Saanich Predators
The Saanich Predators are a junior "B" ice hockey team based in Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the South Division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). Formerly known as the Saanich Braves, they play their home games at George Pearkes Arena. Norm Kelly is the team's president and general manager, Sam Waterfield is the coach and they are captained by forward Jack Rachwalski.
| Saanich Predators | |
|---|---|
| City | Saanich, British Columbia |
| League | Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League |
| Division | South |
| Founded | 1967–68 |
| Home arena | George Pearkes Arena |
| Colours | Black, Teal, Silver, White |
| Owner(s) | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Ed Geric and Norm Kelly |
| General manager | Brent Polischuk (2019-20) |
| Head coach | Brent Polischuk (2019-20) |
| Website | saanichpreds.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1967-2020 | Saanich Braves |
| 2020- | Saanich Predators |
In July 2020, team ownership announced a rebrand in respect to the First Nations communities. By September, the Saanich Predators was chosen over other finalist suggestions: Saanich Squid, and the Saanich Defenders. https://saanichbraves.ca/media-release/
History
The Braves joined the league in 1967 as an original VIJHL team. In its VIJHL history, the team has won the Cyclone Taylor Cup once, in 1976. The Braves have won the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy seven times; in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1996. They won the Andy Hebenton Trophy ten times, as the team with the league's best regular season record in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | 40 | 6 | 31 | 3 | - | 15 | 160 | 268 | 4th, South | |
| 2000–01 | 48 | 3 | 43 | 2 | - | 8 | 127 | 317 | 4th, South | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2-3 (Panthers) |
| 2001–02 | 48 | 14 | 29 | 5 | - | 33 | 173 | 255 | 4th, South | Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-3 (Panthers) |
| 2002–03 | 42 | 10 | 29 | 3 | - | 23 | 107 | 227 | 3rd, South | Lost in Division Semifinals, 1-4 (Panthers) |
| 2003–04 | 45 | 15 | 27 | 3 | - | 33 | 3rd, South | Lost in Division Semifinals, 1-4 (Cougars) | ||
| 2004-05 | 48 | 19 | 27 | - | 1 | 39 | 148 | 184 | 4th, South | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2-4 (Panthers) |
| 2005-06 | 42 | 29 | 12 | - | 1 | 59 | 227 | 136 | 3rd, South | Lost in Division Finals, 1-4 (Islanders) |
| 2006-07 | 48 | 18 | 27 | - | 2 | 38 | 178 | 230 | 3rd, South | |
| 2007-08 | 48 | 14 | 33 | - | 1 | 29 | 140 | 200 | 3rd, South | |
| 2008-09 | 48 | 17 | 26 | - | 5 | 39 | 144 | 184 | 3rd, South | |
| 2009-10 | 48 | 26 | 19 | - | 3 | 59 | 184 | 161 | 3rd, South | Lost Division Semifinals, 3-4 (Cougars) |
| 2010–11 | 44 | 15 | 23 | - | 6 | 36 | 132 | 170 | 3rd, South | Lost quarterfinals, 2-3 (Glacier Kings) |
| 2011-12 | 42 | 21 | 15 | - | 6 | 48 | 177 | 149 | 2nd, South | Won quarterfinals, 4-2 (Storm) Lost semifinals, 3-4 (Panthers) |
| 2012-13 | 48 | 30 | 14 | - | 4 | 64 | 181 | 140 | 2nd, South | Won quarterfinals, 4-2 (Glacier Kings) Lost semifinals, 3-4 (Panthers) |
| 2013-14 | 48 | 11 | 34 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 112 | 227 | 5th, South | Lost quarterfinals, 0-4 (Glacier Kings) |
| 2014-15 | 48 | 17 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 40 | 141 | 180 | 3rd, South | Lost div semi-finals, 2-4 (Wolves) |
| 2015-16 | 48 | 12 | 29 | 2 | 5 | 31 | 133 | 203 | 5th, South | Won Wildcard Game 3-2 (Generals) Lost quarterfinals 2-4 (Storm) |
| 2016-17 | 48 | 29 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 62 | 191 | 147 | 2 of 5 Sou 4 of 9 VIJHL | Lost div semi-finals, 2-4 (Islanders) |
| 2017-18 | 48 | 26 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 57 | 188 | 140 | 1 of 5 Sou 3 of 9 VIJHL | Won quarterfinals, 4-1 (Islanders) Won semifinals, 4-3 (Buccaneers) Lost League Finals 3-4 (Storm) |
| 2018-19 | 48 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 77 | 170 | 158 | 3 of 5 Sou 5 of 9 VIJHL | Won quarterfinals, 4-2 (Islanders) Lost semifinals 0-4 (Storm) |
| 2019-20 | 48 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 167 | 192 | 47 | 4th of 5 South 6th of 9 VIJHL | Lost quarterfinals, 0-4 (Cougars) |
| SAANICH PREDATORS | ||||||||||
| 2020-21 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 37 | 10 | Remaining season and playoffs lost due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021-22 | 52 | 16 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 152 | 253 | 33 | 5th of 5 South 10th of 11 VIJHL | Did not qualify |
| 2022-23 | 48 | 26 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 169 | 147 | 61 | 2nd of 5 South 5th of 11 VIJHL | Won quarterfinals, 4-2 (Panthers) Won semifinals, 4-2 (Cougars) Lost finals, 2-4 (Generals) |
NHL alumni
Awards and trophies
- 1975-76
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy
VIJHL Championship
- 1975-76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1995–96
Andy Hebenton Trophy
Regular Season Champion
- 1974-75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
Grant Peart Memorial Trophy
Least Penalized Team
- 1980-81, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2001–02
Doug Morton Trophy
Leading Scorer
- Rob Coldwell: 1974-75
- Mike Jones: 1986-87
- Garry Elander: 1987-88
- Spencer Goodson: 1994-95
- Mark Johnston: 1997-98
- Ty Jones: 2010-11
Jamie Robertson Trophy
Most Sportsmanlike Player
- Mike Shemilt: 1975-76
- Murray McLaren: 1976-77
- Craig Eversfield: 1981-82
- Roy Clark: 1990-91
- Roy Clark: 1991-92
- 1994-95
- Dean Golbeck: 1996-97
- Trevor Yee: 2008-09
Jamie Benn Trophy
League Most Valuable Player
- Ty Jones: 2010-11
Larry Lamoureaux Trophy
Rookie of the Year
- Spencer Goodson: 1994-95
- A.J. Gale: 2002-03
- Ty Jones: 2008-09
- Jack Palmer: 2010-11
Ray's Sports Centre Trophy
Top Goaltender
- Steve Hanna: 1974-75
- Mike Duch: 1975-76
- Mike Duch: 1976-77
- Steve Hanna: 1977-78
- Marty Wakelyn: 1978-79
- Alf Orton: 1982-83
- Shon Hunter: 1986-87
- Jacob Matychuk: 1992-93
- 1993-94
- Tanner McGaw: 2011-12
Walt McWilliams Memorial Trophy
Unsung Hero
- Steve McKenzie: 1985-86
- Ed Pratt: 1987-88
- Norm Westhaver: 1988-89