The Lakeshore Canadiens are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Belle River, Ontario. They play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Association and Hockey Canada. The Canadiens are 5 time Clarence Schmalz Cup Winners as Provincial Junior C Champions and the defending PJHL Western Conference Champions. The team was known as the Belle River Canadiens from 1978 until 2014.

Lakeshore Canadiens
CityBelle River, Ontario
LeagueProvincial Junior Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionBill Stobbs
Founded1978
Home arenaAtlas Tube Centre
ColoursRed, Blue, and White
General managerMark Seguin
Head coachAnthony Iaquinta
Franchise history
1978–2014: Belle River Canadiens
2014–present: Lakeshore Canadiens
Championships
League champions1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
Clarence Schmalz Cups1985, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2022

History edit

 
Belle River Canadiens logo until 2014.
 
Canadiens defencemen set up in front of their own net (September 2013).

From 1985 until 2001, the Canadiens were one of the most feared teams in all of Ontario Junior "C" hockey. Within those 17 years, the Canadiens won 11 GLJHL Championships and 4 Clarence Schmalz Cups as All-Ontario Junior "C" Champions in 8 trips to the All-Ontario Finals. After 9 years The Canadiens once again won the Great Lakes Junior "C" Title in 2010 defeating the Wallaceburg Lakers in 4 Games. In the Schmalz Cup Semi-finals they defeated the Grimsby Peach Kings 4 Games to 1 to advance to their first Ontario Final in 9 Years. The Canadiens then Lost the Schmalz Cup in 6 Games to the Alliston Hornets. In 2011 The Canadiens won their 2nd Consecutive Great Lakes title. They once again faced the Grimsby Peach Kings in the Ontario Semi-finals. Grimsby would win the series 4 games to 1.

The Belle River Canadiens have won 17 Great Lakes Junior C League Championships, they have also won 5 Ontario Championships.

On June 6, 2014, the team announced it was changing its name to the Lakeshore Canadiens.

The Canadiens moved into the brand new Atlas Tube Centre in the fall of 2014. In their first game at the new Atlas Tube Centre Sebastian Kanally scored the first ever goal 38 seconds into the game as the Canadiens defeated their rivals from Essex by a score of 3–1. The Canadiens would finish 24–13–0–3 in their first full season in their new rink.

The summer of 2016 saw the GLJHL become the Bill Stobbs Division of the new Provincial Junior Hockey League, which resulted from the amalgamation of the eight junior "C" hockey leagues in Southern Ontario.

In 2017-2018 long time General Manager Mark Seguin hired Anthony Iaquinta as Head Coach, under Iaquinta the Canadiens finished First Place in the Stobbs division finishing with a record of 27-8-2-3, the Canadiens would sweep the Blenheim Blades and Mooretown Flags in the first 2 rounds, they would face their rivals from Essex in the division finals. In front of 3 straight sell out crowds on home ice the Canadiens would knock off the 73's in 5 games to claim their 14th League Championship.

2018-2019 would be another successful season for the Canadiens, finishing with a regular season record of 28-7-2-3 good enough for 2nd place in the Stobbs Division. In the playoffs the Habs would eliminate the Wheatley Sharks in 4 games, in the semi-finals they would face a very good Dresden Kings team. The Canadiens would defeat the Kings in 6 games in a hard-fought series setting up a rematch with the Essex 73's for a third straight season. The result would be the same as the previous season, the Canadiens once again defeating the 73's in 5 games in front of huge crowds at the Atlas Tube Centre to claim their 2nd straight Stobbs title and 15th League Championship in total. The Exeter Hawks would defeat the Canadiens in 7 games in the All Ontario playoffs.

The 2019–2020 season would be one of the most successful seasons in Canadiens history as the Canadiens finished with a record of 36 wins and 4 losses. The Canadiens were headed to the Stobbs Finals after knocking the Essex 73's in the semi-finals and set to face the Mooretown Flags however covid would shut down the remainder of the season and cancel the 2020–2021 season.

The Canadiens returned to the ice in 2021-2022 after a year off due to the covid. Once again the Canadiens would finish in first place with a 28-2-2 record in the regular season. The Canadiens swept the Wallaceburg Thunderhawks in round one. In the semi-finals the Canadiens were pushed to six hard fought games against the wheatley Sharks to set up a finals matchup with the Essex 73's. For the fourth consecutive season the Canadiens got the best of the 73's and defeated them in six games. Trevor LaRue would score the league championship winning goal in Game 6 overtime as the Canadiens won their 16th league title. The Canadiens would move on to defeat the North Middlesex Stars in the Western Conference Finals in four close games. Next up was the Schmalz Cup tournament where the Canadiens would go 2 wins and 1 loss in the round robin to set up a semi finals matchup with the Grimsby Peach Kings. The Canadiens came away with a 5–0 victory to set up a showdown with the Clarington Eagles in the finals. In an instant classic Dylan Weston would score 41 seconds into overtime to give the Canadiens a 3–2 victory to become Schmalz Cup Champions for the 5th time in team history and the first time since 1995.

2023–24 Team Staff edit

  • General Manager - Mark Seguin
  • Head coach - Anthony Iaquinta
  • Assistant coach - Milan Dobric
  • Assistant coach - Brent Walker
  • Assistant coach-Eric Larue
  • Trainer/Equ.- Ryan Arsenault

Season-by-season record edit

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs
1978-79 40 12 23 5 - 160 229 27 7th of 8 GLJHL Did not qualify
1979-80 41 8 32 1 - 197 351 17 7th of 7 GLJHL Did not qualify
1980-81 42 8 32 2 - 184 317 18 7th of 8 GLJHL Did not qualify
1981-82 39 19 16 4 - 253 211 42 4th of 8 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 0-3 (73's)
1982-83 39 23 9 7 - 293 177 53 3rd of 8 GLJHL Won quarter-final, 3-2 (73's)
Lost semi-final, 2-4 (Flyers)
1983-84 39 27 9 3 - 227 139 57 2nd of 8 GLJHL Won semi-final, 4-1 (Flyers)
Lost final, 3-4 (Kings)
1984-85 40 27 9 4 - 224 142 58 1st of 9 GLJHL Won quarter-final, 3-0 (Flyers)
Won semi-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won League, 4-1 (73's)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (Barons)
Won CSC SF, 4-3 (Warriors)
Won CSC Final, 4-1 (Centennials)
1985-86 40 25 14 1 - 263 190 51 2nd of 9 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 2-3 (Flyers)
1986-87 38 23 11 2 2 196 129 50 3rd of 9 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 2-4 (Flyers)
1987-88 39 19 14 4 2 209 201 44 5th of 10 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 1-4 (73's)
1988-89 38 30 6 2 0 272 123 62 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 12 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Vikings)
Won Div. Final, 4-2 (Flyers)
Won League, 4-0 (Steeplejacks)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (Blues)
Lost CSC SF, 3-4 (Barons)
1989-90 40 37 1 2 0 301 79 76 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Vikings)
Won Div. Final, 4-0 (Comets)
Won League, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won CSC QF, 4-0 (83's)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Brewers)
Lost CSC Finals, 3-4 (Crushers)
1990-91 40 29 7 3 1 244 101 62 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 10 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Flyers)
Won Div. Final, 4-1 (Vikings)
Won League, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won CSC QF, 4-2 (83's)
Lost CSC SF, 2-4 (Barons)
1991-92 40 35 4 1 0 306 102 71 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Div. Final, 4-0 (73's)
Won League, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won CSC QF, 4-1 (Barons)
Won CSC SF, 4-2 (Blues)
Won CSC Final, 4-2 (Siskins)
1992-93 40 27 8 1 4 234 139 59 2nd of 5 South Div.
2nd of 11 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-2 (Comets)
Lost Div. Final, 0-4 (Hawks)
1993-94 40 35 2 3 0 293 109 73 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Div. Final, 4-2 (Hawks)
Won League, 4-0 (Steeplejacks)
Won CSC QF, 4-2 (Navy-Vets)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Patriots)
Won CSC Final, 4-0 (Real McCoys)
1994-95 40 38 0 1 1 249 87 78 1st of 4 Essex Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Admirals)
Won semi-final, 4-0 (Flags)
Won League, 4-0 (Blades)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Navy-Vets)
Won CSC Final, 4-0 (Eagles)
1995-96 42 38 2 2 0 198 77 78 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Div. Final, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won League, 4-1 (Hawks)
Lost CSC SF, 3-4 (Mounties)
1996-97 40 39 0 1 0 265 82 79 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 11 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won semi-final, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won League, 4-2 (Flags)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Bulldogs)
Lost CSC Final, 2-4 (Rangers)
1997-98 45 34 8 3 0 194 104 71 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 10 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Hawks)
Lost semi-final, 1-4 (Lakers)
1998-99 40 32 6 1 1 191 94 66 1st of 5 South Div.
1st of 10 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Hawks)
Won semi-final, 4-0 (Comets)
Lost final, 3-4 (Lakers)
1999-00 39 33 3 3 0 214 92 69 1st of 4 South Div.
1st of 9 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Kings)
Won semi-final, 4-0 (73's)
Won League, 4-3 (Lakers)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Bulldogs)
Lost CSC Final, 2-4 (Chiefs)
2000-01 40 32 3 2 3 175 93 69 1st of 4 South Div.
1st of 9 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won semi-final, 4-2 (73's)
Won League, 4-0 (Lakers)
Won CSC SF, 4-0 (Barons)
Lost CSC Final, 1-4 (Riverhawks)
2001-02 40 21 16 2 1 156 138 45 4th of 4 South Div.
5th of 9 GLJHL
Lost quarter-final, 3-4 (Flags)
2002-03 40 16 16 6 2 132 126 40 4th of 4 South Div.
5th of 9 GLJHL
Lost quarter-final, 3-4 (Comets)
2003-04 40 14 18 2 6 101 131 36 3rd of 4 South Div.
6th of 9 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-2 (Flags)
Lost semi-final, 1-4 (Kings)
2004-05 40 16 21 1 2 130 154 35 4th of 4 South Div.
7th of 9 GLJHL
Lost quarter-final, 0-4 (Kings)
2005-06 40 20 17 1 2 182 156 43 4th of 4 South Div.
6th of 9 GLJHL
Lost quarter-final, 0-4 (73's)
2006-07 40 27 10 2 1 221 149 57 2nd of 4 South Div.
2nd of 9 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-1 (Flyers)
Won semi-final, 4-3 (Sharks)
Lost finals, 1-4 (73's)
2007-08 40 33 5 1 1 227 114 68 2nd of 4 South Div.
2nd of 9 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-2 (Comets)
Lost Div. Final, 1-4 (73's)
2008-09 40 26 9 - 5 213 133 57 2nd of 4 South Div.
2nd of 9 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-3 (Sharks)
Lost Div. Final, 1-4 (73's)
2009-10 40 31 7 - 2 241 126 64 1st of 4 South Div.
1st of 9 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Div. Final, 4-2 (73's)
Won League, 4-0 (Lakers)
Won CSC SF, 4-1 (Peach Kings)
Lost CSC Final, 2-4 (Hornets)
2010-11 40 29 10 - 1 192 102 59 1st of 4 South Div.
2nd of 9 GLJHL
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Comets)
Won Div. Final, 4-1 (Flags)
Won League, 4-3 (Sharks)
Lost CSC SF, 1-4 (Peach Kings)
2011-12 40 27 10 - 3 166 112 57 2nd of 4 South Div.
2nd of 9 GLJHL
Won quarter-final, 4-1 (Sharks)
Won semi-final, 4-1 (Flags)
Lost final, 1-4 (73's)
2012-13 40 26 11 - 3 146 109 55 2nd of 9 GLJHL Won quarter-final, 4-1 (Flags)
Lost semi-final, 3-4 (Sharks)
2013-14 40 23 15 - 2 165 141 48 2nd of 9 GLJHL Won quarter-final, 4-3 (Admirals)
Won semi-final, 4-2 (Blades)
Lost finals 2-4 (73's)
2014-15 40 24 13 - 3 180 135 51 3rd of 9 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 3-4 (Kings)
2015-16 40 18 15 3 4 163 145 43 5th of 9 GLJHL Lost quarter-final, 3-4 (Flags)
2016-17 40 31 8 1 - 229 115 63 1st of 9 Stobbs Won Div. QF, 4-0 (Flyers)
Won Div. SF, 4-2 (Blades)
Lost Div. Final, 0-4 (73's)
2017-18 40 27 8 2 3 143 94 59 1st of 9 Stobbs Won Div. QF, 4-0 (Blades)
Won Div. SF, 4-0 (Flags)
Won Div. Final, 4-1 (73's)
Lost Conf. Final, 3-4 (Lancers)
2018-19 40 28 7 2 3 166 81 61 2nd of 9 Stobbs Won Div QF, 4-0 (Sharks)
Won Div. SF, 4-2 (Kings)
Won Div. Final, 4-1 (73's)
Lost Conf. Final, 3-4 (Hawks)
2019-20 40 36 4 0 0 183 57 72 1st of 9 Stobbs Won Div QF, 4-0 (Blades)
Won Div. SF, 4-1 (73's)
incomplete Div. Final 0-0 (Flags)
playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-21 Season Lost due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22 32 28 2 0 2 184 57 72 1st of 9 Stobbs Won Div Quarters 4-0 (Thunder Hawks)
Won Div. Semis, 4-2 (Sharks)
Won Div. Final 4-2 (73's)
Won West Conf. Finals 4-0 (Stars)
advance to CSC finals (see below)
2022-23 41 32 7 1 1 182 82 66 2nd of 8 Stobbs Won Div Quarters 4-0 (Kings)
Won Div. Semis, 4-2 (Sharks)
Won Div. Final 4-1 (73's)
Won West Conf. Finals, 4-0 (Trojans)
advance to CSC finals (see below)
2023-24 42 37 5 0 0 241 70 74 1st of 8 Stobbs Won Div Quarters 4-0 (Wild)
Won Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Sharks)
tbd Div Finals, 0-0 (73's)

Clarence Schmalz Cup appearances edit

1985: Belle River Canadiens defeated Midland Centennials 4-games-to-1
1990: Orangeville Crushers defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-games-to-3
1992: Belle River Canadiens defeated Stayner Siskins 4-games-to-2
1994: Belle River Canadiens defeated Rockton Real McCoys 4-games-to-none
1995: Belle River Canadiens defeated Bowmanville Eagles 4-games-to-none
1997: Glanbrook Rangers defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-games-to-2
2000: Lakefield Chiefs defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-games-to-2
2001: Chippawa Riverhawks defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-games-to-1
2010: Alliston Hornets defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-games-to-2
2022: Lakeshore Canadiens defeated Clarington Eagles 3-2 OT in final

Clarence Schmalz Cup Championships edit

Year Round Robin Record Standing Semifinal Gold Medal Game
2022 W, Grimsby Peach Kings 3-2
W, Stayner Siskins 5-1
L, Clarington Eagles 1-4
2-1-0-0 1st of 4 W, Grimsby Peach Kings 5-0 W, Clarington Eagles 3-2
Clarence Schmalz Cup
(PJHL) Champions
2023 w, Wellesley Applejacks 4-1
l, Stayner Siskins 2-4
L, Clarington Eagles 0-4
1-2-0-0 4th of 4 OTL, Wellesley Applejacks 2-3 n/a
-

Notable alumni edit

 
Belle River goalie watches puck behind his net during 2013–14 season

External links edit