Email
Print
Blazers History
The Sackville Blazers are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. The Blazers play in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League and are the only team in history to have won three consecutive Don Johnson Cups as Maritime Junior B Champions.
History
The Sackville Blazers became a reality for the 1982/83 season. This came after seven years of hard work to gain entry into Junior hockey for Sackville. Starting with the 1997/98 season, the Blazers have had a continuous run of finishing first overall season after season.
The Sackville Blazers' Maritime dynasty began with the 2002-03 season. After winning the NSJBHL Championship, the Blazers went on to the Don Johnson Cup. After finishing first in the round robin with winds including 7-3 over the St. John's Junior Hockey League's St. John's Jr. Celtics, 6-1 over the Island Junior Hockey League's Sherwood Falcons, and 5-1 over the host Mt. Pearl Jr. Blades, the Blazers received a bye directly into the final. Sackville met Mt. Pearl again and dispatched them 6-4 to win their first Maritime Junior B Championship.
In 2004, the Sackville Blazers won their second straight NSJBHL title to move on to the Don Johnson Cup again. Starting off with a 6-2 loss to the Island Junior Hockey League's Kensington Vipers, the Blazers needed to win their final two games to guarantee another shot at the Cup. The Blazers knocked off the St. John's Junior Hockey League's Conception Bay North Jr. Stars and the host Antigonish Bulldogs to clinch a spot in the semi-final. In the semi-final, they again defeated Conception Bay North 7-2 and in the final they avenged their only loss with a 3-2 win over Kensington to win their second straight Don Johnson Cup.
In 2005, the Sackville Blazers again won their league championship, their third in consecutive years. They entered the Don Johnson Cup as won of only three teams to have won two consecutive titles (Antigonish Bulldogs and St. John's Jr. 50's begin the other two) with an opportunity to make history. The Blazers kicked off the tournament with a 6-1 romp over the Kensington Vipers and a 10-3 demolishing of the St. John's League's Trinity Placentia Flyers. In their final round robin game, they dropped a win to the host Strait Pirates and lost their bye to the tournament final. In the semi-final, the Blazers again beat Trinity Placentia 4-2 and in the final they avenged their loss to Strait 1-0 to clinch their third consecutive Don Johnson Cup the only team in history to win three in a row.
The Sackville Blazers were honored in the spring of 2012, by being inducted into the Sackville Sports Hall of Fame. The 3 teams from 2002 to 2005 were inducted for winning the three straight Provincial and Atlantic titles.
League Champions - 2003, 2004, 2005
Don Johnson Cup Champions - 2003, 2004, 2005
The founding members of the Hockey Club, incorporated in 1982, were: Bill Chase, Ken Faulkner, Frank King, Ron King, Doug Lively, Harold Levangie, Bill MacDonald, Danny MacKinnon, Thomas Peters, Bill Rupchull, Ken Barrett, Gordon Johns, Lynn Johns and Bob Warren.
Loyal Supporters/Sponsors
Ken Barrett – Nova Automotive
Cecil Mitchell – Mitchell Print
Ron Mayhew – Sportwheels
Over 30 years, there were some very special people who deserve to be recognized for the tremendous amount of time they donated to the Blazers
Neil Crowell and the late Brian Power– contributed uncountable hours to looking after the Blazers equipment. Brian also served on the executive for many years.
Marianne Hagen – our current trainer now in her 15th year with the club.
Mark Laprise – has coached with the Blazers for the past 17 years.
Dwight Dempster – Has been on the bench or in the stands as General Manager and Coach for almost 20 years.
John Doyle – Has been working for the Blazers since the beginning and to this day, still looks after the Blazers Lotto Booth at the Superstore.
The John’s Family – Gordon – who started the Lotto Booth and served on executive for many years: Lynn – original executive member: Barry – coach – now proud parent of rookie Blazer #18 Chris Johns
The coaches: Reg Hurst, Del Eady, Bernie Bishop, Bob Gaudy, Wayde Lively, Bill Brown, Larry Graham, Barry Johns, Andy Conrad and current coach/General Manager Dwight Dempster
