–00 OUA 26 11 9 6 28 6th 28 11 11 6 .500 Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Wilfrid Laurier)
2000–01 OUA 24 8 14 2 18 10th 24 8 14 2 .375
2001–02 OUA 24 8 15 1 17 T–12th 26 8 17 1 .327 Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Lakehead)
2002–03 OUA 24 8 15 1 17 10th 26 8 17 1 .327 Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Lakehead)
2003–04 OUA 24 7 17 0 0 14 14th 24 7 17 0 .292
2004–05 OUA 24 7 10 4 3 21 T–12th 24 7 13 4 .375
2005–06 OUA 24 7 12 3 2 19 T–11th 24 7 14 3 .354
2006–07 OUA 28 10 17 0 1 21 T–12th 28 10 18 0 .357
2007–08 OUA 28 6 21 0 1 13 18th 28 6 21 1 .232
2008–09 OUA 28 13 13 0 2 28 13th 28 13 13 2 .500
2009–10 OUA 28 10 13 3 2 25 T–13th 33 12 19 2 .394 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Waterloo)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Western Ontario)
2010–11 OUA 28 12 12 2 2 28 T–12th 28 12 14 2 .464 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Western Ontario)
2011–12 OUA 28 15 12 0 1 31 10th 35 19 15 1 .557 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (York)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Lakehead)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Western Ontario)
Lost Bronze Medal Game, 3–5 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
2012–13 OUA 28 18 9 0 1 39 4th 34 22 11 1 .662 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (York)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Guelph)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Waterloo)
2013–14 OUA 28 17 11 0 0 34 T–8th 38 25 13 0 .658 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Western Ontario)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Lakehead)
Won Championship, 3–2 (McGill)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 4–2 (Acadia), 0–9 (Saskatchewan)
2014–15 OUA 27 22 4 1 0 39 1st 36 27 9 0 .750 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Brock)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Lakehead)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Guelph)
Won Bronze Medal Game, 2–1 (OT) (McGill)
Lost Quarterfinal, 2–6 (New Brunswick)
2015–16 OUA 28 14 11 1 2 31 10th 31 15 14 2 .516 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Guelph)
2016–17 OUA 28 13 13 1 1 28 13th 37 18 18 1 .500 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Wilfrid Laurier)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Ryerson)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (York)
Lost Bronze Medal Game, 3–6 (McGill)
2017–18 OUA 28 10 11 4 3 27 T–13th 31 11 17 3 .403 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Guelph)
2018–19 OUA 28 13 14 1 0 27 T–12th 30 13 17 0 .433 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Guelph)
2019–20 OUA 28 15 10 0 3 33 8th 30 15 12 3 .550 Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Brock)
2020–21 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 OUA 16 12 3 1 0 .781 2nd 17 12 5 0 .706 Lost First Round, 2–4 (York)
2022–23 OUA 27 18 6 3 0 39 T–3rd 33 22 11 0 .667 Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Brock)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Lakehead)
Lost Championship, 2–3 (3OT) (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Quarterfinal, 0–7 (Alberta)
2023–24 OUA 28 15 11 1 1 32 T–9th 32 17 14 1 .547 Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Lakehead)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Brock)
Totals GP W L T/SOL % Championships
Regular Season 1340 592 646 102 .480 3 West Division Title, 3 Far West Division Titles, 1 OIAA Championships, 2 OUA Championships
Conference Post-season 105 51 54 0 .486 2 OUA Championships
U Sports Postseason 8 1 7 0 .125 5 National Tournament appearances
Regular Season and Postseason Record 1453 644 707 102 .478

Note: Results prior to 1964 are unavailable.
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References

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  1. ^ "Corporate Standards Manual" (PDF). Windsor Lancers. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Men's Hockey History". Windsor Lancers. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
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