The History of the YG (Young Guns)

The Young Guns (YG) is more than just a bunch of guys that get together once a week to play hockey. The YG is a tight-knit group of the finest althetes the Town of Milton has to offer. The YG pride themselves on dedication, which is the main factor when selecting players for the honour of becoming a YG. For example, take a look at what last year's Rookie has to say about becoming a YG. The YG name is known around Halton and the GTA as symbol of excellancy and a team not to be messed with.

1998

The Young Guns were formed back in 1998 when a couple town rink rats (Chad Wrigglesworth and Greg Ollerenshaw) had the idea of putting together a team to enter the local Milton Ball Hockey League. The pair contacted Steve Szafer and began to throw around some names of possible players. A list was compiled and on a drunken night @ Wiggs place, the inaugural class of YG's were signed.

Chad Wrigglesworth Steve Szafer Jeff Seeds Jeff Mitchell
Blair McTrach Mike Wheelihan Blair Beaulieu Stu Curran
John Nadalin Brent Vanloosen Mike Roy Tom Baynton
Andrew Sandzuik Dave Redding Greg Ollerenshaw

The team was named the Young Guns and entered their first game wearing white t-shirts and were smoked by the Rage. This smoking prompted the goalie with the work boots to be cut and Greg "Meat" Ollerenshaw to quit after only one game. The team showed up the next game with brand new jerseys and Blair McTrach between the pipes. Year 1 was all about learning the style of the ball hockey game.

1999

The second season saw few lineup changes and some more growing pains. The Young Guns were bounced in the playoff semifinal.

2000

The Young Guns had gained enough experience by the third season to make a real run for the Reg Dunlop Cup. After a some tinkering with the roster the Young Guns made the championship final, a best of 3 series. The Rage were allowed to assemble some what of a league all-star team combining players from the Chiefs and Rage. This did not phase a confident Young Guns squad, the team battled through 3 overtime games and unfortunately lost the war.

2001

With the Young Guns primed to take the cup in their fourth season, the Milton league folded and the team found themseleves with the summer off. That was until the National Championship in August 2001 hosted by Burlington. The Young Guns entered a team comprised of two-thirds Young Guns and one-third Penguins. To the fans disappointment the team was not able to get it together due to the fact that they had not played all season.

2002

Summer 2002 looked like it would be the premature end to this well-storied club. With no league in Milton and players dispersed all over North America, there were no games played by the team this year.

2003

Steve Szafer along with the help of Chad Wrigglesworth resurrected the team from the dead. Swept Qualifier tournament going 6-0. Lost Quarterfinals @ Provincials
This was also the first season for Young Gun ice hockey.

2004

PBHL - After ruining the ball hockey competition in Milton, YG management knew they had to take the team to the next level.
ASHL -

2005


PBHL -
ASHL -

2006


PBHL - Provincials finalists.
ASHL -

2007

As mentioned, the YG is not just a hockey team, they are involved in numerous annual (and some more than annual) events. The table below illustrates some of the events that the YG participate in.

Ball Hockey Season Begins (April)
Annual YG Keg Olympics (July)
Leslie Wells Annual Softball Tournament (August)
Ice Hockey Season Begins (September)
Annual YG Xmas Party (December)
YG Niagara Falls Tournament (July 2005)
Toronto Rock Team Outing (April 2005)
YG Winter Cottage Outing (January 2005)