How The London Knights Became The CHL’s Premier Franchise | Hometown Hockey
For over 50 years the London Knights have been a mainstay in the city of London, developing some of the NHL’s biggest stars. Under the guidance of Mark and Dale Hunter they have become one of the CHL’s premier franchises.
May be filled up but is also one of the quietest building in hockey, you can literally hear the players fart on the bench it is so quiet, only time fand make noise is when there is a fight or a goal,other than that you could sleep through the whole game with no problem
Growing up in Ontario the London Knights have always been one of the best OHL franchises always drafting ahead and competitive every year. It's to bad behind it are 2 classless scum bags, last year my home town Guelph Storm knocked the London Knights out of the. 2018 Playoffs. These 2 scum bags didn't stick around to shake hands with the players and coaches just left to the back when the final buzzer went.
London has bribed more players than any other team. I believe nazem kadri got $200,000 for coming to play there. Patty kane got $300,000. Which is incredible considering that's all come out now, it's been admitted to, and still nothing happens. But Windsor gets caught once and loses its first round draft picks for the next 4 years as punishment. That's why London's the "premiere" team. (Btw, also a word that would never in a million years be used to describe a hockey team. Great reporting guys)
I'm from Washington State, i live 40 miles south of Seattle, it's good to see stories like this of the other CHL Leagues, i have been a fan of the Western Hockey League team from Seattle, and every countless year i always hope that the Thunderbirds will have a great year, and every year i am disappointed, what do they have to do to recruit decent players so they can be competitive? In there almost 50 years of existence they have won the league title only 2 times, they have been to the Memorial Cup 3 times and one of those years they were the host, and they get their butts kicked out of the tournament, and I'm sure the other teams wonder "What are they doing here?" I would sure love to see in my lifetime to see them hoist the Cup above their heads proudly
Steve Mason wasn’t a Knight his entire career. He got traded in 08 to Kitchener for amazement Kadri. I’d know. Because Mason got the OHL Championship. And kadri got nothing
Money. If you spend a ton of money on your system then everyone will want to play for you. Draft the guys that fall in the draft cause they won’t sign with anyone but you. Get imports that wouldn’t play anywhere else. Now that you have a ton of good players, more good players will want to play for you. Etc, etc etc.
Not calling out the Knights or anything. That’s just how it is
Always loved taking the drive up the 401 from Windsor to see our two teams play. Budweiser Gardens is an awesome arena to watch hockey games in, and tickets are for the most part not too pricey. Go Spits! 🙂
Paying top dollar to get players and subvert the draft is the main reason. Both Dale & Mark have failed spectacularly at every other stop they have made, but you think there is some magic potion in London? Nah. It's all about the $$$$
Moved here recently and I love going to London Knights games, I've gone to two so far and it's always awesome! Went to the last regular season game of 2023 and went to game 5 of the second round when we won the Semi Final of the Western Conference! We have great players, great fans, a great arena, it really is The Mini NHL
31 Comments
My family will settle the last slice with a battle royale
💰💰💰💰
Any Oakridge kids out here?
Yeah y’all can’t play hockey
Wow, Christine Simpson had to go far and dig deep for this one.
May be filled up but is also one of the quietest building in hockey, you can literally hear the players fart on the bench it is so quiet, only time fand make noise is when there is a fight or a goal,other than that you could sleep through the whole game with no problem
Growing up in Ontario the London Knights have always been one of the best OHL franchises always drafting ahead and competitive every year. It's to bad behind it are 2 classless scum bags, last year my home town Guelph Storm knocked the London Knights out of the. 2018 Playoffs. These 2 scum bags didn't stick around to shake hands with the players and coaches just left to the back when the final buzzer went.
Bribery
London has bribed more players than any other team. I believe nazem kadri got $200,000 for coming to play there. Patty kane got $300,000. Which is incredible considering that's all come out now, it's been admitted to, and still nothing happens. But Windsor gets caught once and loses its first round draft picks for the next 4 years as punishment. That's why London's the "premiere" team. (Btw, also a word that would never in a million years be used to describe a hockey team. Great reporting guys)
Only team I will respect in the CHL/OHL
I'm from Washington State, i live 40 miles south of Seattle, it's good to see stories like this of the other CHL Leagues, i have been a fan of the Western Hockey League team from Seattle, and every countless year i always hope that the Thunderbirds will have a great year, and every year i am disappointed, what do they have to do to recruit decent players so they can be competitive? In there almost 50 years of existence they have won the league title only 2 times, they have been to the Memorial Cup 3 times and one of those years they were the host, and they get their butts kicked out of the tournament, and I'm sure the other teams wonder "What are they doing here?" I would sure love to see in my lifetime to see them hoist the Cup above their heads proudly
Steve Mason wasn’t a Knight his entire career. He got traded in 08 to Kitchener for amazement Kadri.
I’d know. Because Mason got the OHL Championship. And kadri got nothing
I love living in this city, the knights are the talk of the town, the players are treated like legends, it’s just a great environment.
I’m sorry I’ve never had Giuseppe pizzeria but sounds really good
Money. If you spend a ton of money on your system then everyone will want to play for you. Draft the guys that fall in the draft cause they won’t sign with anyone but you. Get imports that wouldn’t play anywhere else. Now that you have a ton of good players, more good players will want to play for you. Etc, etc etc.
Not calling out the Knights or anything. That’s just how it is
It’s simple… it’s called cheating.
Whit let the cat out of the bag that London plays its players under the table so it all makes sense 👀
cause they cheat
The answer is money
Here's a question for Dale and Mark hunter that will never be answered ypic London obviously you've changed the franchise for the better
Always loved taking the drive up the 401 from Windsor to see our two teams play.
Budweiser Gardens is an awesome arena to watch hockey games in, and tickets are for the most part not too pricey.
Go Spits! 🙂
They pay off all the kids parents. Crooked as hell.
Forget the under the table payoffs, the Hunters know how to run a hockey club.
My Favorite OHL team also love the Nickname after The Crusader Knights
I played for the franchise
HHAHAHA THATS ME 2:18
#27.
Paying top dollar to get players and subvert the draft is the main reason. Both Dale & Mark have failed spectacularly at every other stop they have made, but you think there is some magic potion in London? Nah. It's all about the $$$$
The Knights suck !!!!!!
London is one of the best hockey towns on planet earth. They could hold an NHL team easily
Well i wouldn't call it Premier more like Stress out the players
Moved here recently and I love going to London Knights games, I've gone to two so far and it's always awesome! Went to the last regular season game of 2023 and went to game 5 of the second round when we won the Semi Final of the Western Conference! We have great players, great fans, a great arena, it really is The Mini NHL