Belleville Bulls

The Belleville Bulls were a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 and based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. The team moved to Hamilton, Ontario at the end of the 2014–15 OHL season.
==History==
The Belleville Bulls started in 1979 as a Junior Tier II team in the OHA. In their second season in 1980–81, the Bulls won the Tier II title, defeating the Guelph Platers in the league finals. The Bulls then competed in the national championship for the Manitoba Centennial Trophy hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia losing in the finals to the Prince Albert Raiders.
On February 2, 1981, the OHL granted an expansion franchise to the city of Belleville and the ownership group of Dr. Robert L. Vaughan & Bob Dolan. Dr. Robert L. Vaughan remained an owner/co-owner of the team for over 20 years until he sold the team in 2004 to Gord Simmonds. Dr. Vaughan was awarded the Bill Long award in 1993 for distinguished service to the OHL.
In 1983, Belleville hosted the OHL All-Star Game, known then as the OHL Chrysler Cup.
The Bulls reached the OHL finals in 1986 versus a familiar foe from their Tier II days, the Guelph Platers. The Platers won the series in 6 games. In 1995 and 1996, the Bulls lost in the semi-finals to the Guelph Storm.
The 1999 season would be one for the memories when the Belleville Bulls would win it all. The Bulls defeated the London Knights 9–2 in game seven of the OHL championship series at the Yardmen Arena to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The Bulls competed in the 1999 Memorial Cup, hosted in Ottawa versus the Calgary Hitmen, Acadie-Bathurst Titan & Ottawa 67's. Belleville finished 3rd, losing to Ottawa 4–2 in the semifinal.
In the 2005–06 season, the Belleville Bulls celebrated their 25th anniversary in the OHL. The team also hosted the annual OHL All-Star game for the second time, on February 1, 2006. The Bulls set a season-best record of 102 points earned during the 2007–08 regular season.
In 2007–08, the Bulls made a trip to the Memorial Cup by virtue of Kitchener winning the Western Conference, and being the host, Belleville would get in as the OHL representative. The Bulls would lose the semi-final game 9-0 against the hosting team, the Kitchener Rangers, who would eventually lose to the Spokane Chiefs in the championship game.
On March 12, 2015, Michael Andlauer announced that he had acquired the Belleville Bulls, and that they would move to Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre for the 2015-16 season to become the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Hamilton Bulldogs, an American Hockey League franchise, was concurrently sold to the Montreal Canadiens and moved to St. John's, Newfoundland for the 2015-16 season as the St. John's IceCaps (the True North Sports and Entertainment-owned IceCaps, which was affiliated with the Winnipeg Jets, moved back to Winnipeg as the Manitoba Moose).
==Championships==
Leyden Trophy East Division Regular Season Champions
* 2000–2001
*2001–2002
*2006–2007
*2007–2008
*2008–2009
*2012–2013
Bobby Orr Trophy Eastern Conference Champions
*1998–1999
*2007–2008
J. Ross Robertson Cup Championships: 1999
*1985–1986 — Lost to Guelph Platers in OHL Final
*1998–1999 — OHL Champions vs. London Knights
*2007-2008 —Lost to Kitchener Rangers in OHL Final
Memorial Cup Appearances: 2
*1999 OHL representative in Ottawa, Ontario
*2008 OHL representative in Kitchener, Ontario
==Coaches==
Larry Mavety coached the Belleville Bulls for 14 seasons. He is third only to Brian Kilrea & Dale Hunter for amount of time coached with an OHL team
Lou Crawford was groomed by Mavety to replace him behind the Bulls' bench. Lou Crawford is the brother of NHL Coach Marc Crawford, who was also the coach of the St. John's Maple Leafs (now the Toronto Marlies) in the AHL, which played in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Their father, Floyd Crawford, was team captain of the 1959 World Champion Belleville McFarlands.
Former coaches Lou Crawford and Shawn MacKenzie both had brief NHL careers. George Burnett briefly coached with the Edmonton Oilers. James Boyd is the only former Bulls player to later coach the Belleville team.
; List of Coaches
(Multiple years in parentheses)
*1979–1988 Larry Mavety (16)
*1988–1990 Danny Flynn (2)
*1990 playoffs – Shawn MacKenzie
*1990–1997 Larry Mavety (16)	
*1997–2000 Lou Crawford (3)
*2000–2003 Jim Hulton (3)
*2003–2004 James Boyd
*2004–2015 George Burnett (5)
==Players==
===Award winners===
CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award
*1995–1996 Craig Mills
Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyOHL Top Point Scorer.
*1984–1985 Dave MacLean
*2000–2001 Kyle Wellwood
*2001–2002 Nathan Robinson
Jim Mahon Memorial TrophyOHL Top Scoring Right Winger.
*1984–1985 Dave MacLean
*1991–1992 Darren McCarty
*2000–2001 Branko Radivojevič
* 2001–2002 Mike Renzi
OHL Goaltender of the YearVoted best goaltender in the OHL.
*1989–1990 Jeff Fife
* 2007–2008 Mike Murphy
*2008-2009 Mike Murphy
F.W. "Dinty" Moore TrophyBest rookie goals against average. 
*1982–1983 Dan Burrows
*1985–1986 Paul Henriques
Wayne Gretzky 99 AwardPlayoffs MVP
*1999 Justin Papineau	
Dan Snyder Memorial TrophyHumanitarian of the year.
*1995–1996 Craig Mills
*2001–2002 David Silverstone
*2002–2003 Michael Mole
*2006–2007 Andrew Gibbons
William Hanley TrophyMost sportsmanlike player.
*1985–1986 Jason Lafreniere
*2002–2003 Kyle Wellwood
Leo Lalonde Memorial TrophyOverage player of the year.
*1984–1985 Dunc MacIntyre
*1998–1999 Ryan Ready
*2000–2001 Randy Rowe
*2006–2007 Tyler Donati
Bobby Smith TrophyScholastic player of the year.
*1984~1985 Craig Billington
Jack Ferguson AwardFirst overall draft pick.
*1981 Dan Quinn
*2004 John Hughes
===Retired numbers===
*# 15 — Dunc MacIntyre
===NHL alumni===
*Steve Bancroft
*Matt Beleskey
*Radim Bicanek
*Craig Billington
* Kevin Brown
*Sean Brown
*Brian Chapman
*Tony Cimellaro
*Jonathan Cheechoo
*David Clarkson
*Daniel Cleary 
*Brandon Convery
*Craig Coxe
*Troy Crowder	
*Doug Doull
*Stan Drulia
*Dan Gratton
*Brent Gretzky
*David Haas
*Mike Hartman
*Todd Hawkins
*Bryan Helmer
*Al Iafrate
*Jason Lafreniere
*Kevin MacDonald
*Bryan Marchment
*Shawn Matthias	
*Darren McCarty
*Cody McCormick
*Chris McRae
*Marty McSorley
*Branislav Mezei
*Craig Mills 
*Kris Newbury
*Darren Pang
*Justin Papineau
*Richard Park
* Rob Pearson
*Matt Pelech
*John Purves
*Dan Quinn	
*Branko Radivojevic
*Ryan Ready
* Keith Redmond
*Nathan Robinson
*Jarrod Skalde
*Jason Spezza
*Matt Stajan
*Scott Thornton
*Nikos Tselios
*Mike Vellucci
* Kyle Wellwood
*Derek Wilkinson
*Darryl Williams
==Team records==
Team records for a single season	Team records for a single season	Team records for a single season
Statistic 	Total 	Season
Most points 	102 	2007–08
Most wins 	48 	2007–08
Most goals for 	390 	1984–85
Least goals for 	172 	2003–04
Least goals against 	175 	2007–08
Most goals against 	347 	1986–87
Individual player records for a single season	Individual player records for a single season	Individual player records for a single season	Individual player records for a single season
Statistic 	Player 	Total 	Season
Most goals 	Dave MacLean / Randy Rowe 	64 	1984–85 / 2000–01
Most assists 	Dave MacLean 	90 	1984–85
Most points 	Dave MacLean 	154 	1984–85
Most points, rookie 	Dunc MacIntyre 	81 	1981–82
Most points, rookie 	Dan Cleary 	81 	1994–95
Most points, defenceman 	Scott Boston 	84 	1991–92
Best GAA, goalie 	Mike Murphy 	2.08 	2008–09
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played 	Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played 	Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played 	Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played
==Season-by-season results==
===Regular season ===
Legend: OL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout Loss
Season 	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	OTL	SL	Points	Pct %	GoalsFor	GoalsAgainst	Standing
1979–80 	44 	24 	18 	2 	– 	– 	50 	0.568	235 	191 	5th OPJHL
1980–81 	44 	35 	7 	2 	– 	– 	72 	0.818	273 	138 	1st OPJHL
1981–82 	68 	24 	42 	2 	– 	– 	50 	0.368	280 	326 	7th Leyden
1982–83 	70 	34 	36 	0 	– 	– 	68 	0.486	342 	332 	6th Leyden
1983–84 	70 	33 	37 	0 	– 	– 	66 	0.471	319 	304 	5th Leyden
1984–85 	66 	42 	24 	0 	– 	– 	84 	0.636	390 	278 	2nd Leyden
1985–86 	66 	37 	27 	2 	– 	– 	76 	0.576	305 	268 	2nd Leyden
1986–87 	66 	26 	39 	1 	– 	– 	53 	0.402	292 	347 	5th Leyden
1987–88 	66 	32 	30 	4 	– 	– 	68 	0.515	297 	275 	4th Leyden
1988–89 	66 	27 	35 	4 	– 	– 	58 	0.439	292 	322 	6th Leyden
1989–90 	66 	36 	26 	4 	– 	– 	76 	0.576	301 	247 	5th Leyden
1990–91 	66 	38 	21 	7 	– 	– 	83 	0.629	324 	280 	3rd Leyden
1991–92 	66 	27 	27 	12 	– 	– 	66 	0.500	314 	293 	6th Leyden
1992–93 	66 	21 	34 	11 	– 	– 	53 	0.402	280 	315 	6th Leyden
1993–94 	66 	32 	28 	6 	– 	– 	70 	0.530	303 	264 	4th Leyden
1994–95 	66 	32 	31 	3 	– 	– 	67 	0.508	295 	287 	4th Eastern
1995–96 	66 	35 	26 	5 	– 	– 	75 	0.568	300 	250 	3rd Eastern
1996–97 	66 	22 	37 	7 	– 	– 	51 	0.386	235 	278 	5th Eastern
1997–98 	66 	41 	22 	3 	– 	– 	85 	0.644	315 	239 	2nd Eastern
1998–99 	68 	39 	22 	7 	– 	– 	85 	0.625	334 	246 	2nd East
1999–2000	68 	44 	22 	2 	0 	– 	90 	0.662	319 	227 	2nd East
2000–01 	68 	37 	23 	5 	3 	– 	82 	0.581	275 	224 	1st East
2001–02 	68 	39 	23 	4 	2 	– 	84 	0.603	279 	218 	1st East
2002–03 	68 	33 	27 	6 	2 	– 	74 	0.529	195 	200 	3rd East
2003–04 	68 	15 	44 	8 	1 	– 	39 	0.279	172 	279 	5th East
2004–05 	68 	29 	29 	6 	4 	– 	68 	0.471	176 	208 	3rd East
2005–06 	68 	32 	28 	– 	5 	3 	72 	0.529	202 	225 	3rd East
2006–07 	68 	39 	24 	– 	0 	5 	83 	0.610	260 	227 	1st East
2007–08 	68 	48 	14 	– 	4 	2 	102 	0.750	280 	175 	1st East
2008–09 	68 	47 	17 	– 	2 	2 	98 	0.721	258 	176 	1st East
2009–10 	68 	20 	40 	– 	2 	6 	48 	0.353	189 	263 	5th East
2010–11 	68 	21 	43 	– 	0 	4 	46 	0.338	175 	271 	4th East
2011–12 	68 	35 	32 	– 	1 	0 	71 	0.522	200 	221 	2nd East
2012–13 	68 	44 	16 	– 	5 	3 	96 	0.706	228 	167 	1st East
2013–14 	68 	23 	38 	– 	4 	3 	53 	0.390	206 	285 	4th East
2014–15 	68 	27 	33 	– 	3 	5 	62 	0.390	203 	246 	4th East
=== Playoffs===
*1979–1980 Lost to Aurora Tigers 4 games to 3 in quarter-final.
*1980–1981 Defeated Markham Waxers 4 games to 1 in quarter-final. Defeated North Bay Trappers 4 games to 0 in semi-final Defeated Guelph Platers 4 games to 1 in final to win OPJHL Championship Defeated Onaping Falls Huskies (NOJHL) for OHA Championship 3 games to 0. Defeated Thunder Bay Kings (TBJHL) 4 games to 1 in Central Canada semi-final Defeated Gloucester Rangers (CJHL) 4 games to 3 in Central Canada final to win Dudley Hewitt Cup Finished 2nd in Centennial Cup Round Robin. Lost National final 6-2 to Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL).
*1981–1982 Out of playoffs.
*1982–1983 Lost to Oshawa Generals 7 points to 1 in first round.
*1983–1984 Lost to Oshawa Generals 6 points to 0 in first round.
*1984–1985 Defeated Oshawa Generals 8 points to 2 in first round. Defeated Cornwall Royals 6 points to 2 in quarter-finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 9 points to 1 in semi-finals.
* 1985–1986 Defeated Cornwall Royals 9 points to 3 in first round. Tied for first in round robin with Peterborough Petes versus Kingston Canadians. Defeated Peterborough Petes 9 points to 7 in semi-finals. Lost to Guelph Platers 8 points to 4 in finals.
*1986–1987 Lost to Kingston Canadians 4 games to 2 in first round.
*1987–1988 Lost to Cornwall Royals 4 games to 2 in first round.
*1988–1989 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in first round.
*1989–1990 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 3 in first round. Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
*1990–1991 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in first round.
*1991–1992 Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 1 in first round.
*1992–1993 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 3 in first round.
* 1993–1994 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals. Lost to North Bay Centennials 4 games to 2 in division semi-finals.
*1994–1995 Defeated North Bay Centennials 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals. Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals. Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
*1995–1996 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals. Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals. Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in semi-finals.
*1996–1997 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in division quarter-finals.
*1997–1998 Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 0 in division quarter-finals. Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals.
*1998–1999 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals. Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference finals. Defeated London Knights 4 games to 3 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS. Finished 3rd in Memorial Cup round-robin. Lost to Ottawa 67's in semi-finals.
*1999–2000 Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
*2000–2001 Defeated Kingston Frontenacs 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
*2001–2002 Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
*2002–2003 Lost to Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
*2003–2004 Out of playoffs.
*2004–2005 Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
*2005–2006 Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
*2006–2007 Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.Lost to Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
*2007–2008 Defeated Peterborough Petes 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. Defeated Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in conference finals. Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 3 in Finals. Finished 2nd in Memorial Cup round-robin. Lost to Kitchener Rangers in semi-finals.
*2008–2009 Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Niagara Ice Dogs 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Brampton Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
*2009–2010 Out of playoffs.
*2010–2011 Lost to Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
*2011–2012 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
*2012–2013 Defeated Mississauga Steelheads 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals. Defeated Sudbury Wolves 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 3 in conference finals.
*2013–2014 Out of playoffs.
*2014–2015 Lost to Barrie Colts 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
==Uniforms and logos==
:1999 to present:
*Uniform Colours: Black, Red, Gold, White
*Logo Design: An angry bull with a hockey stick
:1982 to 1998:
*Uniform Colours: Black, Red, Gold, White
*Logo Design: A standing red and orange bull
Bulls Uniforms
==Arena==
The team played all homes games at the Belleville Yardmen Arena (capacity 3,257) for the existence of the franchise. The Yardmen Arena is part of the Quinte Sports Centre which is composed of the Yardmen Arena and the Wally Dever arena which is home to the Belleville McFarlands, an OHA Senior team, and is also used by minor hockey teams.
:Capacity = 3,257
:Ice Size = 199.5' x 99.5'
==See also==
*List of ice hockey teams in Ontario
==References==
Category:Established in 1981
Category:Disestablished in 2015
Category:Ontario Hockey League teams