The Cougars were a long-running junior club based in
Victoria when the team joined the Western Canada Hockey League in 1971, one of three teams based in
British Columbia added to the WCHL that year to give the league a presence in all four Western Canadian provinces. The Cougars won one league title, in 1981, but in 1994, struggling with attendance and travel costs, were abruptly sold and moved to Prince George. The Prince George Cougars debuted in the
1994–95 season at the
Prince George Coliseum until the construction of the team's own arena, the Multiplex, was completed in time for their second season. The Cougars missed the playoffs in their first two seasons, but made two runs to the Division finals over the following four seasons, first finding success under coach
Stan Butler. However, the Cougars missed the playoffs altogether seven times between 2003 and 2014, and sagging attendance led to the team being put up for sale, threatening relocation. In late 2013, owner Rick Brodsky initiated the sale process; local investor Greg Pocock sought the team, and partnered with former Cougars
Dan Hamhuis and
Eric Brewer to form an investors group committed to keeping the team in Prince George. The sale was approved by the WHL on April 30, 2014. The new ownership immediately sought to revitalize the team, renovating team facilities and seeking community partnerships. Forwards
Zac Funk and
Riley Heidt both surpassed the previous scoring record for the team, with Funk setting a new mark with 123 points, along with a record 67 goals, and Heidt posting a record 80 assists. In the playoffs, the team advanced to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2007, where they faced the
Portland Winterhawks. The Cougars lost the series in six games, with the sixth game ending in the second overtime period—the longest game in Cougars history. ==Uniforms and logos==