Alumni

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE & WORLD HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

The Tradition continues...
The Burlington Cougars enjoy a rich tradition of winning and have placed the emphasis on developing players for the next higher level of competition. Following is a list of players that have played at one time or another for the Burlington Cougars (or their predecessor the Mohawks) who have gone on to play in the NHL or the now defunct World Hockey Association (WHA). We have categorized the players by era and for good measure we have included a few who have gone on to major league baseball or football. Take a few moments and look at this impressive list (we apologize if we have missed anyone and would appreciate it if you would let us know).

1950 to 1960
- Detroit Red Wings affiliation

Wayne Rivers - Detroit, Boston, St. Louis, Rangers (New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades/Jersey Knights, San Diego Marines - WHA).

Larry Jeffrey - Detroit, Toronto, New York.

Bob Dillabough - Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh, Oakland
(Cleveland Crusaders - WHA)

Murray Oliver - Detroit, Boston, Toronto, Minnesota

Danny Olesevich - Detroit (Assistant Trainer), New York.

Pit Martin - Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver

Paul Henderson - Detroit, Toronto, Atlanta
(Toronto Toros, Birmingham Bulls - WHA)

Lowell MacDonald - Detroit, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh

John Miszuk - Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Minnesota
(Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades, Calgary Cowboys - WHA)

Fred Speck - Detroit, Vancouver
(Los Angeles Sharks, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades - WHA)


1960 to 1970
New York Rangers affiliation
Pat Quinn - Toronto, Vancouver, Atlanta - 2002 Canadian Olympic Hockey Coach

Steve Durbano - St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Colorado
(Birmingham Bulls - WHA)


1970 to present
Dave Syvret Sr. - (Toronto Toros, Birmingham Bulls - WHA)

Paul Crowley - (Toronto Toros - WHA)

Ron Sedlbauer - Vancouver, Chicago, Toronto

Dan Currie - Edmonton, Los Angeles

Lance Nethery - New York Rangers, Edmonton

Mark Lawrence - Dallas, New York Islanders

Mark Visheau - Winnipeg, Los Angeles

Rick Lanz - Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago

Tim Bothwell - New York Rangers, St. Louis, Hartford

Eric Cairns - New York Rangers, New York Islanders

Scott McKay - Anaheim

Steve Valiquette - New York Islanders

Kevin Bieksa - Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks

Scott Timmins - Florida Panthers

Cory Conacher - Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders

Josh Jooris - Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes

Matt Carey - Chicago Blackhawks

Josh Anderson - Columbus Blue Jackets

Matt O'Connor - Ottawa Senators

Justin Scott - Columbus Blue Jackets (drafted)

Evan McEneny - Vancouver Canucks

 

OTHER SPORTS:

1950 to 1970
Dennis Ribant - Pitcher MLB: 1964-1969; New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds.

1971 to present
Jeff Johnson - Runningback CFL: 1987-1989; Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calgary Stampeders.

The Burlington Cougars enjoy a rich and proud tradition of OHA Junior hockey dating back to 1952. Arriving on the scene as the Burlington Mohawks the team competed at various times in both the Central Junior B loop along with Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and others as well as within the Golden Horseshoe Jr. B League. The name change from the Mohawks to the Cougars occurred in the 1976 season and reflected the major sponsorship of the Cougar Shoe Company through Walter Sedlbauer (a founding member of the club) and President/CEO of Cougar shoes. Walter (Sedlbauer) along with two other friends were founding members of the Club in 1952 and he remained active on the Cougar Executive for many years. The Cougar organization and players were rewarded for their hard work by winning the Provincial Junior B Championship in 1981 (Tier II Junior A did not exist then). Although this feat has not been repeated since that Championship season the Cougars have earned respect as a quality organization and a tough competitor. The Cougars moved to the OPJAHL (Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League) in 1987 and have successfully competed at that level since then.

Under the direction of Ron Sedlbauer, current Cougar President, the organization has begun to rejuvenate itself and has developed a very close working relationship with the local Burlington City Rep Hockey Club, the source for the majority of players on the team each year. The Cougars are dedicated to the development and promotion of hockey players in assisting in preparing them for the next level as well for life in general. In a sport that in many cases seems to have lost it's direction the Cougars remain true to their ideals and philosophy.

The Cougars are also looking to rekindle the spirit of previous teams and players and are actively soliciting former players to contact team management as we develop and alumni organization. We encourage all former players and staff to contact  Ron Sedlbauer at ron@cougarshoes.com so we can include you in our alumni list. We also would ask that you share this Alumni initiative with other former Cougs as we build this group.

All in all a quality organization with its priorities set proper and running on all cylinders the Cougars are an integral part of 'grassroots' Junior hockey and are proud to be part of the hockey production machine that Canada has become.

Go Cougs, Go!