Edmonton Road Runners
Encyclopedia
The Edmonton Road Runners were an ice hockey
team in the American Hockey League
. They played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
at Rexall Place
.
announced that the Toronto Roadrunners
would play the 2004–05 season in Edmonton. where they were based in the Oilers' own arena, Rexall Place
. The NHL
team's decision to re-locate its affiliate to Edmonton was an unusual one for a North America
n professional sports
organization, and was likely influenced by the expectation that the 2004–05 NHL lockout would wipe out the 2004–05 NHL season. The expectation proved accurate, as the season was officially cancelled on February 16, 2005.
Although the team proved highly successful at the gate, finishing third in the AHL in attendance at 8,854 fans per game despite a disappointing season plagued by injury, the team announced on June 6, 2005 that they were requesting permission from the American Hockey League to suspend team operations. The decision was likely motivated by the improving lockout negotiations and the widespread belief that the Oilers would be back for the 2005–06 season, which was confirmed when the owners and players agreed on July 13, 2005 to a new six-year collective bargaining agreement.
Though the Oilers chose first to maintain split AHL affiliations in 2005-06 and 2007-08, then make a conventional agreement with the Springfield Falcons
for the next three seasons, they retained the rights to the dormant Road Runners franchise. Beginning in the 2010-11 season, the franchise was resurrected as the Oklahoma City Barons
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. They played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at Rexall Place
Rexall Place
Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands. It is currently the home to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL...
.
History
After the 2003–04 season the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
announced that the Toronto Roadrunners
Toronto Roadrunners
The Toronto Roadrunners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Ricoh Coliseum. In their only season the Roadrunners featured players such as Jani Rita, Jamie Wright and Steve Valiquette who helped them advance to the AHL playoffs where...
would play the 2004–05 season in Edmonton. where they were based in the Oilers' own arena, Rexall Place
Rexall Place
Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands. It is currently the home to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL...
. The NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
team's decision to re-locate its affiliate to Edmonton was an unusual one for a North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n professional sports
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
organization, and was likely influenced by the expectation that the 2004–05 NHL lockout would wipe out the 2004–05 NHL season. The expectation proved accurate, as the season was officially cancelled on February 16, 2005.
Although the team proved highly successful at the gate, finishing third in the AHL in attendance at 8,854 fans per game despite a disappointing season plagued by injury, the team announced on June 6, 2005 that they were requesting permission from the American Hockey League to suspend team operations. The decision was likely motivated by the improving lockout negotiations and the widespread belief that the Oilers would be back for the 2005–06 season, which was confirmed when the owners and players agreed on July 13, 2005 to a new six-year collective bargaining agreement.
Though the Oilers chose first to maintain split AHL affiliations in 2005-06 and 2007-08, then make a conventional agreement with the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
for the next three seasons, they retained the rights to the dormant Road Runners franchise. Beginning in the 2010-11 season, the franchise was resurrected as the Oklahoma City Barons
Oklahoma City Barons
The Oklahoma City Barons are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and serve as the top affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. The team's first season was 2010–11. They play their home games at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma...
.
Season-by-season results
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 32 | 33 | 11 | 4 | 79 | 201 | 223 | 6th, North |
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Dormant |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Dormant |
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Dormant |
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Dormant |
Team records
- Goals: 22
Tony SalmelainenTony SalmelainenTony Salmelainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who plays for Genève-Servette HC and formerly for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Russian Super League...
,
Brad WinchesterBrad WinchesterBrad Winchester is a professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He was selected in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 35th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.... - Assists: 26
Kyle BrodziakKyle BrodziakKyle Brodziak is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. He was selected by in the 7th round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 214th overall by the Oilers after being passed over in the 2002 draft.-Junior career:Brodziak spent... - Points: 46 Tony Salmelainen, Raffi TorresRaffi TorresRaphael "Raffi" Torres is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the New York Islanders fifth overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has additionally played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers,...
- Penalty minutes: 231 Rocky ThompsonRocky ThompsonRocky Lee Thompson was a Canadian ice hockey Right Wing. He was drafted in the third round, 72nd overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft....
- GAA: 2.63 Tyler MossTyler MossTyler Moss is a professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing for the Hannover Scorpions in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
- SV%: .906 Tyler Moss
- Goaltending wins: 24 Tyler Moss
- Shutouts: 5 Tyler Moss
- Games: 80 Jeff WoywitkaJeff WoywitkaJeff Woywitka is a professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the New York Rangers of the NHL.-Playing career:...