Plattsburgh Pioneers
Encyclopedia
The Plattsburgh Pioneers were a short-lived junior ice hockey
team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
, based in Plattsburgh, New York
. The team folded after playing only 17 games in 1984, losing all 17 games, although earning one point for an overtime loss, according the rules for the 1984–85 QMJHL season
.
The Pioneers were the league's first expansion into the United States. The expansion was widely viewed as an unmitigated disaster, as the league refused to have an expansion draft to stock the team. As a result the Pioneers were unsuccessful on the ice, featuring an all-American lineup of players not good enough to crack NCAA lineups.
Plattsburgh played their first five home games at Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena
and their last few at Crete Civic Center
. Games played against the Pioneers were not counted in the QMJHL standings that season.
Although no former Pioneers played in the National Hockey League
, John Torchetti
, future head coach of the Florida Panthers
and Los Angeles Kings
, played for the team. The team also held the rights to Max Middendorf
, who played in the Ontario Hockey League
instead, played briefly in the National Hockey League
, and later became a linesman
.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, based in Plattsburgh, New York
Plattsburgh (city), New York
Plattsburgh is a city in and county seat of Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 19,989 at the 2010 census. The population of the unincorporated areas within the Town of Plattsburgh was 11,870 as of the 2010 census; making the population for the immediate, urban Plattsburgh,...
. The team folded after playing only 17 games in 1984, losing all 17 games, although earning one point for an overtime loss, according the rules for the 1984–85 QMJHL season
1984–85 QMJHL season
The 1984–85 QMJHL season was the 16th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league experimented for season, awarding one point for an overtime loss. Points for an overtime loss would not be awarded again until the 1999–2000 QMJHL season...
.
The Pioneers were the league's first expansion into the United States. The expansion was widely viewed as an unmitigated disaster, as the league refused to have an expansion draft to stock the team. As a result the Pioneers were unsuccessful on the ice, featuring an all-American lineup of players not good enough to crack NCAA lineups.
Plattsburgh played their first five home games at Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena
Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena
The Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena is a 3,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Plattsburgh, New York USA. It is home to the State University of New York at Plattsburgh The arena is named for state senator Ronald Stafford who served the area for over 35 years....
and their last few at Crete Civic Center
Crete Civic Center
Crete Civic Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Plattsburgh, New York. It was briefly home to the Plattsburgh Pioneers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. More recently, the Crete has hosted several professional wrestling events that have been put on by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
. Games played against the Pioneers were not counted in the QMJHL standings that season.
Although no former Pioneers played in the National Hockey League
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...
, John Torchetti
John Torchetti
John Torchetti is the head coach of the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros and a former professional ice hockey player. Previously, he was the head coach of the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League , and the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL for the 2006–2007 season...
, future head coach of the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
and Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, played for the team. The team also held the rights to Max Middendorf
Max Middendorf
Max Middendorf is a retired American ice hockey player,The 6ft 4in center was drafted by the Sudbury Wolves in 1984....
, who played in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
instead, played briefly in the National Hockey League
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...
, and later became a linesman
Official (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an official is a person who has some responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game. There are two categories of officials, on-ice officials, who are the referees and linesmen that enforce the rules during game play, and off-ice officials, who have an...
.