Worcester IceCats | |
City: | Worcester, Massachusetts |
---|---|
League: | American Hockey League |
Operated: | 1994–2005 |
Home Arena: | DCU Center |
Colors: | Blue, Teal and Silver |
Affiliates: | St. Louis Blues (ice hockey) |
Franchise history | |
1926–1951: | Springfield Indians |
1951–1954: | Syracuse Warriors |
1954–1967: | Springfield Indians |
1967–1974: | Springfield Kings |
1974–1994: | Springfield Indians |
1994–2005: | Worcester IceCats |
2005–present: | Peoria Rivermen |
Championships | |
Division Championships: | 2 (1996–97, 2000–01) |
The Worcester IceCats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA at the DCU Center.
History[]
The IceCats got their start when original New York Islanders owner Roy Boe purchased the Springfield Indians AHL franchise and moved it to Worcester in the summer of 1994. The team began play in the Fall of 1994 with a collection of free-agent players but as yet with no National Hockey League team affiliation. Late in the 1994–95 season, Boe and head coach/General Manager Jim Roberts negotiated a deal with the St. Louis Blues. From that point on the IceCats would be the Blues' premier minor league team. The Peoria Rivermen of the East Coast Hockey League, in turn, became the IceCats' minor league affiliate in 1998, having been with St. Louis before the 1994 Worcester deal. During the 2000–01 season, Boe sold the IceCats to the St. Louis Blues. The team celebrated its tenth season in the AHL in Fall 2003.
On November 9, 2004 the St. Louis Blues announced the sale of the IceCats to the owners of their ECHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen. The new owners have moved the franchise to Peoria, IL, for the 2005–06 season.
- This franchise was previously known as: Springfield Indians (1926–1994)
- The franchise became known as: Peoria Rivermen (2005–present)
- This franchise was replaced by: Worcester Sharks (2006–present)
Season-by-Season Results[]
Regular Season[]
Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals For |
Goals Against |
Standing |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994–95 | 80 | 24 | 45 | 11 | 0 | — | 59 | 234 | 300 | 6th, North |
1995–96 | 80 | 36 | 28 | 12 | 4 | — | 88 | 242 | 244 | 2nd, North |
1996–97 | 80 | 43 | 23 | 9 | 5 | — | 100 | 256 | 234 | 1st, New England |
1997–98 | 80 | 34 | 31 | 9 | 6 | — | 83 | 267 | 268 | 4th, New England |
1998–99 | 80 | 34 | 36 | 8 | 2 | — | 78 | 237 | 260 | 4th, New England |
1999–00 | 80 | 34 | 31 | 11 | 4 | — | 83 | 249 | 250 | 3rd, New England |
2000–01 | 80 | 48 | 20 | 9 | 3 | — | 108 | 264 | 205 | 1st, New England |
2001–02 | 80 | 39 | 33 | 7 | 1 | — | 86 | 245 | 218 | 3rd, North |
2002–03 | 80 | 35 | 27 | 15 | 3 | — | 88 | 235 | 220 | 3rd, North |
2003–04 | 80 | 37 | 27 | 13 | 3 | — | 90 | 207 | 186 | 3rd, Atlantic |
2004–05 | 80 | 39 | 34 | 3 | 4 | — | 85 | 212 | 223 | 5th, Atlantic |
Playoffs[]
Season | 1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | Finals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1994–95 | Out of playoffs. | |||
1995–96 | L, 1-3, Portland | — | — | — |
1996–97 | L, 2-3, Providence | — | — | — |
1997–98 | W, 3-1, Springfield | L, 3-4, Hartford | — | — |
1998–99 | L, 1-3, Providence | — | — | — |
1999–00 | W, 3-1, Portland | L, 1-4, Hartford | — | — |
2000–01 | W, 3-1, Lowell | L, 3-4, Providence | — | — |
2001–02* | L, 1-2, Manitoba* | — | — | — |
2002–03 | L, 0-3, Binghamton | — | — | — |
2003–04 | W, 4-2, Manchester | L, 0-4, Hartford | — | — |
2004–05 | Out of playoffs. |
* Lost in preliminary round.
Notable IceCats[]
- Eric Boguniecki
- Rory Fitzpatrick
- Jochen Hecht
- Brent Johnson
- Jamal Mayers
- Jay McClement
- Jamie McLennan
- Mike Mottau
- Ladislav Nagy
- Marty Reasoner
- Pascal Rheaume
- Bryce Salvador
- Curtis Sanford
- Mike Van Ryn
- Dennis Wideman