Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey
team playing in the American Hockey League
. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League
's New York Islanders
, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in Bridgeport, Connecticut
and play their home games at the Webster Bank Arena. The "Sound" in the team name is a reference to the Long Island Sound
to the south of Bridgeport.
Finals, in which they lost to the Chicago Wolves
four games to one, during their first season.
The franchise's first coach was Steve Stirling
, and the team is currently coached by Brent Thompson
. Among the Sound Tigers' players who have graduated to play for the New York Islanders
are Trent Hunter
, Rick DiPietro
, Kyle Okposo
, Bruno Gervais
, and Sean Bergenheim
, while other NHL players such as Jeff Hamilton, Eric Godard
, Raffi Torres
and Wade Dubielewicz
have also played for the team.
- Jeremy Colliton
Home Alternates - Dylan Reese & Justin DiBenedetto
Road Alternates - Trevor Frischmon & Tim Wallace
(the main rival of the Sound Tigers’ parent club, the New York Islanders
). They also have a very good rivalry with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
, the Pittsburgh Penguins
’ AHL
affiliate. This is due largely to the fact that Bridgeport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are frequent playoff match-ups. They also are semi-rivals with the Hershey Bears
, the Washington Capitals
’ AHL affiliate.
of the Sound Tigers is named Storm. Storm is an anthropomorphic
blue tiger. He appears at home games sporting a white home jersey with the number 01. While Storm can usually be found exciting fans throughout the arena, he skates on the ice during periodic intermissions
. Storm's appearance has changed since the team's inaugural season.
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 playing in 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...
. It has been the AHL affiliate 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...
's New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
and play their home games at the Webster Bank Arena. The "Sound" in the team name is a reference to the Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
to the south of Bridgeport.
History
The Sound Tigers joined the AHL in 2001. The franchise's lease at the Arena runs until the end of the 2021 season. The team has generally been successful, recording only two losing seasons through the 2009 season, highlighted by a division championship and reaching the Calder CupCalder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
Finals, in which they lost to the Chicago Wolves
Chicago Wolves
The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois...
four games to one, during their first season.
The franchise's first coach was Steve Stirling
Steve Stirling
Steve Stirling is an assistant coach of the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League. He is the former head coach of the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals, the Springfield Falcons, and the National Hockey League's New York Islanders...
, and the team is currently coached by Brent Thompson
Brent Thompson
Brent Keith Thompson is a retired professional defenceman who played 121 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, and Los Angeles Kings. He was formerly the head coach of the Alaska Aces of the ECHL, where he led them to a Kelly Cup Championship in the...
. Among the Sound Tigers' players who have graduated to play for the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
are Trent Hunter
Trent Hunter
Trent Hunter is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings. He has previously played with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. On September 14, 2011 it was announced that Hunter would sign a professional tryout contract with the...
, Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He was the first overall selection by the Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft....
, Kyle Okposo
Kyle Okposo
Kyle Henry Erovre Okposo is an American professional ice hockey right winger, an alternate captain of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League...
, Bruno Gervais
Bruno Gervais
Bruno Gervais is a professional ice hockey defenceman for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, and Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, while other NHL players such as Jeff Hamilton, Eric Godard
Eric Godard
Eric Godard is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Texas Stars.-Playing career:Godard played junior hockey with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League...
, Raffi Torres
Raffi Torres
Raphael "Raffi" Torres is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the New York Islanders fifth overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has additionally played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers,...
and Wade Dubielewicz
Wade Dubielewicz
Wade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...
have also played for the team.
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
80 | 43 | 25 | 8 | 4 | — | 98 | 240 | 192 | 1st, East |
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 40 | 26 | 11 | 3 | — | 94 | 219 | 198 | 2nd, East |
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
80 | 41 | 23 | 12 | 4 | — | 98 | 178 | 140 | 2nd, East |
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 37 | 38 | — | 1 | 4 | 79 | 192 | 222 | 6th, East |
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
80 | 38 | 33 | — | 6 | 3 | 85 | 246 | 253 | 4th, East |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
80 | 36 | 37 | — | 1 | 6 | 79 | 229 | 267 | 5th, East |
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
80 | 40 | 36 | — | 1 | 3 | 84 | 225 | 240 | 5th, East |
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
80 | 49 | 23 | — | 3 | 5 | 106 | 241 | 212 | 2nd, East |
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
80 | 38 | 32 | — | 4 | 6 | 86 | 201 | 220 | 5th, Atlantic |
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
80 | 30 | 39 | — | 4 | 7 | 67 | 209 | 256 | 7th, Atlantic |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
W, 3–1, Manitoba Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St... |
W, 4–0 St. John's St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:... |
W, 4–3, Hamilton Hamilton Bulldogs The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens... |
L, 1–4, Chicago Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois... |
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
W, 3–0, Manitoba | L, 2–4, Binghamton Binghamton Senators The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators... |
— | — |
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
L, 3–4, WBS Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
— | — | — |
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Out of Playoffs | |||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
L, 3–4, WBS | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Out of Playoffs | |||
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
Out of Playoffs | |||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
L, 1-4, WBS | — | — | — |
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
L, 1-4, HER Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
— | — | — |
Captains
CaptainCaptain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
- Jeremy Colliton
Home Alternates - Dylan Reese & Justin DiBenedetto
Road Alternates - Trevor Frischmon & Tim Wallace
Rivalry
The main (and instate) rival of the Sound Tigers are the Connecticut Whale, the AHL affiliate of the New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
(the main rival of the Sound Tigers’ parent club, the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
). They also have a very good rivalry with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
’ 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...
affiliate. This is due largely to the fact that Bridgeport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are frequent playoff match-ups. They also are semi-rivals with the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
’ AHL affiliate.
Mascot
The lone mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the Sound Tigers is named Storm. Storm is an anthropomorphic
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
blue tiger. He appears at home games sporting a white home jersey with the number 01. While Storm can usually be found exciting fans throughout the arena, he skates on the ice during periodic intermissions
Intermission
An intermission or interval is a recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert, or film screening....
. Storm's appearance has changed since the team's inaugural season.
Single season
- Goals: 43
Jeff Hamilton (2003–04) - Assists: 48
Rob CollinsRob CollinsRob Collins is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Deutsche Eishockey Liga's Hamburg Freezers.-Playing career:...
(2005–06) - Points: 76 Jeff TambelliniJeff TambelliniJeff Tambellini is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger playing for the ZSC Lions of the National League A . Originally selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he joined the NHL in 2005. During his rookie season, he was traded to the New York Islanders...
(2007–08) - Penalty minutes: 295 Eric GodardEric GodardEric Godard is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Texas Stars.-Playing career:Godard played junior hockey with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League...
(2004–05) - GAA: 1.38 Wade DubielewiczWade DubielewiczWade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...
(2003–04) (AHL Record) - SV%: .946 Wade DubielewiczWade DubielewiczWade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...
(2003–04) (AHL Record)
Career
- Career goals: 89 Jeff Hamilton
- Career assists: 110 Rob CollinsRob CollinsRob Collins is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Deutsche Eishockey Liga's Hamburg Freezers.-Playing career:...
- Career points: 171 Jeremy CollitonJeremy Colliton-International:-External links:...
- Career penalty minutes: 705 Eric GodardEric GodardEric Godard is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Texas Stars.-Playing career:Godard played junior hockey with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League...
- Career goaltending wins: 81 Wade DubielewiczWade DubielewiczWade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...
- Career shutouts: 15 Wade DubielewiczWade DubielewiczWade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...
- Career games: 368 Mark WottonMark WottonMark A. Wotton is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL.-Playing career:...