Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League

Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League

Junior B
Sport Box lacrosse
Founded 2000
No. of teams 5
Country  Canada
Headquarters Kelowna, British Columbia
Most recent champion(s) Vernon Tigers

The Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League (TOJLL) is a box lacrosse league sanctioned by the British Columbia Lacrosse Association in British Columbia, Canada. The TOJLL's Kamloops Venom became the leagues first Provincial Champions in 2010, a feat they would repeat in 2012.

History

Founded by Dan Wray in 2000,[1] to provide a quality lacrosse environment for players aged 16 to 20. Wray first launched the concept of organized lacrosse for players in Grades 11 and 12 with an intermediate league in the Interior for three years in the late 1990s.[2] Then in 2000, with a large and talented crop of 1983-born talent coming out of the midget ranks, Wray felt the time was right to launch a junior B circuit for players in the valley.[3] The Rutland Raiders defeated the North Okanagan Tigers in the final series to claim the TOJLL Championship.

The Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League's 2001 season included a fifteen-game regular season schedule, plus playoffs. The league had six teams: the Rutland Raiders, Kamloops Rattlers, North Okanagan Tigers, Kelowna Braves, Kelowna Dragons, and the South Okanagan Flames.[4]

For the 2002 season, the TOJLL allowed the Prince George Posse into the league as an exhibition team for an eighteen-game regular season schedule. The Posse went on to play a perfect regular season (18-0-0).[5]

Expansion came in the 2003 season with the inclusion of the Armstrong Shamrocks.[6] The North Okanagan Tigers, now renamed the Vernon Tigers, represented the TOJLL in the Provincials, losing to the Prince George Posse in a very exciting 9-7 Gold Medal game.[7]

In 2004, the TOJLL hosted the Provincials. This meant that two teams from the TOJLL would play in the tournament. Those teams were the Vernon Tigers (0-4 in the Provincial round robin), as host, and the Kamloops Rattlers (1-3 in the Provincial round robin) as 2004 TOJLL Champions. The Rattlers went on to play the Peninsula Falcons (2-1-1) for the Bronze Medal, winning 6-5.[8]

The TOJLL was represented by the Kamloops Rattlers at the 2005 Provincials. They came away with a silver medal, losing the final, 16 - 15, to the Westshore Bears.[9]

Prior to the start of the 2006 season, the Kelowna Braves and Kelowna Dragons amalgamated to form the Kelowna Warriors. The League expanded its pre-season schedule by including The Archie Jack Memorial Ice Breaker Tournament, which is played in Armstrong, British Columbia. With the loss of one team, the league reverted to a fifteen-game regular season schedule. The playoff format changed to that of a quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The top two regular season teams got a first round bye.[10]

The Kamloops Venom were a new member of the TOJLL for the 2008 season. The TOJLL also welcomed the newly formed West Kootenay Wolf Pack to the league as an exhibition team for the 2008 regular season.[11]

The Vernon Tigers won the League Championship in 2009 and won a Silver Medal at the Provincials.[12]

In 2010, the Kamloops Venom won the TOJLL Championship, B.C. Gold Medal (a first for the League) and a Bronze Medal at the Founders Cup.[13]

For the 2011 season the TOJLL will operate with six teams. The Kelowna Warriors and Rutland Raiders have merged to become the Kelowna Raiders. The regular season will consist of fifteen games.[14]

The TOJLL 2012 season will be without the Kamloops Rattlers as they have ceased operations.[15] The remaining teams played an abbreviated schedule due to a league controversy concerning the players of the Rattlers. That issue was resolved by the BCLA ... "I am writing to inform you that at an emergency meeting of the Senior Directorate, the 11-member panel voted to uphold point 5.06 in the BCLA Senior Operating Policy," wrote Christine Pollock, BCLA's senior directorate chair, in a ruling. "This allows for any junior age player residing in Kamloops to play for the Kamloops Venom, currently the only junior B team in Kamloops registered with the BCLA." [16]

The TOJLL was represented by the Vernon Tigers in the 2013 BC Provincial Tournament. The Tigers went 0-3 in round-robin play, then lost the Bronze Medal Game, 13-9, to the Delta Islanders.[17]

Current Teams

Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Member Teams Centre Est.
Armstrong Shamrocks Armstrong 2003
Kamloops Venom Kamloops 2008
Kelowna Raiders Kelowna 2011
South Okanagan Flames Penticton 2000
Vernon Tigers Vernon 2000

Records By Season

2014

2014 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W T L Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Venom 16 14 1 1 29 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 16 13 1 2 27 Won Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 16 6 0 10 12 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 16 4 0 10 11 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Raiders 16 2 0 14 4 Did Not Qualify

2013

2013 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W T L Pts Playoffs
Kelowna Raiders 16 12 1 3 25 Lost Semi Final
Vernon Tigers 16 12 1 3 25 Won Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 16 4 3 9 11 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Venom 16 5 1 10 11 Lost Final
South Okanagan Flames 16 3 2 11 8 Did Not Qualify

Note: - Raiders were awarded first due better "Goals For" after tie on head-to-head match-up - Shamrocks were awarded third due to better head-to-head match-up

2012

2012 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Venom 12 13* 1 1 27 Won Final
Vernon Tigers 15 8 6* 2 18 Lost Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 13 6* 8* 2 14 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 14 5* 10 0 10 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Raiders 14 4 10* 0 9 Did Not Qualify

Note: - * Includes default wins and losses

2011

2011 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kelowna Raiders 15 13 2 0 26 Won Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 15 8 5 1 18 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Venom 15 7 7 1 15 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 15 6 8 1 13 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 14 5* 10 0 10 Lost Quarter Final
Kamloops Rattlers 14 4 11# 0 8 Lost Quarter Final

Note: - * Default Win / # Default Loss - June 6 Game Was Cancelled

2010

2010 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Vernon Tigers 14 12 1 1 25 Lost Final
Kamloops Venom 14 11 2 1 23 Won Final
Kelowna Warriors 14 8 3 3 19 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Rattlers 14 6 8 0 12 Lost Semi Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 14 4 9 1 9 Lost Quarter Final
Rutland Raiders 14 3 9 2 8 Lost Quarter Final
South Okanagan Flames 14 0 12 2 2 Did Not Qualify

2009

2009 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kelowna Warriors 14 8 3 3 19 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 14 8 3 3 19 Lost Semi Final
Vernon Tigers 14 8 4 2 18 Won Final
Kamloops Rattlers 14 7 4 3 17 Lost Quarter Final
Kamloops Venom 14 6 6 2 14 Lost Final
Rutland Raiders 14 4 9 1 9 Lost Quarter Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 14 1 13 0 2 Did Not Qualify

2008

2008 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Rattlers 14 11 2 1 23 Won Final
Rutland Raiders 14 9 2 3 21 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Warriors 14 10 4 0 20 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 14 6 6 2 14 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Venom 14 4 7 3 11 Lost Quarter Final
South Okanagan Flames 14 2 11 1 5 Lost Quarter Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 14 2 12 0 4 Did not qualify

Note: - the West Kootenay Wolfpack was an exhibition team that played an uneven interlocking schedule against a few of the TOJLL teams. The Wolfpack lost all their games.

2007

2007 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Rattlers 15 12 3 0 24 Won Final
Rutland Raiders 15 9 5 1 19 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 15 8 5 2 18 Lost Semi Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 14 5 7 2 12 Lost Quarter Final
Kelowna Warriors 15 5 9 0 10 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 15 2 12 1 5 Lost Quarter Final

2006

2006 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Rattlers 15 13 1 1 27 Won Final
Rutland Raiders 15 10 3 2 22 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 15 8 4 3 19 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 15 4 10 1 9 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Warriors 15 2 9 4 8 Lost Quarter Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 15 1 11 3 5 Lost Quarter Final

2005

2005 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Kamloops Rattlers 18 15 2 1 31 Won Final
Rutland Raiders 18 14 4 0 28 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 18 10 7 1 21 Lost Semi Final
South Okanagan Flames 18 8 10 0 16 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Dragons 18 6 10 2 14 DNQ
Armstrong Shamrocks 18 6 11 1 13 DNQ
Kelowna Braves 18 1 16 1 3 DNQ

2004

2004 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Rutland Raiders 18 15 2 1 31 Lost Final
Vernon Tigers 18 14 3 1 29 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Rattlers 18 13 5 0 26 Won Final
Kelowna Dragons 18 9 8 1 19 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Braves 18 4 14 0 11 DNQ
Armstrong Shamrocks 18 3 14 1 7 DNQ
South Okanagan Flames 18 2 14 2 6 DNQ

2003

2003 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Vernon Tigers 18 16 2 0 32 Won Final
Kelowna Dragons 18 12 4 2 26 Lost Final
Rutland Raiders 18 11 6 1 23 Lost Semi Final
Kamloops Rattlers 18 6 11 1 13 Lost Semi Final
Armstrong Shamrocks 18 5 12 1 11 DNQ
Kelowna Braves 18 2 16 0 2 DNQ
South Okanagan Flames 18 1 17 0 1 DNQ

2002

2002 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
North Okanagan Tigers 18 15 3 0 36 Won Final
Rutland Raiders 18 11 7 0 30 Lost in Semi Final
Kelowna Dragons 18 8 9 1 17 Lost in Final
Kamloops Rattlers 18 5 11 2 12 Lost in Semi Final
Kelowna Braves 18 3 14 1 7 DNQ
South Okanagan Flames 18 1 17 0 2 DNQ

Note: - the Prince George Posse played the 18-game schedule as an exhibition team; they won all their games.

2001

2001 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
Rutland Raiders 15 12 1 2 26 Won Final
Kamloops Rattlers 15 8 5 2 18 Lost Semi Final
North Okanagan Tigers 15 8 6 1 17 Lost Final
Kelowna Braves 15 7 5 3 17 Lost Semi Final
Kelowna Dragons 15 4 9 2 10 DNQ
South Okanagan Flames 15 1 *14* 0 2 DNQ

Note: * * - forfeited 3 games

2000

2000 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League
Team GP W L T Pts Playoffs
North Okanagan Tigers 14 12 2 0 24 Lost Final
Kelowna Braves 14 7 6 1 15 Unknown
Kelowna Dragons 15 6 7 2 14 Unknown
Rutland Raiders 15 6 8 1 13* Won Final
Kamloops Rattlers 15 6 8 1 13 Unknown
South Okanagan Flames 15 2 12 1 5 Unknown

Note: * lost points due to ineligible player

Playoff Recaps

2001

The 2001 League Champions were the Rutland Raiders (12-1-2), defeating the Kelowna Braves (7-5-3) in the semi-finals, two games to zero. The Raiders met the North Okanagan Tigers (8-6-10) in the final and defeated them three games to two. The Tigers beat the Kamloops Rattlers two games to zero in the other semi-final.

2002

For the league playoffs of 2002, the North Okanagan Tigers (15-3-0) defeated the Kamloops Rattlers (5-11-2) in the semi-finals, in two games. The Tigers then met up with the Kelowna Dragons (8-9-1) in the final. The Dragons defeated the Rutland Raiders (11-7-0), in a very close two game sweep, in the semi-final. The North Okanagan Tigers defeated the Kelowna Dragons in three games to claim the League Championship.

2003

In 2003, the Vernon Tigers (16-2-0) became TOJLL Champions for the second time by defeating the Kelowna Dragons (12-4-2) in the championship final by a three-game sweep. The Tigers defeated the Kamloops Rattlers 2-0 in the semi-final. In the other semi-final, the Kelowna Dragons defeated the Rutland Raiders 2-1, in a best-of-three.

2004

In the League playoffs of 2004, the Kamloops Rattlers (13-5-0) defeated the Rutland Raiders (16-2-1), three games to two, to claim the TOJLL Championship. They eliminated the Vernon Tigers (14-3-1) in a semi-final match-up, two games to one. To get to the final, the Rutland Raiders defeated the Kelowna Dragons in a two game sweep.

2005

In 2005, the Kamloops Rattlers (15-2-1) would become the second team to win back-to-back championships. The Rattlers earned a championship final playoff berth by defeating the South Okanagan Flames (8-10-0) in a two-game sweep. They met up with the Rutland Raiders (14-4-0), who previously defeated the Vernon Tigers (10-7-1), in the 2005 TOJLL Championship series. The Rattlers completely demolished the Raiders in that final series, winning in a three game sweep, with a combined score of 47-18.

2006

The 2006 season playoffs would prove to be unique for the league as the Kamloops Rattlers (13-1-1) would win a third consecutive League Championship. In the playoff quarter-finals best-of-three, the Vernon Tigers (8-4-3) defeated the Armstrong Shamrocks (1-11-3) and the Kelowna Warriors (2-9-4) defeated the South Okanagan Flames (4-10-1) in two-game sweeps. For the semi-finals, the Kamloops Rattlers defeated the Kelowna Warriors (2-9-4) in two games. In the other semi-final, the Rutland Raiders (10-3-2) won the first game against the Vernon Tigers 11-6. The Tigers would win the second game, 11-8, but had to forfeit due to an ineligible player ruling. The 2006 TOJLL Championship final series between the Kamloops Rattlers and Rutland Raiders would go the distance, best-of-five, and the Rattlers prevailed. In the Provincials, the Kamloops Rattlers garnered a Bronze Medal for the TOJLL, with a 10-8 win over the Westshore Bears.

2007

The format was the same in 2007, and the end result was also the same. For an unprecedented fourth time, the Kamloops Rattlers (12-3-0) emerged as league champions. The Rattlers previously defeated the Kelowna Warriors (5-9) in semi-final action and the Rutland Raiders (9-5-1) in the finals. In the other playoff series, the Vernon Tigers (8-5-2) defeated the South Okanagan Flames (2-12-1) and then lost to the Raiders. The Armstrong Shamrocks (5-7-2) lost to the Kelowna Warriors. The Shamrocks and Warriors only played fourteen regular season games, as a game that had to be cancelled earlier in the season was never played.

2008

The 2008 league champions, the Kamloops Rattlers, earned a Silver Medal at the Provincials. In round robin play they went 3-1, which secured second place. In the Gold Medal game against the Coquitlam Adanacs, the score was 8-4. The Rattlers (11-2-1) finished first overall in the TOJLL and, along with the Rutland Raiders (9-2-3), received a first-round playoff bye. In the second round, the Rattlers met up with the Vernon Tigers(6-6-2), and defeated them 2 games to 1. Previously the Tigers defeated the Kelowna Venom (4-7-3), 2 games to 1. The Raiders, meanwhile, faced the Kelowna Warriors (10-4-0), with the Warriors pulling off an upset come-from-behind series win, 2 games to 1. The Warriors advanced from the first round and defeated the South Okanagan Flames (2-11-1) 2 games to 0. For their fifth consecutive TOJLL Championship, the Kamloops Rattlers defeated the Kelowna Warriors 3 games to 0.

2009

The 2009 league champions, the Vernon Tigers, garnered a Silver Medal at the Provincials. In round robin play, their record was three wins with one loss, which secured second place. In the Gold Medal game against the Port Moody Thunder the score ended up nine to five. The Tigers (8-4-2) placed third in league play and in the league final, against the Kamloops Venom (8-3-3), and won three games to two. The Tigers were down in the series two games to none. Vernon reached the final by having previously defeated the Rutland Raiders (4-9-1) in the Quarter Finals, two games to zero, and the South Okanagan Flames (8-3-3) in the Semi Finals, two games to zero. Kamloops earned their trip to the league final by defeating their crosstown rival Kamloops Ratters (7-4-3) in quarter final action, two games to one, and the Kelowna Warriors (8-3-3) in the semi finals, two games to one. The Kelowna Warriors (8-3-3) and the South Okanagan Flames (8-3-3) received a first-round playoff bye for being ranked first and second, respectively, in regular season play.

2010

In 2010, the Kamloops Venom won the league's first Provincial Championship with a six to four win over the Westshore Bears (PNWJLL). During the provincial round-robin, the Venom went two wins with one loss, good for first place, to earn entry into the Gold Medal game. The Venom (11-2-1) entered the Provincials by defeating the first place Vernon Tigers (12-1-1), three games to one, for the TOJLL Championship. The Venom had previously defeated the Kelowna Warriors (8-3-3) in a semi final series, two game to zero. In the other semi final it was the Tigers over the Kamloops Ratters (6-8-0), two games to none. The Warriors defeat the Rutland Raiders (3-9-2) in two games in the quarter finals, and the Rattlers beat the Armstrong Shamrocks (4-9-1) in two games. After game four, which the Venom won 5-4 in overtime, the Vernon Tigers submitted a formal protest to the BCLA, citing an ineligible player on the Venoms roster. The BCLA ruled in favor of the Tigers, giving them the win for game four and scheduling a game five. The TOJLL Commissioner then protested the BCLAs ruling, stating that he gave the Venom permission to use this player (the Rattlers' starting goalie) only in an emergency situation. His protest was denied. The Venom submitted an official protest on the BCLA ruling, and a decision was handed down just hours prior to the start of game five, in favor of the Kamloops Venom.

2011

The leagues 2011 Champions, the Kelowna Raiders, garned a silver medal at the Provincials. The Raiders record in the round-robin was 2-1, lossing only to the Port Moody Thunder but, earning a spot in the Finals. The Raiders would once again meet Port Moody in the final, lossing by a score of 15-8. In the TOJLL playoffs the Kamloops Venom and the Kamloops Rattlers squared off in a quarter final best-of-three match, with the Venom defeating the Rattlers 2-0. In the other quarter final it was the Vernon Tigers squeeking by the South Okanagan Flames 2-0. Semi Final action saw the Tigers take on the Raiders lossing the best-of-five, 3-0 and the Venom defeat the Armstrong Shamrocks by the same 3-0. The Finals went the distance as the Raiders got past the Venom 3-2.

2012

The TOJLL playoffs were capped with a provincial championship as the Kamloops Venom garnered the leagues 2nd title. The Venom going 3-0 in the preliminary rounds, thus earning a bye to the final, defeated the Delta Islanders 6-3 in the Gold Medal Game. The Kamloops Venom (13-1-1, 1st) soundly defeated the South Okanagan Flames (4-9-2, 4th) in the first two games of the best-of-five TOJLL semi-finals by scores of 14-7 and 16-5. South Ok. being short players during the playoffs forfeited game three, giving the Venom the series. In the other series it was the Vernon Tigers (8-6-2, 2nd) defeating the Armstrong Shamrocks (6-8-2, 3rd) in four games. The TOJLL final would also only go to four games as the Kamloops Venom defeated the Vernon Tigers.

2013

The Vernon Tigers (12-1-3, 2nd) defeated the Armstrong Shamrocks (4-3-9, 3rd) in the best-of-five TOJLL semi-finals, 3-0. In the other series, it was the Kamloops Venom (5-1-10, 4th) upsetting the Kelowna Raiders (12-1-3, 1st) in four games. The TOJLL final would also go to four games as the Vernon Tigers defeated the Kamloops Venom. In the BC Junior B Provincials the Vernon Tigers failed to win a single game. The Tigers lost to the PNWJLL, Saanich Tigers, 21-15, the WCJLL, Delta Islanders, 13-2 and the WCJLL hosts, Burnaby Lakers, 11-9, during round-robin play. The Bronze Medal Game featured the, third place, Delta Islanders versus the fourth place, Vernon Tigers, which the Islanders won 13-9.[18]

Champions

2014 Vernon Tigers
2013 Vernon Tigers
2012 Kamloops Venom
2011 Kelowna Raiders
2010 Kamloops Venom
2009 Vernon Tigers
2008 Kamloops Rattlers
2007 Kamloops Rattlers
2006 Kamloops Rattlers
2005 Kamloops Rattlers
2004 Kamloops Rattlers
2003 Vernon Tigers
2002 North Okanagan Tigers
2001 Rutland Raiders
2000 Rutland Raiders

Former Member Teams

Kelowna Braves: 2000 - 2005, merged with Kelowna Dragons; formed the Kelowna Warriors
Kelowna Dragons: 2000 - 2005, merged with Kelowna Braves; formed the Kelowna Warriors
Kelowna Warriors : 2006-2010, merged with Rutland Raiders, formed the Kelowna Raiders
Rutland Raiders: 2000-2010, merged with Kelowna Warriors, formed the Kelowna Raiders
Kamloops Rattlers : 2000-2011, folded

References

  1. ↑ http://www.kelownacapnews.com/sports/204511281.html
  2. ↑ http://www.kelownacapnews.com/sports/204511281.html
  3. ↑ http://www.kelownacapnews.com/sports/204511281.html
  4. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2001/2001tojllseason.pdf
  5. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2002/2002tojllseason.pdf
  6. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2003/2003tojllseason.pdf
  7. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2003/2003provincials.pdf
  8. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2004/2004provincials.pdf
  9. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2005/2005provincials.pdf
  10. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2006/2006tojllseason.pdf
  11. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2006/2006tojllseason.pdf
  12. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2009/2009provincials.pdf
  13. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2010/2010provincials.pdf
  14. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2011/2011tojllseason.pdf
  15. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2012/2012tojllseason.pdf
  16. ↑ http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120507/KAMLOOPS0201/120509845/-1/kamloops/venom-hopes-tojll-issue-is-finally-resolved
  17. ↑ http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/archives/2013/2013provincials.pdf
  18. ↑ http://wcjll.teamopolis.com/league/division_info.aspx?SeasonID=9715&DivisionID=18207&DisplayType=2&EventTypeID=63549

External links