Rochester Americans

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans logo
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 CanadaCanada Chris Taylor
General manager CanadaCanada Randy Sexton
owner United StatesUnited States 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 .

Don Cherry (left), coach in the early 1970s

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

Face off during the Amerks game against the Binghamton Senators , January 2005

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 Blue Cross Arena in Rochester

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 .

Calder Cup

  • 1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987 and 1996

Division title

  • 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1973/74, 1977/78, 1982/83, 1986/87, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000 / 01 and 2004/05

Robert W. Clarke Trophy

  • 1999/00, 1998/99, 1995/96, 1992/93, 1991/92, 1990/91 and 1989/90

Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy

  • 2004/05

Frank S. Mathers Trophy

  • 2000/01

Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy

  • 2004/05

FG "Teddy" Oke Trophy

  • 1973/74

Sam Pollock Trophy

  • 2004/05

John D. Chick Trophy

  • 1999/2000, 1998/99, 1996/97, 1990/91, 1989/90, 1986/87, 1982/83, 1977/78, 1967/68, 1965/66 and 1964/65

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

Eddie Shore Award

Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award

Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award

Jack A. Butterfield Trophy

John B. Sollenberger Trophy

Les Cunningham Award

Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award

James C. Hendy Memorial Award

Club records

Amerks players, March 2005

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

Ryan Miller and Tom Askey , April 2005

Well-known former players

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.
Period Trainer
1956-1957 Billy Reay
1957-1958 Rollie McLenahan
1958-1960 Steve Kraftcheck
1960–1962 Jack Crawford
1962-1963 Rudy Migay
1963-1968 Joe Crozier
1968-1971 Dick Gamble
1971-1974 Don Cherry
1974-1976 Dick Mattiussi
Period Trainer
1976-1988 Duane Rupp
1978-1979 Pat Kelly
1979-1980 Bill Inglis
1981-1983 Mike Keenan
1983-1984 Joe Crozier
1985-1990 John Van Boxmeer
1990-1992 Don Lever
1992-1995 John Van Boxmeer
1995-1997 John Tortorella
Period Trainer
1997-2000 Brian McCutcheon
2000-2008 Randy Cunneyworth
2008-2010 Benoit Groulx
2010-2011 Chuck Weber
2011-2013 Ron Rolston
2013-2015 Chadd Cassidy
2015-2016 Randy Cunneyworth
2016-2017 Dan Lambert
since 2017 Chris Taylor

General manager

Period General manager
1956-1958 Paul Bibeault
1958-1960 Jack Riley
1960-1964 Jack Button
1964-1970 Joe Crozier
1970/71 Bud poile
1971/72 Doug Adam & Don Cherry
1972-1974 Don Cherry
1974-1976 Dick Mattiussi
1976-1979 Duane Rupp
Period General manager
1979-1988 George Bergantz
1988-1993 Randy Scott
1993-1997 Joe Baumann
1997-2009 Jody Gage
2009-2010 Randy Sexton
2010-2011 Michael Santos
2011-2014 Darcy Regier
2014-2017 Tim Murray
since 2017 Randy Sexton

Blocked jersey numbers

The following jersey numbers are no longer awarded by the Rochester Americans:

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ www.letsgoamerks.com, Sabers Affiliation 'Days Away' from Being Over
  2. ↑ www.democratandchronicle.com, Amerks' sale approved today
  3. ↑ www.theahl.com, AHL BOG approves sale of Amerks to Buffalo
  4. ^ A b hockeydb.com, Rochester Americans player list
  5. ↑ Amerks team photos ( Memento from May 17, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ www.azhockey.com, Rochester Americans
  7. ↑ infobarrel.com, 3 Retired Numbers of the Rochester Americans

Web links

Commons : Rochester Americans  - Collection of pictures, videos, and audio files