THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE FSJ Flyers

FSJ Flyers

History

Posted on February 18th, 2025

HISTORY OF THE FORT ST. JOHN FLYERS

The Fort St. John Flyers came into being about the same time as the old arena, in 1958. The old arena was built by volunteer labour and fundraisers, and when it was finished the Flyers had a home. During that first season in 1958-59, the Flyers proved themselves a worthy opponent. They had their doubters, but soon quieted them as the Flyers beat every team in the league at least once. The noise in the old arena was deafening as the fans cheered for their favourites like Jimmy Anderson, Ron Nugent, Doug Hage, Alf Wik, Ken Moffat, goalie Dave Loeppky, and former Detroit Red Wing, Gord Strate.

The 1961-62 season, saw the Flyers win the South Peace Hockey League (SPHL) championship for the first time under the guidance of player/coach, Rod Fonteyne. The Flyers went on to win many more championships in the 1960’s.

When the old arena burned down in 1971, it wasn’t long before the Recreation Centre, now known as the North Peace Arena, was complete and the Flyers carried on in their new home. Flyers notables during the 1970’s included Garry Ford, Paul Leriger, Robbie and Gary Alexander, whose sons also went on to play for the Flyers, picking up excellent skills from their fathers.

In the early 1990’s, the Fort St. John Minor Hockey Association adopted the Flyers name and logo for all Rep teams.

Over the years the Flyers have hosted a number of prestigious championships:

The Flyers have managed to build a rich hockey history, including:

On July 19, 2024, the Fort St. John Flyers 2010 Allan Cup National Championship team was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in Penticton, BC

As the Flyers continued to expand their skills, Fort St. John spectators enjoyed a higher calibre of hockey than they’d seen in the early days. Going to the Flyers game, from the beginning of their existence to today, has been one of the most favoured winter activities, bringing spectators out of their homes from all around the North Peace and often on the coldest of winter nights… for the love of a good ole hockey game.

(Adapted from an original article written by Larry Evans)
Revised: September 2024

FSJ Senior Flyers History

LEGEND:

FSJ Flyers Championships listed below.
NOTE: For decades, the All-Peace Championship was between the winner of the SPHL and the NPHL.

The Flyers took a seven-year hiatus between 1996-1997 and 2003-2004 seasons, inclusive.

The Flyers took a three-year hiatus between 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons, inclusive.

Updated: Sept 2024

FSJ Flyers .com is the official website of the FSJ Flyers . FSJ Flyers , FSJ Flyers .com and are trademarks of the FSJ Flyers Hockey Club. Team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the FSJ Flyers and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of FSJ Flyers Copyright © 2017 FSJ Flyers Hockey Club All Rights Reserved.
FSJ Flyers   •   Paul van Nostrand   •