BCBHA Top Ten Men's Teams In History

We wanted to take some time to look at our history in the BCBHA. We have had some great teams and storied clubs in our history. Please take the time to enjoy and remember the great teams from our association.

A huge thank you to Kevin McWilliam for taking the time to put all of this together.

#10 Burnaby Raiders


Above: A picture taken immediately following the 2000 "A" Division Provincial Championships finals game in which the Burnaby Raiders defeated the favoured Burnaby Bulls by a score of 5 to 2.

Players
Angelo Carotenuto, Carlos Grosso, Clay Kalmas, Cliff Stayner, Darren Regular, Daryl Philbrook, Dave Dodds, Graham Benjafield, John Demos, Kevin Morash, Marcus Kunc, Mark Ferguson, Mike Limitone, Mike Young, Paul Migliuri Ray Fiesel, Ray Messina, Rob Moxness, Roy Cagnono, Ryan Carignan, Sean Carignan, Stephano Cavasin, Vic Faria

Staff
Fernando Alves - Coach & Manager
John Edwards - Assistant Coach
Wayne Morash - Trainer & #1 Fan

Team History:
The original Vancouver Raiders team was formed in1985 from the previous year's East Van Royals - a team formed by the ball hockey icon, Billy Barreiro. Billy had stopped organizing the team in 1983. Billy Barreiro, Billy Sirsirus, Tony Demos and Fernando Alves all had formed their own street hockey teams in the 1970's and played regular home and home series against one another on their respective school ground's basketball courts/open outdoor areas in East Vancouver. The two Billy's always fielded the strongest street hockey teams. Some of these 70's elementary and early high school age players were the basis for the East Van Royals (and later Raiders teams).

Without the guidance of Billy Barreiro, the 1984 East Van Royals did not fair very well under the rookie manager, Fernando Alves (a rookie player that had been asked to manage the team at the first practise that he attended).

In 1985, the team name changed to the Vancouver Raiders. The team had some good young talent but they still did not fair well. Even with players like Pat Madaisky, Perry Madaisky, Ward Parsons, Mike Ross, Tony Demos and a very young John Demos to make this team competitive with the other long established Western Ball Hockey teams that they had to face (Rowdymen, Racers, Flyers and former national champion Burnaby Beavers to name a few), this year this would just not be possible.

1986 brought about renewed optimism as Fernando Alves spent a few weekends in February scouting out the players that played in the Arenex league that were not already playing in the Western Ball Hockey League or the Fraser Ball Hockey League. Between this and getting in touch with some old high school friends that had played in a noon hour floor hockey league helped to bring out new players with an abundance of heart and skill. Names such as Sat Parhar, Blaine Fadear, Greg Carek, Jayson Henderson, Kevin Quocksister, Glenn Quocksister George Lirantzis, Pino Campagna, Terry Triskett, Lawrence Lim, Loris Pavan, Brian Cook and provincials pick up goalie, Ian Logan to name a few helped this team go on to win the inaugural BC Ball Hockey "B" division Championship in 1986.

For the next 10 years the Vancouver Raiders had some up and down years. In 1996, Brian Graham organized the Vancouver Malone's Raiders that went on to win the BCBHA "A" division championships with a combination of great experienced players from Aastros, Racers and Rowdymen teams. 1996 also brought a changing of the guard for the B version of this team... with a name change to the Burnaby Raiders and with the folding of the Port Moody Ball Hockey League a number of new free agents joined the Burnaby Raiders. Players such as Kevin Morash, Daryl Philbrook and Vic Faria would usher in and lead the Burnaby Raiders to new heights. During the next few years, heart and soul players like Mike Limitone, Darren Regular, Ray Messina, Carlos Grosso, Paul Migliuri, Michael Young, Angelo Carotenuto, Mark Ferguson, Dave Dodds and Rob Moxness were great additions that complimented the arrival of the young and very talented brothers Sean and Ryan Carignan. Pick up players such as Pete Matsubushi, Clay Kalmas and Marcus Kunc were also valuable additions to  championship teams. Cliff Stayner, Jaimie Kungl and Roy Cagnoni would all contribute significantly to championships by keeping the orange ball out of the net. The Burnaby Raiders would go on to win the Western Canadian "B" Championships in 1999 and follow up with a Provincial "A" Championship during their first year in the "A" division in 2000 - Ryan Carignan would win the Tournament MVP award. In 2001, the Burnaby Raiders would finish 4th in the Canadian Championships - this was a time period which was dominated by Ontario's Midnight Express and then followed by Quebec's Red Light team (no other team would win a national championship between 1996 and 2007).

Burnaby Raiders teams would go on to qualify for provincial championships in years to come at all levels (A, B and C divisions) - for a number of years, Fernando Alves managed a team in each of the Western Ball Hockey divisions but the heights attained in 1999 and 2000 would not be repeated. Many players joined the league through these Raiders teams and then went on to start their own teams of friends and hockey contacts. The Burnaby Raiders teams had become more than just teams but rather a vehicle for new players to join the ball hockey world and also a teaching ground on how to organize coach a ball hockey team. During the Raiders 26 year history an estimated 600 players have worn a Raiders ball hockey jersey. I have seen many of these players go on to coach in the local minor leagues for their children's teams and their children have come back to play in the same league that their father's played in. It is truly a great thing to be able to look back at the past 35 seasons and see how the ball hockey community has evolved during this time period.

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#9 Joe The Bartender

Above Photo: 1984 Esquimalt Arena

Players:
Kelly Bryant, Wayne Proceviat, Bryan Smity, Wayne Draper, Mike Milligan, Dave McDonald, Rick Milligan, Russel Kennedy, Harry Kuebler, Mike Jones, Marty Irvine, Ian Birnie, Ted James, Darrell Milne, Mike Adamek, Terry Parsons, Dan Creelman, General Manager Gord Whitney-Griffiths, Leroy Mitchell, Gerry Lindall, Wayne Wallace, Ron Allen, Rick Milen, Missing: Bill Marechek, Ken Mitchell

Staff:
Frank Bourke - Head Coach
Dean Jordan - Assistant Coach

Team History:
Joe The Bartender Ball Hockey team started playing in a Victoria league in the late 1970’s at a local outdoor lacrosse box. The team then moved into arenas once the ice was removed. Our team went to our first Provincial Championship in 1981, then 1982 and 1983! In 1984 the Provincials were held in Kamloops where we won and continued to St. John's, NL for the Canadian Championships! 1985 we continued our B.C. Championship win and went to Winnipeg for the Canadians!

Our team was made up of great hockey players, lacrosse players and all round athletes from all different sports! Without our sponsor Joe the Bartender and manager Gord Whitney-Griffiths we wouldn’t have been able to travel as much as we did or have as much fun and success!

Win or lose our team was very close and always had a great time! Fortunately, many of our members are still in contact with each other to remember all the great times and beer together!

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#8 Vancouver Bruins

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#7 Burnaby Bulls
Players:
John Demos, Bruno Sorace, Dom Ricci (C), Mario Ricci, Lino Milan, Bob Flanagan, Kyle Marks, Lorenzo Filippelli, Frank Sucurro, Lyle Wingert (A), Tony Bellano (A), Loris Centis, Clay Kalmas, Brevil Robinson, Rino Voci, Larry Mainella, Earl Graham, Tim Mills, Mike Minichiello, Dennis Morena, Derek Walberg, John Battagliola

Staff:
Larry Potozny - Coach

Team History:
National Silver Medalists 1995, Provincial Champions 1994, 1995, Western Ball Hockey Champions 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999

Started by Danny Pietremala, the Burnaby Bulls blasted on to the scene in 1989 starting in the Western Ball Hockey League B Division.  After promotion to the A Division, the young Bulls proved to be a formidable opponent for the already established Western & Fraser Valley league teams.  After some WBHL championships, close calls and heartbreaks, the Bulls finally broke through by winning the 1994 BC Provincial Championships.  Representing BC at the Canadian Ball Hockey Championships in St. John’s, Newfoundland proved to be the education the Bulls needed to make the next step.

The following year, the Bulls added some veteran pieces to a still young squad and set out to return to the Nationals and do what no other BC team had done since the 1983 Burnaby Beavers; win Gold.  The Bulls were dominant in Tournaments, the Regular Season, Playoffs and the Provincial Championships that seasons losing only a few games.  Their 2nd consecutive Provincial Championship earned a trip to the National Championships in Edmonton.  After squeaking into Semi-Finals, the Bulls earned a date with the 3-time defending National Champion from Ontario, Ferndale Rangers.  In what many observers called one of the best games in tournament history, the Bulls pulled off an incredible 3-2 upset.  The Bulls had earned the respect at the National level that seemed to elude them at home.  

The Gold Medal final was set against the Montreal Storm.   Tied 1-1 after regulation, this game went to double overtime with the Bulls suffering a crushing defeat.  No team since has come as close to the 1995 Burnaby Bulls to winning that elusive National Championship.

The Bulls continued on for several more years being one of the top teams in the province, winning WBHL titles, competing in Provincial finals, but unable to match 1995’s success.  

There were several key contributors to the Bulls including Team Canada National Team Members Goalie John Battagliola, Defenseman Dom Ricci and Defenseman Bob Flanagan.  In addition, perennial all-stars Tony Bellano, Loris Centis and Mario Ricci led the forward group on a consistent basis for over 10 years.  It is also important to note the contributions of Robin Wanders who played and managed the Bulls through the formative years as well as coaches Doug Foster, Larry Mainella (also a key contributor as a goalie) and Larry Potozny.

Though they were a team that truly believed in sticking with the same team they started with in the late 1980s, the Bulls were able to add talent, grittiness and experience through additions like Dennis Morena, Bruno Sorace, Mike Minichiello, Lino Milan, Rino Voci, Kyle Marks, John Demos, Lyle Wingert, Tim Mills and Earl Graham to name a handful.

In all, the Burnaby Bulls won 4 Western Ball Hockey League Championships, 2 Provincial Golds, and 1 National Silver Medal.  After the Bulls came to an end, several former Bulls became key contributors to the next wave of power houses like the East Van Green Machine and Falcons adding several more medals and championships to the mantel; however, the core Burnaby Bulls will tell you that they would always consider themselves a Bull first and foremost.

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#6 Kamloops Blackjacks


Players:

Goaltenders:
David Semens, Jeff Blair, Billy Dick, Logan Cloutier, Braden Armstrong, Atish Patel, Kristina Dick.

Defense:
Keith Scott, Chad Vandiemen, Ryan Vandiemen, David Rozek, Brandon Irwin, Phil McKnight, Darcy Robinson, Dino Guido, Chris Haywood-Farmer, Joe Hicketts, Dave Marshall, Jordan Mallais, Derek Mullan, Justin Bartella, Kyle Graham, Eric Nachtigal, Michael Dunn, Jordan Canuel, Chris Court, Zach Tjader, Jordan Moore, Par Sidhu,Doug Merkoski

Forwards:
Jim Armstrong, Mark Smith, Mike Thompson, James Rayburn, Dino Porco, Shaun Jeannotte, Sean Thompson, Doug Thompson, Manny Manuel, Brian Rayburn, Steve Haywood Farmer, Alex Provencal, Jared Anderson, Steve Henderson, Dario Piva, Andy Henderson,  Dean Smith, Chris Richet, Darren Dichrow, Adam O’Brien, Shayne Armstrong, Patrick Blennerhasset, Connor Bohnet, Kyle Knopp, Ryan Hanes, Tyler Ramsey, Brendan Ranford, Matthew Klassen, Eric Heichert, Crosby Dorais, Jordan Winkel, Kris Mattice, Steve Gayfer, Morgan Zulinick, Broc Mott, Tyler Akeson, Nick Moore, Felix Nachtigal.

Team Staff:
Peter Henderson

Team History:
The Kamloops Blackjacks were established in 1998 by the team’s first Captain, Jim Armstrong.  Jim brought together a group of young hockey players and piece by piece the team was formed over the next several seasons.

In 2000, the Blackjacks had their first run at the “C” Provincial Championships, losing in overtime in the championship game to Victoria’s Joe the Bartender.  This loss would serve as strong motivation for the young Blackjacks team.

The next season, the Blackjacks cruised to the 2001 “C” provincial championship on their home floor in Kamloops.  This win qualified them for the 2001 Western Canadian Championship a week later in Vancouver, which they won in a classic come from behind 6-5 overtime win over the North Delta Crunch.

In 2002, the Blackjacks finally shook off successive league final series losses in their previous seasons to their local rivals, the Rangers and won the Kamloops Ball Hockey League Title for the first time, leading to a winning streak of league titles that goes on to the present day.  In the 2002 “B” Provincial Championships, the Blackjacks defeated their rivals, Victoria’s Joe the Bartender in the final 3-1 in Vancouver.  Weeks later, the Blackjacks made the long trek across the prairies to Winnipeg for the 2002 “B” Western Canadian Championship, defeating the Winnipeg Stickboyz in the final to capture their second Western Canadian Title in as many years.

In 2003, the Blackjacks made the step up to the “A” Division.  This massive step started out poorly for the Blackjacks, as they lost their first game in “A” to the great Falcon team 7-0 in the early season Raider Tournament in Vancouver.  The Blackjacks began the “A” Provincial Championship Tournament in Kelowna in the same fashion, finding themselves down 5-1 at halftime of the first game.  However, the team roared back and won the game 6-5 on a goal with 13 seconds remaining.  This win would prove vital in boosting the confidence of the young team.  This confidence was ridden right through to the final where the Blackjacks defeated the defending champion Green Machine 3-2 in an intense final.

In 2004, the Blackjacks repeated as BC “A” Division Provincial Champions, defeating the Fraser Valley Sting 6-0 in the final.  This capped off an incredible 4 year run for the Blackjacks winning every title at all 3 levels. The Blackjacks were awarded the Team of the Year by the Kamloops Sports Council.

The Blackjacks appeared in the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 Men’s “A” National Championship Tournament, finishing 4th twice and 2 quarter-final exits in the other two tournaments.

At the Provincial Level from 2005-2012, the Blackjacks competed at the “A” division level and made multiple finals, but were never able to overcome their greatest rivals on that stage, the Vancouver Falcon Machine.

The Blackjacks recently have a new crop of young and talented ball hockey players, who won the 2015 BC “C” Division Provincial Title and the next season, winning the 2016 “C” Men’s National Championship.

The Blackjacks team has always been a close knit family, with lifelong friendships and connections having formed as a direct result of being members of the team.

Team Captains:
Jim Armstrong 1998-2002
Shaun Jeannotte 2002-2014
Kyle Graham 2015 -Present

Retired Numbers:
9 – James Rayburn
23 – Jim Armstrong
24 – Shaun Jeannotte
27 – Mike Thompson
31 – Billy Dick
97 – Dino Porco

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#5 North Shore Rowdymen

Players:

Forwards:
Tony McCusker, Daryll Stanwood, Blair Hiddleston, John Hentges, Tim Mills, Mike O'Brian, Ken Savage, Bob Ginnetti, Terry Murray, Dave Thoms, Mike Shankar, Pat Madaisky, Rick Coulson, Tony Bobbitt, Cliff Ronning, Kevin Stachoski, Dave Tomlinson, Guy Langton, Derrick Sheers, Raandy Heath, plus more.

Defence:
Phil Mills,Scott Barber,  Kevin Gassen, Nelson Brison, Dave Dupas, Rob Beckner, Peter Martin, Dave Branting, Pat Barnes, Stu Orpen, Darren Haugen, Scott Leveridge.

Goalies:
Ken Kinney, Blair McKie, Larry Yeomens, Jeff Whiltshire, Mark Oreline

Team Staff:

Manager: Gerry Mayzes
Coaches: Gerry Mayzes, Bill Charlie, Terry Murray, Gary Haverty
Trainer: Ken Anderson

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#4 Vancouver Racers

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#3 New Westminster Aastros

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: BCBHA “A” Division Provincial Champions 1986-92, National “A” Division Silver Medallist 1989, National Bronze Medallist 1987, 1990 and 1992.

PLAYER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:      
Canadian Ball Hockey Hall of Fame inductees:                                           
Steve Baker 2005
Kyle Marks 2008      
                                              

Brian Graham

The “New” New Westminster Aastros were formed in 1986. The team was a culmination of players from the “Old” Aastros, Richmond OV’s, Newton Hawks and New West Vikings. Brian Graham and Harry Dion met up and talked about what was needed for the Aastros to make them more competitive and hopefully BCBHL Champions. Harry had the core of the “Old” Aastros and was looking for an influx of talent and especially a goaltender. The remaining Aastros included Harry Dion, Tim Stubbins, Barry Jeboult, Brian Flett, Roy Wheaton, Jack Wright, Dan Corsie, Todd Bentley, Bruce McDonald and John Doughty. Brian was playing with the Newton Hawks at the time and brought over Gary Volhoffer, Kevin McWilliam, and Rusty Wills. As well he had a friend Steve Baker who brought from the Richmond OV’s, Kyle Marks, Chris Green and himself. Brian had formed a team called the New West Vikings that played in the Arenex Ball Hockey League and brought Chris Humber and Russ Heard to the “New” Aastros also. Other additions that first year included Brent McLaren and Brook Odenvald. The following year, Dave Phipps, Al Fraser and Dennis Salamandyk were added to the team. The next few years additions included, Norm Anderson, Mike Bradley, James Cayford, Ken Kinney and Colin Lundrigen.
 
The “New” Aastros went on to win 7 consecutive BCBHA “A” Division championships.

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#2 Vancouver Falcons
 

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#1 Burnaby Beavers

As one of the most victorious teams in BC ball hockey history, a common question is where did the Burnaby Beavers come from?  Prior to joining the Western Ball Hockey league in 1981, the Beavers were well known as the champions of the New Westminster Box Hockey League, winning that championship 7 out of 9 years. 

Immediately after joining the Western Ball Hockey League in 1981, the Beavers won the Western Ball Hockey league championship for the next 5 years straight, the playoffs 3out of 5 years and the BC championships 3 out of 4 years.  In 1983, the Beavers won the Canadian Ball Hockey Championship (the only BC team to ever do so) and the City of Burnaby Amateur Sports Team of the Year in 1983.

Also in 1983, the Beavers won every trophy a BC ball hockey team from Burnaby could win and were the only BC team to go undefeated in the winter and summer leagues, the BC championships and the Canadian championships.  These trophies are in the picture above.

The Beavers’ stats from 1981 to 1985 were:

Year	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA
1981	20	15	3	2	116	36
1982	23	19	1	3	148	27
1983	20	18	0	2	132	28
1984	18	15	1	2	96	29
Total:	81	67	5	9	492	120
BC Championships (5 year aggregate)	22	17	3	2
Canadians (3 year aggregate)	14	11	2	2

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Honourable Mentions:
Vancouver Green Machine
White Rock Running Rebels
Vancouver Timbermen
Vancouver Knights
West Coast Gamblers
Surrey Giants
Burnaby Thunderbolts
Vancouver Outlaws