Nanaimo Clippers

Canadian junior ice hockey team founded 1972

Nanaimo Clippers

City| Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
League| British Columbia Hockey League
Division| Island
Founded| 1972 (1972)–73 by Cliff McNabb
Home arena| Frank Crane Arena
Colours| Orange, silver, black, white

Head coach| Colin Birkas
Website| www.nanaimoclippers.com
Franchise history
1972–1982| Nanaimo Clippers
1982–1983| Esquimalt Buccaneers
1983–present| Nanaimo Clippers

The Nanaimo Clippers are a junior ice hockey team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Island Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Frank Crane Arena.

## Franchise history

[edit]

The original owner, Cliff McNabb, drew inspiration for the name from the local teams of the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association who prior to 1972 as well as after, were known as the Clippers. The Nanaimo Clippers won the league championship in the 1976 playoffs but lost by default for the Mowat Cup (Provincial Championship). The Clippers were once again league champions in 1978 when the Penticton Vees refused to play the balance of the series (citing rough play – the series stood at 2 games to 1). The Merritt Centennials were earlier chosen to represent the league for the 1978 CAHA Championships. The Nanaimo Clippers folded after the 1982 season, but were started up again before the 1983 season as the Esquimalt Buccaneers. The franchise was moved to Nanaimo early in the 1983 season, playing at the Nanaimo Civic Arena, and renamed the team the Nanaimo Clippers.

In 1998, the Clippers hosted the Royal Bank Cup getting three wins and a loss in round-robin play. The Clippers entered the semi-finals as the second seed behind the South Surrey Eagles also of the BCHL. The Weyburn Red Wings were the Clippers' opponent in the semi-final and defeated them by a score of 4–1, South Surrey went on to win the National Championship.

On March 13, 2004, with 80 seconds left in the third period and the score tied 3–3 in game seven during the first round of the playoffs against Powell River Kings, the Powell River goalie left his crease and froze the puck for a whistle. Under league rules, the goalie was guilty of delay of game. But instead of calling a two-minute penalty, the referee incorrectly awarded a penalty shot. Nanaimo scored and won the game, 4–3. Powell River protested and league officials agreed to cover all costs for fixing the mistake. The Kings went back to Nanaimo on March 16 to replay the final 1:20 of the third period, with the score tied at 3–3. Powell River started a man short for the delay-of-game penalty but neither team scored in regulation. Just 54 seconds into overtime, Nanaimo captain Michael Olson scored the game-winning goal. The Clippers went on to beat Chilliwack 3–1 in a best-of-five series, Surrey 4–0 in a best-of-seven semifinal and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4–1 in the best-of-seven championship final. After taking the BCHL Championship, the Clippers went on to oust the Grande Prairie Storm for the Doyle Cup, earning themselves a berth in the Royal Bank Cup.

On April 16, 2007, the Clippers won the Fred Page Cup by defeating the Vernon Vipers three to two in game six of the BCHL finals. The winning goal was scored by Tyler Mazzei with 36 seconds remaining in the third period at the Vernon Multiplex.

In March 2017, the Nanaimo city council approved a referendum for the construction of a $88 million arena to help solidify a potential Western Hockey League team, either by relocation or expansion, possibly forcing the Clippers to either relocate to another market or fold. The referendum was on March 11 and was rejected by 80% of those voting. The team was purchased by Vancouver-based lawyer Wesley Mussio in 2017.

## Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | PIM | Finish | Playoffs

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1972–73 | 62 | 31 | 30 | 1 | — | 352 | 335 | 63 |  | 1st, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Bruins)
1973–74 | 64 | 21 | 41 | 2 | — | 243 | 321 | 44 |  | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Lords)
1974–75 | 66 | 21 | 45 | 0 | — | 303 | 385 | 42 |  | 4th, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Blazers)
1975–76 | 66 | 41 | 21 | 4 | — | 384 | 279 | 89 |  | 2nd, BCJHL | Fred Page Cup Champions (Vees)
1976–77 | 68 | 46 | 19 | 3 | — | 403 | 323 | 95 |  | 1st, Coastal | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–2 (Vees)
1977–78 | 66 | 41 | 23 | 2 | — | 392 | 324 | 84 | 2251 | 1st, Coastal | Fred Page Cup Champions (Vees)
1978–79 | 62 | 33 | 26 | 3 | — | 367 | 346 | 69 | 1625 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 0–4 (Blazers)
1979–80 | 66 | 41 | 24 | 1 | — | 433 | 346 | 83 |  | 2nd, Coastal | Lost finals, 3–4 (Knights)
1980–81 | 44 | 33 | 10 | 1 | — | 307 | 200 | 67 | 1417 | 1st, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals
1981–82 | 48 | 12 | 36 | 0 | — | 232 | 347 | 24 |  | 6th, Coastal | did not qualify
1982–83 | 56 | 30 | 25 | 1 | — | 309 | 314 | 61 | 2420 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Royals)
1983–84 | 50 | 30 | 19 | 1 | — | 303 | 256 | 61 |  | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Eagles)
1984–85 | 52 | 21 | 31 | 0 | — | 328 | 367 | 42 |  | 5th, Coastal | did not qualify
1985–86 | 52 | 25 | 26 | 1 | — | 305 | 337 | 51 |  | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Flyers)
1986–87 | 52 | 24 | 27 | 1 | — | 276 | 292 | 49 |  | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Sockeyes)
1987–88 | 52 | 28 | 20 | 4 | — | 277 | 252 | 60 |  | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Flyers)
1988–89 | 60 | 32 | 25 | 3 | — | 309 | 312 | 67 | 2931 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Paper Kings)
1989–90 | 60 | 38 | 21 | 1 | — | 381 | 314 | 77 | 2326 | 2nd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Royals)
1990–91 | 60 | 25 | 32 | 3 | — | 307 | 342 | 53 |  | 3rd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings)
1991–92 | 60 | 27 | 30 | 3 | — | 319 | 309 | 57 | 3059 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 2–4 (Ice Hawks)
1992–93 | 60 | 29 | 29 | 2 | — | 320 | 326 | 60 | 1738 | 3rd, Coastal | Lost semifinals, 3–4 (Paper Kings)
1993–94 | 60 | 21 | 36 | 3 | — | 270 | 351 | 45 |  | 4th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings)
1994–95 | 60 | 25 | 33 | 2 | — | 280 | 330 | 52 |  | 3rd, Coastal | Lost preliminary, 0–2 (Eagles)
1995–96 | 60 | 30 | 25 | 5 | — | 251 | 236 | 65 | 1284 | 3rd, Island | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Vipers)
1996–97 | 60 | 34 | 22 | 4 | — | 263 | 243 | 72 |  | 2nd, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Paper Kings)
1997–98 | 60 | 30 | 29 | 1 | — | 215 | 223 | 61 |  | 5th, Coastal | Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Eagles)
1998–99 | 60 | 37 | 21 | — | 2 | 298 | 229 | 76 |  | 1st, Coastal | Lost Division Quarterfinals, 0–3 (Salsa)
1999–00 | 60 | 28 | 21 | — | 11 | 202 | 218 | 67 |  | 3rd, Coastal | Lost Conference Semifinals, 2–4 (Chiefs)
2000–01 | 60 | 31 | 25 | — | 4 | 221 | 216 | 66 | 1673 | 1st, Island | Lost preliminary, 3–4 (Salsa)
2001–02 | 60 | 41 | 17 | — | 2 | 262 | 215 | 84 |  | 1st, Island | Lost semifinals, 1–4 (Chiefs)
2002–03 | 60 | 41 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 267 | 196 | 85 |  | 1st, Island | Lost quarterfinals, 0–3 (Eagles)
2003–04 | 60 | 37 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 256 | 161 | 82 | 2131 | 2nd, Island | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–1 (Silverbacks)
Doyle Cup Champions
2004–05 | 60 | 48 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 240 | 142 | 99 |  | 1st in League | Lost semifinals
2005–06 | 60 | 44 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 255 | 160 | 92 |  | 1st in League | Lost quarterfinals
2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 287 | 187 | 89 |  | 1st in League | Won Fred Page Cup
2007–08 | 60 | 42 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 249 | 155 | 88 |  | 1st in League | Lost in Finals
2008–09 | 60 | 28 | 24 | 2 | 6 | 186 | 193 | 64 |  | 9th BCHL | Lost in First Round
2009–10 | 60 | 24 | 25 | 1 | 10 | 197 | 204 | 59 |  | 10th BCHL | Lost in Quarterfinals
2010–11 | 60 | 29 | 23 | 1 | 7 | 203 | 205 | 66 |  | 5th, Coastal | Lost Division Quarterfinals
2011–12 | 60 | 26 | 25 | 0 | 9 | 186 | 193 | 61 |  | 10th BCHL | did not qualify
2012–13 | 56 | 32 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 182 | 167 | 68 |  | 2nd, Island | Lost Division Semifinals
2013–14 | 58 | 27 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 176 | 172 | 57 |  | 3rd, Island | Lost Division Semifinals
2014–15 | 58 | 37 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 235 | 167 | 79 |  | 1st of 5, Island
2nd of 16, BCHL | Won, Div. Semifinals, 4–3 (Bulldogs)
Won, Div. Finals, 4–3 (Kings)
2nd of 3 Mini Series, advanced
Lost League Finals, 2–4 (Vees)
2015–16 | 58 | 38 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 235 | 186 | 78 |  | 1st of 5, Island
4th of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 (Bulldogs)
Won Div. Finals, 4–0 (Kings)
3rd of 3 Mini Series, eliminated
2016–17 | 58 | 23 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 146 | 199 | 53 |  | 4th of 5, Island
14th of 17, BCHL | Lost div. semi-finals, 1–4 (Grizzlies)
2017–18 | 58 | 32 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 198 | 177 | 70 |  | 2nd of 5, Island
6th of 17, BCHL | Lost div. semi-finals, 2–4 (Kings)
2018–19 | 58 | 27 | 30 | — | 1 | 180 | 213 | 55 | 750 | 3rd of 5, Island
14th of 17, BCHL | Lost First Round, 1–4 (Kings)
2019–20 | 58 | 37 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 183 | 134 | 78 | 772 | 1st of 5, Island
3rd of 17, BCHL | Won First Round, 4–0 (Bulldogs)
Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 | 20 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 82 | 17 | 255 | 3rd of 4, Alberni Val. Pod
11th of 16, BCHL | Covid-19 "pod season" - no playoffs
2021–22 | 54 | 33 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 210 | 172 | 70 | 583 | 3rd of 9, Coastal
6th of 18, BCHL | Won Div Quarterfinal, 4–0 (Eagles)
Won Div. Semifinal, 4-0 (Chiefs)
Won Div. Finals 4-0, (Rivermen)
Lost League Finals 0-4 (Vees)
2022–23 | Results not recorded
2023–24 | Results not recorded
2024–25 | 54 | 29 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 198 | 184 | 62 | 549 | 6th of 10, Coastal
12th of 21, BCHL | Lost Div Quarterfinal, 1-4 (Cowichan Valley Capitals)

## NHL alumni

[edit]

* Greg C. Adams
* Byron Bitz
* Mel Bridgman
* Dylan Coghlan
* Paul Cyr
* Tony Feltrin
* Wade Flaherty
* Jason Garrison
* Tanner Glass
* Colin Greening
* Al Hill
* Matt Irwin
* Steve Kariya
* Terry Kleisinger
* Rick Lapointe
* David LeNeveu
* Gary Lupul
* John Newberry
* Ryan O'Byrne
* Barry Pederson
* Ken Priestlay
* Sheldon Rempal
* Geordie Robertson
* Torrie Robertson
* Mark Rycroft
* Raymond Sawada

## See also

[edit]

* List of ice hockey teams in British Columbia

## References

[edit]

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

British Columbia Hockey League

Interior conference|

| East division|

* Blackfalds Bulldogs
* Brooks Bandits
* Cranbrook Bucks
* Okotoks Oilers
* Sherwood Park Crusaders
* Spruce Grove Saints

|

West division|

* Salmon Arm Silverbacks
* Trail Smoke Eaters
* Vernon Vipers
* West Kelowna Warriors

Coastal conference|

| East division|

* Chilliwack Chiefs
* Coquitlam Express
* Langley Rivermen
* Prince George Spruce Kings
* Surrey Eagles

|

West division|

* Alberni Valley Bulldogs
* Cowichan Valley Capitals
* Nanaimo Clippers
* Powell River Kings
* Victoria Grizzlies

History|

| Seasons|

* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

|

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in British Columbia

Baseball|

* NWL: Vancouver Canadians
* WCL: Kamloops NorthPaws
* Kelowna Falcons
* Nanaimo NightOwls
* Victoria HarbourCats

Basketball|

* CEBL: Vancouver Bandits

Esports|

* CDL: Vancouver Surge

Football|

* CFL: BC Lions
* CJFL: Kamloops Broncos
* Langley Rams
* Okanagan Sun
* Prince George Kodiaks
* Valley Huskers
* Vancouver Island Raiders
* Westshore Rebels

Ice hockey|

* NHL: Vancouver Canucks
* PWHL: PWHL Vancouver
* AHL: Abbotsford Canucks
* WHL: Kamloops Blazers
* Kelowna Rockets
* Penticton Vees
* Prince George Cougars
* Vancouver Giants
* Victoria Royals
* BCHL: Alberni Valley Bulldogs
* Blackfalds Bulldogs
* Brooks Bandits
* Chilliwack Chiefs
* Coquitlam Express
* Cowichan Valley Capitals
* Cranbrook Bucks
* Langley Rivermen
* Okotoks Oilers
* Nanaimo Clippers
* Powell River Kings
* Prince George Spruce Kings
* Salmon Arm Silverbacks
* Sherwood Park Crusaders
* Spruce Grove Saints
* Surrey Eagles
* Trail Smoke Eaters
* Vernon Vipers
* Victoria Grizzlies
* West Kelowna Warriors

Other junior leagues
KIJHL
PJHL
VIJHL

Lacrosse|

* NLL: Vancouver Warriors
* WLA: Burnaby Lakers
* Coquitlam Adanacs
* Langley Thunder
* Maple Ridge Burrards
* Nanaimo Timbermen
* New Westminster Salmonbellies
* Victoria Shamrocks
* BCJALL: Burnaby Lakers

Soccer|

* MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
* NSL: Vancouver Rise FC
* MLS Next Pro: Whitecaps FC 2
* CPL: Pacific FC
* Vancouver FC
* L1BC: Altitude FC
* Burnaby FC
* Harbourside FC
* Kamloops United FC
* Langley United
* TSS FC Rovers
* Unity FC
* Vancouver Whitecaps Academy
* PCSL: Victoria United
* MLS Next: Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency

Rugby league|

BCRL
Abbotsford Griffins
BC Bulldogs
Capilano Cougars
Valley Warriors
Vancouver Dragons

Rugby union|

* RCNJC: Fraser Valley Venom
* Vancouver Island Rising Tide
* Vancouver Wave
* NWL: British Columbia
* BC U23
* BC U20

Ringette|

* NRL: BC Thunder

Roller derby|

* WFTDA: Terminal City Rollergirls

University
athletics|

* U Sports: UFV Cascades (CWUAA)
* TRU WolfPack (CWUAA)
* Trinity Western Spartans (CWUAA)
* UBC Thunderbirds (CWUAA/AII)
* UBC Okanagan Heat (CWUAA)
* UNBC Timberwolves (CWUAA)
* Victoria Vikes (CWUAA/AII)
* NCAA D-II: Simon Fraser Red Leafs (GNAC)
* CCAA: Camosun Chargers (PacWest)
* Capilano Blues (PacWest)
* CBC Bearcats (PacWest)
* Douglas Royals (PacWest)
* Langara Falcons (PacWest)
* Okanagan Coyotes (PacWest)
* Rockies Avalanche (PacWest)
* VIU Mariners (PacWest)

Defunct teams|

* NBA: Vancouver Grizzlies
* NLL: Vancouver Ravens
* PDL: Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
* LFL: BC Angels
* AHL: Abbotsford Heat
* L1BC: Nautsaʼmawt FC
* Victoria Highlanders FC
* OWL: Vancouver Titans

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