| St. John's IceCaps | |
 | |
| City: | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador |
|---|---|
| League: | American Hockey League |
| Conference: | Eastern Conference |
| Division: | Atlantic Division |
| Founded: | 2011 |
| Home Arena: | Mile One Centre |
| Owner(s): | True North Sports and Entertainment |
| Affiliates: | Winnipeg Jets (NHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1994-1996: | Minnesota Moose |
| 1996-2001: | Manitoba Moose |
| 2011-present: | St. John's IceCaps |
| Championships | |
| Division Championships: | Atlantic Division (2011-12) |
The St. John's IceCaps are an American Hockey League (AHL) team based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The team is the top affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and is a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. From 1996 to 2011, the team was known as the Manitoba Moose and played out of in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With the recent purchase and relocation of a National Hockey League team to Winnipeg by parent company True North Sports and Entertainment, the team has been leased to Danny Williams and relocated to St. John's, returning the AHL to Atlantic Canada after a six-year absence.
Official St. John's IceCaps Website: http://stjohnsicecaps.com/
Franchise History[]
The franchise began as the Minnesota Moose in the International Hockey League in 1994. The team played two seasons in St. Paul, Minnesota before relocating to Winnipeg in 1996, following the departure of the Winnipeg Jets. The Manitoba Moose continued in the IHL until the league folded in 2001, at which time they joined the AHL and became the official farm team of the Vancouver Canucks. During their 15-year run in Winnipeg, the Moose made it to the Calder Cup Finals once, in the spring of 2009. They played 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 2011-2012 National Hockey League (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 American Hockey League 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 Manitoba 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.
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 animal 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 21, 2011, Buddy the Puffin was introduced as the mascot of the IceCaps. Buddy was previously the mascot of the St. John's Maple Leafs. Buddy's number is 92, which represents 1992, the year that the St. John's Maple Leafs were founded. Captain Cowbell is an unofficial mascot for the Icecaps. Captain Cowbell wears a small eye mask, while ringing a cowbell.
Season-by-Season Results[]
Regular Season[]
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | 76 | 43 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 94 | 240 | 216 | 1st, Atlantic |
Playoffs[]
| Season | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | W, 3-1, SYR | W, 4-3, WBS | L, 0-4, NOR | — |