St. John's IceCaps
Encyclopedia
The St. John's IceCaps are a professional ice hockey
team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League
(AHL) and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
From 1996 to 2011, the team was known as the Manitoba Moose
and played in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
, but with the purchase and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers
to Winnipeg by parent company True North Sports and Entertainment, the team has been leased to former Newfoundland Premier
Danny Williams
and relocated to St. John's, returning the AHL to Atlantic Canada
after a six-year absence.
of the International Hockey League. The team played two seasons in St. Paul, Minnesota before relocating to Winnipeg in 1996 following the departure of the original Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, Arizona
. The renamed Manitoba Moose
continued in the IHL until the league folded in 2001, at which time they joined the AHL and became the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks
. During their 15-year run in Winnipeg, the Moose made it to the Calder Cup
Finals once, in 2009. They squared off against the Hershey Bears
but lost the best-of-seven series 4-2.
In May 2011, multiple reports had confirmed that there was a deal in place between True North Sports and Entertainment and the owners of the Atlanta Thrashers
to relocate the Thrashers to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 NHL season. At the same time, there were reports that former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams
had a deal in place that would see the Manitoba Moose relocate to St. John's for the 2011-2012 AHL season. On June 2, 2011, Williams announced that he had tentative deals in place with the City of St. John's and True North to relocate the Moose to St. John's; the following day City Council
approved the deal. On June 10, the AHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the franchise's relocation to St. John's. Later that day, Williams and Craig Heisinger, of True North Sports and Entertainment, held an event at Mile One Centre
officially announcing the relocation of the Manitoba Moose to St. John's. As part of the deal, the new team would become the renamed Jets' top affiliate.
Coincidentally, the nearby community of Conception Bay South had been awarded the Kraft Hockeyville exhibition game
for 2011, which would have featured the Atlanta Thrashers facing the Ottawa Senators
. Because of the proximity of St. John's and Conception Bay South, as well as St. John's receiving the former Thrashers' farm team, the game between the Senators and the team that since has become the Jets was relocated to the Mile One Centre, making it the first IceCaps-related game since the announcement of the relocation. The de facto home Jets defeated the Senators, 3–1.
IceCaps games are expected to be broadcast on CJYQ.
as one of the reasons behind not retaining the name. In June, several media outlets started reporting that the team would be known as the St. John's IceCaps, this after St. John's IceCaps Inc. was registered with Newfoundland and Labrador's registry of deeds and companies.
On July 29, 2011, the official announcement was made that the team would be known as the St. John's IceCaps.
Like the other 29 teams in the American Hockey League, the St. John's IceCaps play in the Reebok EDGE style uniforms. The IceCaps' home uniform is a white jersey with a polar night blue collar with aviator blue and silver trim, while their away uniform is a polar night blue jersey with aviator blue and silver trim, with the IceCaps logo placed on the front. These jerseys have been styled from the Winnipeg Jets' current away and home jerseys, respectively. The IceCaps' jerseys also include the Winnipeg Jets' primary logo on the shoulder.
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) and are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
From 1996 to 2011, the team was known as the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The 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...
and played in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, but with the purchase and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
to Winnipeg by parent company True North Sports and Entertainment, the team has been leased to former Newfoundland Premier
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the first minister, head of government and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before 1964, the position's official title was Premier of Newfoundland...
Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
and relocated to St. John's, returning the AHL to Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
after a six-year absence.
History
The franchise was founded in 1994 as the Minnesota MooseMinnesota Moose
The Minnesota Moose was an ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. They played in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, at the Saint Paul Civic Center. The team also played some home games at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Moose were a representative of professional hockey in Minnesota at...
of the International Hockey League. The team played two seasons in St. Paul, Minnesota before relocating to Winnipeg in 1996 following the departure of the original Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The renamed Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The 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...
continued in the IHL until the league folded in 2001, at which time they joined the AHL and became the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The 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,...
. During their 15-year run in Winnipeg, the Moose made it to the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The 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...
Finals once, in 2009. They squared off against the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
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...
but lost the best-of-seven series 4-2.
In May 2011, multiple reports had confirmed that there was a deal in place between True North Sports and Entertainment and the owners of the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
to relocate the Thrashers to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 NHL season. At the same time, there were reports that former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
had a deal in place that would see the Manitoba Moose relocate to St. John's for the 2011-2012 AHL season. On June 2, 2011, Williams announced that he had tentative deals in place with the City of St. John's and True North to relocate the Moose to St. John's; the following day City Council
St. John's City Council
St. John's City Council has been the governing body of the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada since 1888.The city council currently comprises 11 members: the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and nine councillors, five which represent wards throughout the city and four that are elected at...
approved the deal. On June 10, the AHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the franchise's relocation to St. John's. Later that day, Williams and Craig Heisinger, of True North Sports and Entertainment, held an event at Mile One Centre
Mile One Centre
Mile One Centre is an indoor arena and entertainment venue located in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The centre's name comes from it being located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway. At full capacity the arena can seat 7,000 people.The arena opened in May 2001, as...
officially announcing the relocation of the Manitoba Moose to St. John's. As part of the deal, the new team would become the renamed Jets' top affiliate.
Coincidentally, the nearby community of Conception Bay South had been awarded the Kraft Hockeyville exhibition game
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
for 2011, which would have featured the Atlanta Thrashers facing the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Because of the proximity of St. John's and Conception Bay South, as well as St. John's receiving the former Thrashers' farm team, the game between the Senators and the team that since has become the Jets was relocated to the Mile One Centre, making it the first IceCaps-related game since the announcement of the relocation. The de facto home Jets defeated the Senators, 3–1.
IceCaps games are expected to be broadcast on CJYQ.
Name
Following the announcement of the team's relocation to St. John's, Williams stated that while he would prefer to hold a fan contest to name the team there was not enough time before the season started and that the team's advisory committee would decide the name. He immediately ruled out retaining the "Moose" moniker, which the team had in Minnesota and Manitoba. Williams cited vehicular accidents in Newfoundland and Labrador involving the animalMoose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
as one of the reasons behind not retaining the name. In June, several media outlets started reporting that the team would be known as the St. John's IceCaps, this after St. John's IceCaps Inc. was registered with Newfoundland and Labrador's registry of deeds and companies.
On July 29, 2011, the official announcement was made that the team would be known as the St. John's IceCaps.
Logos and uniforms
The St. John's IceCaps' colours are polar night blue, white, aviator blue and silver; the same colours that are used by their parent team, the Winnipeg Jets.Like the other 29 teams in the American Hockey League, the St. John's IceCaps play in the Reebok EDGE style uniforms. The IceCaps' home uniform is a white jersey with a polar night blue collar with aviator blue and silver trim, while their away uniform is a polar night blue jersey with aviator blue and silver trim, with the IceCaps logo placed on the front. These jerseys have been styled from the Winnipeg Jets' current away and home jerseys, respectively. The IceCaps' jerseys also include the Winnipeg Jets' primary logo on the shoulder.
Mascot
On October 22, 2011, Buddy the Puffin was introduced as the mascot of the IceCaps. Buddy was previously the mascot of the St. John's Maple LeafsSt. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
.
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing (In Atlantic Division) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 2011–12 AHL season The 2011–12 AHL season will be the 76th season of the American Hockey League. The regular season began on October 7, 2011 and is scheduled to conclude on April 15, 2012. The 2012 Calder Cup playoffs will follow the conclusion of the regular season.... |
20 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 73 | 62 | 1st |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
External links
- http://www.stjohnsicecaps.com/ Official Website