The
Rochester Americans (colloquially the
Amerks) are a professional
ice hockeyIce 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 LeagueThe 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...
, and a top affiliate of the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
. The team plays its home games in
Rochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, at the
Blue Cross Arena at the War MemorialThe Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000...
. The Americans are one of the oldest franchises in the AHL, celebrating their 50th consecutive season in the American Hockey League in 2005–06.
Rochester was awarded a new franchise in June 1956 when the Pittsburgh Hornets were forced to suspend operations after their arena, the
Duquesne GardensDuquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA during the first half of the 20th century. It opened 3 years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. The arena was the first hockey rink to use glass above the dasher...
was razed in an urban renewal project. The owner of the Hornets, John H. Harris, held the Pittsburgh franchise in limbo until a new arena could be built. The Hornets re-entered the American Hockey League in 1961-62. All of the records of the Pittsburgh Hornets stayed in Pittsburgh.
The Amerks' team colors are red, white and blue. The logo is a patriotic badge with "Americans" written in cursive script. The Americans have won six
Calder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
s: in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987 and 1996. They have lost in the Finals ten times: in 1957, 1960, 1967, 1977, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2000.
Before the Amerks
Hockey was popular in Rochester, a city known for its cold weather, as far back as the 1920s; in fact, the
University of RochesterThe University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
had a collegiate hockey team as early as 1906, and even at that time,
East High SchoolEast High School is a public high school serving the seventh through twelfth grade in Rochester, NY and is part of the Rochester City School District The Principal is Mr. Anibal Soler.-History:...
had already developed a successful program. Professional hockey arrived in 1935 in the form of the Rochester Cardinals, a member of the International Hockey League. The Cardinals, who played at
Edgerton Park ArenaEdgerton Park Arena was an indoor arena in Rochester, New York. The building was originally constructed in 1892 as the drill hall for a training school for delinquent boys. When the school moved early in the 20th century, the building was turned into an indoor sports arena and exhibition hall...
, lasted only one season, compiling a 15–29–3 record and a host of financial difficulties.
In the early 1950s, with the
Rochester Community War MemorialThe Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000...
under construction,
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
manager Frank Selke promised an
American Hockey LeagueThe 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...
team to Rochester at some point in the future, with 1956 one target year that was mentioned. Demonstrative of the support for hockey in Rochester, 7,092 fans turned out for a game between the AHL
Buffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
and the NHL
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
on November 21, 1955; the game ended in a 5–5 tie and sold out five days beforehand. Sure enough, when 60-year-old
Duquesne GardensDuquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA during the first half of the 20th century. It opened 3 years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. The arena was the first hockey rink to use glass above the dasher...
in Pittsburgh was scheduled for demolition in 1956, it left the Pittsburgh Hornets without an arena and forced them to go idle, freeing up room in the AHL for a Rochester team.
Rochesterians (and Amerks Hall of Famers) Sam Toth and Ed House worked to make it happen, but the terms of their conditional franchise granted by the AHL required them to raise $100,000 by sale of stock in less than two weeks. When their effort failed to reach its goal, a new group, backed by Selke of the Canadiens and
Conn SmytheConstantine Falkland Cary Smythe MC was a Canadian businessman, soldier and sportsman in ice hockey and horse racing. He is best known as the principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1927 to 1961 and as the builder of Maple Leaf Gardens...
of the
Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, was awarded the franchise. Selke and Smythe would own 55% of the team, with the balance being sold to Rochester interests. The team was named the "Americans".
Early years (1956–1967)
Upon entering the league for the 1956–57 season the Amerks became a joint affiliate of both the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and the
Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the
National Hockey LeagueThe 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...
. Under Coach
Billy ReayWilliam Tulip Reay was a Canadian National Hockey League hockey player and coach.Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he played in the NHL for 10 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. In 479 games, he scored 105 goals and 267 points and in 63 playoff games, he scored 13 goals and...
the team finished in third place in the AHL standings and played the defending champion
Providence RedsThe Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
in the opening round of the Calder Cup playoffs. With
Bobby PerreaultRobert M. Perreault - is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 31 games in the National Hockey League and 1 game in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Los Angeles Sharks. He is the cousin of Gilbert Perreault.-...
in goal, the Americans defeated Providence and goaltender
Johnny BowerJohn William Bower , nicknamed "The China Wall", is a Hockey Hall of Fame goalie.-Playing career:...
in five games. Rochester then was defeated in a five-game final by the Cleveland Barons, who won the Calder Cup.
The Amerks reached the playoffs in 1959, losing to the
Buffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
in five games. The 1959 Amerks were led by the "WHAM" line of center
Rudy MigayRudolph Joseph Migay is a retired a Canadian ice hockey forward.Migay began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1949...
, left wing
Gary AldcornGary William Aldcorn is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played 226 games in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs....
and right wing
Billy HickeWilliam Lawrence Hicke was a professional ice hockey player. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Hicke played for teams in the NHL, SJHL, Mem-Cup, AHL, CPHL, and the WHA...
. Migay and Hicke were named co-MVP for the AHL that season and Hicke was chosen league Rookie of the Year.
In 1959–60 the Americans became the first team in American Hockey League history to win a playoff series after trailing three-games-to-none. The Amerks' comeback against the Cleveland Barons included the efforts of the veteran Migay, right wing Pat Hannigan and league-leading goaltender Ed Chadwick. A crowd of 7,762 at the War Memorial witnessed a 4-1 triumph in Game 7. Rochester went on to lose the Calder Cup Finals in five games to
Eddie ShoreEdward William Shore was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, principally for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, and the longtime owner of the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, iconic for his toughness and defensive skill.Shore won the Hart Trophy as the...
's
Springfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
.
Following the 1960–61 season in which the Amerks failed to qualify for the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens transferred their working agreement to the
Quebec AcesThe Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
of the American Hockey League and sent Rochester players
Guy RousseauGuy Lucien Rousseau is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 4 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens.-External links:...
and Claude Labrosse to Quebec. As the exclusive affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Americans made the playoffs the next two seasons but never contended for the Calder Cup championship.
Beginning in 1963–64 former Amerks' defenseman
Joe CrozierJoseph Richard Crozier is a former professional ice hockey defenceman and head coach who played and coached primarily in the minor leagues....
became the team's Coach and General Manager. Under Crozier the Amerks won the
Calder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
in 1965, 1966 and 1968 and were finalists in 1967; they are the only team in AHL history to appear in the Calder Cup finals in four consecutive seasons.
In 1965–66 the Amerks played their final 10 regular season and all playoff home games at neutral sites because the 1966 American Bowling Congress tournament occupied the War Memorial. The home games were at Toronto's
Maple Leaf GardensMaple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
, about 180 miles (289.7 km) from Rochester, except for of one playoff game at Buffalo's
Memorial AuditoriumMemorial Auditorium may refer to:* Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York* Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex , Kitchener, Ontario* Memorial Auditorium , California...
in the Calder Cup Finals. On May 8, 1966, before a crowd of 7,655 at the "Aud" the Amerks tied up the series at two games apiece with a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Barons. Rochester went on to win the next two games and their second consecutive Calder Cup.
Notable players from this era included
Bronco HorvathJoseph Rudolph "Bronco" Horvath is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 434 games in the NHL between 1955 and 1968....
,
Gerry CheeversGerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...
,
Bobby PerreaultRobert M. Perreault - is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 31 games in the National Hockey League and 1 game in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Los Angeles Sharks. He is the cousin of Gilbert Perreault.-...
,
Al ArbourAlger Joseph "Radar" Arbour is a retired Canadian ice hockey player and a coach and executive in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
,
Darryl SlyDarryl "Slip" Sly was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 79 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Collingwood, Ontario, he played with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Minnesota North Stars.- External links :*...
, Norm "Red" Armstrong,
Duane RuppDuane Edward Franklin Rupp is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Rupp started his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. He would also play with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, and the Pittsburgh Penguins...
,
Wally BoyerWalter Boyer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre.-Career:Wally Boyer was known as a creative playmaker and talented penalty killer throughout his NHL career...
,
Dick GambleRichard Frank "Dick" Gamble is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He won a Stanley Cup championship in 1953 with the Montreal Canadiens. He won back-to-back Calder Cups with the Rochester Americans in 1965 and 1966. Gamble won a third Calder Cup with Rochester in 1967–68. He...
,
Stan SmrkeStan Smrke was a Canadian ice hockey forward. He was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.Smrke started his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1956. He played his entire NHL career with the Habs. In this season, he scored a total of four assists before being dropped by the Habs...
,
Jim PappinJames Joseph Pappin is a retired professional ice hockey right winger. He won his first Stanley Cup in 1964 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1967, Pappin led the NHL in playoff goals and points and won a second Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs...
, Don Cherry,
Gerry EhmanGerald Joseph Ehman was a former NHL player and scout.Ehman played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals. He played 429 regular season games in the NHL, scoring 96 goals and 118 assists for 214...
,
Larry HillmanLawrence Morley Hillman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and coach. He is one of the most traveled players in hockey history, having played for 15 different teams in his 22 professional seasons.-Playing career:Hillman started his career by playing one season for the Windsor...
, and
Mike WaltonMichael Robert "Shakey" Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association . He was a forward with explosive offensive skills who made up for his lack of size with blazing speed and superior puckhandling...
.
The expansion era (1967–1970s)
When the National Hockey League expanded from six to twelve teams for the 1967–68 NHL season the Amerks lost several players. Arbour (St. Louis), Ehman (Oakland), Boyer (Oakland), Horvath (Minnesota) and Rupp (Minnesota) were all drafted by the new NHL teams. Pappin and Walton were both promoted to the Maple Leafs. Smrke retired.
The Amerks struggled through the early part of the 1967–68 AHL season. Just before Christmas and with the team in last place with a record of 12-15-3 Crozier made a deal with the expansion
Minnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
. In exchange for forwards J. P. Parise and
Milan Marcetta the Amerks received
Ted TaylorEdward Wray Taylor is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 166 games in the National Hockey League and 421 games in the World Hockey Association...
,
Len LundeLeonard Melvin Lunde was a professional ice hockey player who played 321 games in the National Hockey League and 72 games in the World Hockey Association...
, George "Duke" Harris, Murray Hall,
Don JohnsDonald Ernest Johns is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 153 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Minnesota North Stars....
and the rights to Horvath. The return of Horvath marked his fourth tour of duty with the Amerks since 1956–57. The Amerks improved to go 26-10-6 for the balance of the season en route to finish with the best record in the league. The regular-season champion Amerks then defeated the Hershey Bears 4 games to 1 in the playoff semi-finals and the Quebec Aces 4 games to 2 in the Calder Cup finals. The Amerks won the final game 4-2 before a crowd of 11,711 at Le Colisee de Quebec.
In the summer of 1968 the team was sold to Vancouver who established the Amerks as the farm team of the expansion
Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
of the National Hockey League. With the majority of the Rochester players transferred to Vancouver of the
Western Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League...
the minor league Canucks won the 1968–69 and 1969–70 WPHL Patrick Cup Championships while the Amerks finished in last place each year.
After Rochester finished with the worst record in the AHL for four straight years and with local fan support dwindling the Vancouver NHL team was prepared to either sell or fold the Rochester club. But the Amerks were saved in the summer of 1972 when a group of Rochester businessmen bought the Americans franchise from Vancouver and named Amerks defenseman Don Cherry as Coach/General Manager. Playing the next two seasons as an independent club the Amerks qualified for the playoffs in 1972–73 and were the regular season AHL champions in 1973–74.
The
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
hired Cherry as their coach in 1974–75 and became the Amerks' parent team the same year.
Prior to the 1979–80 season the Amerks were purchased by the Knox family, owners of the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
(NHL) and became the Sabres AHL affiliate. After the Knox brothers died in the 1990s, the Americans and Sabres were split up, with the Sabres going to
John Rigas and the Amerks being sold to
Steve DonnerSteve Donner is an American sports promoter, team owner, and manager. He was an owner of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He is currently the CEO of USL Pro soccer team, Orlando City S.C..-Career:Donner helped...
. Despite the sale, the Buffalo/Rochester partnership would become the longest such NHL/AHL affiliaton, lasting until the 2007–08 season, and being revived for the 2011-12 season. The proximity of the cities of Buffalo and Rochester is a significant advantage in that the Sabres are able to call up and send down players between the two teams with ease, as the two cities are only an hour's drive away from each other; Buffalo is the closest NHL city to Rochester, while Rochester was, at the time, the closest AHL city to Buffalo. (The
Hamilton BulldogsThe Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
, established in 1996, are closer geographically to Buffalo than Rochester is, but play on the other side of the U.S.-Canadian border.)
During the Sabres affiliation, the Amerks would win 3 Calder Cup championships and finish as runners-up another six times. They finished out of the playoffs only 5 times in 28 years.
1980s–1990s
The Amerks won the first of their "Sabres era" Calder Cups in 1983 under young coach Mike Keenan, sweeping Maine, 4-0.
In the 1986–87 season the John VanBoxmeer-coached team won the division championship on the last game of the season against the
Binghamton WhalersThe Binghamton Whalers was an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. It played in Binghamton, New York, USA, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:...
. The Amerks were one point behind the Whalers and playing in Binghamton. After goalie Darcy Walkaluk paced the team to a tie in regulation and overtime, the game proceeded to the new "shoot-out" format used that season. As the shoot-out began, VanBoxmeer made one of the most memorable coaching moves in Amerks history and pulled Wakaluk from the game, inserting usual starting goalie Darren Puppa who had sat out the game due to injury. Puppa stopped every shot and low-scoring defenseman Jack Brownschidle scored the winning goal. While the teams both finished with identical records (47-26-7), Rochester won the division based on having a better record in head-to-head competition.
The first round of playoffs saw the Amerks play the rival Hershey Bears, however the first two games were moved to the Buffalo Aud arena due to the Amerks home arena being previously booked for the Shrine Circus.
The second event of that memorable season occurred during pregame warmups of the second game. With no officials on the ice (a common occurrence at that time which was changed as a result of this game) a brawl broke out. Players from both teams received suspensions and Amerk tough-guy Andy Ristau received a concussion. The Amerks won the game in overtime on a goal by defenseman Jim Hofford. Ironically, Hofford was a late addition to the lineup as a result of the brawl. The Amerks went on to win the series, 4-1.
The Amerks took on the Sherbrooke Canadiens in the finals and after five games found themselves down 3 games to 2. Behind the leadership of NHL veteran Don Lever, the Amerks came from behind to win game six, 7-4, and won the championship in Sherbrooke.
After losing many players from that team to the NHL the following season the Amerks struggled but returned to the finals in '90 and '91, losing both times to the
Springfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
. They again lost in the finals to Cape Breton in '93.
After a very slow start in the 1995–96 season, the Amerks came together midway through the season behind the dramatically improved goaltending of Steve Shields. The team breezed through the first three rounds of the playoffs before finally winning a hard-fought battle against the
Portland PiratesThe Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
to win their sixth Calder Cup.
2000s
In 2000, with the promotion of then-coach
Brian McCutcheonBrian McCutcheon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 37 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings.- References :...
to assistant coach with the Sabres, former Amerks player
Randy CunneyworthRandolph William Cunneyworth is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach. He played professionally in the National Hockey League in a twenty-year career.-Playing career:...
was named coach of the Amerks.
In November 2003, the Sabres and the
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
played in the first-ever
NHLThe 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...
regular-season game in Rochester.
In the 2003–04 season, Rochester was beaten 4 games to 1 by the eventual Calder Cup champion
Milwaukee AdmiralsThe Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
in the Western Conference Finals.
The Amerks began a dual-affiliation in 2005 after signing an agreement with the
Florida PanthersThe 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...
. Under this agreement the Panthers and Sabres would both supply the Amerks with players while the Sabres would still employ the coaching staff.
In 2007, the Sabres announced that season would be their last season of affiliation with the Amerks. Reasons cited include the financial insecurity of the AHL team, issues between ownership, the City of Rochester, and Blue Cross Arena management, along with the awkwardness of the dual affiliation with the Panthers. In 2008, the 29-year affiliation officially ended as Buffalo chose the Portland Pirates to be their new AHL affiliate. However, they rejoined shortly after the 2010-11 season concluded.
On May 6, 2008, the
American Hockey LeagueThe 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...
approved the sale of the Amerks to Canadian businessman Curt Styres and his investment group, Arrow Express Sports. The sale also included the
Rochester KnighthawksThe Rochester Knighthawks are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997...
of the
National Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
.
On May 13, 2009, Lewis Staats, President of the Rochester Americans, formally announced that after 12 years as Amerks GM, Jody Gage will not return next season as the team’s general manager. Gage now holds the position of director of player personnel.
2010s
The Americans notched their 2000th win on February 21, 2010, in a shootout against then Sabres affiliate the
Portland PiratesThe Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
.
Derek WhitmoreDerek Robert Whitmore is a professional ice hockey forward in the Buffalo Sabres organization. After playing four seasons at Bowling Green State University, he signed a professional contract with the Sabres on March 26, 2008...
, from the Rochester suburb of Greece was the last shooter for Portland but goaltender
Alexander SalakAlexander Salák , is a professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.-Early Career in Czech Republic:...
made the save.
Head coach Benoit Groulx left the organization on May 31 after a reported conflict with Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Ted Nolan. Groulx will return to coach the
Gatineau OlympiquesThe Gatineau Olympiques are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League out of Gatineau, Quebec. The Olympiques play out of the Robert Guertin Centre. The club, then known as the Hull Festivals, was granted membership in the QMJHL in 1973. The Olympiques have...
of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
for the 2010-2011 season.
On May 17, 2011, it was revealed that
Terrence PegulaTerrence M. "Terry" Pegula is an American businessman. Pegula founded East Resources, a natural gas drilling company, before selling the company to Royal Dutch Shell for approximately $4.7 billion....
had signed a nonbinding letter of intent to purchase the Americans. Pegula, the owner of the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
desired to re affiliate the two clubs. The potential purchase had to clear several financial and legal obstacles; first, Pegula had to seek the permission of the Sabres' then current farm team, the
Portland PiratesThe Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
, since the Pirates had an agreement with the Sabres that lasted through 2014 and had no out clause. Second, the Americans' corporate sister club, the
Rochester KnighthawksThe Rochester Knighthawks are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997...
lacrosse team, had to be split off, since Pegula also owns the Knighthawks' chief rival, the
Buffalo BanditsThe Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
. After these arrangements were made, the agreement was reached June 24, 2011, with the official announcement following the same day. Pegula purchased the Americans for US$5,000,000.
Retired numbers
The Rochester Americans have retired only two sweater numbers in their history.
- Number 6 retired in honor of Norm "Red" Armstrong following his death from a fall in a construction accident in 1974 at age 35.
- Number 9 was later retired in honor of Dick Gamble
Richard Frank "Dick" Gamble is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He won a Stanley Cup championship in 1953 with the Montreal Canadiens. He won back-to-back Calder Cups with the Rochester Americans in 1965 and 1966. Gamble won a third Calder Cup with Rochester in 1967–68. He...
and Jody GageJoseph William "Jody" Gage is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the third round, 45th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....
. Gage, known as "Mr. Amerk", broke Gamble's team scoring records with the Amerks during his long tenure with the team. Gage then served as the Amerks' General Manager for 12 years, until May 2009.
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals
for | Goals
against | Standing |
| 1956–57 The 1956–57 AHL season was the 21st season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Providence Reds repeated their first overall finish in the regular season...
|
64 |
34 |
25 |
5 |
— |
— |
73 |
224 |
199 |
3rd, AHL |
| 1957–58 The 1957–58 AHL season was the 22nd season of the American Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games in their schedules. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season, and won their second Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:...
|
70 |
29 |
35 |
6 |
— |
— |
64 |
205 |
242 |
5th, AHL |
| 1958–59 The 1958–59 AHL season was the 23rd season of the American Hockey League. The Eddie Shore Award was first awarded to the "Defenceman of the year." Six teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season...
|
70 |
34 |
31 |
5 |
— |
— |
73 |
242 |
209 |
3rd, AHL |
| 1959–60 The 1959–60 AHL season was the 24th season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces become the first Canadian-based team in the league...
|
72 |
40 |
27 |
5 |
— |
— |
85 |
285 |
211 |
2nd, AHL |
| 1960–61 The 1960–61 AHL season was the 25th season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The All-Star Game was not played, and put on hold until resurrected in the 1994–95 AHL season...
|
72 |
32 |
36 |
4 |
— |
— |
68 |
261 |
244 |
5th, AHL |
| 1961–62 The 1961–62 AHL season was the 26th season of the American Hockey League. The league initiates the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding team or league executives. The league resumes East and West Divisions. The John D. Chick Trophy is first awarded for the West Division champions of the...
|
70 |
33 |
31 |
6 |
— |
— |
72 |
234 |
240 |
3rd, West |
| 1962–63 The 1962–63 AHL season was the 27th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
72 |
24 |
39 |
9 |
— |
— |
57 |
241 |
270 |
3rd, West |
| 1963–64 The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season...
|
72 |
40 |
30 |
2 |
— |
— |
82 |
256 |
223 |
2nd, West |
| 1964–65 The 1964–65 AHL season was the 29th season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the AHL.Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule...
|
72 |
48 |
21 |
3 |
— |
— |
99 |
310 |
199 |
1st, West |
| 1965–66 The 1965–66 AHL season was the 30th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was repeated two seasons later. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular...
|
72 |
46 |
21 |
5 |
— |
— |
97 |
288 |
221 |
1st, West |
| 1966–67 The 1966–67 AHL season was the 31st season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship since being resurrected in 1961–62...
|
72 |
38 |
25 |
9 |
— |
— |
85 |
300 |
223 |
2nd, West |
| 1967–68 The 1967–68 AHL season was the 32nd season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was a repeat of the experiment two seasons earlier. The Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial...
|
72 |
38 |
25 |
9 |
— |
— |
85 |
273 |
233 |
1st, West |
| 1968–69 The 1968–69 AHL season was the 33rd season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 74 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season...
|
74 |
25 |
38 |
11 |
— |
— |
61 |
237 |
295 |
4th, West |
| 1969–70 The 1969–70 AHL season was the 34th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Montreal Voyageurs became the second Canadian-based team in the league, and finished first overall in the regular season...
|
72 |
18 |
38 |
16 |
— |
— |
52 |
253 |
315 |
5th, West |
| 1970–71 The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
|
72 |
25 |
36 |
11 |
— |
— |
61 |
222 |
248 |
4th, West |
| 1971–72 The 1971–72 AHL season was the 36th season of the American Hockey League. Major changes occurred in the off-season. The league welcomed four expansion teams, and lost both Quebec-based teams. Eleven teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Boston Braves finished first overall in the regular...
|
76 |
28 |
38 |
10 |
— |
— |
66 |
242 |
311 |
5th, East |
| 1972–73 The 1972–73 AHL season was the 37th season of the American Hockey League. Twelve teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Cincinnati Swords finished first overall in the regular season, and won the Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
76 |
33 |
31 |
12 |
— |
— |
78 |
239 |
276 |
3rd, East |
| 1973–74 The 1973–74 AHL season was the 38th season of the American Hockey League. The league renamed its divisions, and the "East" Division became the "North" Division, and the "West" Division became the "South" Division. Twelve teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished...
|
76 |
42 |
21 |
13 |
— |
— |
97 |
296 |
248 |
1st, North |
| 1974–75 The 1974–75 AHL season was the 39th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 76 games each in the schedule, but the Baltimore Clippers were unable to complete the season. The Providence Reds finished first overall in the regular season...
|
76 |
42 |
25 |
9 |
— |
— |
93 |
317 |
243 |
2nd, North |
| 1975–76 The 1975–76 AHL season was the 40th season of the American Hockey League. The league begins to give out three James H. Ellery Memorial Awards to the media, one each for outstanding newspaper, radio and television coverage of the AHL....
|
76 |
42 |
25 |
9 |
— |
— |
93 |
304 |
243 |
2nd, North |
| 1976–77 The 1976–77 AHL season was the 41st season of the American Hockey League. The league lost two teams, and divisions were dissolved. Six teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy is awarded is for first place in the regular season, and the John D. Chick Trophy is not...
|
80 |
42 |
33 |
5 |
— |
— |
89 |
320 |
273 |
3rd, AHL |
| 1977–78 The 1977–78 AHL season was the 42nd season of the American Hockey League. The season was in jeopardy when the last of the original eight franchises of the "International-American Hockey League", the Rhode Island Reds folded in the offseason, and the AHL was left with five teams...
|
81 |
43 |
31 |
7 |
— |
— |
93 |
332 |
296 |
1st, South |
| 1978–79 The 1978–79 AHL season was the 43rd season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ken McKenzie Award, for the most outstanding marketing executive, showing its commitment to marketing and public relations....
|
80 |
26 |
42 |
12 |
— |
— |
64 |
289 |
349 |
4th, South |
| 1979–80 The 1979–80 AHL season was the 44th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
28 |
42 |
12 |
— |
— |
66 |
260 |
327 |
4th, South |
| 1980–81 The 1980–81 AHL season was the 45th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
30 |
42 |
8 |
— |
— |
68 |
295 |
316 |
5th, South |
| 1981–82 The 1981–82 AHL season was the 46th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The New Brunswick Hawks finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
80 |
40 |
31 |
9 |
— |
— |
89 |
325 |
286 |
2nd, South |
| 1982–83 The 1982–83 AHL season was the 47th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
80 |
46 |
25 |
9 |
— |
— |
101 |
389 |
325 |
1st, South |
| 1983–84 The 1983–84 AHL season was the 48th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league initiates two new awards. The Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award is first awarded to the league's "best goaltender." The Jack A...
|
80 |
46 |
32 |
2 |
— |
— |
94 |
363 |
300 |
2nd, South |
| 1984–85 The 1984–85 AHL season was the 49th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Whalers finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
40 |
27 |
13 |
— |
— |
93 |
333 |
301 |
3rd, South |
| 1985–86 The 1985–86 AHL season was the 50th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
34 |
39 |
7 |
— |
— |
75 |
320 |
337 |
6th, South |
| 1986–87 The 1986–87 AHL season was the 51st season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league institutes awarding one point in the standings, for an overtime loss...
|
80 |
47 |
26 |
— |
7 |
— |
101 |
315 |
263 |
1st, South |
| 1987–88 The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss...
|
80 |
46 |
26 |
7 |
1 |
— |
100 |
328 |
272 |
2nd, South |
| 1988–89 The 1988–89 AHL season was the 53rd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned awarding points for an overtime loss. The Sherbrooke Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
38 |
37 |
5 |
— |
— |
81 |
305 |
302 |
5th, South |
| 1989–90 The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
43 |
28 |
9 |
— |
— |
95 |
337 |
286 |
1st, South |
| 1990–91 The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
45 |
26 |
9 |
— |
— |
99 |
326 |
253 |
1st, South |
| 1991–92 The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
37 |
31 |
12 |
— |
— |
86 |
292 |
248 |
2nd, South |
| 1992–93 The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day...
|
80 |
40 |
33 |
7 |
— |
— |
87 |
348 |
332 |
2nd, South |
| 1993–94 The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
31 |
34 |
15 |
— |
— |
77 |
277 |
300 |
4th, South |
| 1994–95 The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule...
|
80 |
35 |
38 |
7 |
— |
— |
77 |
333 |
304 |
4th, South |
| 1995–96 The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions...
|
80 |
37 |
34 |
5 |
4 |
— |
83 |
294 |
297 |
3rd, Central |
| 1996–97 The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division...
|
80 |
40 |
30 |
9 |
1 |
— |
90 |
298 |
257 |
1st, Empire State |
| 1997–98 The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
|
80 |
30 |
38 |
12 |
0 |
— |
72 |
238 |
260 |
5th, Empire State |
| 1998–99 The 1998–99 AHL season was the 63rd season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Providence Bruins finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
80 |
52 |
21 |
6 |
1 |
— |
111 |
287 |
176 |
1st, Empire State |
| 1999–00 The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
80 |
46 |
22 |
9 |
3 |
— |
104 |
247 |
201 |
1st, Empire State |
| 2000–01 The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty...
|
80 |
46 |
22 |
9 |
3 |
— |
104 |
224 |
192 |
1st, Mid-Atlantic |
| 2001–02 The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion...
|
80 |
32 |
30 |
15 |
3 |
— |
82 |
206 |
211 |
2nd, Central |
| 2002–03 The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season...
|
80 |
31 |
30 |
14 |
5 |
— |
81 |
219 |
221 |
2nd, Central |
| 2003–04 The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer....
|
80 |
37 |
28 |
10 |
5 |
— |
89 |
207 |
188 |
3rd, North |
| 2004–05 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 |
51 |
19 |
— |
6 |
4 |
112 |
243 |
208 |
1st, North |
| 2005–06 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....
|
80 |
37 |
39 |
— |
2 |
2 |
78 |
261 |
270 |
5th, North |
| 2006–07 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....
|
80 |
48 |
30 |
— |
1 |
1 |
98 |
269 |
250 |
2nd, North |
| 2007–08 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:...
|
80 |
24 |
46 |
— |
6 |
4 |
58 |
197 |
291 |
7th, North |
| 2008–09 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:...
|
80 |
29 |
43 |
— |
0 |
8 |
66 |
184 |
259 |
7th, North |
| 2009–10 The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
|
80 |
44 |
33 |
— |
2 |
1 |
91 |
253 |
247 |
2nd, North |
| 2010–11 The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011...
|
80 |
31 |
39 |
— |
5 |
5 |
72 |
218 |
266 |
7th, North |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
| 1956–57 The 1956–57 AHL season was the 21st season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Providence Reds repeated their first overall finish in the regular season...
|
W, 4-1, ProvidenceThe Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
|
— |
— |
L, 1-4, Cleveland |
| 1957–58 The 1957–58 AHL season was the 22nd season of the American Hockey League. Six teams each played 70 games in their schedules. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season, and won their second Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1958–59 The 1958–59 AHL season was the 23rd season of the American Hockey League. The Eddie Shore Award was first awarded to the "Defenceman of the year." Six teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season...
|
L, 1-4, Buffalo The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
|
— |
— |
— |
| 1959–60 The 1959–60 AHL season was the 24th season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces become the first Canadian-based team in the league...
|
W, 4-3, Cleveland |
— |
— |
L, 1-4, SpringfieldThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
|
| 1960–61 The 1960–61 AHL season was the 25th season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The All-Star Game was not played, and put on hold until resurrected in the 1994–95 AHL season...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1961–62 The 1961–62 AHL season was the 26th season of the American Hockey League. The league initiates the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding team or league executives. The league resumes East and West Divisions. The John D. Chick Trophy is first awarded for the West Division champions of the...
|
L, 0-2, Buffalo The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
|
— |
— |
— |
| 1962–63 The 1962–63 AHL season was the 27th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
L, 0-2, Cleveland |
— |
— |
— |
| 1963–64 The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season...
|
L, 0-2, Cleveland |
— |
— |
— |
| 1964–65 The 1964–65 AHL season was the 29th season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the AHL.Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule...
|
W, 4-1, QuebecThe Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
|
bye |
— |
W, 4-1, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
|
| 1965–66 The 1965–66 AHL season was the 30th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was repeated two seasons later. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular...
|
W, 4-2, QuebecThe Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
|
bye |
— |
W, 4-2, Cleveland |
| 1966–67 The 1966–67 AHL season was the 31st season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship since being resurrected in 1961–62...
|
W, 3-2, Cleveland |
W, 3-1, Baltimore The Baltimore Clippers were an American ice hockey team. They were the first of three Baltimore entries into the American Hockey League, who played from 1962–76...
|
— |
L, 0-4, Pittsburgh |
| 1967–68 The 1967–68 AHL season was the 32nd season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was a repeat of the experiment two seasons earlier. The Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial...
|
W, 4-1, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
|
bye |
— |
W, 4-2, QuebecThe Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
|
| 1968–69 The 1968–69 AHL season was the 33rd season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 74 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1969–70 The 1969–70 AHL season was the 34th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Montreal Voyageurs became the second Canadian-based team in the league, and finished first overall in the regular season...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1970–71 The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1971–72 The 1971–72 AHL season was the 36th season of the American Hockey League. Major changes occurred in the off-season. The league welcomed four expansion teams, and lost both Quebec-based teams. Eleven teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Boston Braves finished first overall in the regular...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1972–73 The 1972–73 AHL season was the 37th season of the American Hockey League. Twelve teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Cincinnati Swords finished first overall in the regular season, and won the Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
L, 2-4, Boston The Boston Braves were a professional ice hockey team in Boston, Massachusetts. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1971 to 1974....
|
— |
— |
— |
| 1973–74 The 1973–74 AHL season was the 38th season of the American Hockey League. The league renamed its divisions, and the "East" Division became the "North" Division, and the "West" Division became the "South" Division. Twelve teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished...
|
L, 2-4, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
|
— |
— |
— |
| 1974–75 The 1974–75 AHL season was the 39th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 76 games each in the schedule, but the Baltimore Clippers were unable to complete the season. The Providence Reds finished first overall in the regular season...
|
W, 4-2, Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
|
L, 1-4, SpringfieldThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
|
— |
— |
| 1975–76 The 1975–76 AHL season was the 40th season of the American Hockey League. The league begins to give out three James H. Ellery Memorial Awards to the media, one each for outstanding newspaper, radio and television coverage of the AHL....
|
W, 3-0, ProvidenceThe Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
|
L, 0-4, Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
|
— |
— |
| 1976–77 The 1976–77 AHL season was the 41st season of the American Hockey League. The league lost two teams, and divisions were dissolved. Six teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy is awarded is for first place in the regular season, and the John D. Chick Trophy is not...
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W, 4-2, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
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L, 2-4, Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Voyageurs were a professional ice hockey team, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They played in the American Hockey League, from 1971 to 1984. The Voyageurs played their first two seasons , as the Montreal Voyageurs....
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| 1977–78 The 1977–78 AHL season was the 42nd season of the American Hockey League. The season was in jeopardy when the last of the original eight franchises of the "International-American Hockey League", the Rhode Island Reds folded in the offseason, and the AHL was left with five teams...
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L, 2-4, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
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| 1978–79 The 1978–79 AHL season was the 43rd season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ken McKenzie Award, for the most outstanding marketing executive, showing its commitment to marketing and public relations....
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1979–80 The 1979–80 AHL season was the 44th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks finished first overall in the regular season...
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L, 0-4, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
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| 1980–81 The 1980–81 AHL season was the 45th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season...
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1981–82 The 1981–82 AHL season was the 46th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The New Brunswick Hawks finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
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W, 3-1, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
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L, 1-4, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Whalers was an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. It played in Binghamton, New York, USA, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:...
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| 1982–83 The 1982–83 AHL season was the 47th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
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W, 4-1, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Whalers was an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. It played in Binghamton, New York, USA, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:...
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W, 4-3, New Haven The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
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W, 4-0, Maine The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
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| 1983–84 The 1983–84 AHL season was the 48th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league initiates two new awards. The Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award is first awarded to the league's "best goaltender." The Jack A...
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W, 4-3, St. Catharines The St. Catharines Saints was a minor league ice hockey team in St. Catharines, Ontario. It played in the American Hockey League from 1982–1986 as the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs....
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W, 4-2, Baltimore The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:...
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L, 1-4, Maine The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
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| 1984–85 The 1984–85 AHL season was the 49th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Whalers finished first overall in the regular season...
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L, 1-4, Baltimore The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:...
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| 1985–86 The 1985–86 AHL season was the 50th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season...
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1986–87 The 1986–87 AHL season was the 51st season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league institutes awarding one point in the standings, for an overtime loss...
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W, 4-1, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
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W, 4-2, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Whalers was an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. It played in Binghamton, New York, USA, at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:...
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W, 4-3, Sherbrooke The Sherbrooke Canadiens were a professional ice hockey team in Sherbrooke, Quebec. They played their home games at the Palais des Sports. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1984 to 1990, and were a farm team of the Montreal Canadiens....
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| 1987–88 The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss...
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L, 3-4, Adirondack The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
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| 1988–89 The 1988–89 AHL season was the 53rd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned awarding points for an overtime loss. The Sherbrooke Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season...
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 1989–90 The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season...
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W, 4-1, Utica The Utica Devils were an ice hockey team of the American Hockey League. The team played in Utica, New York at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.-History:...
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W, 4-2, Baltimore The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:...
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L, 2-4, SpringfieldThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
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| 1990–91 The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
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W, 4-1, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
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W, 4-0, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
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L, 2-4, SpringfieldThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
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| 1991–92 The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season...
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W, 4-2, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
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W, 4-3, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
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L, 1-2, Adirondack The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
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| 1992–93 The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day...
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W, 4-1, Utica The Utica Devils were an ice hockey team of the American Hockey League. The team played in Utica, New York at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.-History:...
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W, 4-3, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
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L, 1-4, Cape Breton The Cape Breton Oilers were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1988 and was renamed for Cape Breton Island. Home games were played in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Centre 200...
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| 1993–94 The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season...
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L, 0-4, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
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| 1994–95 The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule...
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L, 1-4, BinghamtonThe Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:...
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| 1995–96 The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions...
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W, 3-0, Adirondack The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
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W, 4-0, Cornwall The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex...
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W, 4-1, Syracuse The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
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W, 4-3, Portland The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
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| 1996–97 The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division...
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W, 3-0, Syracuse The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
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L, 3-4, Albany The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
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| 1997–98 The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
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L, 1-3, PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played most of its home games at the Spectrum. During schedule conflicts or some Calder Cup playoff games, games were...
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| 1998–99 The 1998–99 AHL season was the 63rd season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Providence Bruins finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
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W, 3-0, Adirondack The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
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W, 4-2, Hamilton The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
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W, 4-2, PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played most of its home games at the Spectrum. During schedule conflicts or some Calder Cup playoff games, games were...
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L, 1-4, Providence The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
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| 1999–00 The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
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W, 3-2, Albany The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
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W, 4-2, Hamilton The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
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W, 4-0, Hershey The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
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L, 2-4, Hartford |
| 2000–01 The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty...
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L, 1-3, PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played most of its home games at the Spectrum. During schedule conflicts or some Calder Cup playoff games, games were...
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| 2001–02 The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion...
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L, 0-2, PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played most of its home games at the Spectrum. During schedule conflicts or some Calder Cup playoff games, games were...
‡ |
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| 2002–03 The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season...
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L, 1-2, MilwaukeeThe Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
‡ |
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| 2003–04 The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer....
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W, 4-3, Syracuse The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
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W, 4-0, Hamilton The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
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L, 1-4, MilwaukeeThe Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
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| 2004–05 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...
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W, 4-0, Hamilton The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
|
L, 1-4, ManitobaThe Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
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| 2005–06 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....
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 2006–07 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....
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L, 2-4, Hamilton The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
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| 2007–08 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:...
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 2008–09 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:...
|
Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
| 2009–10 The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
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L, 3-4, Abbotsford The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
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| 2010–11 The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011...
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Did Not Qualify for playoffs. |
‡Lost in preliminary round, prior to reaching first round of playoffs.
Head coaches
Asterisk denotes number of Calder Cups won
- Billy Reay
William Tulip Reay was a Canadian National Hockey League hockey player and coach.Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he played in the NHL for 10 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. In 479 games, he scored 105 goals and 267 points and in 63 playoff games, he scored 13 goals and...
(1956–57)
- Roly McLenahan (1957–58)
- Bucko MacDonald (1958)
- Sam Pollock
Samuel Patterson Smyth "Sam" Pollock, OC, CQ was a general manager in the National Hockey League.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sam was a keen evaluator of talent. In 1950, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and in 1958, with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens, he won the Memorial Cup...
(1959)
- Steve Kraftcheck
Stephen S. Kraftcheck was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and coach. He played two seasons with the New York Rangers from 1951 - 1953. And played 15 seasons in the AHL, 6 with the Cleveland Barons, 1 with the Indianapolis Capitails, 4 with the Rochester Americans,and two with the Providence...
(1958–61)
- Jack Riley
John Patrick "Jack" Riley is a retired professional ice hockey player and executive. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.Riley played nine seasons of professional hockey, primarily in the Eastern Hockey League for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Falcons and Washington Lions...
(1961)
- Johnny Crawford
John Ernest "Johnny" Crawford is a prolific American character actor, singer and musician. At 12, Crawford rose to fame for playing Mark McCain, the son of the Lucas McCain character , in the popular 1960s ABC western series, The Rifleman, which aired from 1958 to 1963...
(1961–62)
- Rudy Migay
Rudolph Joseph Migay is a retired a Canadian ice hockey forward.Migay began his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1949...
(1962–63)
- Joe Crozier
Joseph Richard Crozier is a former professional ice hockey defenceman and head coach who played and coached primarily in the minor leagues....
(1963–68)***
- Dick Gamble
Richard Frank "Dick" Gamble is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He won a Stanley Cup championship in 1953 with the Montreal Canadiens. He won back-to-back Calder Cups with the Rochester Americans in 1965 and 1966. Gamble won a third Calder Cup with Rochester in 1967–68. He...
(1968–71)
- Peanuts O'Flaherty
John Benedict "Peanuts" O'Flaherty was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 21 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Americans. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.-Playing career:...
(1971)
- Doug Adam
Douglas Patrick Adam was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach. He spent most of his career in the minor leagues, but did play four games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers...
(1972)
- Don Cherry (1972–74)
- Dick Mattiussi
Richard Arthur "Dick" Mattiussi is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
(1974–76)
- Duane Rupp
Duane Edward Franklin Rupp is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Rupp started his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. He would also play with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, and the Pittsburgh Penguins...
(1976–78)
- Gary Darling
Gary Richard Darling is an umpire in Major League Baseball. After beginning his career in the National League from to 1999, he has worked throughout both major leagues since 2002. He wears uniform number 37.Darling attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California...
(1978)
- Ron Garwaisiuk (1978)
- Pat Kelly
Pat Kelly may refer to:*Pat Kelly , Australian rules footballer*Pat Kelly , reggae singer*Pat Kelly , American right fielder in Major League Baseball...
(1978–79)
- Billy Inglis (1979–80)
- Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
(1980–83)*
- Joe Crozier
Joseph Richard Crozier is a former professional ice hockey defenceman and head coach who played and coached primarily in the minor leagues....
(1983–84)
- Jim Schoenfeld
James Grant Schoenfeld is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is currently the assistant general manager with the New York Rangers, as well as an interim assistant coach...
(1984)
- John Van Boxmeer
John Martin Van Boxmeer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He has also served extensively as a hockey coach with various teams from 1984 to the present.-Bio:...
(1984–90)*
- Don Lever
Donald Richard "Cleaver" Lever is the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1972–73 until 1986–87.-Playing career:Lever was drafted 3rd overall by the...
(1990–92)
- John Van Boxmeer
John Martin Van Boxmeer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He has also served extensively as a hockey coach with various teams from 1984 to the present.-Bio:...
(1992–95)
- John Tortorella
Jonathan "John" Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and is now the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He is perhaps best known for his tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship...
(1995–97)*
- Brian McCutcheon
Brian McCutcheon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 37 games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings.- References :...
(1997-00)
- Randy Cunneyworth
Randolph William Cunneyworth is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach. He played professionally in the National Hockey League in a twenty-year career.-Playing career:...
(2000–08)
- Benoit Groulx
Benoit Groulx is a former Canadian football quarterback and current offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the Bishop's Gaiters of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport. He played five years as a quarterback in CIS football for the Laval Rouge et Or....
(2008–10)
- Chuck Weber
Charles Frederick "Chuck" Weber, Jr. is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the Cleveland Browns , the Chicago Cardinals , and the Philadelphia Eagles . He was defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1970-75.- References :...
(2010-11)
- Ron Rolston
Ron Rolston is an American ice hockey coach and head coach of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.-Career:...
(2011-Present)
Single season
- Goals: 61
Paul Gardner (1985–86)
- Assists: 73 Geordie Robertson
Geordie Jay Robertson is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the five games in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1982–83 season, going one goal and adding two assists...
(1982–83)
- Points: 119 Geordie Robertson
Geordie Jay Robertson is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the five games in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1982–83 season, going one goal and adding two assists...
(1982–83)
- Penalty minutes: 446 Rob Ray
Robert John Ray, nicknamed Rayzor is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 for leadership and humanitarianism....
(1988–89)
- GAA: 2.07 Martin Biron
Martin Gaston Biron is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders...
(1998–99)
- SV%: .930 Martin Biron
Martin Gaston Biron is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders...
(1998–99)
Career
- Career goals: 351 Jody Gage
Joseph William "Jody" Gage is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the third round, 45th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....
- Career assists: 377 Jody Gage
Joseph William "Jody" Gage is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the third round, 45th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....
- Career points: 728 Jody Gage
Joseph William "Jody" Gage is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the third round, 45th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....
- Career penalty minutes: 1424 Scott Metcalfe
Scott Metcalfe is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:Scott Metcalfe began his junior career playing with the Kingston Canadians of the OHL from 1983–86, playing in 192 games, getting 213 points , and added on 9 points in 10 playoff games, before being traded to the...
- Career goaltending wins: 108 Bob Perreault
Robert M. Perreault - is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 31 games in the National Hockey League and 1 game in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Los Angeles Sharks. He is the cousin of Gilbert Perreault.-...
- Career shutouts: 16 Bob Perreault
Robert M. Perreault - is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 31 games in the National Hockey League and 1 game in the World Hockey Association. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Los Angeles Sharks. He is the cousin of Gilbert Perreault.-...
- Career games: 653 Jody Gage
Joseph William "Jody" Gage is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the third round, 45th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft....
Current roster
Staff
| Title |
Staff member |
| Head coach |
Ron Rolston Ron Rolston is an American ice hockey coach and head coach of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.-Career:...
|
| Assistant coach |
Chadd Cassidy |
| Assistant coach |
Jay McKee Jay McKee is an ice hockey defenceman who is currently serving as an assistant coach for the Rochester Americans. He last played for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, and was previously with the Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues...
|
| Development coach |
Chris Taylor |
| Goaltending coach |
Bob Janosz |
External links