About Us

Junior 'A' Hockey Does Have a History in the Cowichan Valley

Junior ‘A’ hockey began in the Cowichan Valley in the 1980/81 season. The expansion team, called the Capitals, impressed in their inaugural season with a record of 29-13-0. The team also had an impressive line including future National Hockey League players Dean Evason, Dan Hodgson and Geoff Courtnall as well as former Canadian Football League lineman Glenn Kulka. The club also had a strong flavour of local talent in their first year including stars Len Meyers, David Branting, Ken Trousdell and Tony St.Denis.

The team continued its strong play into the 1981/82 season compiling a record of 36-16-0 and included another future NHL player and now NHL broadcaster in goal, Daryl Reaugh. The club for the second straight year qualified for the playoffs, but were eliminated in the semi-finals.

However, the early success was met with two years of mediocrity. While posting 65 wins in their first two seasons, the Capitals would only compile 25 victories over the next five seasons while failing to qualify for the post-season. The teams’ struggles also coincided with poor attendances, which lead to the club to be relocated to play out of the Panorama Leisure Centre as they became the Sidney Whalers.

As the Whalers, the franchise didn’t fare much better with disappointing play on the ice and support in the stands, which subsequently lead to yet relocation, this time to Juan de Fuca. But again, lacking fan support and on-ice success, the team came full circle relocating to play out of the Cowichan Arena for the 1988-89 season.

Nicknamed the Whalers, and soon to become the Warriors, the team continued its spiral of losing seasons. Despite the continued struggles, there was a shining star as local scoring sensation Pat Hodgins, who following a 97-point season with the Clippers joined the then Warriors in 1989/90 and posted 72 points (33g-39a) in 44 games.

In 1993, a large group of people from within the community purchased the team out right with the vision of bringing the hockey club back to the Cowichan Valley. In 1993/94, the Cowichan Valley Capitals were re-born with a hard-working brand as the Capitals finished that first year back with a respectable 29-29-1 record. Their hard working style and intense work ethic helped the Capitals all the way to the BCHL Championship Final against the Kelowna Spartans, eventually falling to Kelowna in the Final.

The team has had tremendous success in providing players with the skills to move to the next level. Since the 1993/94 season, the Capitals have had over 80 players receive scholarships to NCAA Division I or Division III, Canadian Universities or go on to play Major Junior and Professional Hockey.

It is the twentieth anniversary season of the team that returned to the Cowichan Valley and competed for the BCHL league title and since returning to Cowichan, the Capitals have only missed the playoffs four times as the Capitals have become one of the flagship franchises in the BCHL.

It is the first season under the new ownership of Cory Wanner and the tutelage of Head Coach and General Manager Bob Beatty. Both the Capitals organization and the new ownership and coaching staff are committed to the players and the community.

The Cowichan Capitals embrace and thank you the fans and appreciate all the support you provide each and every night at the Island Savings Centre.