Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans | |
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founding | 1956 |
history |
Detroit Olympics 1935-1936 Pittsburgh Hornets 1936 - 1956 Rochester Americans since 1956 |
Stadion | Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial |
Location | Rochester , New York |
Team colors | Red, blue, white |
league | American Hockey League |
Conference | Eastern Conference |
division | North Division |
Head coach | Chris Taylor |
General manager | Randy Sexton |
owner | Terrence Pegula |
Cooperations |
Buffalo Sabers ( NHL ) Cincinnati Cyclones ( ECHL ) |
Calder cups |
1964/65 , 1965/66 , 1967/68 , 1982/83 , 1986/87 , 1995/96 |
The Rochester Americans are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Their venue is the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester , which can seat 11,000 spectators. The team's logo consists of a shield in the national colors of the USA with the words Americans in cursive.
history
The Rochester Americans, known for short as "Amerks", are the second oldest continuous team in the AHL, only the Hershey Bears have spent more years in this league than the team from Rochester, which is now the farm team of the Buffalo Sabers . The Rochester Amerks were originally founded as a farm team of the Canadian Canadiens de Montréal , which explains the name given to Rochester being in the USA. The Montreal Canadiens were on September 25, 1956 the very first opponent of the Amerks, who played their first league home game against the now defunct Cleveland Barons on October 14, 1956 in front of 6,303 fans (final score 2-2). In addition to the cooperation with the Canadiens, there was also a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers .
Early days
The first AHL season in the history of the Americans ended the team under coach Billy Reay in third place on the table and met in the first round of the play-offs against the Providence Reds . Due to good goalkeeping performance by Bobby Perreault , the Amerks finally reached the final of the Calder Cup , which they lost to the Cleveland Barons. It wasn't until 1959 that the Amerks reached a final again when they lost to the Buffalo Bisons in five games. The leading player at this time was the so-called "WHAM" series with center Rudy Migay , left winger Gary Aldcorn and right winger Bill Hicke . Migay and Hicke were later both named MVP of the AHL season 1958/59, while Hicke was also voted "Rookie of the Year".
A year later, the Amerks were already 3-0 back in the series against the Barons, but still won the series and moved into the final of the Calder Cup. There they lost, however, in five games against the Springfield Indians trained by Eddie Shore . After the Amerks had missed the playoffs in the 1960/61 season, the Canadiens ended their collaboration with Rochester, so that only the Maple Leafs remained as a partner club. In the following years, the Amerks reached the play-offs regularly, but were never able to intervene in the fight for the title. Prior to the 1963/64 season, former Americans player Joe Crozier was introduced as the new coach and general manager. Under Crozier, the Amerks won the Calder Cup in 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68 and also reached the finals in 1967 - making them the only team in the history of the AHL that has reached the playoff finals for four consecutive years. Well-known players of this era included Bronco Horvath , Gerry Cheevers , Bobby Perreault , Al Arbor , Darryl Sly , Norm Armstrong , Duane Rupp , Wally Boyer , Dick Gamble , Stan Smrke , Jim Pappin , Don Cherry , Gerry Ehman and Mike Walton .
Expansion time
As part of the increase in the National Hockey League from six to twelve teams, many top performers left Rochester in 1967. Arbor (St. Louis), Ehman (Oakland), Boyer (Oakland), Horvath (Minnesota) and Rupp (Pittsburgh) were drafted by the new NHL teams, while Pappin and Walton were named to the Maple Leafs roster. Consequently, the 1967/68 season began with many defeats, so that the team was in the last place in the table shortly before Christmas. To address this situation, Crozier negotiated a player swap with the Minnesota North Stars . In exchange for Jean-Paul Parisé and Milan Marcetta , the Americans received Ted Taylor , Len Lunde , George "Duke" Harris , Murray Hall , Don Johns and the rights to Bronco Horvath. From then on, the Amerks won again and in mid-March 1968 they were back in first place. After winning the regular season, they defeated the Hershey Bears 4-1 in the semifinals and the Quebec Aces 4-2 in the playoff finals. The last game of the series won the Amerks with 4-2 in front of 11711 spectators at the Quebec Coliseum .
In the summer of 1968, the Americans were sold to the Vancouver Canucks franchise , which later entered the National Hockey League. At this time, however, the Canucks were still playing in the Western Hockey League and appointed the top performers of the Amerks in their squad, so that they took the last place in the table in the following years. Because of this failure, the Amerks were sold to a group of investors from Rochester in 1972 who made former Amerks defender Don Cherry the team's coach and general manager. With independence, success returned, the team reached the play-offs in the following two years and won the 1973/74 regular season. In 1974 a cooperation with the Boston Bruins was launched, which then hired Don Cherry as head coach.
Time of success
In 1980 the Amerks became the sole farm team of the Buffalo Sabers , who trained their junior players in Rochester. In the 1980s, the Amerks reached the playoffs regularly and won both 1982/83 and 1986/87 the Calder Cup. In the early 1980s, coach Mike Keenan shaped the game of the Amerks, for which the Americans was the first professional team he coached. He later became the head coach of several NHL franchises. After Joe Crozier returned to the Amerks gang in the meantime, John Van Boxmeer was introduced as the new coach in 1985 . Under Van Boxmeer, the team reached the final of the Calder Cup three times and won it in 1987. The top performers of the championship team and the years before were Jody Gage and Geordie Robertson (who still hold many American records today), Gaetano Orlando , Jim Jackson , JF Sauve , Bob Mongrain , Mike Donnelly and Donald Audette . Van Boxmeer stayed in Rochester until 1995 before moving to Los Angeles.
In the following years, the team always reached the playoffs and won another Calder Cup in 1996 under John Tortorella . From 1997 coach Brian McCutcheon became the guarantor of success for the Americans, with whom he achieved a percentage of wins of more than 65% in the late 1990s and twice advanced to the playoff finals. The most successful players of this time included Domenico Pittis , Denis Hamel , François Méthot , Jeremy Adduono and goalkeepers Mika Noronen and Martin Biron .
Since 2000
In the summer of 2000, Randy Cunneyworth was introduced as the new coach who has shaped the game of the Amerks ever since. In November 2003, the first NHL game took place in Rochester when the Sabers and the New Jersey Devils faced each other. In the 2003/04 season, the Americans reached the final of the Western Conference, in which they had to admit defeat to the Milwaukee Admirals 4-1.
In 2005, in addition to the cooperation with the Sabers, another partner was won for the Amerks, the Florida Panthers . This gave the Americans a large number of hopeful talents who played at a high level and were thus strongly encouraged in their development. Many Amerks players of the early 2000s now play in the NHL, including Jason Pominville , Daniel Paille , Paul Gaustad , Ryan Miller , Chris Thorburn , Doug Janik and Kamil Kreps .
In 2007 it was announced that after the 2007/08 season the cooperation agreement between the Buffalo Sabers and the Rochester Americans would no longer be renewed. The reasons given for this step were the financial situation of the Amerks and the double cooperation with the Panthers. On May 6, 2008, the sale of the Amerks franchise to Curt Styres was approved by the management of the American Hockey League . In June 2008, the Sabers announced that they had found a new farm team in the Portland Pirates . This ended the 28-year collaboration between the two clubs. Three years later, the Buffalo Sabers around owner Terrence Pegula acquired the Amerks and at the same time declared the resumption of cooperation between the two franchises. On June 24, 2011, the sale to the Sabers was unanimously approved by the American Hockey League Board of Governors .
Home ground
The Rochester Americans have been playing at the Blue Cross Arena since their founding in 1956 , which has a capacity of 11,215 for ice hockey games. An exception is the 1965/66 season, when the Amerks evaded for the last ten games of the season and the playoffs in the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto , since the American Bowling Congress was held in the Blue Cross Arena . Today, the Americans share the arena with the Rochester Knighthawks , an indoor across team , and the Rochester Razorsharks , a basketball team.
Awards and Achievements
In the history of the franchise, six Calder Cups and 14 division titles have been won so far .
Division title
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In addition, members of the franchise have won many personal awards and trophies from the American Hockey League throughout history.
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award
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Club records
Career
Status: end of season 2009/10
Surname | number | |
Most games | Jody Gage | 653 (1985-1996) |
Most goals | Jody Gage | 351 |
Most templates | Jody Gage | 377 |
Most of the points | Jody Gage | 728 |
Most penalty minutes | Scott Metcalfe | 1424 |
Most wins as a goalkeeper | Jacques Cloutier | 96 |
Most shutouts | Bobby Perreault | 16 |
season
Status: end of season 2009/10
Surname | number | season | |
Most goals | Paul Gardner | 61 | 1985/86 |
Most templates | Geordie Robertson | 73 | 1982/83 |
Most of the points | Geordie Robertson | 119 (46 goals + 73 assists) | 1982/83 |
Most penalty minutes | Rob Ray | 446 | 1988/89 |
Best conceded goal | Martin Biron | 2.07 | 1998/99 |
Best save percentage | Martin Biron | 93% | 1998/99 |
Season statistics
Abbreviations: GP = games, W = wins, L = defeats, T = draws, OTL = defeats after overtime, SOL = defeats after shootout , Pts = points, GF = goals scored, GA = goals conceded
season | GP | W. | L. | T | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Pts | space | Playoffs |
2014–15 | 76 | 29 | 41 | - | 5 | 1 | 209 | 251 | 64 | 5. North | Missed play-offs |
2013-14 | 76 | 37 | 28 | - | 6th | 5 | 216 | 217 | 85 | 2. North | Conference quarterfinals |
2012–13 | 76 | 43 | 29 | - | 3 | 1 | 234 | 209 | 90 | 2. North | Conference quarterfinals |
2011-12 | 76 | 36 | 26th | - | 10 | 4th | 224 | 221 | 86 | 2. North | Division semi-finals |
2010-11 | 80 | 31 | 39 | - | 5 | 5 | 218 | 266 | 72 | 7. North | Missed play-offs |
2009-10 | 80 | 44 | 33 | - | 2 | 1 | 253 | 247 | 91 | 2. North | Division semi-finals |
2008-09 | 80 | 29 | 43 | - | 0 | 8th | 184 | 259 | 66 | 7. North | Missed play-offs |
2007-08 | 80 | 24 | 46 | - | 6th | 4th | 197 | 291 | 58 | 7. North | Missed play-offs |
2006-07 | 80 | 48 | 30th | - | 1 | 1 | 269 | 250 | 98 | 2. North | Division semi-finals |
2005-06 | 80 | 37 | 39 | - | 2 | 2 | 261 | 270 | 78 | 5. North | Missed play-offs |
2004-05 | 80 | 51 | 19th | - | 6th | 4th | 243 | 208 | 112 | 1. North | Division finals |
2003-04 | 80 | 37 | 28 | 10 | 5 | - | 207 | 188 | 89 | 3. North | Conference finals |
2002-03 | 80 | 31 | 30th | 14th | 5 | - | 219 | 221 | 81 | 2. Central | Qualifying round |
2001-02 | 80 | 32 | 30th | 15th | 3 | - | 206 | 211 | 82 | 2. Central | Qualifying round |
2000-01 | 80 | 46 | 22nd | 9 | 3 | - | 224 | 192 | 104 | 1. Mid-Atlantic | Conference quarterfinals |
1999-00 | 80 | 46 | 22nd | 9 | 3 | - | 247 | 201 | 104 | 1. Empire | Calder Cup Final |
1998-1999 | 80 | 52 | 21st | 6th | 1 | - | 287 | 176 | 111 | 1. Empire | Calder Cup Final |
1997-1998 | 80 | 30th | 38 | 12 | 0 | - | 238 | 260 | 72 | Last, Empire | Round 1 |
1996-1997 | 80 | 40 | 30th | 9 | 1 | - | 298 | 257 | 90 | 1. Empire State | round 2 |
1995-1996 | 80 | 37 | 34 | 5 | 4th | - | 294 | 297 | 83 | 3. Central | Calder Cup |
1994-1995 | 80 | 35 | 38 | 7th | - | - | 333 | 304 | 77 | 4. Southern | Round 1 |
1993-1994 | 80 | 31 | 34 | 15th | - | - | 277 | 300 | 77 | 4. Southern | Round 1 |
1992-1993 | 80 | 40 | 33 | 7th | - | - | 348 | 332 | 87 | 2. Southern | final |
1991-1992 | 80 | 37 | 31 | 12 | - | - | 292 | 248 | 86 | 2. Southern | Round 3 |
1990-1991 | 80 | 45 | 26th | 9 | - | - | 326 | 253 | 99 | 1. Southern | final |
1989-1990 | 80 | 43 | 28 | 9 | - | - | 337 | 286 | 95 | 1. Southern | final |
1988-1989 | 80 | 38 | 37 | 5 | - | - | 305 | 302 | 81 | 5. Southern | - |
1987-1988 | 80 | 46 | 26th | 7th | 1 | - | 328 | 272 | 100 | 2. Southern | Round 1 |
1986-1987 | 80 | 47 | 26th | 0 | 7th | - | 315 | 263 | 101 | 1. Southern | Calder Cup |
1985-1986 | 80 | 34 | 39 | 7th | - | - | 320 | 337 | 75 | 6. Southern | - |
1984-1985 | 80 | 40 | 27 | 13 | - | - | 333 | 301 | 93 | 3. Southern | Round 1 |
1983-1984 | 80 | 46 | 32 | 2 | - | - | 363 | 300 | 94 | 2. Southern | final |
1982-1983 | 80 | 46 | 25th | 9 | - | - | 389 | 325 | 101 | 1. Southern | Calder Cup |
1981-1982 | 80 | 40 | 31 | 9 | - | - | 325 | 286 | 89 | 2. Southern | round 2 |
1980-1981 | 80 | 30th | 42 | 8th | - | - | 295 | 316 | 68 | Last, Southern | Missed play-offs |
1979-1980 | 80 | 28 | 42 | 12 | - | - | 260 | 327 | 66 | 4. Southern | Round 1 |
1978-1979 | 80 | 26th | 42 | 12 | - | - | 289 | 349 | 64 | 4. Southern | Missed play-offs |
1977-1988 | 81 | 43 | 31 | 7th | - | - | 332 | 296 | 93 | 1. Southern | round 2 |
1976-1977 | 80 | 42 | 33 | 5 | - | - | 320 | 273 | 89 | 3. | final |
1975-1976 | 76 | 42 | 25th | 9 | - | - | 304 | 243 | 93 | 2. Northern | round 2 |
1974-1975 | 76 | 42 | 25th | 9 | - | - | 317 | 243 | 93 | 2. Northern | round 2 |
1973-1974 | 76 | 42 | 21st | 13 | - | - | 296 | 248 | 97 | 1. Northern | Round 1 |
1972-1973 | 76 | 33 | 31 | 12 | - | - | 239 | 276 | 78 | 3. Eastern | Round 1 |
1971-1972 | 76 | 28 | 38 | 10 | - | - | 242 | 311 | 66 | Last, Eastern | Missed play-offs |
1970-1971 | 72 | 25th | 36 | 11 | - | - | 222 | 248 | 61 | Last, western | Missed play-offs |
1969-1970 | 72 | 18th | 38 | 16 | - | - | 253 | 315 | 52 | Last, western | Missed play-offs |
1968-1969 | 74 | 25th | 38 | 11 | - | - | 237 | 295 | 61 | Last, western | Missed play-offs |
1967-1968 | 72 | 38 | 25th | 9 | - | - | 273 | 233 | 85 | 1. Western | Calder Cup |
1966-1967 | 72 | 38 | 25th | 9 | - | - | 300 | 223 | 85 | 2. Western | final |
1965-1966 | 72 | 46 | 21st | 5 | - | - | 288 | 221 | 97 | 1. Western | Calder Cup |
1964-1965 | 72 | 48 | 21st | 3 | - | - | 310 | 199 | 99 | 1. Western | Calder Cup |
1963-1964 | 72 | 40 | 30th | 2 | - | - | 256 | 223 | 82 | 2. Western | Round 1 |
1962-1963 | 72 | 24 | 39 | 9 | - | - | 241 | 270 | 57 | 3. Western | Round 1 |
1961–1962 | 70 | 33 | 31 | 6th | - | - | 234 | 240 | 72 | 3. Western | Round 1 |
1960-1961 | 72 | 32 | 36 | 4th | - | - | 261 | 244 | 68 | 5. | Missed play-offs |
1959-1960 | 72 | 40 | 27 | 5 | - | - | 285 | 211 | 85 | 2. | final |
1958-1959 | 70 | 34 | 31 | 5 | - | - | 242 | 209 | 73 | 3. | Round 1 |
1957-1958 | 70 | 29 | 35 | 6th | - | - | 205 | 242 | 64 | 5. | Missed play-offs |
1956-1957 | 64 | 34 | 25th | 5 | - | - | 224 | 199 | 73 | 3. | final |
Player and coach
Well-known former players
- Rudy Migay
- Gary Aldcorn
- Bill Hicke
- Bronco Horvath
- Gerry Cheevers
- Norman "Red" Armstrong
- Bob Perreault
- Al Arbor
- Darryl Sly
- Duane Rupp
- Wally Boyer
- François Méthot
- Dick Gamble
- Stan Smrke
- Jim Pappin
- Gaetano Orlando
- Don Cherry
- Gerry Ehman
- Jason Pominville
- Paul Gaustad
- Rick Adduono
- Jeremy Adduono
- Domenico Pittis
- Shayne Wright
- Anthony Peters
- Jason Holland
- Ryan Miller
- Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
- Brian Campbell
- Mika Noronen
- Daniel Paille
- Jaroslav Kristek
- Thomas Vanek
- Mike York
Trainer
The Rochester Americans have hired former players as coaches and (or) managing directors, such as Joe Crozier , Dick Gamble or Don Cherry . In addition to Crozier, who served six seasons as coach, John Van Boxmeer (eight seasons) and Randy Cunneyworth (eight seasons) are among the longtime coaches of the Amerks. |
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General manager
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Blocked jersey numbers
The following jersey numbers are no longer awarded by the Rochester Americans:
- # 6 Norman "Red" Armstrong
- # 9 Dick Gamble ; Jody Gage
Individual evidence
- ↑ www.letsgoamerks.com, Sabers Affiliation 'Days Away' from Being Over
- ↑ www.democratandchronicle.com, Amerks' sale approved today
- ↑ www.theahl.com, AHL BOG approves sale of Amerks to Buffalo
- ^ A b hockeydb.com, Rochester Americans player list
- ↑ Amerks team photos ( Memento from May 17, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ www.azhockey.com, Rochester Americans
- ↑ infobarrel.com, 3 Retired Numbers of the Rochester Americans