[templatic_contentbox type=”normal” title=”2017-18 Woodstock Navy Vets “] Front Row (left to right): Noah Burns (street clothes), Dylan Wettlaufer (street clothes), Kyle Walker (Assistant Captain), Chris Nauts, Josh Wright, Warren Gorman, Mike Harrison, Austin Richardson, Keaghan Brett Back Row: Jamie Rogg, Lucas Psenicka, Jared Prekup, Austin Sine, Troy Vandenbussche, Kurtis Christo, Connor Dick, Jack Dorey, Justin Elms, Justin Vandendool, Chris Jensen, Chris Thompson, Cam Leslie (Captain) Coaching Staff (background left to right): Devon Young (President), Kyle Handsaeme (Assistant Coach), Darren Young (Assistant Coach), Matt Paton (Head Coach), Devin Strickler (Assistant Equipment Manager) [/templatic_contentbox]
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The 2017-18 Provincial Junior Hockey League season has been one to remember for the Woodstock Navy Vets, who have enjoyed their best season – both on the ice and at the gate – since 2002.
On the ice, the Navy Vets finished third in the Doherty Division during the regular season with an impressive record of 30-9-0-1, just five points behind first-place Ayr. After dispensing with the Norwich Merchants, 4-1, in the quarterfinals, the Vets advanced to a semi-final matchup against No. 2-ranked Tavistock where, at the time of this writing, the Vets were locked in a tough series against the Braves.
At the gate, the Woodstock club posted a regular season attendance of 10,504, making them only the third OHA Junior C team to reach the 10,000 mark. The Vets averaged 525 fans per game en route to earning a top-3 finish and advancing to the semi-finals for the first time since 2010 (it was just a 6-team division then, as opposed to today’s 9-team Doherty Division). Their opening night crowd of 1,510 was the largest since 2002.
Several other milestones were achieved along the way for the Woodstock Juniors, including earning 30 wins for the first time since 1997 (and only the fourth time in team history). Their 16 home wins were the most since 1999, while their four home losses (including one in OT) were the fewest since 2002. Their 200 goals were the most by the franchise since 1997, and they won their first playoff series since 2009.
On an individual level, the Vets had six scorers in the top 30 in the Doherty Division, including Kyle Walker who finished 8th overall with 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points. Walker’s goal and point totals were the most in a season by any Vets player since 2002 and 1999, respectively. Meanwhile, Chris Nauts (11 goals, 27 assists, 38 points) was the top scoring defenceman in the division, and Josh Wright (4 goals, 31 assists, 35 points) was the top scoring rookie defenceman. Both goalies finished top 6 in the league, including Keaghan Brett who posted a 2.63 goals against average. His 19 wins were the most in a season by any Vets goalie since the early 1970s.
Five Woodstock players won awards in 2017-18. Troy Vandenbussche was named top rookie in November, Brett was awarded top goalie in November, Dylan Wettlaufer was named top player in January, Josh Wright earned top rookie honours in January, and Kyle Walker was named to the league’s annual All-Star team.
It was certainly a season to remember for the Woodstock Navy Vets!
Contributions by Jim Taylor
