Nelson Leafs
TeamNelson Leafs
Bg colourbackground:#FFFFFF;border-top:#015424 5px solid;border-bottom:#015424 5px solid;
Text colour
  1. 000000
CityNelson, British Columbia
League
DivisionKootenay
Founded1968–69 (KHL)
ArenaNelson and District Community Complex
ColoursGreen and white
Websitewww.nelsonleafs.ca
Name 1Nelson JR. Maple Leafs (KHL/WKHL)
Dates 11968–1971
Name 2Nelson Maple Leafs (KIJHL)
Dates 21971–1994
Name 3Nelson Leafs (RMJHL)
Dates 31994–1999
Name 4Nelson Leafs (KIJHL)
Dates 41999–2026
Name 5Nelson Leafs (BCHC)
Dates 52026-present
CaptainVacant
MascotBud the Bear
GmDale Hladun
PresidentCorey Viala
Capacity1472

The Nelson Leafs are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. They are set to compete in the Kootenay Division in the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) beginning in the 2026–27 season after playing in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).[1] They play their home games at Nelson and District Community Complex.

History

The team was originally known as the Nelson Maple Leafs but changed its name to the Leafs in 1994 when it joined the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL). The team returned to the KIJHL in 1999 but continued to be known as the Leafs.

The Leafs are the 1968-69, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999-00, 2008–09 KIJHL champions.

In the 2006-07 season, the Leafs made it to the KIJHL finals, but lost to the Fernie Ghostriders 4-2. In the 2008-09 season, the Leafs won the KIJHL championship 4-0 over the Kamloops Storm. Then in the 2009-10 season, the Leafs went to the KIJHL finals, but lost 4-1 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.

The Leafs hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup, the Junior B provincial championship, in April 2014 but finished fourth.

On April 20, 2026, the Leafs were named as one of 22 teams joining the BCHC, leaving the KIJHL with the remaining 12 teams.[2]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, D = Defaults, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Records as of February 17, 2024.[3][4]

SeasonGPWLTOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1969–703213190—261651793rd, KHL
1970–712811170—22——3rd, WKHL
1971–723211210—221291984th, WKHL
1972–73306222—141092513rd, West
1973–74*160160—0391634th, WestDid not participate (withdrew)
1974–75347270—141202384th, West
1975–763413210—261391843rd, West
1976–774421221—431902134th, West
1977–784214280—281662404th, West
1978–794011281—231512275th, West
1979–804019210—382002723rd, West
1980–814017230—341972093rd, West
1981–824227150—542792182nd, West
1982–834215270—302382644th, West
1983–844015250—302092776th, West
1984–854019201—392362284th, West
1985–86*343301—71613246th, WestDid not participate (withdrew)
1986–88*Did not participate (folded)
1988–89454041—813731631st, WestLost in finals (Rockies)
1989–90403631—732981221st, WestLost in finals (Rockies)
1990–91*4125151—512011592nd, West
1991–92383062—622501071st, WestKIJHL champions (Braves)
1992–934227141—552931393rd, WestKIJHL champions (Rockies)
1993–944027121—552791812nd, West
SeasonGPWLTSOLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1994–95523713—2762872331st, KootenayLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Thunder)
1995–96583323—2682342362nd, KootenayLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Ghostriders)
1996–97603123—6682712732nd, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 0-4 (Colts)
1997–98542031—3432582725th, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 0-4 (Dynamiters)
1998–99452025—0401901953rd, RMJHLLost in semifinals, 3-4 (Ghostriders)
SeasonGPWLTOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1999–004529115—652361381st, Neil MurdochKIJHL champions (Eagles)
2000–0158272443612372374th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2001–0250192254471721993rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels)
2002–0350242330512032022nd, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks)
2003–0450252131542282083rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Braves)
2004–0550182642421671944th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2005–0650241763572081693rd, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2006–0752401020822531631st, Neil MurdochLost in finals, 2–4 (Ghostriders)
2007–0852321190732141621st, Neil Murdoch: WestLost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks)
2008–095243720882481281st, Neil MurdochKIJHL champions, 4-0 (Storm)
2009–1050361022762471281st, Neil MurdochLost in finals, 1–4 (Grizzlies)
2010–1150252203531731873rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Nitehawks)
2011–1252301705652591673rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels)
2012–1352321622682071583rd, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2013–145238914812471611st, Neil MurdochLost in division finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2014–1552232324521731454th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Nitehawks)
2015–1652202912421431784th, Neil MurdochLost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2016–174721211447148160 3rd of 5 Neil Murdoch
11th of 20 - KIJHL		Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks)
2017–18473392371164101 1st of 5 Neil Murdoch
3rd of 20 - KIJHL		Lost in Conf. Finals, 2-4 (Dynamiters)
2018–194935112172200130 1st of 5 Neil Murdoch
4th of 20 - KIJHL		Lost Divisional Finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks)
2019–2049301306661991562nd of 5, Neil Murdoch
6 of 20 KIJHL		Won Div Semifinals, 4-0, (Braves)
Incomplete Div Final 2-0 (Nitehawks)
Playoffs cancelled due to covid-19
2020–213300062471st of 5, Neil MurdochRest of season cancelled due to covid-19
2021–224231100163171931st of 5, Neil Murdoch
4th of 19 KIJHL		Lost League Final, 1-4, (Grizzlies)
2022 - 23442415-5531501372nd, Neil MurdochLost Div Semifinals, 2-4, (Nitehawks)
2023–244424173—511671593rd of 5, Neil Murdoch
10th of 20 KIJHL		Lost Div Semifinals, 1-4, (Border Bruins)
2024–2544192311401421903rd of 5, Neil Murdoch
7th of 10 Kootenay Conf
14th of 21 KIJHL		Lost Div Semifinals, 0-4, (Nitehawks)
Notes
  1. 1973-74 season: Nelson withdrew from play for balance of season
  2. 1985-86 season: Nelson withdrew on January 15, 1986
  3. 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons: Nelson did not participate (folded)
  4. Stats for the 1990-91 season are only thru February 17, 1991. May not be complete

Playoffs

Records as of February 27, 2024.[5][6][7]

Season1st round2nd round3rd RoundFinals
1994–95L, 0-4, Creston Valley———
1995–96L, 0-4, Fernie———
1996–97W, 4-3, Creston ValleyL, 0-4, Cranbrook——
1997–98W, 2-0, CastlegarL, 0-4, Kimberley——
1998–99L, 3-4, Fernie———
1999–00W, 4-2, CastlegarW, Beaver Valley—W, Sicamous
2000–01L, 0-4, Beaver Valley———
2001–02L, 1-4, Castlegar———
2002–03W, 4-2, SpokaneL, 3-4, Beaver Valley——
2003–04L, 3-4, Spokane———
2004–05L, 0-4, Beaver Valley———
2005–06W, 4-1, CastlegarL, 0-4, Beaver Valley——
2006–07W, 4-0, SpokaneW, 4-2, Beaver ValleyByeL, 2-4, Fernie
2007–08ByeL, 3-4, Beaver Valley——
2008–09W, 4-1, SpokaneW, 4-0, CastlegarW, 3-0, FernieW, 4-0, Kamloops
2009–10W, 4-3, Beaver ValleyW, 4-3 SpokaneW, 4-1 FernieL, 1-4 Revelstoke
2010–11L, 3-4, Beaver Valley———
2011–12L, 1-4, Castlegar———
2012–13L, 1-4, Beaver Valley———
2013–14W, 4-2, SpokaneL, 2-4, Beaver Valley——
2014–15L, 1-4, Beaver Valley———
2015–16L, 0-4, Beaver Valley———
2016–17W, 4-2, CastlegarL, 0-4, Beaver Valley——
2017–18W, 4-1, Grand ForksW, 4-1, CastlegarL, 2-4, Kimberley—
2018–19W, 4-3, SpokaneL, 2-4, Beaver Valley——
2019-20W, 4-0 SpokaneIncomplete, 2-0, Beaver Valley——
2020-21Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
2021-22W, 4-3 CastelgarW, 4-2 Beaver ValleyW, 4-2 KimberleyL, 1-4 Revelstoke
2022-23L, 2-4, Beaver Valley———
2023-24L, 1-4, Grand Forks———
2024-25L, 0-4, Beaver Valley———
Notes
  1. The RMJHL playoffs had three playoff rounds.
  2. The final 1998-99 RMJHL playoffs had two playoff rounds.

Cyclone Taylor Cup

SeasonRound RobinSemifinalsFinals
1999–00no round robinW, 2-1, CRSL, 0-2, ABB
2008–09record unavailable
advance to championship game		—L, 2-6, RIC
2013–14Tournament host (0-2-1)
relegated to consolation game		L, 0-3, VIC—

NHL alumni

Other notable alumni

Awards and trophies

Most Sportsmanlike

  • Chris Cucullu: 2009-2010
  • Mike Lebler: 2006-2007
  • Lindon Horswill: 2011-12

Top Goaltender

  • Billy Faust: 2009-2010
  • Garrett Beckwith: 2008-2009

Rookie of the Year

  • Dylan Walchuk: 2008-2009
  • Nik Newman: 2011-12

Coach of the Year

  • Simon Wheeldon: 2008-2009
  • Simon Wheeldon: 2007-2008
  • Simon Wheeldon: 2006-2007

Top Defenseman

  • Torin Brusven: 2007-2008
  • Jonathon Petrash: 2011-12

Top Scorer

  • Dan Fraser: 2006-2007
  • Nik Newman 2011-12

References

  1. ^ "BCHC launches as sanctioned Junior A league". British Columbia Hockey Conference. April 20, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  2. ^ "BCHC launches as sanctioned Junior A league". British Columbia Hockey Conference. April 20, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  3. ^ KIJHL.ca, Regular season standings 2011–2012. Archived 2013-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "KIJHL.ca – KIJHL Final Standings.". Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
  5. ^ KIJHL.ca, Playoff Bracket 2011–2012. Archived 2012-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "KIJHL.ca – Playoff Records.". Archived from the original on 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
  7. ^ KIJHL.ca, Past KIJHL League Champions. Archived 2013-02-09 at the Wayback Machine