Alaska Aces
Encyclopedia
The Alaska Aces, previously known as Anchorage Aces, are a minor league ice hockey
team in Anchorage, Alaska
. They are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues
(NHL
) and Peoria Rivermen
(AHL
). Home games are played at Sullivan Arena
in Anchorage. In 2011, they won the Kelly Cup Finals in five games over the Kalamazoo Wings. This was their second championship season, having been previously named the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Kelly Cup Champions in 2006.
The Alaska Aces were originally part of the West Coast Hockey League
(WCHL), but when the WCHL was absorbed by the East Coast Hockey League in 2003, the team joined the merged ECHL
. In 2005, the Aces joined an affiliation with the St. Louis Blues
of the National Hockey League
and the Peoria Rivermen
of the American Hockey League
. The Aces official team mascot is a polar bear
named Boomer. Aces fans are known for using small, ceremonial cow bells painted with the Aces insignia to show their support during games.
. The team was organized by
Dennis Sorenson, as a senior men's ice hockey team to compete against the Fairbanks
Gold Kings.
The Aces played four unofficial games during in the 1989–90 season. During the 1990–1991 season, Keith Street led the team on a 22–game schedule, which included 20 games against teams registered with USA Hockey
. The 1990–1991 season ended with the Aces winning the Senior Men's Open National Championship held in Fairbanks. In 1993 and 1994, they won the National Amateur Championship. They finished second in 1992 and 1995.
In the 1992–1993 season, new head coach Mike Ashley led the Aces to a 19–3–0 regular season record. In the USA Hockey Senior Men's Open Tournament, the Aces finished second for the second year in a row after compiling a 4–1 record in the tourney, losing the tiebreaker to the Chicago Chargers. Ashley resigned following the season.
For the 1993–1994 season, Steve Gasparini took over as head coach, and led the Aces to a 22–9–1 regular season record. The Aces also won their second championship in the USA Hockey Senior Men's Open National Tournament with a 5–0 run highlighted by the 6–0 rout of the Fresno Falcons
. In 1994–95, the team went 27–9 and lost in the championship game to the Gold Kings.
In the 1996–1997 season, the Aces initially lost in the league playoffs to the Fresno Falcons, three games to one. The WCHL commissioner determined that their 2–4 loss in game four would be changed to a 1–0 victory due to forfeit by the Fresno Falcons, when they failed to meet the minimum roster requirement due to injuries and suspensions. The Aces won the deciding fifth game 5–3 and advanced to the Taylor Cup.
Stirling Wright
In the 2000–2001 season, Stirling Wright was brought in to serve as assistant coach. He was instrumental in bringing in former NHL players when the Aces signed former NHL goalie Vincent Riendeau
and right wing Kevin Brown
. The Idaho Steelheads
defeated the Aces 3–0 in the first round of the playoffs. Overall, the Aces finished in third place with a 34–30–4 record and advanced to the semifinals, only to be ousted by Tacoma in three games.
In 2001–2002, Wright was promoted within the franchise and began serving as the new General Manager. He hired former NHL coach and player Butch Goring
as the team's new head coach. In effort to revamp the team, Wright only extended the contracts of four players from the previous season. The Aces additionally signed five former NHL players, including defenseman Jim Paek
, goaltender Scott Bailey, wingers Todd Harkins and Daniel Goneau, and center Clayton Beddoes.
Clayton Beddoes retired just a few games into the season due to a previous shoulder injury. The Aces promoted a "Guaranteed Win Night" where if they lost the game, the fans in attendance would receive free Aces tickets.
Mike Cusack
After a 10–18–4 season start, Aces' owner, Mike Cusack, fired Goring and Lou Corletto, who served the franchise as Vice President of Business Operations. He brought back former head coach, Walt Poddubny
. Stirling Wright stepped down as general manager, due to his disapproval of the owner's decisions. The Aces went on to win only a few more games and the mass exodus of players soon followed, after Wright left the team. The team itself was making a profit, but the owner's other financial ventures continued to drain the team of its revenue.
In May 2002, the team owner filed personal bankruptcy
. Cusick included his ownership of the Anchorage Aces franchise in the filing. According to the filing papers, the team was almost $2 million in debt.
In June 2002, Cusick put the team up for sale on eBay
. The club's owner, Cusack, accepted a $1.862 million bid from Duncan Harrison, owner of Alaskan Automotive Distributing in Anchorage, but U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge Donald MacDonald converted the Aces' bankruptcy case to Chapter 7
, which allowed him to reject the Harrison bid.
The listing was withdrawn when it was discovered that a US$2.3 million bid was a college student's prank.
The club was eventually sold for $1.05 million to a seven-member group led by Terry Parks, a local investor, and Dan Coffey, a local businessman.
Local ownership was later secured, and they were renamed the Alaska Aces in 2003. The team gained national prominence in 2004 when it signed New Jersey Devils
all-star and Alaska-born Scott Gomez
after the NHL lockout, who went on to lead the ECHL in scoring and win league Most Valuable Player honors.
The Aces joined the ECHL for the 2003–04 season following a merger between the WCHL and the East Coast Hockey League. They were renamed the Alaska Aces after the league switch, and unveiled a new logo and new uniforms.
The triple overtime win against Las Vegas Wranglers
(2006) was the third longest game in ECHL history, concluding after 113 minutes, 30 seconds.
In 2006, the Aces became only the second team in ECHL history (joining the South Carolina Stingrays
of Charleston, SC) in winning both the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup championships in the same season. (In 2008, the Cincinnati Cyclones became the third team to accomplish this feat and in 2011 the Alaska Aces did it again, becoming the first team to ever do it twice.)
The Aces play in the West Division of the ECHL's National Conference.
In 2006, Alaska won the ECHL Kelly Cup
title in five games over the Gwinnett Gladiators
. This was the first professional sports title won by an Alaskan team since the Anchorage Northern Knights
won the Continental Basketball Association
championship in 1980. Mike Scott received the ECHL Kelly Cup MVP award after the Aces' 4-3 win over the Gladiators in Game Five of the series.
On October 4, 2007, the Aces announced a one-year affiliation extension with the Blues and the Rivermen.
In 2009, the Aces stormed through the first three rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, winning in five games against both the Utah Grizzlies
and the Victoria Salmon Kings
in the first two rounds, and sweeping the Las Vegas Wranglers
in the National Conference Finals. They were in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time since their championship season in 2006,
but they lost 4 games to 3 to the South Carolina Stingrays
.
In 2011, the Aces dominated the entire season, having the best record in the league, and leading the league in points scored, winning the Brabham Cup
. Wes Goldie
lead the league in goals scored. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, they swept the Idaho Steelheads
and Victoria Salmon Kings
, and then won the Kelly Cup Championship over the Kalamazoo Wings
in five games.
Records as of April 3, 2009.
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 in Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
. They are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
(NHL
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...
) and Peoria Rivermen
Peoria Rivermen
The Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.-History:...
(AHL
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...
). Home games are played at Sullivan Arena
Sullivan Arena
The George M. Sullivan Arena is an arena in Anchorage, Alaska. The arena opened in 1983 and has a seating capacity of 8,700 for basketball, 6,251 for hockey...
in Anchorage. In 2011, they won the Kelly Cup Finals in five games over the Kalamazoo Wings. This was their second championship season, having been previously named the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Kelly Cup Champions in 2006.
The Alaska Aces were originally part of the West Coast Hockey League
West Coast Hockey League
The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington...
(WCHL), but when the WCHL was absorbed by the East Coast Hockey League in 2003, the team joined the merged ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. In 2005, the Aces joined an affiliation with the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
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...
and the Peoria Rivermen
Peoria Rivermen
The Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.-History:...
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...
. The Aces official team mascot is a polar bear
Polar Bear
The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size...
named Boomer. Aces fans are known for using small, ceremonial cow bells painted with the Aces insignia to show their support during games.
Anchorage Aces
The Alaska Aces hockey team was established in 1989, as the Anchorage Aces. They were originally a semi-professional club in the Pacific Southwest Hockey LeaguePacific Southwest Hockey League
The Pacific Southwest Hockey League was a semi-professional ice hockey league that operated in California, Nevada and Alaska starting in 1970 and ran through 1995, when its members were incorporated into the upstart professional West Coast Hockey League....
. The team was organized by
Dennis Sorenson, as a senior men's ice hockey team to compete against the Fairbanks
Fairbanks
Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community...
Gold Kings.
The Aces played four unofficial games during in the 1989–90 season. During the 1990–1991 season, Keith Street led the team on a 22–game schedule, which included 20 games against teams registered with USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
. The 1990–1991 season ended with the Aces winning the Senior Men's Open National Championship held in Fairbanks. In 1993 and 1994, they won the National Amateur Championship. They finished second in 1992 and 1995.
Pacific Northwest Hockey League
The Aces joined the Pacific Northwest Hockey League for the 1991–1992 season, playing six of their home games at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage and eight at the Central Peninsula Sports Center in Soldotna. The Aces finished second in the PNHL with a 16–12–2 regular season record, and were the runners-up in the national USA Hockey tourney after a 0–4–1 tourney run.In the 1992–1993 season, new head coach Mike Ashley led the Aces to a 19–3–0 regular season record. In the USA Hockey Senior Men's Open Tournament, the Aces finished second for the second year in a row after compiling a 4–1 record in the tourney, losing the tiebreaker to the Chicago Chargers. Ashley resigned following the season.
For the 1993–1994 season, Steve Gasparini took over as head coach, and led the Aces to a 22–9–1 regular season record. The Aces also won their second championship in the USA Hockey Senior Men's Open National Tournament with a 5–0 run highlighted by the 6–0 rout of the Fresno Falcons
Fresno Falcons
The Fresno Falcons are a defunct minor league hockey team. They were once members of the ECHL . They were located in Fresno, California.-Early history:...
. In 1994–95, the team went 27–9 and lost in the championship game to the Gold Kings.
West Coast Hockey League
After an unsuccessful attempt to form a new Pacific Rim Hockey League, the Aces joined the new West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) for the 1995–1996 season. Mike Cusack, Jr. became sole owner of the franchise following the 1995–1996 season.In the 1996–1997 season, the Aces initially lost in the league playoffs to the Fresno Falcons, three games to one. The WCHL commissioner determined that their 2–4 loss in game four would be changed to a 1–0 victory due to forfeit by the Fresno Falcons, when they failed to meet the minimum roster requirement due to injuries and suspensions. The Aces won the deciding fifth game 5–3 and advanced to the Taylor Cup.
Stirling Wright
In the 2000–2001 season, Stirling Wright was brought in to serve as assistant coach. He was instrumental in bringing in former NHL players when the Aces signed former NHL goalie Vincent Riendeau
Vincent Riendeau
Vincent Riendeau is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. During his time in the National Hockey League, Riendeau played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and the Boston Bruins...
and right wing Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown (ice hockey)
Kevin J. Brown is a former professional ice hockey right winger.Born in Birmingham, England, Brown was raised in Ontario, and had a successful junior career with the Belleville Bulls and Detroit Junior Red Wings of the OHL, he also played for the Fort Saskatchewan Traders of the AJHL...
. The Idaho Steelheads
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....
defeated the Aces 3–0 in the first round of the playoffs. Overall, the Aces finished in third place with a 34–30–4 record and advanced to the semifinals, only to be ousted by Tacoma in three games.
In 2001–2002, Wright was promoted within the franchise and began serving as the new General Manager. He hired former NHL coach and player Butch Goring
Butch Goring
Robert "Butch" Goring is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins. He is a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Islanders. Since retiring as a player he has served as head coach of...
as the team's new head coach. In effort to revamp the team, Wright only extended the contracts of four players from the previous season. The Aces additionally signed five former NHL players, including defenseman Jim Paek
Jim Paek
Jim Paek is a former professional ice hockey player. Paek played in the National Hockey League from 1990–91 to 1994–95. He is the first of two Korean hockey players to ever play in the NHL – the other being Richard Park...
, goaltender Scott Bailey, wingers Todd Harkins and Daniel Goneau, and center Clayton Beddoes.
Clayton Beddoes retired just a few games into the season due to a previous shoulder injury. The Aces promoted a "Guaranteed Win Night" where if they lost the game, the fans in attendance would receive free Aces tickets.
Mike Cusack
After a 10–18–4 season start, Aces' owner, Mike Cusack, fired Goring and Lou Corletto, who served the franchise as Vice President of Business Operations. He brought back former head coach, Walt Poddubny
Walt Poddubny
Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992....
. Stirling Wright stepped down as general manager, due to his disapproval of the owner's decisions. The Aces went on to win only a few more games and the mass exodus of players soon followed, after Wright left the team. The team itself was making a profit, but the owner's other financial ventures continued to drain the team of its revenue.
In May 2002, the team owner filed personal bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. Cusick included his ownership of the Anchorage Aces franchise in the filing. According to the filing papers, the team was almost $2 million in debt.
In June 2002, Cusick put the team up for sale on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. The club's owner, Cusack, accepted a $1.862 million bid from Duncan Harrison, owner of Alaskan Automotive Distributing in Anchorage, but U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge Donald MacDonald converted the Aces' bankruptcy case to Chapter 7
Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 7 of the Title 11 of the United States Code governs the process of liquidation under the bankruptcy laws of the United States...
, which allowed him to reject the Harrison bid.
The listing was withdrawn when it was discovered that a US$2.3 million bid was a college student's prank.
The club was eventually sold for $1.05 million to a seven-member group led by Terry Parks, a local investor, and Dan Coffey, a local businessman.
Local ownership was later secured, and they were renamed the Alaska Aces in 2003. The team gained national prominence in 2004 when it signed New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
all-star and Alaska-born Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
after the NHL lockout, who went on to lead the ECHL in scoring and win league Most Valuable Player honors.
The Aces joined the ECHL for the 2003–04 season following a merger between the WCHL and the East Coast Hockey League. They were renamed the Alaska Aces after the league switch, and unveiled a new logo and new uniforms.
The triple overtime win against Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
(2006) was the third longest game in ECHL history, concluding after 113 minutes, 30 seconds.
In 2006, the Aces became only the second team in ECHL history (joining the South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
of Charleston, SC) in winning both the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup championships in the same season. (In 2008, the Cincinnati Cyclones became the third team to accomplish this feat and in 2011 the Alaska Aces did it again, becoming the first team to ever do it twice.)
The Aces play in the West Division of the ECHL's National Conference.
In 2006, Alaska won the ECHL Kelly Cup
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
title in five games over the Gwinnett Gladiators
Gwinnett Gladiators
The Gwinnett Gladiators are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Duluth, Georgia. The Gladiators play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Gladiators play their home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center....
. This was the first professional sports title won by an Alaskan team since the Anchorage Northern Knights
Anchorage Northern Knights
The Anchorage Northern Knights were a team in the Continental Basketball Association from 1977 to 1982.At the time they joined the league then known as the Eastern Basketball Association, the franchise attracted national attention as perhaps the most misplaced franchise in the history of...
won the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
championship in 1980. Mike Scott received the ECHL Kelly Cup MVP award after the Aces' 4-3 win over the Gladiators in Game Five of the series.
On October 4, 2007, the Aces announced a one-year affiliation extension with the Blues and the Rivermen.
In 2009, the Aces stormed through the first three rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, winning in five games against both the Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
and the Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
in the first two rounds, and sweeping the Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
in the National Conference Finals. They were in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time since their championship season in 2006,
but they lost 4 games to 3 to the South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
.
In 2011, the Aces dominated the entire season, having the best record in the league, and leading the league in points scored, winning the Brabham Cup
Brabham Cup
The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...
. Wes Goldie
Wes Goldie
Wes Goldie is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.Goldie has scored an ECHL-best 175 goals while not missing a single game over the last four seasons with the Victoria Salmon Kings, including 44 last year, second only to Utah's Ryan...
lead the league in goals scored. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, they swept the Idaho Steelheads
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....
and Victoria Salmon Kings
Victoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
, and then won the Kelly Cup Championship over the Kalamazoo Wings
Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium....
in five games.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, PCT = Winning percentage, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutesRecords as of April 3, 2009.
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
League | Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | SOL | Pts | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | Coach(es) | Result |
| 1995–96 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHL | 58 | 24 | 29 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 53 | 0.414 | 271 | 299 | 1758 | Steve Gasparini | Out of playoffs |
| 1996–97 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHL | 64 | 41 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 87 | 0.641 | 349 | 260 | 2142 | Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... |
Lost in Finals |
| 1997–98 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHLN | 64 | 36 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 80 | 0.562 | 308 | 261 | 2075 | Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... |
Lost in round 2 |
| 1998–99 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHLN | 71 | 46 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 95 | 0.648 | 332 | 260 | 1759 | Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... |
Lost in round 2 |
| 1999–00 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHLN | 74 | 31 | 34 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 71 | 0.419 | 272 | 334 | 1828 | Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... , Bob Wilkie Bob Wilkie Bob Wilkie is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 18 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers.-External links:... , Derek Donald, Steve MacSwain |
Out of playoffs |
| 2000–01 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHLN | 72 | 27 | 41 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 58 | 0.375 | 264 | 324 | 1820 | Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... , Stirling Wright |
Out of playoffs |
| 2001–02 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHLN | 72 | 19 | 44 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 47 | 0.264 | 222 | 350 | 1573 | Butch Goring Butch Goring Robert "Butch" Goring is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins. He is a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Islanders. Since retiring as a player he has served as head coach of... , Stirling Wright, Walt Poddubny Walt Poddubny Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–1982 until 1991–1992.... |
Lost in round 1 |
| 2002–03 | WCHL West Coast Hockey League The West Coast Hockey League was a professional minor ice hockey league active in the western United States from 1995 to 2003. The number of teams ranged from six to nine. The teams were located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington... |
WCHL | 72 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 47 | 0.292 | 210 | 327 | 1926 | Rod Davidson, Perry Florio Perry Florio Perry Florio , is a retired American professional ice hockey player who spent the majority of his career with the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL.-Career:... |
Out of Playoffs |
| 2003–04 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
Pacific | 72 | 38 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0.569 | 220 | 210 | 1648 | Davis Payne Davis Payne Davis Payne is a retired Canadian ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins and is the former head coach of the St. Louis Blues.-Playing career:... |
Lost in round 2 |
| 2004–05 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 45 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 0.681 | 233 | 187 | 1389 | Davis Payne Davis Payne Davis Payne is a retired Canadian ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins and is the former head coach of the St. Louis Blues.-Playing career:... |
Lost in round 3 (Trenton) |
| 2005–06 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 53 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 0.785 | 289 | 168 | 1786 | Davis Payne Davis Payne Davis Payne is a retired Canadian ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins and is the former head coach of the St. Louis Blues.-Playing career:... |
ECHL Kelly Cup Champions |
| 2006–07 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 49 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 0.729 | 270 | 176 | 1972 | Davis Payne Davis Payne Davis Payne is a retired Canadian ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins and is the former head coach of the St. Louis Blues.-Playing career:... |
Lost Conference Finals (Idaho) |
| 2007–08 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 41 | 26 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 87 | 0.604 | 245 | 249 | 1319 | Keith McCambridge | Lost Conference Semifinals (Las Vegas) |
| 2008–09 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 45 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 93 | 0.646 | 232 | 181 | 1537 | Keith McCambridge | Lost in Finals (South Carolina) |
| 2009–10 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 36 | 28 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 80 | 0.556 | 232 | 240 | 1566 | Brent Thompson | Lost in round 1 |
| 2010–11 | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
West | 72 | 47 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 97 | 0.674 | 241 | 174 | 947 | Brent Thompson | ECHL Kelly Cup Champions |
| Totals | 2 | 4 | 907 | 471 | 355 | 28 | 52 | 1 | 1023 | 0.537 | 3485 | 3405 | 22995 | 12 | 12 Playoff Seasons, 2 Championships |
Team officials
| Title | Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Rob Murray Rob Murray Rob Murray is a former ice hockey player and former head coach of the Providence Bruins from 2008-2011. He is currently the head coach of the Alaska Aces. He played most of his career as captain of the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons... |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Brian Angelotti |
| Equipment Manager | Michael Burkhead |
| Play-by-Play Announcer | Josh Bogorad Josh Bogorad Josh Bogorad is an American sportscaster, currently working for the Alaska Aces of the East Coast Hockey League... |
Notable players
- Scott GomezScott GomezScott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- Barrett HeistenBarrett HeistenBarrett Heisten is an American professional ice hockey player.- Playing career:Barrett played high school hockey at Dimond High School in Anchorage....
- Wade BrookbankWade BrookbankWade Brookbank is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays both defence and wing currently playing for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League...
- Chris Beckford-TseuChris Beckford-TseuChris Beckford-Tseu is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL. He was drafted in the fifth round, 159th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft...
- Matt UnderhillMatt UnderhillMatthew Joseph Underhill is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2003–04 NHL season....
- Wes GoldieWes GoldieWes Goldie is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.Goldie has scored an ECHL-best 175 goals while not missing a single game over the last four seasons with the Victoria Salmon Kings, including 44 last year, second only to Utah's Ryan...
- Kimbi DanielsKimbi DanielsKimbi Daniels is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Fort St. John Flyers of the North Peace Hockey League...
- B. J. YoungB. J. YoungJerry Franklin "B.J." Young was a professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round, 157th overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
- Doug LynchDoug LynchDouglas Lynch is a professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- Derek GustafsonDerek GustafsonDerek Gustafson is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:Prior to beginning his professional career, Gustafson was a goaltender for the St. Lawrence University Skating Saints during the 1999-2000 season...
- D. J. KingD. J. King-International:-External links:...
- Marek SchwarzMarek SchwarzMarek Schwarz is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the TPS of the SM-liiga.-Playing career:...
- Ty JonesTy JonesTy Jones is an American professional ice hockey winger. He was drafted in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft with the 16th overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks....