From 1961 until 1969, the Cornwall Royals were successful members of the Central Junior A Hockey League (CJHL). As perennial CJHL champions, they represented that league at the playdowns for the 1966, 1967 and 1968 Memorial Cup national junior hockey championships, falling in the quarterfinals each year against the representatives from Quebec. After an application to join the OHL was rejected, the franchise became one of the inaugural teams of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 1969. The Cornwall Royals were one of the league's premier teams during its tenure in the QMJHL, winning 3 Memorial Cup titles. For the 1981–82 season, the team transferred into the Ontario Hockey League.
The Royals suffered through many tough seasons and poor attendance after moving to the OHL. The switch in leagues alienated many die-hard fans from across the Quebec border. Seeking better fortunes, the franchise moved to Newmarket, Ontario to play as the Newmarket Royals in 1992. In 1994 the team was bought by the Ciccarelli brothers and moved to Sarnia, Ontario as the Sarnia Sting.
Championships
The Cornwall Royals are one of only 7 clubs to win consecutive Memorial Cup championships. They did so in 1980 and 1981. In total, the Royals won 3 Memorial Cups, 3 President's Cups, and 5 division titles while in the QMJHL. The Royals did not win any OHL championships.
*1982–83 coaches Bob Kilger, Bill Murphy, Gord Woods, Jocelyn Guevremont
Players
The Cornwall Royals graduated 55 players to the National Hockey League. From these alumni, 31 played for the Royals in the QMJHL, and 29 played for the Royals in the OHL, and 5 played for the Royals in both leagues.
1971–1972 Defeated Verdun Maple Leafs 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals. Defeated Shawinigan Bruins 8 points to 2 in semi-finals. Defeated Quebec Remparts 9 points to 5 in finals. QMJHL CHAMPIONS Defeated Peterborough Petes 2-1 in Memorial Cup final. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
1972–1973 Defeated Montreal Bleu-Blanc-Rouge 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals. Defeated Sorel Eperviers 4 games to 1 in semi-finals. Lost to Quebec Remparts 4 games to 3 in finals.
1973–1974 Lost to Laval National 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
1974–1975 Lost to Montreal Bleu-Blanc-Rouge 4 games to 0 in quarter-finals.
1975–1976 Defeated Montreal Juniors 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals. Lost to Quebec Remparts 4 games to 0 in semi-finals.
1976–1977 Defeated Trois-Rivières Draveurs 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals. Lost to Sherbrooke Castors 9 points to 0 in semi-finals.
1977–1978 Defeated Hull Olympiques 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals. Lost to Montreal Juniors 8 points to 2 in semi-finals.
1978–1979 Lost to Verdun Eperviers 8 points to 6 in quarter-finals.
1979–1980 Defeated in Shawinigan Cataractes 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals. Defeated Chicoutimi Saguenéens 4 games to 1 in semi-finals. Defeated Sherbrooke Castors 4 games to 2 in finals. QMJHL CHAMPIONS Defeated Peterborough Petes 3-2 in Memorial Cup final. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
1980–1981 Defeated Quebec Remparts 4 games to 3 in quarter-finals. Defeated Sherbrooke Castors 4 games to 3 in semi-finals. Defeated Trois-Rivières Draveurs 4 games to 1 in finals. QMJHL CHAMPIONS Defeated Kitchener Rangers 5-2 in Memorial Cup final. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
OHL (1981–1992)
1981–1982 Lost to Toronto Marlboros 6 points to 4 in first round.
1982–1983 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 7 points to 1 in first round. Lost to Ottawa 67's 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
1983–1984 Lost to Peterborough Petes 6 points to 0 in first round.
1984–1985 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 2 in first round. Lost to Belleville Bulls 6 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
1985–1986 Lost to Belleville Bulls 9 points to 3 in first round.
1986–1987 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in first round.
1987–1988 Defeated Belleville Bulls 4 games to 2 in first round. Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 1 in quarter-finals.
1988–1989 Defeated Toronto Marlboros 4 games to 2 in first round. Defeated Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in quarter-finals. Lost to Peterborough Petes 4 games to 2 in semi-finals.
1989–1990 Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 2 in first round.
1990–1991 Out of playoffs.
1991–1992 Lost to Ottawa 67's 4 games to 2 in first round.
Arenas
The Cornwall Royals played out of the Water Street Arena from 1969 to 1976, while in the QMJHL. The Arena, renamed in honour of Si Miller, the city's Director of Parks and Recreation for more than 30 years, was torn down in 2012.[1]
From 1976 to 1992, the Royals played out for the Cornwall Civic Complex, located across the road from their previous arena. The arena hosted the 1990 Chrysler Challenge Cup, the annual All-Star game between the OHL and the QMJHL, which the OHL won by a score of 3 to 0.[2]
