Prince George Cougars

{{Short description|Western Hockey League team in Prince George, British Columbia}}

{{Infobox hockey team

| team = Prince George Cougars

| colour = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#C60C30 5px solid; border-bottom:#9E7053 5px solid;

| colour text= #000000

| logo = Prince_George_Cougars_logo_2015.png

| logosize = 160px

| city = Prince George, British Columbia

| league = Western Hockey League

| conference = Western

| division = B.C.

| founded = 1971

| arena = CN Centre

| colours = Red, bronze, white and black
{{Color box|#C60C30}} {{Color box|#9E7053}} {{Color box|white}} {{Color box|black}}

| GM = Mark Lamb

| coach = Mark Lamb

| website = [https://chl.ca/whl-cougars/ chl.ca/whl-cougars]

| name1 = Victoria Cougars

| dates1 = 1971–1994

| name2 = Prince George Cougars

| dates2 = 1994–present

| uniform_image=WHL-Uniform-PGC.png}}

The Prince George Cougars are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Prince George, British Columbia. Founded in 1971 as the Victoria Cougars, the team was relocated to Prince George in 1994, where it became the northernmost team in the Canadian Hockey League. The Cougars are members of the B.C. Division of the Western Conference in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and hosts games at the CN Centre.

History

The Cougars were a long-running junior club based in Victoria when the team joined the Western Canada Hockey League in 1971, one of three teams based in British Columbia added to the WCHL that year to give the league a presence in all four Western Canadian provinces.{{Cite web |title=WHL History |url=https://whl.ca/history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211503/https://whl.ca/history |archive-date=2023-07-31 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Western Hockey League}} The Cougars won one league title, in 1981, but in 1994, struggling with attendance and travel costs, were abruptly sold and moved to Prince George. The move made the Cougars the most remote team in the entire Canadian Hockey League (CHL), requiring drives of more than seven hours to play road games.{{Cite news |last=Kurjata |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-29 |title='Let's go Cougars!': Record-setting season has long-suffering Prince George hockey fans believing again |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cougars-playoff-run-1.7157859 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331003650/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cougars-playoff-run-1.7157859 |archive-date=2024-03-31 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=CBC News}} The Prince George Cougars debuted in the 1994–95 season at the Prince George Coliseum until the construction of the team's own arena, the Multiplex, was completed in time for their second season.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Kevin |date=2023-09-27 |title=Prince George Cougars |url=https://www.whlarenaguide.com/cougars.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517150539/https://www.whlarenaguide.com/cougars.htm |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=WHL Arena Guide}}

The Cougars missed the playoffs in their first two seasons, but made two runs to the Division finals over the following four seasons, first finding success under coach Stan Butler. However, the Cougars missed the playoffs altogether seven times between 2003 and 2014, and sagging attendance led to the team being put up for sale, threatening relocation.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Andrea |date=2014-12-27 |title=New Cougars ownership year's biggest sports story |url=https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-sports/new-cougars-ownership-years-biggest-sports-story-3715636 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517142902/https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-sports/new-cougars-ownership-years-biggest-sports-story-3715636 |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Prince George Citizen}} In late 2013, owner Rick Brodsky initiated the sale process; local investor Greg Pocock sought the team, and partnered with former Cougars Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer to form an investors group committed to keeping the team in Prince George.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Ted |date=2014-05-14 |title=Behind the making of Cougars' deal |url=https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-sports/behind-the-making-of-cougars-deal-3700040 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517143625/https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-sports/behind-the-making-of-cougars-deal-3700040 |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Prince George Citizen}} The sale was approved by the WHL on April 30, 2014.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jeremy |date=2024-04-30 |title=Cougars sale approved by WHL Governors |url=http://ckpg.com/cougars-sale-approved-by-whl-governors-video |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021536/http://ckpg.com/cougars-sale-approved-by-whl-governors-video |archive-date=2014-11-29 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=CKPG}} The new ownership immediately sought to revitalize the team, renovating team facilities and seeking community partnerships. On the ice, the team won its first B.C. Division regular season title in 2016–17.

The team's most successful season came in 2023–24, with the Cougars setting franchise records with 49 wins and 102 points and entering the playoffs as the top-ranked team in the CHL, topping the WHL's Western Conference standings for the first time.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Ted |date=2024-05-07 |title=Prince George Cougars' remarkable season ends in double overtime |url=https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/prince-george-cougars-remarkable-season-ends-in-double-overtime-8707411 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508014637/https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/prince-george-cougars-remarkable-season-ends-in-double-overtime-8707411 |archive-date=2024-05-08 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Prince George Citizen}} Forwards Zac Funk and Riley Heidt both surpassed the previous scoring record for the team, with Funk setting a new mark with 123 points, along with a record 67 goals, and Heidt posting a record 80 assists.{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Darin |date=2024-03-23 |title=One final look back at the record-breaking PG Cougars regular season |url=https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/194469/news/one-final-look-back-at-the-record-breaking-pg-cougars-regular-season/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326222849/https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/194469/news/one-final-look-back-at-the-record-breaking-pg-cougars-regular-season/ |archive-date=2024-03-26 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=My Prince George Now}} In the playoffs, the team advanced to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2007, where they faced the Portland Winterhawks. The Cougars lost the series in six games, with the sixth game ending in the second overtime period—the longest game in Cougars history. After the season, coach and manager Mark Lamb was named the WHL's coach and executive of the year.{{Cite news |last=Kierszenblat |first=Adam |date=2024-05-01 |title=Prince George Cougars Mark Lamb Named 2024 WHL Coach And Executive Of The Year |url=https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/prince-george-cougars-mark-lamb-named-2024-whl-coach-and-executive-of-the-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517154415/https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/prince-george-cougars-mark-lamb-named-2024-whl-coach-and-executive-of-the-year |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Hockey News}}

Uniforms and logos

The Cougars colours have traditionally been red, white, and black, and the logo has featured a variation on designs of a cougar. After the team was sold in 2014, the team unveiled a new logo featuring a cougar in the negative space of the letter C, and uniforms that introduced gold into the colour scheme.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Dan |date=2015-06-03 |title=Cougars Release New Logo |url=http://www.pgcougars.com/article/cougars-release-new-logo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610041839/http://www.pgcougars.com/article/cougars-release-new-logo |archive-date=2015-06-10 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Prince George Cougars |type=Press release}}{{Cite news |last=Creamer |first=Chris |date=2015-06-06 |title=WHL Prince George Cougars Unveil New Logo |url=https://news.sportslogos.net/2015/06/03/whl-prince-george-cougars-unveil-new-logo/hockey-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331015353/https://news.sportslogos.net/2015/06/03/whl-prince-george-cougars-unveil-new-logo/hockey-2/ |archive-date=2023-03-31 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Sportslogos.net}}

Like many junior teams, the Cougars have often adopted special-event or limited-edition jerseys. In 2024, they released an Indigenous-inspired jersey designed by local partners.{{Cite news |last=Bennison |first=Sam |date=2024-01-09 |title=Cougars new Indigenous jersey as sharp as their claws |url=https://ckpgtoday.ca/2024/01/09/cougars-new-indigenous-jersey-as-sharp-as-their-claws/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109215314/https://ckpgtoday.ca/2024/01/09/cougars-new-indigenous-jersey-as-sharp-as-their-claws/ |archive-date=2024-01-09 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=CKPG}}

File:Oldcougars.png|1994–96

File:Prince george cougars.png|1996–2008

File:Prince George Cougars Logo.svg|2008–2015

File:Newpgcougars.png|Alternate c. 2008

Season-by-season record

File:Inside-cn-centre.jpg.]]

File:Jared Walker.jpg

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

class="wikitable"
align="center" style="bgcolor=#dddddd; border-top:#C60C30 5px solid; border-bottom:#9E7053 5px solid" \| Season	GP	W	L	T	OTL	GF	GA	Points	Finish	Playoffs
align="center" \| 1994–95	72	14	55	3	-	229	392	31	7th West	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 1995–96	72	17	53	2	-	219	340	36	7th West	Did not qualify
align="center" \| 1996–97	72	28	39	5	-	238	287	61	6th West	Lost West Division final
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 1997–98	72	43	24	5	-	311	236	91	3rd West	Lost West Division semifinal
align="center" \| 1998–99	72	34	32	6	-	255	264	74	4th West	Lost West Division quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 1999–2000	72	43	20	4	5	279	228	95	2nd West	Lost West Division final
align="center" \| 2000–01	72	31	33	4	4	242	266	70	5th West	Lost West Division quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2001–02	72	34	27	9	2	244	215	79	3rd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" \| 2002–03	72	26	41	3	2	257	317	57	5th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2003–04	72	30	34	7	1	214	236	68	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" \| 2004–05	72	26	41	3	2	158	223	57	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd" \| Season	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	GF	GA	Points	Finish	Playoffs
align="center" \| 2005–06	72	35	31	2	4	195	195	76	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2006–07	72	33	31	3	5	221	217	74	3rd B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
align="center" \| 2007–08	72	20	48	1	3	172	304	44	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2008–09	72	25	44	0	3	188	298	53	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" \| 2009–10	72	12	56	1	3	172	327	28	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2010–11	72	33	35	2	2	258	265	70	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" \| 2011–12	72	24	46	0	2	166	357	50	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2012–13	72	21	43	2	6	177	273	50	4th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" \| 2013–14	72	27	35	3	5	238	305	62	4th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2014–15	72	31	36	2	3	222	295	67	3rd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" \| 2015–16	72	36	31	3	2	240	225	77	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2016–17	72	45	21	3	3	253	201	96	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" \| 2017–18	72	24	38	5	5	217	295	58	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2018–19	68	19	41	5	3	152	237	46	5th B.C.	Did not qualify
align="center" \| 2019–20	62	20	34	4	4	144	205	48	5th B.C.	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2020–21	22	9	10	2	1	57	62	21	4th B.C.	No playoffs held due to COVID-19 pandemic
align="center" \| 2021–22	68	24	39	4	1	177	240	53	3rd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2022–23	68	37	24	6	1	290	241	81	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference semifinal
align="center" \| 2023–24	68	49	15	1	3	316	187	102	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \| 2024–25	68	41	21	4	2	251	222	88	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal

NHL alumni

The following alumni of the Prince George Cougars have played in the National Hockey League.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

{{columns-list |colwidth=15em|

}}

Team records

class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em" \|+ Team records for a single season
style="border-top:#C60C30 5px solid; border-bottom:#9E7053 5px solid" !Statistic!!Total!!Season
Most points	102	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Most wins	49	2023–24
Longest point streak	19	2023–24
Most goals for	316	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Fewest goals for	158	2004–05
Fewest goals against	187	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Most goals against	392	1994–95

class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em;" \|+ Individual player records for a single season
style="border-top:#C60C30 5px solid; border-bottom:#9E7053 5px solid" !Statistic!!Player!!Total!!Season
Most goals	Zac Funk	67	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Most assists	Riley Heidt	80	2023–24
Most points	Zac Funk	123	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Most points, rookie	Terik Parascak	105	2023–24
Most points, defenceman	Hudson Thornton	74	2023–24
align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" \|Most shutouts (goalie)	Josh Ravensbergen	6	2023–24
colspan=4 style="border-bottom:1px #aaaaaa solid;" \| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played