kids encyclopedia robot

Vancouver Giants facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Vancouver Giants
Vancouver Giants Logo.svg
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
Captain Vacant
Championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
1 (2006)
Conference Championships
3 (2005–06, 2006–07, 2018–19)
Memorial Cup
1 (2007)

The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007. Their home rink was the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, an arena previously used by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Vancouver Canucks. Effective with the 2016–17 season, the team relocated to the Langley Events Centre in the Township of Langley, in the eastern part of Metro Vancouver.

The ownership group consists of British Columbia-based businessmen Ron Toigo and Sultan Thiara, the estate of Hockey Hall of Fame member Gordie Howe and Canadian big band singer Michael Bublé. Pat Quinn was also a part-owner until his death on November 23, 2014.

History

Led by majority owner and British Columbia-based businessman Ron Toigo, the City of Vancouver was granted a WHL franchise for the 2001–02 season. In their inaugural campaign, the Giants compiled 13 wins, 49 losses and six ties. The first goal in franchise history was scored by Tyson Mulock in a loss to the Kamloops Blazers.

The following season, the Giants went 26–37–5–4, good for fourth in the B.C. Division, and made their first playoff appearance, but lost in the first round to the eventual President's Cup champions, the Kelowna Rockets, in four games. Second-year forward Adam Courchaine led the team in scoring with 85 points. His 43 goals stood as a single-season franchise record for six years until second-year forward Evander Kane broke it in 2008–09.

In the 2003–04 season, the Giants continued to improve, posting a 33–24–9–6, which marked their first winning season. After defeating the Kamloops Blazers in the first round, the Giants lost in the second round to the expansion team Everett Silvertips in six games. Adam Courchaine led the team again in scoring, finishing ninth overall in the League. Hometown rookie Gilbert Brule, the first overall pick in the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft, scored 60 points and earned the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's best first-year player.

In the 2004–05 season, the Giants went 34–30–4–4 and Brule emerged as a WHL star, finishing third in League scoring with 87 points, which remained a franchise record until overager Casey Pierro-Zabotel snapped it in 2008–09. Courchaine tallied 78 points and finished seventh in League scoring, marking the first time that the top ten WHL scorers would feature two Giants players. In the playoffs, the Giants lost in the first round to Kelowna. Despite the early exit, the Giants drew many fans to the Coliseum that year due to the NHL lockout; Game 6 against the Rockets drew 16,183 fans.

The 2005–06 season featured the Giants' most significant improvement in the standings, becoming one of the WHL's top teams. They finished the season 47–19–0–6, first in the B.C. Division and third in the League overall. In the first round of the playoffs, the Giants beat the Prince George Cougars in five games, then the Portland Winterhawks in the second round, also in five games. In the third and final round, they won eight-straight, sweeping both the Everett Silvertips and Moose Jaw Warriors en route to their first-ever President's Cup. Gilbert Brule had returned to the team midway through the season after starting 2005–06 with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and earned the airBC Trophy as the playoff MVP after scoring 16 goals and 30 points in 18 post-season games, including five goals and 12 points in the finals.

By winning the WHL league title, the Giants earned their first Memorial Cup appearance in Moncton, New Brunswick. The Giants finished the round-robin tied for third, then defeated the Peterborough Petes in a tie-breaker in order to move on to the playoffs, but lost to the Moncton Wildcats in the semifinal. Brule scored 12 points in five games, earning the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as tournament leading scorer. He was also named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team along with Giants defenceman Paul Albers.

2007 Memorial Cup celebration
The Giants celebrating with the Memorial Cup, May 27, 2007.

The Giants were chosen by the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) prior to the 2006 Memorial Cup to host the 2007 edition. They finished the season, once again, atop their division and fourth overall in the League. The season featured a goaltending controversy in which starter Dustin Slade would begin the season splitting time with emerging goalie Tyson Sexsmith. Slade, frustrated with having to relinquish starts, would leave the team in November to pursue a professional playing career. With Sexsmith, who finished first in the WHL in goals against average (GAA), as their starting goalie, and a balanced offence that included the likes of Milan Lucic, Michal Repik and mid-season acquisitions Wacey Rabbit and Kenndal McArdle, the Giants made their way once again to the WHL final. The series went the distance against the Medicine Hat Tigers, but the Giants lost the seventh and deciding game in double overtime, failing to win their second consecutive WHL title. However, due to their automatic bye into the Memorial Cup as hosts, the Giants avenged their seventh game loss against the Tigers, defeating Medicine Hat 3–1 in the Cup final, capturing their first-ever Memorial Cup title. Lucic earned the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP, while linemate Michal Repik led the tournament in scoring — edging Lucic by one goal — to capture the Ed Chynoweth Trophy. Defenceman Cody Franson also joined Lucic and Repik on the tournament All-Star Team.

As defending Memorial Cup champions the following season, the Giants won the B.C. Division for the third consecutive year and posted a franchise-record 106 points (49–15–2–6), enough for third in the League. Third-year forward Spencer Machacek, named team captain after incumbent captain Milan Lucic would play with the Boston Bruins of the NHL, led the team in scoring with 78 points, 14th overall in the League. On defence, Jonathon Blum, also a returnee from the Memorial Cup-winning team, finished second among League defencemen in scoring, tallying 63 points, a single-season franchise-record among defenceman. In goal, Sexsmith once again led the WHL with a stellar 1.89 GAA. The Giants' run for a third consecutive Memorial Cup appearance, however, was cut short; after sweeping the Chilliwack Bruins in the first round, the Giants were ousted by the Spokane Chiefs in six games.

A dominant 2008–09 season established several records for the Giants. The club set a WHL record by clinching a playoff berth just 46 games into the season. The mark was previously set by the Everett Silvertips, who clinched a berth after 48 games in 2006–07. Individually, overager Casey Pierro-Zabotel broke the team marks for single-season assists and points, surpassing Darren Lynch and Gilbert Brule, respectively, while second-year forward Evander Kane bettered Adam Courchaine's single-season goals total. Team captain Jonathon Blum also surpassed Courchaine to become the franchise's all-time assists leader. Finishing the season with a franchise-high 57 wins and 119 points, the Giants came within three points of their first Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the top regular season team, behind the Calgary Hitmen.

Awards and trophies

Championships

Individual

WHL

Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy

Coach of the Year

  • Don Hay – 2008–09

CHL

Players

NHL alumni

  • 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

NHL draftees

Note that these are the players who were drafted into the NHL while playing for the Vancouver Giants

  • Marian Havel (Drafted by Washington Capitals in 2002; sixth round, 179th overall)
  • Robin Kovar (Drafted by Edmonton Oilers in 2002; fourth round, 123rd overall
  • Adam Courchaine (Drafted by Minnesota Wild in 2003; seventh round, 219th overall)
  • Triston Grant (Drafted by Philadelphia Flyers in 2004; ninth round, 286th overall)
  • Mark Fistric (Drafted by Dallas Stars in 2004; first round, 28th overall)
  • Gilbert Brule (Drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005; first round, 6th overall)
  • Cody Franson (Drafted by Nashville Predators in 2005; third round, 79th overall)
  • J. D. Watt (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2005; fourth round, 111th overall)
  • Milan Lucic (Drafted by Boston Bruins in 2006; second round, 50th overall)
  • Jonathon Blum (Drafted by Nashville Predators in 2007; first round, 23rd overall)
  • Michal Repik (Drafted by Florida Panthers in 2007; second round, 40th overall)
  • Spencer Machacek (Drafted by Atlanta Thrashers in 2007; third round, 67th overall)
  • Tyson Sexsmith (Drafted by San Jose Sharks in 2007; third round, 91st overall)
  • Lance Bouma (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2008; third round, 78th overall)
  • James Wright (Drafted by Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008; fourth round, 117th overall)
  • Brent Regner (Drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008; fifth round, 137th overall)
  • Evander Kane (Drafted by Atlanta Thrashers in 2009; first round, 4th overall)
  • Craig Cunningham (Drafted by Boston Bruins in 2010; fourth round, 97th overall)
  • Brendan Gallagher (Drafted by Montreal Canadiens in 2010; fifth round, 147th overall)
  • David Musil (Drafted by Edmonton Oilers in 2011; second round, 31st overall)
  • Marek Tvrdon (Drafted by Detroit Red Wings in 2011; fourth round, 115th overall)
  • Jordan Martinook (Drafted by Phoenix Coyotes in 2012; second round, 58th overall)
  • Brett Kulak (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2012; fourth round, 105th overall)
  • Mason Geertsen (Drafted by Colorado Avalanche in 2013; fourth round, 93rd overall)
  • Jackson Houck (Drafted by Edmonton Oilers in 2013; fourth round, 94th overall)
  • Tyler Benson (Drafted by Edmonton Oilers in 2016; second round, 32nd overall)
  • Ty Ronning (Drafted by New York Rangers in 2016; seventh round, 201st overall)
  • Milos Roman (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2018; fourth round, 122nd overall))
  • David Tendeck (Drafted by Arizona Coyotes in 2018; sixth round, 158th overall)
  • Alex Kannok-Leipert (Drafted by Washington Capitals in 2018; sixth round, 161st overall)
  • Bowen Byram (Drafted by Colorado Avalanche in 2019; first round, 4th overall)
  • Trent Miner (Drafted by Colorado Avalanche in 2019; seventh round, 202nd overall)
  • Justin Sourdif (Drafted by Florida Panthers in 2020; third round, 87th overall)
  • Zack Ostapchuk (Drafted by Ottawa Senators in 2021; second round, 39th overall)
  • Samuel Honzek (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2023; first round, 16th overall)
  • Jaden Lipinski (Drafted by Calgary Flames in 2023; fourth round, 112th overall)

Ring of Honour

  • Brett Festerling (inducted on December 7, 2010)
  • Andrej Meszaros (inducted on December 27, 2010)
  • Mark Fistric (inducted on January 23, 2011)
  • Gilbert Brule (inducted on January 28, 2011)
  • Milan Lucic (inducted on February 25, 2011)
  • Cody Franson (inducted on February 17, 2012)
  • Evander Kane (inducted on March 7, 2012)
  • Brendan Gallagher (inducted on February 15, 2014)
  • Lance Bouma (inducted on November 20, 2015)
  • Craig Cunningham (inducted on December 2, 2018)

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history as of completion of the 2021–22 season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Giants player

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

Current roster

Updated March 30, 2024.

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Drafted
2 Canada Alain, ColtonColton Alain D R 16 2022 Victoria, British Columbia Eligible 2025
17 Canada Edwards, MatthewMatthew Edwards RW R 18 2020 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Undrafted
27 Canada Gronick, KyrenKyren Gronick C R 20 2022 Regina, Saskatchewan Undrafted
7 Canada Halaburda, TyTy Halaburda (A) C R 19 2020 Victoria, British Columbia Undrafted
25 Canada Hammett, LogenLogen Hammett (A) D L 21 2023 Regina, Saskatchewan Undrafted
24 Canada Hoilett, LondonLondon Hoilett RW R 19 2023 Winnipeg, Manitoba Undrafted
29 Slovakia Honzek, SamuelSamuel Honzek (C) C L 19 2022 Trenčín, Slovakia 2023, 16th Overall, CGY
44 Canada Howell, MarekMarek Howell D L 17 2023 Calgary, Alberta Eligible 2024
1 Canada Hutchison, MatthewMatthew Hutchison G L 17 2021 Nanaimo, British Columbia Eligible 2025
47 Canada Leslie, MazdenMazden Leslie (A) D R 19 2020 Lloydminster, Alberta Undrafted
26 Canada Levis, ConnorConnor Levis C R 19 2024 Vancouver, British Columbia 2023, 210th Overall, WPG
4 Canada Lin, RyanRyan Lin D R 16 2023 Richmond, British Columbia Eligible 2026
15 United States Lipinski, JadenJaden Lipinski (A) RW R 19 2021 Scottsdale, Arizona 2023, 112th Overall, CGY
12 Canada Marinkovic, TomisTomis Marinkovic C L 20 2023 Coquitlam, British Columbia Undrafted
33 Canada Mirwald, BrettBrett Mirwald G L 20 2022 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Undrafted
8 Canada Obobaifo, AaronAaron Obobaifo C L 17 2022 Calgary, Alberta Eligible 2025
23 Canada Olson, BrettBrett Olson C R 16 2023 Spruce Grove, Alberta Eligible 2026
20 Canada Oreskovic, JakobJakob Oreskovic C L 17 2022 Langley, British Columbia Eligible 2025
13 Canada Palmeri, DamianDamian Palmeri D L 20 2019 Delta, British Columbia Undrafted
6 Canada Roberts, ColtonColton Roberts D R 17 2021 Maple Ridge, British Columbia Eligible 2024
38 Canada Schmidt, CameronCameron Schmidt C R 17 2022 Prince George, British Columbia Eligible 2025
16 United States Subject, WillWill Subject D R 18 2022 Wayzata, Minnesota Undrafted
22 Canada Thorpe, TylerTyler Thorpe RW R 18 2022 Richmond, British Columbia Undrafted
21 Czech Republic Titlbach, AdamAdam Titlbach C L 18 2023 Litvinov, Czech Republic Eligible 2024
5 Canada Wilson, WyattWyatt Wilson D R 20 2023 Swift Current, Saskatchewan Undrafted
18 Canada Zimmer, TysonTyson Zimmer RW R 19 2024 Russell, Manitoba Undrafted

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts, SOL = Shootout losses Pts, 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. Out of playoffs
2002–03 72 26 37 5 4 217 292 61 4th B.C. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2003–04 72 33 24 9 6 215 196 81 2nd B.C. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2004–05 72 34 30 4 4 212 205 76 3rd B.C. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2005–06 72 47 19 0 6 252 156 100 1st B.C. Won WHL Championship; Lost Memorial Cup
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 semi-final
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 quarter-final
2011–12 72 40 26 2 4 255 234 86 2nd B.C. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2012–13 72 21 49 2 0 197 299 44 5th B.C. Out of playoffs
2013–14 72 32 29 7 4 234 248 75 3rd B.C. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2014–15 72 27 41 2 2 189 251 58 5th B.C. Out of playoffs
2015–16 72 23 40 5 4 199 273 55 5th B.C. Out of playoffs
2016–17 72 20 46 3 3 183 296 46 5th B.C. Out of playoffs
2017–18 72 36 27 6 3 233 257 81 3rd B.C. Lost Western Conference quarter-final
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 were held
2021–22 68 24 39 5 0 185 254 53 4th B.C. Lost Western Conference semi-final
2022–23 68 28 32 5 3 188 238 64 3rd B.C. Lost Western Conference Quarter-final
2023–24 68 32 32 4 0 222 249 68 3rd B.C. Lost Western Conference Quarter-final

WHL Championship history

  • 2005–06: Win, 4–0 vs Moose Jaw
  • 2006–07: Loss, 3–4 vs Medicine Hat
  • 2018–19: Loss, 3–4 vs Prince Albert

Memorial Cup Finals history

  • 2007: Win, 3–1 vs Medicine Hat

Team records

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

See also

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Vancouver Giants Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.