Cornwall Colts
The Cornwall Colts are a Junior ice hockey team based in Cornwall, Ontario. The Colts compete in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) as a member of the East (Yzerman) Division. The team plays its home games at the Cornwall Civic Complex, an arena which was previously the home of five different hockey franchises, such was the Cornwall Royals, Cornwall Aces, Cornwall Comets, the Cornwall River Kings as well as the Cornwall Nationals. They are the first Junior A hockey team in Cornwall; the others were either major junior or minor professional teams. Founded in 1988, the Colts were known as the Massena Americans, and moved to Cornwall in 1992 when the Cornwall Royals were sold and moved away from the city.
| Cornwall Colts | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Cornwall, Ontario |
| League | Central Canada Hockey League |
| Division | East Division |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Home arena | Cornwall Civic Complex |
| Colours | Blue Red |
| General manager | Ian MacInnis |
| Head coach | Grant Cooper |
| Media | FloSports |
| Franchise history | |
| 1988–1990 | Massena Turbines |
| 1990–1992 | Massena Americans |
| 1992–present | Cornwall Colts |
The Cornwall Colts are a Junior ice hockey team based in Cornwall, Ontario. The Colts compete in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) as a member of the East (Yzerman) Division. The team plays its home games at the Cornwall Civic Complex, an arena which was previously the home of five different hockey franchises, such was the Cornwall Royals, Cornwall Aces, Cornwall Comets, the Cornwall River Kings as well as the Cornwall Nationals. They are the first Junior A hockey team in Cornwall; the others were either major junior or minor professional teams.
Founded in 1988, the Colts were known as the Massena Americans, and moved to Cornwall in 1992 when the Cornwall Royals were sold and moved away from the city.
Championship era
[edit]The Cornwall Colts quickly became CJHL powerhouses winning Art Bogart Cups in 1995 and 1996. The 1996 final between the Gloucester Rangers was played at the Cornwall Civic Complex. A sold-out crowd of over 4,000 people watched the Cornwall Colts defeat the Gloucester Rangers 4–3 in Game 7. In 1998, the Cornwall Colts were swept 4 games to 0 by the Brockville Braves. Cornwall went on to claim the Art Bogart Cup over the Brockville Braves two years later, and went on to defeat the Halifax Oland Exports to win the Fred Page Cup. Despite going win-less at the Royal Bank Cup in Fort McMurray, Alberta, the entire City of Cornwall stood right behind the Colts every step of the way. The Colts would continue their winning ways in 2000–01 as the Colts whitewashed the Ottawa Junior Senators 7–0 in Game 7 at the Si Miller Arena on Water Street. But, suffered a heart-breaking overtime loss to the St. Jerome Panthers in the final game of the Fred Page Cup.
2003 Fred Page Cup
[edit]The Cornwall Colts and the City of Cornwall was awarded the Fred Page Cup for 2003. The tournament was originally awarded to the Ottawa Junior Senators, but backed out due to arena trouble and accommodations. The tournament was played in the Cornwall Civic Complex, instead of the SI Millar Arena, because it was too small. The tournament was a success, despite that the Colts bowed out in the semi-finals with a double-overtime loss to the Nepean Raiders.
2008 Royal Bank Cup
[edit]In fall 2005, the City of Cornwall and the Cornwall Colts were awarded Canada's most prestigious Junior A hockey tournament for 2008. The runner-up for the tournament were the Pembroke Lumber Kings. For the 2007–08 season, the Cornwall Colts shifted over to the Cornwall Civic Complex and left the Si Miller Arena for good. The Colts now had the biggest arena in the league, despite that attendance figures were surprisingly low. The Colts finished 6th and lost the quarter-finals. The Colts rested for several weeks and entered the tournament with expectations of winning the Royal Bank Cup. But, a 7–0 loss to the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL in the opening contest wasn't the start they were looking for. The Colts managed to win the next two games against the Oakville Blades (5-4) and Weeks Crushers (6-1), but lost in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Humboldt Broncos. Captain Darcy Findlay received the RBC most valuable player award for the tournament.
Arena
[edit]The Ed Lumley Arena in the Cornwall Civic Complex became the permanent home for the Cornwall Colts in 2007. Before, the Colts played their home games at the now-demolished Si Miller Arena. The Cornwall Colts played their games at the Cornwall Civic Complex since 1992, but moved into the Si Miller in 1997. The Cornwall Civic Complex was used to host the 2003 and 2015 Fred Page Cup tournaments. In 2025 Colts' home games were played at the Benson Centre during renovations of the Ed Lumley Arena.[1]
Season-by-season record
[edit]Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1988-89 | 56 | 14 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 337 | 29 | 8th CJHL | |
| 1989-90 | 56 | 14 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 217 | 355 | 34 | 9th CJHL | |
| 1990-91 | 53 | 15 | 33 | 2 | 3 | 225 | 331 | 35 | 7th CJHL | |
| 1991-92 | 57 | 16 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 269 | 362 | 35 | 7th CJHL | |
| 1992-93 | 57 | 33 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 343 | 304 | 75 | 3rd CJHL | |
| 1993-94 | 57 | 25 | 25 | 4 | 3 | 304 | 311 | 57 | 8th CJHL | |
| 1994-95 | 54 | 37 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 285 | 211 | 79 | 1st CJHL | Won League |
| 1995-96 | 54 | 45 | 6 | 3 | - | 348 | 214 | 93 | 1st CJHL | Won League |
| 1996-97 | 54 | 28 | 23 | 3 | - | 217 | 202 | 59 | 5th CJHL | |
| 1997-98 | 56 | 29 | 17 | 10 | 8 | 225 | 183 | 76 | 1st CJHL-R | |
| 1998-99 | 54 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 227 | 201 | 66 | 2nd CJHL-R | |
| 1999-00 | 56 | 45 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 306 | 183 | 91 | 1st CJHL-R | Won League, won FPC |
| 2000-01 | 55 | 42 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 324 | 189 | 88 | 1st CJHL-R | Won League |
| 2001-02 | 55 | 46 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 347 | 173 | 94 | 1st CJHL-R | Lost final |
| 2002-03 | 55 | 31 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 275 | 194 | 74 | 2nd CJHL-R | Lost quarter-final |
| 2003-04 | 55 | 33 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 256 | 173 | 72 | 2nd CJHL-R | Lost semi-final |
| 2004-05 | 57 | 34 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 238 | 186 | 74 | 1st CJHL-R | Lost semi-final |
| 2005-06 | 57 | 26 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 236 | 233 | 59 | 3rd CJHL-R | Lost semi-final |
| 2006-07 | 55 | 15 | 32 | 5 | 3 | 154 | 215 | 38 | 4th CJHL-R | Did not Qualify |
| 2007-08 | 60 | 31 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 211 | 207 | 67 | 6th CJHL | |
| 2008-09 | 60 | 30 | 29 | - | 1 | 188 | 215 | 61 | 7th CJHL | |
| 2009-10 | 62 | 41 | 16 | - | 5 | 242 | 171 | 87 | 3rd CJHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2010-11 | 62 | 48 | 13 | - | 1 | 257 | 140 | 97 | 2nd CCHL | Lost final |
| 2011-12 | 62 | 43 | 13 | - | 6 | 238 | 155 | 92 | 2nd CCHL | Lost final |
| 2012-13 | 62 | 36 | 17 | - | 9 | 250 | 196 | 81 | 3rd CCHL | Won League |
| 2013-14 | 62 | 30 | 22 | - | 10 | 180 | 190 | 70 | 6th CCHL | Lost quarter-final |
| 2014-15 | 62 | 38 | 18 | - | 10 | 211 | 170 | 82 | 4th CCHL | Lost semi-final |
| 2015-16 | 62 | 30 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 208 | 193 | 65 | 6th of 6 in East 10th of 12 CCHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2016-17 | 62 | 41 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 232 | 171 | 89 | 2nd of 6 in East 2nd of 12 CCHL |
Won quarterfinals, 4-1 (Bears) Lost semifinals, 0-4 (Junior Senators) |
| 2017-18 | 62 | 33 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 193 | 183 | 72 | 3rd of 6 in East 5th of 12 CCHL |
Lost quarterfinals, 3-4 (Hawks) |
| 2018-19 | 62 | 24 | 29 | 7 | 2 | 160 | 193 | 57 | 5th of 6 in East 9th of 12 CCHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2019-20 | 62 | 21 | 35 | 6 | - | 161 | 222 | 48 | 5th of 6 in East 11th of 12 CCHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2020-21 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions | |||||||||
| 2021-22 | 55 | 14 | 33 | 3 | 5 | 135 | 210 | 36 | 5th of 6 in East 11th of 12 CCHL |
Did not qualify |
| 2022-23 | 55 | 26 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 175 | 181 | 57 | 4th of 6 in East 8th of 12 CCHL |
Lost quarterfinals, 1-4 (Junior Senators) |
| 2023-24 | 55 | 33 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 201 | 143 | 71 | 2nd of 6 in East 3rd of 12 CCHL |
Won quarterfinals, 4-1 (Hawks) Lost semifinals, 1-4 (Bears) |
| 2024-25 | 55 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 156 | 196 | 57 | 3rd of 6 Yzerman 8th of 12 CCHL |
Lost quarterfinals, 0-4 (Nationals) |
Attendance
[edit]As of March 15, 2025
| Season | Games | Total | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 31 | 29,047 | 937 |
| 2007–08 | 31 | 24,118 | 778 |
| 2008–09 | 31 | 25,761 | 831 |
| 2009–10 | 31 | 30,194 | 974 |
| 2010–11 | 31 | 35,371 | 1,141 |
| 2011–12 | 31 | 30,504 | 984 |
| 2012–13 | 31 | 20,922 | 675 |
| 2013–14 | 31 | 24,397 | 787 |
| 2014–15 | 31 | 31,124 | 1,004 |
| 2015–16 | 31 | 30,380 | 980 |
| 2016–17 | 31 | 30,566 | 986 |
| 2017–18 | 29 | 26,285 | 906 |
| 2018–19 | 29 | 26,019 | 897 |
| 2019–20 | 24 | 15,140 | 631 |
| 2020–21 | DID NOT PLAY DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC | ||
| 2021–22 | 26 | 6,214 | 239 |
| 2022–23 | 25 | 7,900 | 316 |
| 2023–24 | 26 | 19,679 | 757 |
| 2024–25 | 27 | 12,564 | 465 |
Fred Page Cup
[edit]Eastern Canada Championships
MHL - QAAAJHL - CCHL - Host
Round robin play with 2nd vs 3rd in semi-final to advance against 1st in the finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Gold Medal Game |
| 2013 | L, Summerside Western Capitals 0-1 L, Truro Bearcats 2-6 W, Longueuil Collège Français 5-4 |
1-2-0 | 3rd of 4 | OTL, Summerside Western Capitals 0-1 | n/a |
| 2003 * | W, Charlottetown Abbies 3-2 L, Lennoxville Cougars 0-5 W, Nepean Raiders 2-1 |
2-1-0 | 2nd of 4 | L, Nepean Raiders 2-3 | n/a |
| 2001 | W, Coaticook Frontaliers 7-5 W, St. Jerome Panthers 4-3 W, Antigonish Bulldogs 6-3 |
3-0-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | OTL, St. Jerome Panthers 3-4 |
| 2000 | W, Halifax Oland Exports 7-5 OTW, Coaticook Frontaliers 4-3 W, Pembroke Lumber Kings 5-2 |
3-0-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | W, Halifax Oland Exports 6-3 Fred Page Cup Champs advance to Royal Bank Cup |
| 1996 | L, Dartmouth Oland Exports 3-6 L, Contrecoeur Blackhawks 4-7 L, Moncton Beavers 1-4 |
0-3-0 | 4th of 4 | n/a | n/a |
| 1995 | OTW, Moncton Beavers 3-2 L, Valleyfield Braves 4-5 L, Joliette Nationals ?-? |
1-2-0 | 3rd of 4 | W, Valleyfield Braves ?-? | L, Joliette Nationals ?-? |
* 2003 Tournament Host
Royal Bank Cup
[edit]CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dudley Hewitt Champions - Central, Fred Page Champions - Eastern, Western Canada Cup Champions - Western, Western Canada Cup - Runners Up and Host
Round robin play with top 4 in semi-final and winners to finals.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Gold Medal Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | L, Fort McMurray Oil Barons 2-5 L, Chilliwack Chiefs 2-3 OTL, Battlefords North Stars 3-4 L, Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats 4-5 |
0-4 | 5th of 5 |
Championships
[edit]- CJHL Bogart Cup Championships: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2013
- Eastern Canadian Fred Page Cup Championships: 2000
- CJAHL Royal Bank Cup Championships: None
Notable alumni
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ O'Neill, Shawna (12 September 2025). "Former player Grant Cooper returns to Cornwall Colts as head coach". standard-freeholder.com. Postmedia. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
