The Alliston Hornets are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Alliston, Ontario. Starting with the 2016-17 hockey season, the Hornets were members of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. Prior to the change, they played in the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League.GBMOJHL Teams | Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Junior Hockey League | Junior C | Leagues | Ontario Hockey Association
History The Alliston Hornets were founded in 1971 as a member of the South-Central Junior D Hockey League. In 1973, that league was promoted and renamed the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League, and then the Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League in 1976.
Despite training multiple National Hockey League alumni, the Hornets were in tough in the Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League with teams like the Bradford Bulls and the Orangeville Crushers. The Hornets won the Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League crown six times, but never got past the Clarence Schmalz Cup semi-final in the All-Ontario championships.
In 1994, the Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League merged with the Georgian Bay Junior C Hockey League to create the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League. From 1994 until 2007, the Hornets have failed to win a league title. Other than a blip in the radar in 2001–02 that resulted in a 2nd place league finish but no playoff glory, since 1994 the Hornets were not up to par with their competition. In 2004, something changed. Since 2004, the Hornets have been putting up excellent winning seasons with a first-place finish and two third-place finishes.
The 2005–06 season saw the Hornets finish in third place. In the league quarter-final they drew the sixth seeded Stayner Siskins. In what many thought would be a cakewalk, the Siskins had another shocking conclusion in mind. The Hornets went up on the Siskins 3-0 with little problem. Game 4 saw the Siskins avoid the sweep with a win. The Siskins had gained enough momentum to take game 5 as well. Eventually, in the end, the Siskins won four straight games to make the ultimate comeback and take the series 4-3 over the Alliston Hornets.Home | Ontario Hockey Association
The 2006–07 season saw the Hornets leading the standing for the first half of the season and then fall away to both the Fergus Devils and Penetang Kings. Finishing with the third seed, the Hornets battled the Schomberg Cougars and made quick work of them with a 4-0 sweep of the series. In the semi-final, the Hornets drew the Goliath Clarence Schmalz Cup (CSC) defending Champion Penetang Kings. The second seeded Kings won the series 4-2 in a drawn out seesaw battle. The Kings went on to win their second straight league and provincial title.
Glory years (2007–present) Since the beginning of the 2007–08 season, the Alliston Hornets finished the Penetang Kings successful run of two straight GMOHL titles and two Clarence Schmalz Cups with six consecutive GMOHL titles and two Schmalz Cups of their own. In six regular seasons (2007–08 to the end of 2012–13), the Hornets have amassed a record of 213 wins, 23 losses, three ties, and seven losses in overtime to win five GMOHL regular season banners. In each of these six years, the Hornets have managed to win the GMOHL playoff championship and advance into the Ontario Hockey Association playdowns.
Success versus Walkerton The OHA has pinned up the winner of the GMOHL against the Champion of the Western Ontario Junior C Hockey League every year in the provincial quarter-final since the GMOHL was formed in 1994. From the 1995 playoffs until 2004, the Western League champion never failed in defeating the GMOHL champion. In their twelfth year of competition, the Penetang Kings snapped that steak against the Kincardine Bulldogs and did it again in 2007 against the same team. In the Western League, a new power was rising - the Walkerton Hawks, for years a basement dweller, had surged in recent years and took over the reins from the Bulldogs and like the Hornets won the Western League for six consecutive years. The Hawks and Hornets would meet in the quarter-final of the OHA in each of those six years and it would prove to be a disaster for the Hawks. Despite fielding competitive teams, the Hornets would win every series against the Hawks, with a combined record of 24 wins and nine losses.
Success versus the Empire B League The OHA chooses semi-final opponents based on closest proximity to each other. From 2008 until 2013, the Empire B Junior C Hockey League's champion has defeated the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League's champion and has been inline to face the Hornets. From 2008 until 2012 the Hornets did not lose a series to the Empire B League champion. In 2008, the Hornets defeated the Napanee Raiders in five games, in 2009 the Amherstview Jets in five games, in 2010 the Raiders in six games, in 2011 the Picton Pirates in four games, and in 2012 the Hornets came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Campbellford Rebels in seven games. In five years, the Hornets recorded a record of 20 wins and seven losses against the champions of the Empire B League.
In 2013, the tides changed, as the Picton Pirates returned to the Schmalz Cup semi-final. The Pirates would sweep the Hornets in four straight games to end Alliston's reign of dominance over the Empire B League.
Two provincial titles
Season-by-season standings Season GP W L T OTL GF GA P Results Playoffs1971-72 29 16 10 3 - 132 111 35 2nd SCJDHL Lost final1972-73 29 12 12 6 - 136 117 31 4th SCJDHL Lost semi-final1973-74 30 13 14 3 - 141 147 29 4th Central G1 Lost semi-final1974-75 32 16 16 0 - 145 146 32 4th Central G1 Lost semi-final1975-76 32 22 9 1 - 183 124 45 2nd Central G1 Won League, lost CSC QF1976-77 30 20 9 1 - 199 149 41 2nd Central G1 Won League, lost CSC SF1977-78 32 20 5 7 - 209 110 47 1st MOJCHL Won League, lost CSC SF1978-79 31 27 1 3 - -- -- 57 1st MOJCHL Won League, lost CSC QF1979-80 40 26 13 1 - 214 169 53 2nd MOJCHL Lost semi-final1980-81 36 27 9 0 - 208 134 54 1st MOJCHL Lost semi-final1981-82 40 34 5 1 - 292 163 69 1st MOJCHL Won League, lost CSC QF1982-83 36 22 14 0 - 231 193 44 2nd MOJCHL Lost semi-final1983-84 34 20 12 2 - 209 158 42 3rd MOJCHL Won League, lost CSC QF1984-85 36 21 13 2 - 250 188 44 3rd MOJCHL Lost semi-final1985-86 34 7 27 0 - 139 277 14 9th MOJCHL Lost quarter-final1986-87 34 17 16 1 - 183 156 35 5th MOJCHL Lost semi-final1987-88 34 10 23 1 - 150 194 21 6th MOJCHL Lost quarter-final1988-89 36 12 23 1 - 135 224 25 5th MOJCHL Lost quarter-final1989-90 34 10 24 0 - 146 211 20 6th MOJCHL Lost semi-final1990-91 34 13 21 0 - -- -- 26 5th MOJCHL Lost quarter-final1991-92 34 17 13 4 - 184 171 38 3rd MOJCHL Lost quarter-final1992-93 39 14 22 2 1 183 210 31 6th MOJCHL 1993-94 40 15 24 1 - 217 239 31 6th MOJCHL 1994-95 36 16 17 3 - -- -- 35 7th GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-2 (Cougars)Lost semi-final 3-4 (Shamrocks)1995-96 44 24 20 0 - 215 207 48 4th GMOHL Won quarter-final 3-2 (Bulls)Lost semi-final 1-3 (Kings)1996-97 36 13 22 1 - 164 192 27 8th GMOHL Won quarter-final 3-0 (Shamrocks)Lost semi-final 1-4 (Cubs)1997-98 36 12 23 1 - 145 191 25 9th GMOHL DNQ1998-99 36 16 20 0 - 177 196 32 6th GMOHL Lost quarter-final 0-4 (Siskins)1999-00 36 10 24 2 - 136 198 22 7th GMOHL Lost quarter-final 0-4 (Siskins)2000-01 36 7 27 2 0 98 227 16 7th GMOHLLost quarter-final 0-4 (Devils)2001-02 36 23 12 0 1 134 129 47 2nd GMOHLLost quarter-final 3-4 (Kings)2002-03 36 10 24 1 1 117 178 22 7th GMOHL Lost quarter-final 1-4 (Shamrocks)2003-04 36 9 25 1 1 115 181 20 7th GMOHLLost quarter-final 0-4 (Siskins)2004-05 40 26 9 5 0 170 114 57 1st GMOHLWon quarter-final 4-0 (Flyers)Lost semi-final 0-4 (Shamrocks)2005-06 42 26 12 4 0 215 141 56 3rd GMOHL Lost quarter-final 0-4 (Devils)2006-07 42 27 13 1 1 198 131 56 3rd GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-0 (Cougars)Lost semi-final 2-4 (Kings)2007-08 42 36 3 3 0 255 98 75 1st GMOHL Won semi-final 4-0 (Shamrocks)Won League 4-1 (Kings)Won CSC quarter-final 4-2 (Hawks)Won CSC semi-final 4-1 (Raiders)Won CSC final 4-3 (73's)2008-09 42 40 2 - 0 310 71 80 1st GMOHLWon semi-final 4-0 (Siskins)Won League 4-2 (Kings)Won CSC quarter-final 4-0 (Hawks)Won CSC semi-final 4-2 (Jets)Lost CSC final 0-4 (73's)2009-10 42 38 2 - 2 239 98 78 1st GMOHLWon semi-final 4-2 (Shamrocks)Won League 4-3 (Kings)Won CSC quarter-final 4-1 (Hawks)Won CSC semi-final 4-1 (Raiders)Won CSC 4-2 (Canadiens)2010-11 40 32 5 - 3 234 102 67 1st GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-0 (Golden Hawks)Won semi-final 4-2 (Kings)Won League 4-3 (Siskins)Won CSC quarter-final 4-1 (Hawks)Won CSC semi-final 4-0 (Picton Pirates)Lost CSC final 1-4 (Peach Kings)2011-12 40 32 8 - 0 236 113 64 2nd GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-0 (Golden Hawks)Won semi-final 4-2 (Kings)Won League 4-0 (Siskins)Won CSC quarter-final 4-1 (Hawks)Won CSC semi-final 4-3 (Rebels)Lost CSC final 1-4 (Peach Kings)2012-13 40 35 3 - 2 256 89 72 1st GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-0 (Otters)Won semi-final 4-1 (Kings)Won League 4-1 (Flyers)Won CSC quarter-final 4-2 (Walkerton)Lost CSC semi-final 0-4 (Picton)2013-14 40 30 9 - 1 156 93 61 2nd GMOHL Won quarter-final 4-0 (Devils)Won semi-final 4-0 (Siskins)Lost final 2-4 (Kings)2014-15 40 32 6 - 2 203 100 66 1st GMOHLWon quarter-final 4-0 (Devils)Won semi-final 4-1 (Terriers)Won League 4-0 (Cougars)Won CSC quarter-final 4-3 (Walkerton)Lost CSC semi-final 0-4 (Panthers)2015-16 40 35 2 3 - 206 60 73 1st of 9 GMOHLWon quarter-final 4-0 (Cougars)Won semi-final 4-2 (Shamrocks)Won League 4-0 (Kings)Won CSC quarter-final 4-1 (Bulldogs)Lost CSC semi-final 2-4 (Panthers)2016-17 42 36 5 1 - 248 109 73 2nd of 8Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-1 (Cougars)Won div. semi-final 4-1 (Kings)Won div. final 4-0 (Siskins)Won conf. final 4-1 (Patriots)Lost Schmalz Cup semi-final 1-4 (Panthers)2017-18 42 31 10 1 - 257 137 63 2nd of 8Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Cougars)Won div. semi-final 4-2 (Golden Hawks)Lost div. final 1-4 (Siskins)2018-19 42 29 9 2 2 191 133 62 2nd of 8Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Otters)Won div. semi-final 4-1 (Golden Hawks)Won div. final 4-0 (Kings)Won North Conf. final 4-2 (Patriots)Lost league semi-final 0-4 (Raiders)2019-20 42 34 4 1 3 198 114 72 1st of 8Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Otters)Won div. semi-final 4-3 (Kings) 1-0 (Siskins)Due to COVID, playoffs cancelled2020-21 Season lost due to COVID-19 pandemic2021-22 30 20 8 1 1 155 85 42 4th of 8Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Kings)Lost, div. semi-final 3-4 (Siskins)2022-23 40 30 7 2 1 203 118 63 2nd of 9Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Flyers)Lost semi-final 0-4 (Cougars)2023-24 42 36 6 0 0 233 83 72 1st of 9Carruthers Div-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Spartans)Won div. semi-final 4-1 (Cougars)Won League 4-0 (Siskins)Lost conf. final 1-4 (Barons)2025-26 42 32 10 0 0 218 102 64 2nd of 8 Carruthers Div4th of 15 North Conf7th of 61-PJHLWon div. quarter-final 4-0 (Otters)Won div. semi-final 4-0 (Terriers)Lost div. final 2-4 (Siskins) 2000-2004http://www.ohahockey.org/ Provided by GMO League statistician 2004–present
Clarence Schmalz Cup appearances 2008: Alliston Hornets defeated Essex 73's 4-3. 2009: Essex 73's defeated Alliston Hornets 4-0. 2010: Alliston Hornets defeated Belle River Canadiens 4-2. 2011: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Alliston Hornets 4-1. 2012: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Alliston Hornets 4-1.
Notable alumni Perry AndersonLegends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – Perry Anderson Manny LegaceLegends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – Manny Legace John MaddenLegends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – John Madden Darrin ShannonLegends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – Darrin Shannon Darryl ShannonLegends of Hockey – NHL Player Search – Player – Darryl Shannon
References
External links