London Knights
Playoff preview: London Knights (4) vs. Soo Greyhounds (5)
London’s strong play down the stretch earned them home ice advantage for the first round of the OHL playoffs. Now, they’ll look to get past Sault Ste. Marie and into a Western Conference semi-final.
Home-ice advantage comes down to final weekend
Knight Watch: London needs three of a possible four points this weekend to secure fourth in the Western Conference; Henry Brzustewicz and Braidy Wassilyn eye milestone goals; Formidable foes ahead in Windsor Friday at home, Flint on road Saturday.
Cover didn’t start on the ice, but he’s excelling there today
Jaxon Cover, a leading forward for the Knights, played in-line hockey as a youngster. A latecomer to the ice, he’s made the transition successfully and is looking forward to big things — in London and beyond.
Knights looking to round into playoff form
Knight Watch: London swept three last week — but remain in fifth in Western Conference; Jaxon Cover, Sebastian Gatto continue strong play; Knights get Guelph at home Friday, head to Windsor Sunday.
Bolts out of the blue: Life, redemption, and death of Michael Ray Richardson
Lightning crashes: London calls it quits on BSL, Forest City
Playoff preview: How do Majors stack up against Royals?
Cobra Chickens hatch again on Civic Holiday
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About the Knights
Founded in 1965, and adopting their current name in 1968, the London Knights are a junior hockey team that competes in the Ontario Hockey League. First playing out of the London Gardens (later renamed the London Ice House), the franchise reached its first OHL final in 1977 and returned in 1999 (under its fourth ownership group), falling short both times.
The Knights began a new era in 2000 when former NHL players Dale Hunter, Mark Hunter and Basil McRae purchased the team. In 2002, the team moved into a brand new 9,900-seat arena, the John Labatt Centre (renamed Budweiser Gardens in 2012), and the Knights soon embarked on a remarkable dynasty.
The 2004-05 Knights team, which featured future NHL star Corey Perry, set a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) record with a 31-game unbeaten streak en route to winning the franchise’s first OHL championship – and Memorial Cup title (on home ice). Since then, the Knights have been a contender nearly every year, including winning OHL titles in 2012, 2013 and 2016 and capturing their second Memorial Cup in 2016.
Just since 2000, the Knights have produced 20 first-round picks in the NHL Entry Draft, including Rick Nash, Perry, Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Nazem Kadri, Bo Horvat, Max Domi, Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Evan Bouchard, Liam Foudy and Connor McMichael.