# Nelson Leafs

The Nelson Leafs are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). They play their home games at Nelson and District Community Complex.

## History

The team was originally known as the Nelson Maple Leafs but changed its name to the Leafs in 1994 when it joined the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL). The team returned to the KIJHL in 1999 but continued to be known as the Leafs.
The Leafs are the 1968-69, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999-00, 2008–09 KIJHL champions.
In the 2006-07 season, the Leafs made it to the KIJHL finals, but lost to the Fernie Ghostriders 4-2. In the 2008-09 season, the Leafs won the KIJHL championship 4-0 over the Kamloops Storm. Then in the 2009-10 season, the Leafs went to the KIJHL finals, but lost 4-1 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
The Leafs hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup, the Junior B provincial championship, in April 2014 but finished fourth.

## Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, D = Defaults, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Records as of February 17, 2024.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1969–70 | 32 | 13 | 19 | 0 | — | 26 | 165 | 179 | 3rd, KHL | |
| 1970–71 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 0 | — | 22 | — | — | 3rd, WKHL | |
| 1971–72 | 32 | 11 | 21 | 0 | — | 22 | 129 | 198 | 4th, WKHL | |
| 1972–73 | 30 | 6 | 22 | 2 | — | 14 | 109 | 251 | 3rd, West | |
| 1973–74* | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | — | 0 | 39 | 163 | 4th, West | Did not participate (withdrew) |
| 1974–75 | 34 | 7 | 27 | 0 | — | 14 | 120 | 238 | 4th, West | |
| 1975–76 | 34 | 13 | 21 | 0 | — | 26 | 139 | 184 | 3rd, West | |
| 1976–77 | 44 | 21 | 22 | 1 | — | 43 | 190 | 213 | 4th, West | |
| 1977–78 | 42 | 14 | 28 | 0 | — | 28 | 166 | 240 | 4th, West | |
| 1978–79 | 40 | 11 | 28 | 1 | — | 23 | 151 | 227 | 5th, West | |
| 1979–80 | 40 | 19 | 21 | 0 | — | 38 | 200 | 272 | 3rd, West | |
| 1980–81 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 0 | — | 34 | 197 | 209 | 3rd, West | |
| 1981–82 | 42 | 27 | 15 | 0 | — | 54 | 279 | 218 | 2nd, West | |
| 1982–83 | 42 | 15 | 27 | 0 | — | 30 | 238 | 264 | 4th, West | |
| 1983–84 | 40 | 15 | 25 | 0 | — | 30 | 209 | 277 | 6th, West | |
| 1984–85 | 40 | 19 | 20 | 1 | — | 39 | 236 | 228 | 4th, West | |
| 1985–86* | 34 | 3 | 30 | 1 | — | 7 | 161 | 324 | 6th, West | Did not participate (withdrew) |
| 1986–88* | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) | Did not participate (folded) |
| 1988–89 | 45 | 40 | 4 | 1 | — | 81 | 373 | 163 | 1st, West | Lost in finals (Rockies) |
| 1989–90 | 40 | 36 | 3 | 1 | — | 73 | 298 | 122 | 1st, West | Lost in finals (Rockies) |
| 1990–91* | 41 | 25 | 15 | 1 | — | 51 | 201 | 159 | 2nd, West | |
| 1991–92 | 38 | 30 | 6 | 2 | — | 62 | 250 | 107 | 1st, West | KIJHL champions (Braves) |
| 1992–93 | 42 | 27 | 14 | 1 | — | 55 | 293 | 139 | 3rd, West | KIJHL champions (Rockies) |
| 1993–94 | 40 | 27 | 12 | 1 | — | 55 | 279 | 181 | 2nd, West | |
| Season | GP | W | L | T | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1994–95 | 52 | 37 | 13 | — | 2 | 76 | 287 | 233 | 1st, Kootenay | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Thunder) |
| 1995–96 | 58 | 33 | 23 | — | 2 | 68 | 234 | 236 | 2nd, Kootenay | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Ghostriders) |
| 1996–97 | 60 | 31 | 23 | — | 6 | 68 | 271 | 273 | 2nd, RMJHL | Lost in semifinals, 0-4 (Colts) |
| 1997–98 | 54 | 20 | 31 | — | 3 | 43 | 258 | 272 | 5th, RMJHL | Lost in semifinals, 0-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 1998–99 | 45 | 20 | 25 | — | 0 | 40 | 190 | 195 | 3rd, RMJHL | Lost in semifinals, 3-4 (Ghostriders) |
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1999–00 | 45 | 29 | 11 | 5 | — | 65 | 236 | 138 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL champions (Eagles) |
| 2000–01 | 58 | 27 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 61 | 237 | 237 | 4th, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2001–02 | 50 | 19 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 172 | 199 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels) |
| 2002–03 | 50 | 24 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 203 | 202 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2003–04 | 50 | 25 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 228 | 208 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Braves) |
| 2004–05 | 50 | 18 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 42 | 167 | 194 | 4th, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2005–06 | 50 | 24 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 208 | 169 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division finals, 0-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2006–07 | 52 | 40 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 82 | 253 | 163 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in finals, 2–4 (Ghostriders) |
| 2007–08 | 52 | 32 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 73 | 214 | 162 | 1st, Neil Murdoch: West | Lost in division finals, 3-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2008–09 | 52 | 43 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 88 | 248 | 128 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | KIJHL champions, 4-0 (Storm) |
| 2009–10 | 50 | 36 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 76 | 247 | 128 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in finals, 1–4 (Grizzlies) |
| 2010–11 | 50 | 25 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 53 | 173 | 187 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 3–4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2011–12 | 52 | 30 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 65 | 259 | 167 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Rebels) |
| 2012–13 | 52 | 32 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 68 | 207 | 158 | 3rd, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 2-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2013–14 | 52 | 38 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 81 | 247 | 161 | 1st, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2014–15 | 52 | 23 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 52 | 173 | 145 | 4th, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 1-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2015–16 | 52 | 20 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 42 | 143 | 178 | 4th, Neil Murdoch | Lost in division semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2016–17 | 47 | 21 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 47 | 148 | 160 | 3rd of 5 Neil Murdoch 11th of 20 - KIJHL | Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2017–18 | 47 | 33 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 71 | 164 | 101 | 1st of 5 Neil Murdoch 3rd of 20 - KIJHL | Lost in Conf. Finals, 2-4 (Dynamiters) |
| 2018–19 | 49 | 35 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 72 | 200 | 130 | 1st of 5 Neil Murdoch 4th of 20 - KIJHL | Lost Divisional Finals, 2-4 (Nitehawks) |
| 2019–20 | 49 | 30 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 66 | 199 | 156 | 2nd of 5, Neil Murdoch 6 of 20 KIJHL | Won Div Semifinals, 4-0, (Braves) Incomplete Div Final 2-0 (Nitehawks) Playoffs cancelled due to covid-19 |
| 2020–21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 24 | 7 | 1st of 5, Neil Murdoch | Rest of season cancelled due to covid-19 |
| 2021–22 | 42 | 31 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 171 | 93 | 1st of 5, Neil Murdoch 4th of 19 KIJHL | Lost League Final, 1-4, (Grizzlies) |
| 2022 - 23 | 44 | 24 | 15 | - | 5 | 53 | 150 | 137 | 2nd, Neil Murdoch | Lost Div Semifinals, 2-4, (Nitehawks) |
| 2023–24 | 44 | 24 | 17 | 3 | — | 51 | 167 | 159 | 3rd of 5, Neil Murdoch 10th of 20 KIJHL | Lost Div Semifinals, 1-4, (Border Bruins) |
| 2024–25 | 44 | 19 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 142 | 190 | 3rd of 5, Neil Murdoch 7th of 10 Kootenay Conf 14th of 21 KIJHL | Lost Div Semifinals, 0-4, (Nitehawks) |

### Notes

* 1973-74 season: Nelson withdrew from play for balance of season
* 1985-86 season: Nelson withdrew on January 15, 1986
* 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons: Nelson did not participate (folded)
* Stats for the 1990-91 season are only thru February 17, 1991. May not be complete

### Playoffs

Records as of February 27, 2024.
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd Round | Finals |
| 1994–95 | L, 0-4, Creston Valley | — | — | — |
| 1995–96 | L, 0-4, Fernie | — | — | — |
| 1996–97 | W, 4-3, Creston Valley | L, 0-4, Cranbrook | — | — |
| 1997–98 | W, 2-0, Castlegar | L, 0-4, Kimberley | — | — |
| 1998–99 | L, 3-4, Fernie | — | — | — |
| 1999–00 | W, 4-2, Castlegar | W, Beaver Valley | — | W, Sicamous |
| 2000–01 | L, 0-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2001–02 | L, 1-4, Castlegar | — | — | — |
| 2002–03 | W, 4-2, Spokane | L, 3-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2003–04 | L, 3-4, Spokane | — | — | — |
| 2004–05 | L, 0-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2005–06 | W, 4-1, Castlegar | L, 0-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2006–07 | W, 4-0, Spokane | W, 4-2, Beaver Valley | Bye | L, 2-4, Fernie |
| 2007–08 | Bye | L, 3-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2008–09 | W, 4-1, Spokane | W, 4-0, Castlegar | W, 3-0, Fernie | W, 4-0, Kamloops |
| 2009–10 | W, 4-3, Beaver Valley | W, 4-3 Spokane | W, 4-1 Fernie | L, 1-4 Revelstoke |
| 2010–11 | L, 3-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2011–12 | L, 1-4, Castlegar | — | — | — |
| 2012–13 | L, 1-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2013–14 | W, 4-2, Spokane | L, 2-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2014–15 | L, 1-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2015–16 | L, 0-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2016–17 | W, 4-2, Castlegar | L, 0-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2017–18 | W, 4-1, Grand Forks | W, 4-1, Castlegar | L, 2-4, Kimberley | — |
| 2018–19 | W, 4-3, Spokane | L, 2-4, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 2019-20 | W, 4-0 Spokane | Incomplete, 2-0, Beaver Valley | — | — |
| 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 Castelgar | W, 4-2 Beaver Valley | W, 4-2 Kimberley | L, 1-4 Revelstoke |
| 2022-23 | L, 2-4, Beaver Valley | — | — | — |
| 2023-24 | L, 1-4, Grand Forks | — | — | — |

#### Notes

* The RMJHL playoffs had three playoff rounds.
* The final 1998-99 RMJHL playoffs had two playoff rounds.

### Cyclone Taylor Cup

| Season | Round Robin | Semifinals | Finals |
| 1999–00 | no round robin | W, 2-1, CRS | L, 0-2, ABB |
| 2008–09 | record unavailable advance to championship game | — | L, 2-6, RIC |
| 2013–14 | Tournament host (0-2-1) relegated to consolation game | L, 0-3, VIC | — |

## NHL alumni

* Geoff Kinrade
* Greg Adams
* Simon Wheeldon
* Isaac MacLeod
* Bob Fitchner
* Steve Kozari
* Pat Price
* Brad Larsen
* Rob Tallas
* Sergei Varlamov

## Other notable alumni

* Nyjer Morgan