Markham Waxers

The Markham Waxers were an Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Waxers name is still used by the Markham Waxers minor hockey club with the Eastern AAA Hockey League, a sub league of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.

History
Originally known as the Markham Jets, the Waxers organization changed names in 1961, named after The International Group, a privately owned wax and oil refinery that originated in Agincourt, ON. The team won the 1941 Ontario Junior "C" Championship and won the Ontario Junior "B" Sutherland Cup Championship in 1969 and 1972. At one point, the Waxers were the farm team of the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs and boasts over 100 NHL and World Hockey Association graduates. The Waxers were formerly a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League before joining the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.

During the 2002 Season the Waxers celebrated 100 years of association with the OHA. They had special 3rd jerseys made up and all players were numbered from 100–198, by adding a 1 to the front of the player's regular number. One of these jerseys was donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame, as they believe only one other team in history has ever used such numbering for its players. They finished that season by winning the South Division championship the franchise's first Championship in many years.

On August 1, 2012, the Waxers announced they were suspending operations for the 2012–13 season.

On June 15, 2013, the Ontario Junior Hockey League announced that the Markham Waxers had their membership terminated. The Waxers failed to fulfill several obligations required by the league and the governing Ontario Hockey Association. The OJHL mentioned that Markham has a rich tradition in junior hockey and would like to see a team back in Markham for the 2014–15.

On April 29. 2015, the City of Markham held a major Press conference and the Mayor announced, to a large jubilant crowd, that the Hamilton Red Wings Jr A Hockey Club was relocating to Markham. The Hockey Club acquired the rights to the Waxers Junior A, and has opted to play in the OJHL as the Markham Royals. The Royals were the sister club of the Waxers dating back to the 1970s.

The OJHL's Markham Royals will begin league play in the 2015–16 season reviving the rich tradition of Junior hockey in the City of Markham.

Sutherland Cup appearances

 * 1968: Sarnia Legionnaires defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none
 * 1969: Markham Waxers defeated Strathroy Rockets 4-games-to-2
 * 1972: Markham Waxers defeated St. Marys Lincolns 4-games-to-1

Notable alumni
• Cody Hodgson

• Jerry Dupont

• Bob Essensa

• Brian Hayward

• Charlie Huddy

• Peter Ing

• Mike Liut

• Steve Ludzik

• Dan Maloney

• Greg Millen

• Adam Oates

• Mike Palmateer

• Bruce Boudreau

• Steve Vickers

• Rick Tabaracci

• Chris Tanev

• Cameron Gaunce

• Steve Thomas

• Ron Wilson

• Dennis Maruk

Playoffs
Original OPJHL Years
 * 1974 DNQ
 * 1975 DNQ
 * 1976 Lost semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Richmond Hill Rams 3-games-to-2 with 2 ties
 * North Bay Trappers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 1977 Lost semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Toronto Nationals 4-games-to-none
 * North Bay Trappers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 1978 DNQ
 * 1979 Lost quarter-final
 * Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 1980 DNQ
 * 1981 Lost quarter-final
 * Belleville Bulls defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 1982 Lost final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Aurora Tigers 4-games-to-1
 * Markham Waxers defeated Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-2
 * Guelph Platers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 1983 Lost quarter-final
 * Orillia Travelways defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 1984 Lost quarter-final
 * Orillia Travelways defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 1985 Lost semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Dixie Beehives 4-games-to-1
 * Orillia Travelways defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 1986 Lost final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Owen Sound Greys 4-games-to-1
 * Orillia Travelways defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 1987 Lost semi-final
 * Owen Sound Greys defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1

OJHL Years I
 * 1994 Lost Preliminary
 * Cobourg Cougars defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-2


 * 1995 Lost Preliminary
 * Lindsay Muskies defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none

MetJHL Years
 * 1996 Lost quarter-final
 * Thornhill Islanders defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 1997 Lost Preliminary
 * Thornhill Islanders defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 1998 Lost Preliminary
 * Durham Huskies defeated Markham Waxers 3-games-to-1

OJHL Years II
 * 1999 Lost Division Quarter-final
 * Aurora Tigers defeated Markham Waxers 3-games-to-1


 * 2000 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-3
 * Vaughan Vipers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 2001 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Oshawa Legionaires 4-games-to-none
 * Wexford Raiders defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 2002 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated North York Rangers 4-games-to-3
 * St. Michael's Buzzers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 2003 Lost Conference Final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Thornhill Rattlers 4-games-to-none
 * Markham Waxers defeated St. Michael's Buzzers 4-games-to-2
 * Markham Waxers defeated Wexford Raiders 4-games-to-3
 * Wellington Dukes defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 2004 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Couchiching Terriers 4-games-to-none
 * St. Michael's Buzzers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 2005 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Pickering Panthers 4-games-to-2
 * Wexford Raiders defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 2006 Lost Division Final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Toronto Thunderbirds 4-games-to-1
 * Markham Waxers defeated Pickering Panthers 4-games-to-none
 * St. Michael's Buzzers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-none


 * 2007 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Durham Fury 4-games-to-none
 * St. Michael's Buzzers defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 2008 Lost final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Toronto Dixie Beehives 3-games-to-none
 * Markham Waxers defeated Vaughan Vipers 4-games-to-none
 * Markham Waxers defeated St. Michael's Buzzers 4-games-to-2
 * Markham Waxers defeated Wellington Dukes 4-games-to-1
 * Oakville Blades defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-1


 * 2009 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Cobourg Cougars 4-games-to-3
 * Toronto Jr. Canadiens defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 2010 Lost CCHL Quarter-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Lindsay Muskies 4-games-to-2
 * Wellington Dukes defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-3


 * 2011 Lost Round of 16
 * Stouffville Spirit defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-2


 * 2012 Lost Division Semi-final
 * Markham Waxers defeated Huntsville Otters 3-games-to-none
 * Newmarket Hurricanes defeated Markham Waxers 4-games-to-2