The Windsor Clippers is a Canadian junior box lacrosse team and members of the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The team, from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, was known as the Windsor AKO Fratmen from 2003 until 2009 as they were sponsored by the AKO Fraternity.

Windsor Clippers
SportBox lacrosse
Founded2003
LeagueOntario Junior B Lacrosse League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionFar-West
Based inWindsor, Ontario
ArenaForest Glade Arena
ColoursBlack, Gold and White
Head coachJerry Kavanaugh
General managerMike Soulliere
History2003–2009: Windsor AKO Fratmen
2010–present: Windsor Clippers

History edit

 
Original AKO Fratmen Logo.

The team made its expansion debut in the OLA Jr. "B" league in 2003. The team's first win was on April 30, 2003, against Wallaceburg, 21–12. In four completed seasons, the team has never failed to make the playoffs. The Fratmen hosted the 2005 Junior "B" All-Star Game, and in the team's fourth season Windsor hosted the 2006 Founders Cup. The Fratmen's first ever playoff victory came against the Six Nations Red Rebels in the 2005 Conference Semi-final. On July 2, 2005, the Fratmen defeated Six Nations in the first game of the series 6–4. Their first playoff round victory came in the 2006 Conference Semi-final against the Owen Sound Rams, 3-games-to-1.

At the 2005 All-Star Game in Windsor, Ontario, it was announced that the AKO Fratmen would host the 2006 Founders Cup Tournament.[citation needed]

At the 2006 Founders Cup on August 23, the Fratmen opened up the tournament with a 20–9 dismantling of the Nova Scotia Knights. Later that night, the Fratmen also beat the Langley Thunder 11–4. On August 24, the Fratmen topped the Edmonton Warriors by a score of 11–7. On August 25, AKO beat the Iroquois Lacrosse Association (a team composed mostly of players from Kahnawake, Quebec) by a score of 12–8. The victory clinched first place and a bye to the semi-final for the Fratmen, as both teams were undefeated (3–0) going into the game. Jamie Pillon lead all round robin scoring with 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists), he was closely followed by the Andrew Ryckman (6 goals, 15 assists) and 2005 OLA Most Valuable Player David Hodgins (9 goals, 12 assists).[1]

In the Semi-final on August 26, the Fratmen took on their most competitive opponent of the tournament to date, the Iroquois Lacrosse Association, for the second time. They came out on top again with a tight 6–3 victory. The Fratmen faced the OLA Champion Oakville Buzz in the Founders Cup Final. The Fratmen (5–0) and Buzz (4–0) were the only two undefeated teams left in the tournament at the time, and had not played against each other in the season.[1]

On August 27, the AKO Fratmen played in the National Championship Game against the Oakville Buzz. The Fratmen and Buzz were tied 1–1 after the first period. The second saw the Buzz come alive, at the end leading by a score of 5–2. In the third, the Buzz blew the game wide open. The final score was 10–4, but the Fratmen held tough until the end. Cam Brown was named the Fratmen's Game MVP, while both Jamie Pillon and Matt Soulliere were named to the Founders Cup All-Star Team.[1]

Clippers edit

In Fall 2013, the Canadian Lacrosse Association honoured long-time general manager and co-founder of the team Mike Soulliere with an award for his dedication to the development of the sport.[2]

Season-by-season results edit

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 PTS Finish Playoffs Coach Captain
Windsor AKO Fratmen
2003 20 5 14 1 209 232 11 2nd of 4 Far West
10th of 14 Western
17th of 25 OJBLL
Lost Conf. QF, 0-3 (Spartans) Bob Laforet Blaic Naysmith
2004 20 8 12 0 151 174 16 2nd of 4 Far West
8th of 14 Western
17th of 24 OJBLL
Lost Conf. QF, 0-3 (Mohawks) Greg Ducharme Blaic Naysmith
2005 20 11 9 0 173 179 22 1st of 4 Far West
5th of 14 Western
11th of 23 OJBLL
Lost Conf. QF, 1-3 (Rebels) Greg Ducharme Trevor Veres
2006 20 13 6 1 146 118 27 1st of 4 Far West
3rd of 14 Western
8th of 26 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Rams)
Lost Conf. SF, 2-3 (Thunderhawks)
Greg Ducharme Trevor Veres
2007 20 13 7 0 202 162 26 1st of 4 Far West
5th of 14 Western
9th of 27 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Thunderhawks)
Won Conf. SF, 3-2 (Mohawks)
Lost Conf. Final, 0-3 (Rebels)
Greg Ducharme Trevor Veres
2008 20 11 8 1 162 144 23 1st of 4 Far West
4th of 14 Western
10th of 26 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-2 (Spartans)
Lost Conf. SF, 1-3 (Rebels)
Greg Ducharme Garrison Matte
2009 20 15 4 1 208 125 31 1st of 4 Far West
1st of 14 Western
4th of 26 OJBLL
Lost Conf. QF, 1-3 (North Stars) Greg Ducharme Garrison Matte
7 Seasons 140 76 60 4 1251 1134 156 Best: 1st West (2009) 17 wins, 27 losses
305 GF, 398 GA
Windsor Clippers
2010 20 13 7 0 169 128 26 1st of 4 Far West
3rd of 14 Western
T-6th of 27 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-2 (North Stars)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-3 (Mohawks)
Greg Ducharme Garrison Matte
2011 20 11 9 0 259 195 22 1st of 4 Far West
6th of 13 Western
12th of 25 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Regals)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-3 (Rebels)
Greg Ducharme Jeff Rivait
2012 20 10 10 0 216 207 18 3rd of 4 Far West
9th of 14 Western
T-14th of 26 OJBLL
DNQ Greg Ducharme Jeff Rivait
2013 20 16 4 0 235 173 32 1st of 4 Far West
3rd of 14 Western
6th of 26 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 2-1 (Blue Devils)
Lost Conf. SF, 1-3 (Northmen)
Greg Ducharme Jeff Rivait
2014 20 17 3 0 267 165 34 1st of 4 Far West
3rd of 14 Western
T-3rd of 26 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-2 (Red Devils)
Lost Conf. SF, 2-3 (Northmen)
Jerry Kavanaugh Jarred Riley
2015 20 14 6 0 250 168 28 1st of 4 Far West
4th of 13 Western
7th of 25 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Mohawks)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-3 (Rebels)
Jerry Kavanaugh Logan Holmes
2016 20 16 4 0 295 138 32 1st of 4 Far West
2nd of 13 Western
T-3rd of 25 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Mohawks)
Won Conf. SF, 3-2 (Thunderhawks)
Lost Conf. Final, 2-3 (Northmen)
Jerry Kavanaugh Logan Holmes
2017 20 13 6 1 289 179 27 1st of 4 Far West
4th of 13 Western
7th of 25 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-1 (Red Devils)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-3 (Northmen)
Jerry Kavanaugh Andrew Garant
2018 20 16 4 0 295 138 32 1st of 4 Far West
3rd of 13 Western
T-4th of 25 OJBLL
Lost Conf. QF, 2-3 (Northmen) Jerry Kavanaugh James Morgan
2019 20 13 5 2 207 150 28 1st of 4 Far West
4th of 13 Western
6th of 24 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-0 (Thunderhawks)
Lost Conf. SF, 0-3 (Rebels)
Jerry Kavanaugh Chad Marentette
2020-21 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 20 16 4 0 248 135 32 2nd of 11 Western
T-4th of 23 OJBLL
Won Conf. QF, 3-0 (North Stars)
Won Conf. SF, 3-2 (Bengals)
Won Western Conference, 3-2 (Mohawks)
WON MARLENE SOULLIERE TROPHY
Lost OJBLL Final, 0-3 (Knights)
Jerry Kavanaugh Kaden Brennan
11 Seasons 220 156 61 3 2730 1776 315 Best: 2nd West (2016, 2022) 39 wins, 42 losses
608 GF, 760 GA
Total
18 Seasons
360 232 121 7 3981 2910 471 Best: 1st West (2009) 56 wins, 69 losses
1013 GF, 1158 GA

Founders Cup edit

CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Year Round Robin Record
W-L-T
Standing Semifinal Gold Medal Game
2006
HOST
W, Nova Scotia Knights 20-9
W, Langley Thunder 11-4
W, Edmonton Warriors 11-7
W, ILA All-Stars 12-8
4-0-0 1st of 5
Pool B
W, ILA All-Stars 6-3 L, Oakville Buzz 4-10

Team awards edit

  • Far-West Division Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Western Conference Regular Season Champions: 2009
  • Marlene Soulliere Trophy Western Conference Playoffs Champions: 2022
  • Founders Cup Silver Medallists: 2006

Individual awards edit

  • 2003 OLA Western Rookie of the Year - David Hodgins
  • 2004 OLA Western Most Sportsmanlike Player - David Rivait
  • 2005 OLA Western Most Valuable Player - David Hodgins
  • 2005 OLA Western Scoring Champion - David Hodgins (93 pts)
  • 2006 CLA Founders Cup All-star team - Jamie Pillon & Matt Soulliere
  • 2007 OLA Western Most Sportsmanlike Player - Andrew Ryckman
  • 2009 OLA Western Scoring Champion - Brett Hickey (72 pts)
  • 2009 OLA Western Coaching Staff of the Year - Greg Ducharme, Ron Martinello, Les Boomer, Eddie McGaffey and company
  • 2012 OLA Western Rookie of the Year - Lucas Ducharme
  • 2013 CLA Achievement Award - Mike Soulliere (GM & President)
  • 2014 OLA Western & League Scoring Champion - Brendon Anger (111 pts)
  • 2015 OLA Western Scoring Champion - Logan Holmes (113 pts)
  • 2015 OLA Western Most Sportsmanlike Player - Dylan Riley
  • 2016 OLA Western & League Scoring Champion - Logan Holmes (145 pts)
  • 2017 WESPY Mickey Renaud Captain's Award - Logan Holmes[3]
  • 2017 OLA Western & League Scoring Champion - Andrew Garant (146 pts)
  • 2018 WESPY Male Athlete of the Year Award - Andrew Garant
  • 2018 WESPY Knobby Knudsen Volunteer of the Year Award - Jim Morgan
  • 2018 OLA Western & League Scoring Champion - Chase Kavanaugh (122 pts)
  • 2018 OLA Western Most Valuable Player - Chase Kavanaugh
  • 2018 OLA Western Rookie of the Year - Brayden Mayea
  • 2019 OLA Western Rookie of the Year - Zane Dalpe
  • 2022 OLA Western Most Valuable Player - Zane Dalpe
  • 2022 OLA Best Goaltenders Award - Chase Cosgrove/Griffin Salaris
  • 2022 OLA Creator's Game Award - Mike Soulliere (GM & President)

Professional alumni edit

NLL Entry Draft picks edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Shaw Communications" (PDF). members.shaw.ca.
  2. ^ Jeff (12 November 2013). "Soulliere receives national lacrosse award". Windsor Star.
  3. ^ "WESPY Awards Recognize Top Athletes". Archived from the original on 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2023-10-08.

External links edit

  Media related to Windsor Clippers at Wikimedia Commons