Whitecourt Wolverines

History

The Whitecourt Wolverines junior "A" franchise was originally established for the 1976–77 season as the Fort Saskatchewan Traders. The Traders won their first AJHL championship in 1978–79, their third year in the league. After winning the championship, the team then defeated the Richmond Sockeyes of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) in five games at the Doyle Cup, before falling to the Prince Albert Raiders in six games at the Abbott Cup, the eventual national champions at the 1979 Centennial Cup. The Traders won their second league championship in 1983–84.

Due in part to financial difficulties and low attendance, the AJHL approved a deal on March 15, 2007, to relocate the Traders to St. Albert for the 2007–08 season, ending the Traders' 31-year run in Fort Saskatchewan. The team was renamed the St. Albert Steel, and became the second AJHL team to represent the city of St. Albert, replacing the St. Albert Saints who left for Spruce Grove in 2004.

After five years in St. Albert, it was announced on March 29, 2012, that the team applied to relocate to Whitecourt for the 2012–13 season. On May 2, 2012, the move was approved and the team would remain in the AJHL's North Division as the Whitecourt Wolverines.

The twice relocated franchise took its team name from the then-current junior "B" Whitecourt Wolverines of the North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL). this junior "B" predecessor team folded to make way for the relocated junior "A" Wolverines.

The Jr. A Wolverines played their first game on September 14, 2012, in a 4–2 loss to the Canmore Eagles on the road, with Colton Meaver scoring the Wolverines' first goal. The team would win their first game the next day against the Okotoks Oilers in overtime. Their first home had an over-capacity attendance of 1,283 on September 21. By the end of October, the team had an 11–7–1 record and was ranked 14th in the national Junior A rankings by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The team made the playoffs at the end of their first season with a fourth-place finish in the division. The Wolverines then advanced to the division finals where they lost to the Spruce Grove Saints.

Wolverines' Mathieu Guertin and Colten Mayor each won the Ernie Love Trophy, awarded annually to the AJHL's scoring champion, in the team's first two seasons, respectively. Guertin accumulated 95 points in the inaugural 2012–13 season, while Mayor was the co-winner in the sophomore 2013–14 season, tying Spencer Dorowicz of the Olds Grizzlys with 75 points. Cameron Johnson is in the Whitecourt wolverines junior league same with Clover good Rioch

In 2021 Brent Stark sold the team to Parkland Hockey Group affiliated with Craig Kibblewhite and Jason Fischer. In the Spring of 2024 an application was made to move the team to Devon, Alberta. Brent Stark exercised an option he had retained in the sale and reacquired the team. Parkland Hockey Group then applied for and was granted an expansion franchise for Devon. A couple of weeks later the AJHL approved the sale of the Wolverines to Cory Masse, a local businessman.

Season-by-season record

For previous teams' records, see Fort Saskatchewan Traders and St. Albert Steel.

Note: GP = games played, W = wins, L = losses, OTL = overtime losses, Pts = points, GF = goals for, GA = goals against, PIM = penalties in minutes

Personnel

Team captains

• Jamie Johnson (2012)
• Jerome Raymond (2012–2013)
• Trace Elson (2013)
• Colten Mayor (2013–2014)
• Evan Warmington (2014)
• Joseph Nardi (2016–2017)
• Ryan Grant (2017–2019)
• Adam Sandstrom (2019–2020)
• Bryce Osepchuk (2020–2021)
• Tyler Mahan (2021–2022)
• Colby Browne and Dylan Leslie (2023–2024)

Head coaches

• Joey Bouchard (2012–2016)
• Gord Thibodeau (2016–2019)
• Shawn Martin (2019–present)

General managers

• Joey Bouchard (2012–2016)
• Gord Thibodeau (2016–2019)
• Shawn Martin (2019–present)

Team presidents

• Brent Stark (2012–2021)
• Craig Kibblewhite and Jason Fischer (2021–2024)
• Brent Stark (2024)
• Cory Masse (2024–2025)

Honoured members

The number 22 was retired for Elias Lachance at the start of the 2011–12 season. Lachance, who played for the Wolverines' predecessor junior "B" hockey team during its 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons,

Community

The Wolverines are engaged in two programs within the community under a "Team for Success" project where players mentor young students on reading and writing, and boys through issues experienced at the junior high level. During their inaugural season, the team hosted a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit that featured the Stanley Cup. The proceeds from the event, sponsored by Scott Safety, benefitted the Whitecourt Minor Hockey Association and the Whitecourt Girl Guides.

References

References

1. "Team Roster for Whitecourt Wolverines". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
2. Brad Quarin. (July 28, 2023). "Whitecourt Twin Arenas set to re-open to ice users under new name". Canoe Sun Media.
3. "History of the Alberta Junior Hockey League". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
4. "AJHL Champions". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
5. "Doyle Cup Champions". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
6. "RBC Cup: 2012 Guide and Record Book". [[Hockey Canada]].
7. (March 16, 2007). "St. Albert snaps up Fort Saskatchewan hockey team". [[CBC News]].
8. Jeff Hansen. (March 28, 2012). "Steel requests to relocate". Great West Newspapers LP.
9. (May 2, 2012). "AJHL Moving to Whitecourt, Alberta". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
10. Remy Greer. (April 8, 2012). "Wolverines beat Bisons 5-1 in provincial final". Great West Newspapers LP.
11. Brigette Jobin. (April 25, 2012). "Wolverines prove to be one of Canada's best". Sun Media Corporation.
12. (September 14, 2012). "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Canmore Eagles". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
13. (September 15, 2012). "Whitecourt Wolverines @ Okotoks Oilers". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
14. (October 29, 2012). "CJHL Announces Weekly Top 20 Rankings". [[Canadian Junior Hockey League]].
15. (March 2, 2014). "AJHL Duo Captures Scoring Title, Oil Barons Win Top Team Goaltender Award". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
16. "Is the Whitecourt Wolverines AJHL hockey team moving to Devon? Team is mum". Whitecourt Star.
17. (23 May 2024). "Ajhl Approves New Ownership for Whitecourt Wolverines".
18. (April 6, 2013). "Saints Win AJHL North Division Title". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
19. "Bracket". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
20. Johnna Ruocco. (September 18, 2012). "Wolverines' roster and captains announced". Canoe Sun Media.
21. Chris Colwell. (September 6, 2013). "Oh Captain, My Captain". Fabmar Communications Ltd..
22. (June 24, 2014). "Evan Warmington Named Wolverines Captain". Whitecourt Wolverines.
23. (March 2023). "Roster".
24. "Whitecourt Wolverines {{!}} News Archives".
25. (October 10, 2012). "Wolverines Set to Host Hockey Hall of Fame". Alberta Junior Hockey League.
26. "Team History". Whitecourt Wolverines.
27. Stuart Thomson. (September 29, 2011). "New foundation will honour former Wolverines player". [[Canoe Sun Media]].
28. Jasmine Franklin. (November 12, 2012). "Wolverines players become mentors off the ice". Whitecourt Press.
29. (October 11, 2012). "Whitecourt Town Council Update". Town of Whitecourt.
30. (November 23, 2012). "Stanley Cup weekend spells success". Whitecourt Wovlerines.
31. Johnna Ruocco. (October 14, 2012). "Town Council briefs - Oct. 9, 2012". Canoe Sun Media.