The Durham West Jr. Lightning are a Canadian Junior women's ice hockey team based in Ajax, Ontario. The Lightning are members of the Provincial Women's Hockey League of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association. The Lighting were 2007 PWHL silver medallists and 2006 bronze medallists,[1] and 2013 Ontario Intermediate AA champions and 2006 silver medallists.
| Durham West Jr. Lightning | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Ajax, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Ontario Women’s Hockey League |
| Division | Under 22 Elite Division |
| Founded | 2004 (PWHL franchise) |
| Home arena | Ajax Community Centre |
| Colours | Black, Blue, Silver, and White |
| General manager | Paul Gee |
| Head coach | Dave Gwyn |
| Media | Sam Hossack Media |
History edit
During the 2005-06 season, Jenn Wakefield led the Lightning to a bronze medal in league playdowns and a silver medal at OWHA Provincials, all while setting a then league record for most goals in a single season (31 in only 27 games).[2] The next season, Wakefield's record was surpassed fellow Lighting alumni Natalie Spooner (32) as Spooner led the Lightning to their best PWHL playoff result in team history, losing in the league final to the Toronto Jr. Aeros.[2] Both Wakefield and Spooner are Canada national women's ice hockey team alumni.[3]
In 2013, the Lightning defeated the Mississauga Jr. Chiefs in the OWHA Provincial final to win their first ever championship, 3-2. All this coming after failing to get past the quarter-final in league playoffs. The Lightning defeated the league champion Whitby Jr. Wolves 2-0 in the quarter-final and the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres 3-1 in the semi-final for the opportunity to win the title.[4]
Amongst their numerous team alumni,[5] Ashley Riggs graduated to the NCAA Niagara Purple Eagles women's ice hockey team in 2004,[6] before jumping to the National Women's Hockey League[7] and later the Canadian Women's Hockey League.[8] As a member of the Under-22 Canada national women's ice hockey team Riggs competed in four Air Canada Cups, winning Gold in three of them.[9] Natalie Spooner graduated to the NCAA Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey team in 2008.[10] She has competed in multiple IIHF events as a member of the Women's National Team[10] and plays in the CWHL as a member of the Toronto Furies.[11] In 2008, Jenn Wakefield graduated to the NCAA New Hampshire Wildcats program.[12] After two seasons she switched to the Boston University Terriers women's ice hockey team.[13] Wakefield is a National Team member[14] and has played in the CWHL with the Vaughan Flames and now with the Toronto Furies.[15] Tara Watchorn also graduated to NCAA in 2008 with the Boston University Terriers women's ice hockey team.[16] She made her debut with the Canadian National Team in 2010[17] and plays for the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL.[18]
Season-by-season results edit
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs | OWHA's |
| 2004-05 | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | - | 85 | 61 | 34 | 5th PWHL | Lost in Round Robin | Lost in Round Robin |
| 2005-06 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | - | 115 | 80 | 40 | 4th PWHL | Won Bronze (Markham-Stouffville) | Won Silver (Toronto) |
| 2006-07 | 32 | 20 | 6 | 6 | - | 103 | 67 | 46 | 2nd PWHL | Lost final (Toronto) | Lost Bronze (Mississauga) |
| 2007-08 | 31 | 17 | 10 | 4 | - | 132 | 86 | 38 | 5th PWHL | Lost Bronze (Mississauga) | Lost preliminary (Hamilton) |
| 2008-09 | 34 | 19 | 10 | 5 | - | 126 | 93 | 43 | 6th PWHL | Lost Bronze (Bluewater) | Lost Bronze (Toronto) |
| 2009-10 | 34 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 167 | 4 | 18th PWHL | Did not qualify | Lost in Round Robin |
| 2010-11 | 36 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 73 | 80 | 35 | 12th PWHL | Lost quarter-final (Mississauga) | Lost preliminary (Mississauga) |
| 2011-12 | 34 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 87 | 65 | 43 | 9th PWHL | Lost First Round (Bluewater) | Lost preliminary (Whitby) |
| 2012-13 | 38 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 118 | 53 | 59 | 3rd PWHL | Lost quarter-final (London) | Won Gold (Mississauga) |
| 2013-14 | 38 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 108 | 66 | 58 | 5th PWHL | Lost quarter-final (Toronto) | Lost Bronze (Nepean) |
| 2014-15 | 38 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 87 | 61 | 45 | 9th PWHL |
Professional and National Team alumni edit
References edit
- ^ "Past Champions | Provincial Women's Hockey League". pwhl.pointstreaksites.com.
- ^ a b "PWHL Single Season Records | Provincial Women's Hockey League". www.pointstreaksites.com.
- ^ "Canada's National Women's Team wins gold medal at 2013 4 Nations Cup". www.hockeycanada.ca.
- ^ Kelly, Brad (April 16, 2013). "Durham West Junior Lightning win provincial title". DurhamRegion.com.
- ^ "ALUMNI | Durham West Jr Lightning". www.durhamwestjr.com.
- ^ "Homepage". Women's Hockey Life.
- ^ "Game Summary". www.hockeycanada.ca.
- ^ "Barracudas add scoring punch via draft". InsideHalton.com. July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Canada Wins Gold at 2007 European Air Canada Cup". www.hockeycanada.ca.
- ^ a b "Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio State University Athletics".
- ^ "CWHL - Canada Women's Hockey: Leagues, Statistics, Awards, Schedules".
- ^ "UNHWildcats.com -- University of New Hampshire Official Athletics Website:Jenn Wakefield". Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
- ^ "Player Bio: Jenn Wakefield - Official Website of the Boston University Department of Athletics". Archived from the original on 2011-01-01.
- ^ "Pickering's Jennifer Wakefield named to national hockey team". DurhamRegion.com. October 16, 2012.
- ^ "Canadian Women's Hockey League | CWHL season preview: Toronto Furies look forward to stepping back onto ice | Pointstreak Sites". Archived from the original on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
- ^ "Player Bio: Tara Watchorn - BOSTON UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Archived from the original on 2010-06-26.
- ^ "Canadian Women's Hockey Team Opens Four Nations Cup Against U.S." www.hockeycanada.ca.
- ^ "CWHL: Calgary Inferno | Calgary Inferno to debut new, "red" hot jerseys this weekend | Pointstreak Sites". Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
- ^ "Ashley Riggs, Jennifer Sadler score big in Brampton wins". DurhamRegion.com. November 24, 2011.
- ^ "Canada (2013-14 Olympic Centralization)". www.hockeycanada.ca.
- ^ Impaglia, Sam (26 February 2021). "Riveters' Saroya Tinker Is Dedicated and Wants to Grow the Sport". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "Jennifer Wakefield rallies Canadian women at hockey worlds | CBC Sports".
- ^ "Newcastle's Tara Watchorn drafted by Alberta of CWHL". DurhamRegion.com. July 18, 2012.