Vancouver Giants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vancouver Giants | |
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| City: | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| League: | Western Hockey League |
| Conference: | Western |
| Division: | B.C. |
| Founded: | 2001-02 |
| Home Arena: | Pacific Coliseum |
| Colours: | Black, Red and Silver |
| Head Coach: | Don Hay |
| General Manager: | Scott Bonner |
The Vancouver Giants are an ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League, based at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Contents |
[edit] History
The team first began play during the 2001-02 WHL season when they compiled 13 wins, 49 losses, and 6 ties. The Giants made their first playoff breakthrough in the 2005-06 WHL season, winning the B.C. Division, Western Conference title, and the President's Cup, in a 4-game sweep of the Moose Jaw Warriors.
In the 2006 Memorial Cup, the Giants finished tied for third in the round-robin, defeated Peterborough in the tie-breaker, but lost to the Moncton Wildcats in the semi-final.
[edit] Players
Giants forward Gilbert Brule was named the WHL Playoff MVP after scoring 16 goals and 30 points in 18 post-season games, including notching five goals and 12 points in the four-game series versus Moose Jaw.
[edit] Current roster
| Number | Player | Position | Birthyear | Hometown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Brendan Mikkelson | D | 1987 | St. Albert, Alberta |  |
| 6 | Cody Franson | D | 1987 | Sicamous, British Columbia | |
| 7 | Jonathan Blum | D | 1989 | Rancho Santa Margarita, California |  |
| 10 | Lance Bouma | LW | 1990 | Provost, Alberta | |
| 11 | J.D. Watt | RW | 1987 | Cremona, Alberta | |
| 12 | Tim Kraus | LW | 1987 | Garden Grove, California | |
| 14 | Craig Cunningham | LW | 1990 | Trail, British Columbia | |
| 15 | Spencer Machacek | RW | 1988 | Lethbridge, Alberta | |
| 16 | Wacey Rabbit | C | 1986 | Calgary, Alberta | |
| 18 | Mitch Czibere | C/LW | 1989 | Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta | |
| 19 | James Wright | C | 1990 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | |
| 20 | Mario Bliznak | C | 1987 | Trencin, Slovakia |  |
| 21 | Brett Festerling | D | 1986 | Quesnel, British Columbia | |
| 22 | Kenndal McArdle | LW | 1987 | Burnaby, British Columbia | |
| 23 | AJ Thelen | D | 1986 | Savage, Minnesota | |
| 24 | Garet Hunt | LW | 1987 | Maple Ridge, British Columbia | |
| 25 | Nolan Toigo | D | 1989 | Delta, British Columbia | |
| 26 | Michal Repik | LW | 1988 | Vlasim, Czech Republic |  |
| 27 | Milan Lucic | LW | 1988 | Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| 28 | Brent Regner | D | 1989 | Newbrook, Alberta | |
| 29 | Tyson Sexsmith | G | 1989 | Priddis, Alberta | |
| 30 | Blaine Neufeld | G | 1987 | Winkler, Manitoba | |
| 38 | Mike Wuchterl | RW | 1987 | Edmonton, Alberta | |
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- As of January 14, 2007.
[edit] NHL draftees
- Marek Schwarz (Drafted by St. Louis Blues in 2004; first round, 16th overall)
- Andrej Meszaros (Drafted by Ottawa Senators in 2004; first round, 23rd overall)
- Mark Fistric (Drafted by Dallas Stars in 2004; first round, 28th overall)
- Gilbert Brule (Drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005; first round, 6th overall)
- Brendan Mikkelson (Drafted by Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2005; second round, 31st overall)
- Cody Franson (Drafted by Nashville Predators in 2005; third round, 79th overall)
- J.D. Watt (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2005; fourth round, 111nd overall)
- Mario Bliznak (Drafted by Vancouver Canucks in 2005; seventh round, 205th overall)
- Milan Lucic (Drafted by Boston Bruins in 2006; second round, 50th overall)
- Kenndal McArdle (Drafted by Florida Panthers in 2005; first round, 20th overall)
- As of the 2006-07 season, Triston Grant, Andrew Ladd, Nick Tarnasky, Gilbert Brule, Andrej Meszaros and Marek Schwarz were the only former Giants to have played in the NHL.
[edit] 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 | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2001-02 | 72 | 13 | 49 | 6 | 4 | 198 | 365 | 36 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2002-03 | 72 | 26 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 217 | 292 | 61 | 4th B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2003-04 | 72 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 6 | 215 | 196 | 81 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2004-05 | 72 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 212 | 205 | 76 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005-06 | 72 | 47 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 252 | 156 | 100 | 1st B.C. | Won championship |
| 2006-07 | 72 | 45 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 245 | 143 | 100 | 1st B.C. | In progress |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Vancouver Giants Official Web Site
- WHL Official Web Site
- CHL Official Web Site
- 2006 MasterCard Memorial Cup Official Web Site
| Western Hockey League |
|---|
| Current teams : Brandon Wheat Kings | Calgary Hitmen | Chilliwack Bruins | Everett Silvertips | Kamloops Blazers | Kelowna Rockets | Kootenay Ice | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Medicine Hat Tigers | Moose Jaw Warriors | Portland Winter Hawks | Prince Albert Raiders | Prince George Cougars | Red Deer Rebels | Regina Pats | Saskatoon Blades | Seattle Thunderbirds | Spokane Chiefs | Swift Current Broncos | Tri-City Americans | Vancouver Giants |
| Expansion for 2007-08 : Edmonton Oil Kings |
| CHL: Memorial Cup | President's Cup | OHL | QMJHL | WHL |
