Twenty years ago, a conference champion entered the 1997 CCAA National Hockey Championships in Kitchener, Ontario with no losses in the regular season and playoffs after placing second at the 1996 CCAA National Hockey Championships. The Cambrian College Golden Shield from Sudbury entered the 1996-97 post season with 13 wins and a tie.

With the best regular season record in Ontario, Cambrian earned the right to host the conference championship. In the semi final finals, Cambrian downed Seneca 7-4 and Sir Sandford Fleming defeated Sault 7-2. In the final, Cambrian posted a 10-1 triumph over Sir Sandford Fleming to capture their second straight conference title.

At the CCAA National Hockey Championships, the Golden Shield were hoping to join the likes of the 1976-77 St. Clair College Saints from Windsor, Ontario and the 1984-85 NAIT Ooks from Edmonton, Alberta who did not lose a game in the regular season and post season en route to a national title. The round robin portion of the event opened with Cambrian topping the host Conestoga College Condors 3-1. The SAIT Trojans from Calgary, Alberta then recorded a 6-1 victory over Conestoga. With the championship final match set, Cambrian dropped a 5-2 decision to SAIT to close out the round robin before edging the Trojans 3-2 in the championship final.

In four appearances at nationals, Cambrian brought home one gold medal, two silver medals, and one bronze medal.

In 2013, the team coached by Peter Michelutti Sr. and Doug Bonhomme entered the House of Kin Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame.

Only one other team entered nationals with no defeats, and rebounded from a loss before receiving the CCAA championship banner – the 1989-90 NAIT Ooks.

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