Durham West Jr. Lightning
The Durham West Jr. Lightning are a Canadian women's junior ice hockey team based in Ajax, Ontario. They are members of the Ontario Women's Hockey League.
| Durham West Jr. Lightning | |
|---|---|
| City | Ajax, Ontario, Canada |
| League | Ontario Women's Hockey League |
| Founded | 2004 (OWHL franchise) |
| Home arena | Ajax Community Centre |
| Colours | Black, Blue, Silver, and White |
| General manager | Paul Gee |
| Head coach | Dave Gwyn |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 3 (2015–16, 2021–22, 2022–23) |
| League champions | 2 (2021–22, 2023–24) |
| Provincial champions (since 2004) | 2 (2012–13, 2022–23) |
History
In the 2005–06 season, Jenn Wakefield led the Lightning to a bronze medal in league playdowns and a silver medal at OWHA Provincials, setting a then-league record for most goals in a single season with 31 goals in 27 games. The next season, Wakefield's record was surpassed by forward Natalie Spooner's 32 goals,[1] as the Lightning made a run to the finals, losing to the Toronto Jr. Aeros.
In 2013, after losing in the quarterfinals of the league playoffs, the Lightning won their first ever provincial championship, defeating the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres 3–1 in the semifinals and the Mississauga Jr. Chiefs 3–2 in the finals..[2]
Season-by-season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs | OWHA's |
| 2004-05 | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | - | 85 | 61 | 34 | 5th PWHL | Lost in Round Robin | Lost in Round Robin |
| 2005-06 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | - | 115 | 80 | 40 | 4th PWHL | Won Bronze (Markham-Stouffville) | Won Silver (Toronto) |
| 2006-07 | 32 | 20 | 6 | 6 | - | 103 | 67 | 46 | 2nd PWHL | Lost final (Toronto) | Lost Bronze (Mississauga) |
| 2007-08 | 31 | 17 | 10 | 4 | - | 132 | 86 | 38 | 5th PWHL | Lost Bronze (Mississauga) | Lost preliminary (Hamilton) |
| 2008-09 | 34 | 19 | 10 | 5 | - | 126 | 93 | 43 | 6th PWHL | Lost Bronze (Bluewater) | Lost Bronze (Toronto) |
| 2009-10 | 34 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 167 | 4 | 18th PWHL | Did not qualify | Lost in Round Robin |
| 2010-11 | 36 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 73 | 80 | 35 | 12th PWHL | Lost quarter-final (Mississauga) | Lost preliminary (Mississauga) |
| 2011-12 | 34 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 87 | 65 | 43 | 9th PWHL | Lost First Round (Bluewater) | Lost preliminary (Whitby) |
| 2012-13 | 38 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 118 | 53 | 59 | 3rd PWHL | Lost quarter-final (London) | Won Gold (Mississauga) |
| 2013-14 | 38 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 108 | 66 | 58 | 5th PWHL | Lost quarter-final (Toronto) | Lost Bronze (Nepean) |
| 2014-15 | 38 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 87 | 61 | 45 | 9th PWHL |
Notable alumni
denotes senior national team alumnus
- Kennedy Marchment[3] – Linköping HC, HV71, Connecticut Whale, PWHL Montreal
- Natalie Spooner[4] – Mississauga Chiefs, Toronto Fury, PWHL Toronto
- Saroya Tinker[5] – Metropolitan Riveters, Toronto Six
- Jenn Wakefield[6] – Toronto Furies, Linköping HC, Borås HC (Men's), Luleå HF/MSSK, Brynäs IF, Djurgårdens IF, Modo Hockey
- Tara Watchorn[7] – Alberta Honeybadgers, Boston Blades
References
- "PWHL Single Season Records | Provincial Women's Hockey League". www.pointstreaksites.com.
- Kelly, Brad (April 16, 2013). "Durham West Junior Lightning win provincial title". DurhamRegion.com.
- Kelly, Brad (January 23, 2013). "Durham West Jr. Lightning welcome back Kennedy Marchment". DurhamRegion.com. Oshawa This Week. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- Week, Oshawa This (September 10, 2008). "Two Pickering women invited to national team camp". DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- Impaglia, Sam (26 February 2021). "Riveters' Saroya Tinker Is Dedicated and Wants to Grow the Sport". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- Week, Oshawa This (October 16, 2012). "Pickering's Jennifer Wakefield named to national hockey team". DurhamRegion.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- "Tara Watchorn". Boston University Athletics. Retrieved May 23, 2024.