Vancouver Giants facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vancouver Giants |
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| City | Langley, British Columbia |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | B.C. |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Home arena | Langley Events Centre |
| Colours | Black, red, silver and white |
| General manager | Barclay Parneta |
| Head coach | Manny Viveiros |
| Championships | Memorial Cup 1 (2007) Ed Chynoweth Cup 1 (2006) Conference Championships 3 (2005–06, 2006–07, 2018–19) |
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Website chl.ca/whl-giants |
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The Vancouver Giants are a Canadian junior ice hockey team. They are based in Langley, British Columbia. The team plays in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Giants started in 2001. They won the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2006. This cup is for the WHL league champions. In 2007, they won the Memorial Cup. This made them Canadian junior champions. The team used to play at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. This was the old home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks. In 2016, the Giants moved to the Langley Events Centre.
Contents
Team History
A businessman named Ron Toigo started the Vancouver Giants. He got a new team for Vancouver in the WHL. This was before the 2001–02 season. Over time, other people joined the team's ownership group. These included Sultan Thiara, former Canucks coach Pat Quinn, and singer Michael Bublé. The team first played at the Pacific Coliseum. After 15 seasons, they moved to the Langley Events Centre in 2016.
The Giants had a tough first season, which is common for new teams. They only won 13 games. But the team quickly got better. In 2002, the Giants picked Gilbert Brule first in the WHL Bantam Draft. Brule became the team's first big star. He won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy in 2004 as the WHL's best rookie. That season, the Giants won their first playoff series. They beat the Kamloops Blazers.
The 2004–05 NHL lockout also helped the Giants. Many fans came to watch them play. Nearly 9,000 fans attended the first game of that season. The team averaged 8,400 fans per game. The team's owner said the lockout really "put us on the map." The Giants then had many successful seasons. They won five B.C. Division titles in a row from 2005 to 2010.
Their success started when former NHL coach Don Hay became head coach. In 2005, the general manager, Scott Bonner, brought in key players. These included Kenndal McArdle, Wacey Rabbit, and goalie Dustin Slade. These players, along with Brule, helped the team win its first championship. In 2006, the Giants won their first league championship. They beat the Moose Jaw Warriors in four games. Brule was named the most valuable player.
This win sent the Giants to their first Memorial Cup tournament. They lost in the semifinal to the host Moncton Wildcats. Even with the loss, Brule scored 12 points in the tournament. This was the most points in the tournament since 1997. He won the Ed Chynoweth Trophy for being the top scorer.
In 2007, the Giants returned to the WHL championship series. Second-year player Milan Lucic helped a lot. Future star Evander Kane also played his first games. In the final, they played the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Giants lost a very close game seven in double overtime. However, the Giants were chosen to host the 2007 Memorial Cup. This meant they still got to play in the tournament.
The Giants won their semifinal game 8–1 against the Plymouth Whalers. This set up a rematch with the Tigers in the final. The Giants won the Memorial Cup by beating the Tigers 3–1. Lucic was named the tournament MVP. In 2023, the 2007 Giants team was added to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Giants set team records in 2008–09 with 57 wins and 119 points. They reached the Conference finals in 2009 and 2010. After 2010, the team did not win another playoff series until 2019. During this time, Scott Bonner stepped down as manager. Barclay Parneta became the new general manager in 2018. He hired Michael Dyck as head coach.
In the 2019 final, the Giants played the Prince Albert Raiders. The Giants were down three games to one. But they fought back and forced a game seven. In that final game, the Raiders won 3–2 in overtime. This was the second time the Giants lost a game seven in the finals in overtime.
In 2022, the Giants made history. They picked Chloe Primerano in the WHL prospects draft. She became the first female skater ever chosen in a Canadian Hockey League draft. In 2023, Michael Dyck left the team. The Giants then hired Manny Viveiros as their new head coach.
Season Records
Here is a look at how the Giants have done each season.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 72 | 13 | 49 | 6 | 4 | 198 | 365 | 36 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 26 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 217 | 292 | 61 | 4th B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 6 | 215 | 196 | 81 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference semifinal |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 212 | 205 | 76 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 47 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 252 | 156 | 100 | 1st B.C. | Won Championship |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 45 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 245 | 143 | 100 | 1st B.C. | Lost final; Won Memorial Cup |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 49 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 250 | 155 | 106 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference semifinal |
| 2008–09 | 72 | 57 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 319 | 151 | 119 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference final |
| 2009–10 | 72 | 41 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 267 | 211 | 88 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference final |
| 2010–11 | 72 | 35 | 32 | 1 | 4 | 236 | 251 | 75 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2011–12 | 72 | 40 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 255 | 234 | 86 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2012–13 | 72 | 21 | 49 | 2 | 0 | 197 | 299 | 44 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2013–14 | 72 | 32 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 234 | 248 | 75 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2014–15 | 72 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 189 | 251 | 58 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | 72 | 23 | 40 | 5 | 4 | 199 | 273 | 55 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2016–17 | 72 | 20 | 46 | 3 | 3 | 183 | 296 | 46 | 5th B.C. | Did not qualify |
| 2017–18 | 72 | 36 | 27 | 6 | 3 | 233 | 257 | 81 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 48 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 228 | 162 | 101 | 1st B.C. | Lost final |
| 2019–20 | 62 | 32 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 189 | 166 | 70 | 3rd B.C. | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 59 | 24 | 2nd B.C. | No playoffs held due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 24 | 39 | 5 | 0 | 185 | 254 | 53 | 4th B.C. | Lost Western Conference semifinal |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 28 | 32 | 5 | 3 | 188 | 238 | 64 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2023–24 | 68 | 32 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 222 | 249 | 68 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
| 2024–25 | 68 | 34 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 252 | 246 | 76 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarterfinal |
Championships and Awards
The Vancouver Giants have won several important championships and awards.
Major Championships
- Memorial Cup (Canadian Hockey League champion)
* Champions: 2007 * 3rd place: 2006
- Ed Chynoweth Cup (Western Hockey League playoff champion)
* Champions: 2006 * Finalists: 2007, 2019
Other Titles
- Western Conference Champions
* 2005–06, 2006–07, 2018–19
- B.C. Division Champions (First place in regular season)
* 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2018–19
WHL Championship Series Results
- 2005–06: Won, 4–0 vs Moose Jaw Warriors
- 2006–07: Lost, 3–4 vs Medicine Hat Tigers
- 2018–19: Lost, 3–4 vs Prince Albert Raiders
Memorial Cup Finals Results
- 2007: Won, 3–1 vs Medicine Hat Tigers
Players
Many talented players have played for the Vancouver Giants. Some have even gone on to play in the NHL!
NHL Alumni
Here are some players who played for the Giants and later played in the National Hockey League (NHL):
- Tyler Benson
- Mario Bliznak
- Jonathon Blum
- Lance Bouma
- Gilbert Brule
- Bowen Byram
- Craig Cunningham
- Brendan Gallagher
- Mason Geertsen
- Triston Grant
- Brett Festerling
- Mark Fistric
- Cody Franson
- Evander Kane
- Matt Kassian
- Brett Kulak
- Andrew Ladd
- Milan Lucic
- Spencer Machacek
- Kenndal McArdle
- Jordan Martinook
- Andrej Meszaros
- Brendan Mikkelson
- David Musil
- Brent Regner
- Michal Repik
- Marek Schwarz
- Justin Sourdif
- Nick Tarnasky
- Tomas Vincour
- James Wright
Ring of Honour
The Giants have a "Ring of Honour" to celebrate special players. Here are the players on it:
- Brett Festerling (inducted December 7, 2010)
- Andrej Meszaros (inducted December 27, 2010)
- Mark Fistric (inducted January 23, 2011)
- Gilbert Brule (inducted January 28, 2011)
- Milan Lucic (inducted February 25, 2011)
- Cody Franson (inducted February 17, 2012)
- Evander Kane (inducted March 7, 2012)
- Brendan Gallagher (inducted February 15, 2014)
- Lance Bouma (inducted November 20, 2015)
- Craig Cunningham (inducted December 2, 2018)
Team Records
Here are some of the best records for the Vancouver Giants.
| Team Records for a Single Season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistic | Total | Season |
| Most points | 119 | 2008–09 |
| Fewest points | 36 | 2001–02 |
| Most wins | 57 | 2008–09 |
| Fewest wins | 13 | 2001–02 |
| Most goals for | 319 | 2008–09 |
| Fewest goals for | 183 | 2016–17 |
| Fewest goals against | 143 | 2006–07 |
| Most goals against | 365 | 2001–02 |
| Individual Player Records for a Single Season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
| Most goals | Ty Ronning | 61 | 2017–18 |
| Most assists | Casey Pierro-Zabotel | 79 | 2008–09 |
| Most points | Casey Pierro-Zabotel | 115 | 2008–09 |
| Most points, rookie | Kevin Connauton | 72 | 2009–10 |
| Most points, defenceman | Kevin Connauton | 72 | 2009–10 |
| Best GAA, goalie | Tyson Sexsmith | 1.79 | 2006–07 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Giants player
| Franchise Scoring Leaders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
| Brendan Gallagher | RW | 244 | 136 | 144 | 280 | 1.15 |
| Adam Courchaine | C | 241 | 126 | 147 | 273 | 1.13 |
| Craig Cunningham | LW | 295 | 86 | 136 | 222 | 0.75 |
| Ty Ronning | RW | 285 | 127 | 91 | 218 | 0.76 |
| Mitch Bartley | LW | 280 | 107 | 107 | 214 | 0.76 |
| Jonathon Blum | D | 248 | 49 | 155 | 204 | 0.82 |
| Darren Lynch | RW | 213 | 81 | 121 | 202 | 0.95 |
| Jackson Houck | RW | 268 | 91 | 107 | 198 | 0.74 |
| Gilbert Brule | C | 165 | 87 | 98 | 185 | 1.12 |
| James Henry | LW | 281 | 62 | 122 | 184 | 0.66 |
| Tyler Benson | LW | 190 | 61 | 123 | 184 | 0.97 |
Player Awards
Several Giants players have won individual awards.
WHL Awards
- Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
* Gilbert Brule – 2003–04
- Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (Defenceman of the Year)
* Jonathon Blum – 2008–09
- WHL Plus-Minus Award (Regular Season Plus-Minus Leader)
* Paul Albers – 2005–06 * Jonathon Blum – 2006–07
- Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian of the Year)
* Ty Ronning – 2017–18
- Bob Clarke Trophy (Regular Season Scoring Champion)
* Casey Pierro-Zabotel – 2008–09
- Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year)
* Don Hay – 2008–09
CHL Awards
- Ed Chynoweth Trophy (Memorial Cup Scoring Leader)
* Gilbert Brule – 2006 * Michal Repik – 2007
- Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup MVP)
* Milan Lucic – 2007
- CHL Defenceman of the Year
* Jonathon Blum – 2009
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in British Columbia
