# Beaver Valley Nitehawks

The Beaver Valley Nitehawks are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Fruitvale, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Nitehawks play their home games at Beaver Valley Arena. Stephen Piccolo is the team's president, and Terry Jones has been the general manager and coach since 2015.
The Nitehawks joined the league in 1981 as an expansion team. In its KIJHL history, the team has won the Keystone Cup once in 2014; the Cyclone Taylor Cup four times, in 1997, 2001, 2014, and 2017; and have won the KIJHL Championship eight times, in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2012, 2014, and 2017. They won nine division playoff titles as a member of the Neil Murdoch Division from 1996 to 2014 and one conference playoff title as a member of the Kootenay Conference from 2007 to 2014.
The Nitehawks have retired five players' jerseys in their team history—Rocky Dickson (2), Barrett Jackman (6), Adam Deadmarsh (12), Sam Swanson (29) and Cody Franson (88).

## Team history
### 1979-1981: KIJHL application

The idea of starting a junior hockey team in Fruitvale was born when Shirley Levesque, manager of the Beaver Valley Midgets, and Darrell Dickson, their coach, hosted a Beaver Valley Minor Hockey Tournament. During this tournament they noticed people from the valley, who had never before been inside the 10-year-old building, coming to games at six in the morning to watch the young talent. This was a good indication that there were many local hockey fans just waiting for some exciting and entertaining hockey; Darrell suggested to Shirley that they start a junior team, and the work began.
First they had to convince the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League that there were enough young hockey players in the area to man another junior team. This was not an easy task, as many KIJHL teams at the time were situated within a half-hour of Fruitvale, and a new team might cause them to lose players they had counted on—but on the other hand it was also appealing to them: they knew that great rivalries would begin, bringing new fans to their arenas. Since BVMH was one of the strongest minor hockey programs around at the time, it seemed fitting they should have their own junior team to go with it.
Once the KIJHL accepted, an executive was formed consisting of Darrell Dickson, Shirley Levesque, Roy Taylor, Noel Smith and Stuart McPhee. There was a contest to choose the name, and when Robbie Taylor of Fruitvale suggested Nitehawks the executive knew they had a winner. Kim Campbell of Trail designed the hawk for the jersey crest, the first coaches were Tom Gawryletz and Murry Price, Darrell Dickson was the manager, and the trainers were Barry Marshall and Leo Campeau.

### 1981–82

The 1981-82 KIJHL season saw the first Beaver Valley Nitehawks hit the ice, led by captain Tyler Bolduc. The first year was very successful: the team went into a wild playoff with the Trail Smoke Eaters, and additional bleachers had to be brought into the arena for these exciting games. The Nitehawks were up two games to none, but when Trail came back to win the series they set the tempo of rivalry for years to come.

### 1982-present

Over the next three decades the Nitehawks won their division championship nine times, the KIJHL championship five times (in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2012), and two provincial championships for the Cyclone Taylor Cup (in 1997 and 2001). When they won the Cup in 2001, their playoff win–loss record was a perfect 16-0.
Entering the 2013-14 KIJHL Playoffs, the Nitehawks have made nineteen consecutive playoff appearances since the 1995-96 season; winning six-out-of-nine KIJHL Championships and winning one-out-of-four Cyclone Taylor Cups in that span.
They set a record in junior hockey for the longest winning streak, which started in the 1997 season and ended in the 1998 season after 39 straight wins. Many players receive scholarships and continue on to play college hockey but, of course, the pride of Fruitvale and the Nitehawks is Adam Deadmarsh, who not only won the World Cup of Hockey with Team USA but also brought the coveted Stanley Cup home to the Beaver Valley Arena in 1996. Other players drafted by the NHL teams were Ed Cristofoli from the 1983 team, Neil Eisenhut from the 1985 team, and Barrett Jackman from the 1997 team.

## Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, D = Defaults, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Final records as of February 17, 2024.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | D | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1981-82 | 42 | 19 | 23 | 0 | ― | ― | 38 | 211 | 270 | 4th, West | Lost to Trail |
| 1982-83 | 42 | 21 | 20 | 1 | ― | ― | 43 | 235 | 232 | 2nd, West | |
| 1983-84 | 40 | 25 | 14 | 1 | ― | ― | 51 | 237 | 219 | 2nd, West | |
| 1984-85 | 40 | 13 | 27 | 0 | ― | ― | 26 | 204 | 255 | 6th, West | |
| 1985-86 | 40 | 12 | 28 | 0 | ― | ― | 24 | 201 | 288 | 5th, West | |
| 1986-87 | 42 | 4 | 38 | 0 | ― | ― | 8 | 157 | 383 | 4th, West | |
| 1987-88 | 42 | 15 | 27 | 0 | ― | ― | 30 | 205 | 230 | 4th, West | |
| 1988-89 | 45 | 24 | 21 | 0 | ― | ― | 48 | 205 | 223 | 3rd, West | |
| 1989-90 | 40 | 16 | 24 | 0 | ― | ― | 32 | 169 | 220 | 6th, West | |
| 1990-91 | 40 | 24 | 16 | 0 | ― | ― | 48 | 209 | 163 | 3rd, West | |
| 1991-92 | 38 | 21 | 14 | 3 | ― | ― | 45 | 200 | 191 | 2nd, West | |
| 1992-93 | 42 | 16 | 26 | 0 | ― | ― | 32 | 226 | 306 | 5th, West | |
| 1993-94 | 40 | 18 | 21 | 1 | ― | ― | 37 | 206 | 262 | 3rd, West | Lost to Nelson |
| 1994-95 | 44 | 14 | 28 | ― | ― | 2 | 32 | 172 | 203 | 5th, West | |
| 1995-96 | 42 | 14 | 27 | 1 | ― | ― | 29 | 159 | 228 | 4th, West | Lost to Castlegar |
| 1996-97 | 41 | 26 | 11 | 4 | ― | ― | 54 | 193 | 147 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions (Rockies) Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions |
| 1997-98 | 50 | 29 | 18 | 3 | ― | ― | 61 | 228 | 204 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | |
| 1998-99 | 50 | 37 | 11 | 2 | ― | ― | 76 | 219 | 139 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions (Grizzlies) |
| 1999-00 | 46 | 30 | 13 | 3 | ― | ― | 63 | 287 | 174 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Finals (Leafs) |
| 2000-01 | 58 | 45 | 7 | 3 | ― | 3 | 96 | 338 | 180 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 4-0 (Grizzlies) Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions (Storm) |
| 2001-02 | 50 | 37 | 9 | 3 | ― | 1 | 78 | 266 | 138 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Finals, 1-3 (Eagles) |
| 2002-03 | 50 | 42 | 7 | 1 | ― | 0 | 85 | 269 | 118 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 3-0 (Eagles) |
| 2003-04 | 50 | 39 | 9 | 2 | ― | 0 | 80 | 239 | 133 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 1-0 (Storm) |
| 2004-05 | 50 | 35 | 10 | 3 | ― | 2 | 75 | 255 | 143 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Finals, 1-4 (Storm) |
| 2005-06 | 50 | 35 | 10 | 3 | ― | 2 | 75 | 263 | 159 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Finals, 1-4 (Eagles) |
| 2006-07 | 52 | 35 | 14 | ― | ― | 3 | 73 | 229 | 162 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Finals, 2-4 (Leafs) |
| 2007-08 | 52 | 32 | 12 | ― | ― | 8 | 72 | 211 | 175 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch: West | Lost in Conference Finals, 2-4 (Ghostriders) |
| 2008-09 | 52 | 26 | 16 | ― | ― | 6 | 58 | 182 | 170 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Semifinals, 2-4 (Rebels) |
| 2009-10 | 50 | 23 | 22 | 1 | ― | 4 | 51 | 202 | 203 | 4th, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Semifinals, 3–4 (Leafs) |
| 2010-11 | 50 | 32 | 13 | 1 | ― | 4 | 69 | 202 | 170 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Finals, 1-4 (Rebels) |
| 2011-12 | 52 | 42 | 7 | 0 | ― | 3 | 87 | 323 | 154 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 4-0 (Chiefs) |
| 2012-13 | 52 | 33 | 15 | 3 | ― | 1 | 70 | 228 | 160 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Division Finals, 3-4 (Rebels) |
| 2013-14 | 52 | 38 | 10 | 1 | ― | 3 | 80 | 229 | 143 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 4-2 (Storm) Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions (Kodiaks) Keystone Cup Champions (Pilots) |
| 2014-15 | 52 | 35 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 75 | 208 | 152 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Conference Finals, 1-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 2015-16 | 52 | 34 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 75 | 224 | 150 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Conference Finals, 1-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 2016-17 | 47 | 38 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 80 | 218 | 105 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL Champions, 3-0 (Heat) Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions (6-2) (Storm) |
| 2017-18 | 47 | 27 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 170 | 127 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in Div Semifinal 3-4 (Rebels) |
| 2018-19 | 49 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 59 | 187 | 153 | 3rd of 5, Neil Murdoch 6th of 20 KIJHL | Lost Div Final 1-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 2019–20 | 49 | 22 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 52 | 165 | 155 | 3 of 5, Eddie Mountain 10 of 20 KIJHL | Won Div Semifinals, 4-0, (Ghostriders) Incomplete Div Final 0-2 (Nelson) Playoffs cancelled due to covid-19 |
| 2020–21 | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season | Inactive this season |
| 2021–22 | 42 | 22 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 47 | 155 | 144 | 2nd of 5, Eddie Mountain 10th of 19 KIJHL | Won Div Semifinals, 4-3, (Thunder Cats) Lost Div Final 2-4 (Leafs) |
| 2022–23 | 44 | 24 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 129 | 136 | 3rd of 4, Neil Murdoch 12th of 19 KIJHL | Won Div Semifinals, 4-2, (Leafs) Won Div Final 4-3 (Thunder Cats) Lost Conf Finals, 0-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 2023–24 | 44 | 32 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 67 | 206 | 111 | 1st of 5, Neil Murdoch 3rd of 20 KIJHL | Won Div Semifinals, 4-0, (Rebels) Won Div Final 4-2 (Border Bruins) Lost Conf Finals 2-4 (Ghostriders) |

### Playoffs

Records as of March 30, 2024.
| Season | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | Finals |
| 1999–00 | W, 4-3, Osoyoos | L, Nelson | — | — |
| 2000–01 | W, 4-0, Nelson | W, 4-0, Osoyoos | — | W, 4-0, Revelstoke |
| 2001–02 | W, 4-0, Spokane | W, 4-1, Castlegar | W, 3-0, Columbia Valley | L, 1-3, Sicamous |
| 2002–03 | W, 4-1, Castlegar | W, 4-3, Nelson | W, 3-0, Kimberley | W, 3-0, Sicamous |
| 2003–04 | W, 4-0, Castlegar | W, 4-0, Spokane | W, 2-1, Round-robin | W, 1-0, Osoyoos |
| 2004–05 | W, 4-0, Nelson | W, 4-1, Castlegar | W, 3-0, Kimberley | L, 1-4, Osoyoos |
| 2005–06 | W, 4-0, Spokane | W, 4-0, Nelson | W, 3-0, Fernie | L, 1-4, Sicamous |
| 2006–07 | W, 4-3, Castlegar | L, 2-4, Nelson | — | — |
| 2007–08 | W, 3-0, Castlegar | W, 4-3, Nelson | L, 2-4, Fernie | — |
| 2008–09 | L, 2-4, Castlegar | — | — | ― |
| 2009–10 | L, 3-4, Nelson | ― | ― | ― |
| 2010-11 | W, 4-3, Nelson | L, 1-4, Castlegar | — | — |
| 2011-12 | W, 4-1, Spokane | W, 4-3, Castlegar | W, 4-1, Fernie | W, 4-0, Kelowna |
| 2012-13 | W, 4-2, Nelson | L, 3-4 Castlegar | — | — |
| 2013–14 | W, 4-0 Castlegar | W, 4-2, Nelson | W, 4-1, Creston Valley | W 4-2, Kamloops |
| 2014-15 | W, 4-1, Nelson | W, 4-0, Castlegar | L, 1-4, Kimberley | — |
| 2015–16 | W, 4-0, Nelson | W, 4-1, Grand Forks | L, 1-4, Kimberley | ― |
| 2016–17 | W, 4-0, Grand Forks | W, 4-0, Nelson | W, 3-2, Kimberley | W, 3-0, Chase |
| 2017-18 | L, 3-4, Castlegar | — | — | — |
| 2018-19 | W, 4-0, Grand Forks | W, 4-2, Nelson | L, 1-4, Kimberley | — |
| 2019-20 | W, 4-0, Castlegar | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic |
| 2020-21 | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic | Playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic |
| 2021-22 | W, 4-3, Creston Valley | L, 2-4, Nelson | — | — |
| 2022-23 | W, 4-2, Nelson | W, 4-3, Creston Valley | L, 0-4, Kimberley | — |
| 2023-24 | W, 4-0, Castlegar | W, 4-2, Grand Forks | L, 2-4, Fernie | — |

### Cyclone Taylor Cup

| Year | Finals | Semifinals |
| 2001 | W, Campbell River | W, 2-0, Delta |
| 2003 | — | L, 0-2, Campbell River |
| Season | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Bronze Medal Game | Gold Medal Game |
| 2004 | -, - , 0-0 -, - , 0-0 -, - , 0-0 | ?-?-? | unknown of 4 | L, Peninsula4-7 | n/a |
| 2012 | -, - , 0-0 -, - , 0-0 -, - , 0-0 | ?-?-? | unknown of 4 | L, Delta 3-5 | n/a |
| 2014 | L, Aldergrove 1-4 T, Nelson 2-2 W, Victoria 3-0 | 1-1-1 | 2nd of 4 | n/a | W, Aldergrove 5-2 Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions |
| 2017 HOST | W, Campbell River 6-0 L, Aldergrove 3-5 W, Creston Valley 6-2 | 2-1-0 | 1st of 4 | n/a | W, Campbell River 6-2 Cyclone Taylor Cup Champions |

## Keystone Cup history

Western Canadian Jr. B Championships (Northern Ontario to British Columbia) Six teams in round robin play. 1st vs 2nd for gold/silver; 3rd vs 4th for bronze.
| Year | Round Robin | Record | Standing | Bronze Medal Game | Gold Medal Game |
| 2001 | L, Ridge Meadows 3-7 T, Assiniboia 1-1 W, Edmonton 5-3 W, St. Malo 10-4 W, Westfort 7-0 | 3-1-1 | 3rd of 6 | W, Edmonton 5-3 Bronze Medalist | tbd |
| 2014 | W, Abbotsford 10-2 W, Saskatoon 5-1 W, Blackfalds 5-1 W, Selkirk 3-0 W, Thunder Bay 4-0 | 5-0-0 | 1st of 6 | n/a | W, Abbotsford 5-1 Keystone Champions |
| 2017 | T, Wainwright 3-3 W, Arborg 9-1 W, Nipigon 10-2 W, Regina 6-1 W, Peguis 8-2 | 4-0-1 | 1st of 6 | n/a | OT LOst, 3-4 Wainwright Silver Medalist |

## NHL alumni

* Craig Cunningham
* Adam Deadmarsh
* Neil Eisenhut
* Cody Franson
* Barret Jackman
* Connor Jones
* Kevin Koopman
* Steve McCarthy

## Awards and trophies

More about their team records can be found on their website.