Check out the formatting tips on the right for help formatting and making links.

Use the template below:

History of the Ice Dogs

From 1998 to 2002, the IceDogs enjoyed little success, finishing last in the OHL's Central Division every year. During this building phase, the team had six head coaches within the span of 4 years, including the owner, Don Cherry. Mississauga drafted first overall each year, leading to two rookies of the year, including one of the highest touted NHL prospects in Jason Spezza.

In the 2002-03 OHL season, the IceDogs finished fourth in the Central division and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but lost in the first round in five games against the Ottawa 67's.

The 2003-04 OHL season was the IceDogs' best season to date. The team finished second in the Central division, finishing two points behind the division champion St. Michael's Majors, and third overall in the Eastern Conference.

In the first round of the playoffs, the IceDogs defeated the Oshawa Generals in seven games, winning their first-ever playoff series. The IceDogs were down three games to two against the Barrie Colts in the second round but managed to come back and win the series in seven games. The surprise IceDogs then upset the St. Michael's Majors in the Eastern Conference Championship series in six games to win the Bobby Orr Trophy and earn their first-ever trip to the Ontario Hockey League finals. The dream ended there as they fell to the Guelph Storm in four straight games in the OHL final, losing the fourth game at the Hershey Centre.

2004-05 was another record setting season for the IceDogs. They won their first ever central division title and finished first in the Eastern Conference with 81 points. Despite regular season success, the IceDogs were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the eighth-seeded Toronto St. Michael's Majors in five games. In 2005-06 the IceDogs started rebuilding and missed the playoffs again.

On July 12, 2006, Eugene Melnyk, who owns the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, bought the Mississauga IceDogs. After the 2006-07 season, Melnyk plans to sell the IceDogs, and move the Majors to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. 1