Elmira Jackals
Encyclopedia
The Elmira Jackals are an ice hockey
team that play in the ECHL
. Their home games are played in First Arena
in Elmira, New York
(the smallest arena in the ECHL) and they refer to themselves as "the beasts of the east". Their mascot is named Blade, and they were originally part of the United Hockey League
.
before the 2000-2001 season, as an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets
. Eventually, they severed ties with the Blue Jackets and became an independent operation for the rest of their years in the league. During their tenure in the UHL, their average attendance was 3,308 per game, which included 31 sellouts. The largest crowd was a standing-room-only of 4,126 on October 13, 2006.
in the Colonial Cup
finals, but lost in a hard fought 6 game series. They returned to the playoffs in 2003, but didn't get the chance to play for The Cup again until the 2004 season when they again faced the Muskegon Fury. After being swept in the 2004 Colonial Cup series, they never returned to the playoffs in the UHL.
Despite finishing in last place, there were some bright spots. Star forward Frank Littlejohn scored a franchise record 42 goals. The fans were very supportive of the team, averaging 3,427 per game during the season in an arena that only seats 4,000. Then on April 14, 2007, ownership announced they would be leaving the UHL for the North Division of the ECHL.
in the summer of 2007 with a new logo and jerseys. They are a member of the North division.
Returning from a loss in Cincinnati
, the team bus was involved in crash on Interstate 90
in Pennsylvania
early in the morning of November 29, 2007. Several players sustained minor injuries. The Jackals suffered their worst loss in their first year. They lost to Johnstown 9-3. On March 9, 2008 after three seasons of being out of playoff contention in the United Hockey League, the Elmira Jackals qualified for the East Coast Hockey League playoffs.
For the 2007-08 season, the Jackals were the affiliate of the Syracuse Crunch
(AHL) and Columbus Blue Jackets
(NHL). During the 2009-10 season, the Jackals will be affiliated with the West Michigan Blizzard (AAHL), Binghamton Senators (AHL), and Ottawa Senators
(NHL).
On July 27, 2010, it was announced that the Anaheim Ducks
(NHL) and Syracuse Crunch
(AHL) would be the Jackals affiliates for the 2010-2011 season.
On October 4, 2011, it was announced that the Jackals would be affiliated with the Danbury Whalers
of the Federal Hockey League
for the 2010-11 season.
2004-2005:Dave Schultz (Mid-season Replacement)
2005-2006:Perry Florio
2006-2007: Kris Waltze
2006-2007: Robbie Nichols (Mid-season Replacement)
2006-2007:Paul Gillis (2nd Mid-season Replacement)
2007-2010: Steve Martinson
2010-2011: Malcolm Cameron
2010-2011: Robbie Nichols (Mid-season Replacement)
2011-Present: Pat Bingham
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 that play in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. Their home games are played in First Arena
First Arena
The First Arena is a 3,784-seat multi-purpose facility that features two ice surfaces, a full service restaurant and bar, a food service center for the recreational rink, video game arcade, 31 luxury suites, party/group outing facilities, and meeting/community rooms among other amenities. located...
in Elmira, New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
(the smallest arena in the ECHL) and they refer to themselves as "the beasts of the east". Their mascot is named Blade, and they were originally part of the United Hockey League
United Hockey League
The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States...
.
The UHL years
The Jackals were born as a member of the United Hockey LeagueUnited Hockey League
The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States...
before the 2000-2001 season, as an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Eventually, they severed ties with the Blue Jackets and became an independent operation for the rest of their years in the league. During their tenure in the UHL, their average attendance was 3,308 per game, which included 31 sellouts. The largest crowd was a standing-room-only of 4,126 on October 13, 2006.
Playoff history
The team made a splash in their first season by immediately making the playoffs. Improving dramatically in the off-season, the Jackals won the Eastern Conference for the first time, in just their second season. They even got as far as playing the Muskegon FuryMuskegon Fury
The Muskegon Fury was a International Hockey League ice hockey team located in Muskegon, Michigan.The Fury were established in 1992 after the original Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League's previous incarnation relocated to Cleveland, Ohio...
in the Colonial Cup
Colonial Cup (hockey)
The Colonial Cup was the name of the trophy for the post-season champion of the International Hockey League. On September 24, 2007, the league decided to restore the "Turner Cup" name to the championship trophy as a tribute to the original IHL in honor of Joe Turner, and a new trophy was being...
finals, but lost in a hard fought 6 game series. They returned to the playoffs in 2003, but didn't get the chance to play for The Cup again until the 2004 season when they again faced the Muskegon Fury. After being swept in the 2004 Colonial Cup series, they never returned to the playoffs in the UHL.
The final year
Their final season in the league, was especially disappointing. They hired a new head coach who'd proven successful elsewhere and signed a few solid players, giving the team hope for a return to the playoffs. The season brought three head coaching changes, after the first one suffered a mini-stroke. There were also some injuries to key players. One of which, limited top ranked goalie Shawn Degagne to only 4 games.Despite finishing in last place, there were some bright spots. Star forward Frank Littlejohn scored a franchise record 42 goals. The fans were very supportive of the team, averaging 3,427 per game during the season in an arena that only seats 4,000. Then on April 14, 2007, ownership announced they would be leaving the UHL for the North Division of the ECHL.
ECHL
The Elmira Jackals joined the ECHLECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
in the summer of 2007 with a new logo and jerseys. They are a member of the North division.
Returning from a loss in Cincinnati
Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena....
, the team bus was involved in crash on Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
early in the morning of November 29, 2007. Several players sustained minor injuries. The Jackals suffered their worst loss in their first year. They lost to Johnstown 9-3. On March 9, 2008 after three seasons of being out of playoff contention in the United Hockey League, the Elmira Jackals qualified for the East Coast Hockey League playoffs.
For the 2007-08 season, the Jackals were the affiliate of the Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
(AHL) and Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(NHL). During the 2009-10 season, the Jackals will be affiliated with the West Michigan Blizzard (AAHL), Binghamton Senators (AHL), and Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(NHL).
On July 27, 2010, it was announced that the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(NHL) and Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
(AHL) would be the Jackals affiliates for the 2010-2011 season.
On October 4, 2011, it was announced that the Jackals would be affiliated with the Danbury Whalers
Danbury Whalers
The Danbury Whalers are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League that began play in the 2010-11 season. Based in Danbury, Connecticut, the Whalers play at the Danbury Ice Arena, located in CityCenter Danbury...
of the Federal Hockey League
Federal Hockey League
The Federal Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Ontario. The FHL began operations in November 2010. Don Kirnan serves as the league's first commissioner....
for the 2010-11 season.
Season-by-season record
The complete seasonal records throughout team history.| Season | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2000-01 | 32 | 33 | 9 | 73 | 260 | 289 | 2015 | 2nd, Northeast | Lost in 1st round | |
| 2001-02 | 45 | 21 | 8 | 98 | 260 | 216 | 2523 | 1st, East | Lost in Finals 4 games to 2 | |
| 2002-03 | 41 | 28 | 7 | 89 | 257 | 254 | 2250 | 3rd, Eastern | Lost in 2nd round 4 games to 0 | |
| 2003-04 | 33 | 34 | 9 | 75 | 238 | 256 | 1670 | 4th, Eastern | Lost in Finals 4 games to 0 | |
| 2004-05 | 24 | 51 | 5 | 53 | 224 | 310 | 1686 | 4th, Eastern | Did not qualify | |
| 2005-06 | 27 | 42 | 7 | 61 | 231 | 300 | 1815 | 4th, Eastern | Did not qualify | |
| 2006-07 | 30 | 45 | 1 | 61 | 217 | 287 | 2087 | 5th, Eastern | Did not qualify | |
| 2007-08 | 41 | 24 | 7 | 89 | 245 | 219 | 1840 | 2nd, North | Lost in 1st round 4 games to 2 | |
| 2008-09 | 39 | 26 | 2 | 5 | 85 | 235 | 232 | 1506 | 3rd, North | Lost in 2nd round 4 games to 0 |
| 2009-10 | 37 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 83 | 275 | 231 | 1721 | 1st, East | Lost in 1st round 3 games to 2 |
| 2010-11 | 32 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 74 | 249 | 264 | 1541 | 3rd, North | Lost in 1st round 4 games to 0 |
| Totals | 371 | 360 | 15 | 64 | 841 | 2691 | 2955 | 18903 | - | - |
Head Coaches
2000-2005: Todd Brost2004-2005:Dave Schultz (Mid-season Replacement)
2005-2006:Perry Florio
2006-2007: Kris Waltze
2006-2007: Robbie Nichols (Mid-season Replacement)
2006-2007:Paul Gillis (2nd Mid-season Replacement)
2007-2010: Steve Martinson
2010-2011: Malcolm Cameron
2010-2011: Robbie Nichols (Mid-season Replacement)
2011-Present: Pat Bingham
Current roster
| Title | STAFF MEMBER |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Pat Bingham |
| Athletic Trainer | Brett Allen |
| Equipment Manager | John Sellars |