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***SDCore*** · 12-30-2024, 08:36 PM

How the Lethbridge Lions Became the Newfoundland Berserkers

This is the brief history of how the S45 SMJHL Expansion team, the Lethbridge Lions, became the Newfoundland Berserkers. How a team that was mismanaged (sorry burdo) and left in ruins and disaster became one of the most successful junior teams in the league. In their first season, they did not have a favorable expansion draft, the expansion draft back then was much more brutal on the expansion teams.

Each team got to select 4 players and Lethbridge was unable to get a single active player on the roster. Expansion teams also got the last draft slot in their first entry draft, these were some really rough expansion rules. However, they did have an incredible first draft, getting 4 legacy players, who helped keep the franchise afloat for the next few seasons. Selecting Eva Lykke Aparjode, Brennan Kennedy Jr., Monkey D. Luffy, Jøln DuBølk, and Patrice Nadeau. These are all good legacy users, with two getting into the HoF at the SHL level. More on BK and Luffy later. The next year they were able to grab another plethora of picks, including Harry Carpet, whose user I will discuss later. Unfortunately this is where the downfall of the team comes apparently.

The team was thrown into a bit of disarray as they were having trouble keeping an active space and then the GMs got really busy/left the site/didn’t have time. Lethbridge was in a bit of a free fall. Fun side story, the team that remained active on these 46-49 Lions teams liked to refer to themselves as the skeleton crew.

Following the S48 season, the GMs were to step down and new blood was going to take the mantle of the team. In comes JNH, who is a SHL veteran GM, veteran user, and all around pretty knowledgeable guy. The following season in S50, JNH was joined by SDCore (that’s me) to right the ship and get the Lions in the best place possible. With this we brought on Carpy (harry carpet) as an advisor, and luffy to help coach/captain the team and do awards. As Lethbridge started to build its own identity, it was important to JNH and myself to really bring the team into a new “fresh” era. The Lions logo was rushed in a rushed expansion and we wanted to bring something new to the team and league.

Enter the Newfoundland Berserkers. The goal was to pick an area of Canada that felt remote, fun, different and quirky. The former GM, Byrdman, was from Newfoundland so it was a bit of an homage to him as well. (You can read more about the reasoning here - https://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php?tid=102610). The team's identity quickly became apparent over the next few seasons. NL was able to rise quickly under the leadership of JNH, becoming a powerhouse in the league and having the most active LR I’ve been a part of. Drafting core parts in S53-54, Juke, Patty, Nhamlet, Lime, Rindo, Tylar, Wally, and key free agent signings like Mats Marner, many of these users going on to be GMs, coaches, and other power users around the league. NL was able to win their first title in S55, something Lethbridge was not able to do.

Following the S56 season and a disappointing loss in the playoffs, Nhamlet took over. This started Newfoundlands true reign of terror over the SMJHL, as this crew was able to be top of 3 in the league for 8 consecutive years and winning 3 straight and 4 out of 5 Five Star Cups, making it to the final 6 consecutive years.

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 12-30-2024, 09:08 PM

Approved, +5 tpe.

Beavie · 12-31-2024, 01:10 AM

As a newbie, nice to see the story behind a team. Smile

*Carpy48* · 12-31-2024, 07:14 AM

Great little overview, was fun being a part of that actually. If anyone wants to read another perspective, I wrote a similar story several years ago for the team's 10th anniversary.

*Ara* · 01-02-2025, 12:08 PM

@SDCore Approved, boss.

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