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Kirkenport Captains

The Kirkenport Captains, known colloquially as the Kirk Boys or the Isle of Kirk, are a professional hockey team based in Kirkenport, Alrene Isles. They compete in the Torland Hockey League as a member of the Elam Division. The team is owned by Don Giordano Jr. and plays their home games at the Kirk Coliseum.

Founded in 1960 by Don Giordano, the Captains are one of four remaining inaugural franchises of the Torland Hockey League. The Captains have won 3 Marcotte Cup championships (1971, 1973, and 1975).

Team history

Team culture

Fan base

The Kirk Boys are one of the most rabid and vocal fanbases in the league. Known for being rowdy and raucous during typically sold-out games, the post-game parties along the Midnight Mile in Kirkenport are the stuff of legends. The Kirk Boys are very loyal and stick with their team even during tough seasons. Home games are treated like mini holidays and non-essential businesses will close early to make sure their employees have a chance to get to the games. For playoff games the entire city shuts down in preparation and the atmosphere is buzzing in the streets and along The Mile.

Rivalries

Port Alrene Anchors

The Captains hold a strong rivalry with their in-state teams, especially in Port Alrene. Alrene and Kirk have a strong sibling rivalry even beyond hockey. Both cities were built on fishing and water-based industry and constantly compete to be better than the other.

Chasonne Heralds

Kirk's cross-bay neighbors in Chasonne couldn't be more different culturally. Chasonne is artsy and creative while Kirkenport is rough, tough, and blue collar. Both teams were inaugural franchises and have carried a rivalry since the beginning. The two cities don't like each other much at all and it has remained intense even through the ups and downs of both teams.

Quebel Crusaders

The in-state rivalry with Quebel is not as developed as with Port Alrene, but being located on Alrene still provides plenty of competition and gamesmanship between the two teams. Being assigned to same division has helped push this rivalry along and both teams carry a mutual dislike for the other.

Team information

Ownership

The Captains are owned by Don Giordano Jr., who took over team operations in 1979 from his father, Don Giordano, who founded the team in 1960. The Giordano family are something of royalty on the Isle of Kirk as Don Sr., who held the rank of Captain in the Torland military but was more popularly known as “Sir” Don Giordano, was a key figure in the development of Kirkenport from a fishing village and Navy port into a thriving cityscape with a rich and vibrant culture all of its own.

Home ice

The Captains play their home games at the Kirk Coliseum in Kirkenport, Alrene Isles.

The Coliseum is an aging barn by THL standards but stands iconic in both hockey and city history. Funded and built by Don Giordano in 1945 just after World War II ended. It was expanded in 1960 to make room for the Captains and the start of the Torland Hockey League. It was expanded and renovated a second time in 1975 to make some structural upgrades and make room for the increasing sell-out crowds on the Isle in the 70's.

Logos and uniforms

The Captains' colors are midnight blue, bright blue, and cream.

Minor league affiliates

The Captains are affiliated with the Kirkenport Piloteers of the AIHA.

Players & personnel

Current roster

Team captains

  • Byron Peachey, 1960-1964
  • Lauri Rikhard, 1965-1982
  • Brian Mierzwinski, 1983-1986
  • Rod Lacy, 1987
  • John Roszak, 1988-present

Staff and coaches

Head coaches
  • Al Weatherford, 1960-1968
  • Walton Pruitt, 1969-1986
  • Gerald Fox, 1987-present
Name Years Employed Playoffs Cups Awards
Assistant coaches
General managers
  • Dan Whitt, 1973-present

The Captains have only had one general manager in their history, Dan Whitt, who assumed the role after the league mandate in 1973. Whitt has been awarded Best GM 1977.

Drafts

Seasons

Season GP Record (W-T-L) Points Finish Playoffs
1960 60 22-11-27 77 4th, THL Lost in semi-finals (0-4 vs. Whales)
1961 60 33-12-15 111 3rd, THL Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Anchors)
1962 60 21-16-23 79 4th, THL Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Heralds)
1963 60 19-20-21 77 5th, THL Missed playoffs
1964 60 17-21-22 72 5th, THL Missed playoffs
1965 60 16-21-23 69 7th, THL Missed playoffs
1966 60 29-13-18 100 2nd, THL Lost Marcotte Cup (1-4 vs. Anchors)
1967 60 25-16-19 91 3rd, THL Lost in semi-finals (2-4 vs. Glaciers)
1968 60 17-15-28 66 5th, THL Missed playoffs
1969 60 26-14-20 92 4th, THL Lost in semi-finals (1-4 vs. Falcons)
1970 60 47-7-6 148 1st, THL Lost Marcotte Cup (2-4 vs. Falcons)
1971 60 41-10-9 133 1st, THL Won Marcotte Cup (4-0 vs. Glaciers)
1972 71 37-16-18 127 3rd, Willard Lost in quarter-finals (1-4 vs. Whales)
1973 72 48-10-14 154 1st, Willard Won Marcotte Cup (4-2 vs. Kodiaks)
1974 72 26-22-24 100 5th, Willard Missed playoffs
1975 72 22-23-27 89 4th, Willard Won Marcotte Cup (4-2 vs. Falcons)
1976 72 28-9-35 93 5th, Willard Missed playoffs
1977 72 36-19-17 127 1st, Willard Lost in quarter-finals (1-4 vs. Whales)
1978 72 27-23-22 104 5th, Willard Missed playoffs
1979 72 38-15-19 129 3rd, Willard Lost in quarter-finals (3-4 vs. Rockets)
1980 76 38-14-24 128 2nd, Elam Lost in quarter-finals (0-4 vs. Electrics)
1981 76 32-22-22 118 3rd, Elam Lost in wild card round (0-3 vs. Barbarians)
1982 76 26-19-31 97 3rd, Elam Missed playoffs
1983 76 19-22-35 79 5th, Elam Missed playoffs
1984 76 22-19-35 85 5th, Elam Missed playoffs
1985 48 10-9-29 39 5th, Elam Missed playoffs
1986 76 7-16-53 37 5th, Elam Missed playoffs
1987 76 24-23-29 95 5th, Elam Missed playoffs
1988 76 29-16-31 103 3rd, Elam Lost in quarter-finals (2-4 vs. Whales)
1989 76 32-17-27 113 3rd, Elam Missed playoffs

Team and league honors

Banners and trophies

Marcotte Cup Louis Trophy Division Title
1971 Marcotte Cup 1970 Louis Trophy 1973 Willard Division
1973 Marcotte Cup 1971 Louis Trophy 1977 Willard Division
1975 Marcotte Cup

Retired numbers

No. Player Position Career Retired
2 Byron Peachey F 1960-1964 1975
17 Keenan Draper C 1965-1981 1983
18 Lauri Rikhard D 1961-1982 1983
45 Gerry McKnight G 1960-1980 1983

Ring of Honor

  • Byron Peachey, F, 1960-1964
  • Edison Hillis, D, 1960-1974

Hall of Famers

  • Byron Peachey, F, 1960-1964, inducted 1975
  • Al Weatherford, head coach, 1960-1968, inducted 1981
  • Keenan Draper, C, 1965-1981, inducted 1987
  • Gerry McKnight, G, 1960-1980, inducted 1987
  • Lauri Rikhard, D, 1961-1982, inducted 1987
kirkenport_captains.1630718745.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/09/03 21:25 by dvdbubba27