The London Knights have built a reputation around the OHL and the CHL, where they are expected to perform at an elite level during the regular season and to have deep playoff runs. That reputation was solidified in the 2004-05 season, where the London Knights had the best team in the century. It’s true, before the 2018-19 regular season got underway the CHL had a poll so people could go ahead and vote for who they thought was the best team of the century around the CHL.
It was no surprise when the 2004-2005 London Knights were announced as the finalists. That team was unstoppable, they are the only team to this day still hold the record for longest winning streak in the CHL. Were not talking 10 games here, were talking about a 31 game winning streak! For 31 games the London Knights were not losing. It’s pretty hard to lose when you have guys like, Danny Syvret, Dave Bolland, Brandon Prust, Corey Perry, Dan Girardi, Marc Methot, Dylan Hunter, the list goes on.
The Point is this team was built to win and did they ever! In that season Corey Perry who is now with the Anaheim Ducks, collected 130 points! Not far behind him was, Dylan Hunter who is now an assistant coach with the London Knights. Hunter had 104 points in that season. That definitely helped the team win the CHL’s ultimate prize, who also happened to be in presence tonight.
“It’s definitely awesome to be here, you never thought something like this would happen looking back thirteen or fourteen years ago but, it’s special, and it’s pretty cool to be here, and to be with all the guys once again.” Said Corey Perry, when he was asked what it was like to have his team win the CHL team of the century award.
We are now in 2018 almost 2019, and this season the London Knights are on their way. They are currently on a 10 game winning streak after knocking off the Mississauga Steelheads 7-4.
Matt Hiscox Photography
The future for this years team looks promising, with Evan Bouchard, Alex Formenton, Adam Boqvist, and Liam Foudy, leading the way for the Knights. A deep playoff run seems like something that could happen. Even though, we are only a little bit passed the 20 game mark, things are looking good for this years team. Last year the team was mainly in the top 5 of the Western Conference bouncing back and forth from 4th to 5th. They would eventually be swept by the Owen-Sound Attack in the first round, which was a first in quite some time. This year the Knights find themselves at the top of the Conference, it’s not locked in obviously but, they’re holding down the fort.
The London Knights are living up to their reputation of winning and filling up those seats at Budweiser Gardens each and every night. They may not break the winning streak record of 31 but, they have the potential of calling themselves champions if they keep this up for the remainder of the season. After all, it is Hockey…anything can happen. They got a glimpse of the Memorial Cup tonight, maybe the next time they see it, it will be hoisted over their heads… The first century of the CHL was a great one for the London Knights and, it looks like their reputation and legacy isn’t going to change anytime soon.
