Houston Aeros
Encyclopedia
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey
team in the American Hockey League
. The team plays in Houston, Texas
, at the Toyota Center
. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild
.
of the World Hockey Association
in the 1970s, one of the teams Gordie Howe
played for in the WHA. The Aeros were the second IHL team to be named after a WHA franchise, the first being the Phoenix Roadrunners
; unlike the Roadrunners, who used the same logo as their WHA predecessor, the IHL Aeros used a new logo, a bomber flying over the team name (essentially their current logo). The Aeros would defeat the Orlando Solar Bears to win the 1999 Turner Cup, following an impressive 54-win season.
The Aeros were one of six IHL teams to join the American Hockey League (AHL)
in 2001 when the IHL folded. The AHL version of the Aeros would go on to win the 2003 Calder Cup
; they would reach the 2011 Calder Cup finals as well, but lost to the Binghamton Senators. They are the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild
The team plays their home games in the Toyota Center
, which they moved to from the Compaq Center
for the 2003–04 season.
In 2003, the Aeros replaced their original bomber logo, carried over from their IHL days, to a new logo featuring a forward-facing modern fighter jet below a bold "AEROS", and using the WHA Aeros' colors of light and dark blue. In 2005, as part of their affiliation with the Wild, the Aeros changed their colors to the Wild's forest green and Iron Range
red. On April 18, 2006, the team announced that the 2006–07 season would see the Aeros return to their original bomber logo associated with their championship seasons, with only minor color alterations; the blue elements of the original logo were replaced with green.
The principal owner is Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, with Chuck Watson, the former owner, now owning a 10% minority share along with Houston Native, Nick Sheppard, holding a 4% share.
Career
Retired numbers
Professional ice hockey
Professional ice hockey has existed since the early 1900s. From the first professional ice hockey league based out of Michigan in the United States, it quickly grew into Canada and to many other countries, as diverse as Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom or Austria.- Canada :Professional...
team 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...
. The team plays in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, at the Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Houston)
The Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Rockets of the National Basketball Association, the principal owners of the building, and the Aeros of the American Hockey League.Rockets...
. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
History
The Houston Aeros were an expansion team in the International Hockey League in 1994. The team's name is a homage to the Houston AerosHouston Aeros (WHA)
The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972...
of the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
in the 1970s, one of the teams Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
played for in the WHA. The Aeros were the second IHL team to be named after a WHA franchise, the first being the Phoenix Roadrunners
Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)
The Phoenix Roadrunners were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. The team was housed at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team played in the IHL from 1989 to 1997. The IHL Roadrunners were named for a World Hockey Association team of the same name...
; unlike the Roadrunners, who used the same logo as their WHA predecessor, the IHL Aeros used a new logo, a bomber flying over the team name (essentially their current logo). The Aeros would defeat the Orlando Solar Bears to win the 1999 Turner Cup, following an impressive 54-win season.
The Aeros were one of six IHL teams to join the American Hockey League (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...
in 2001 when the IHL folded. The AHL version of the Aeros would go on to win the 2003 Calder Cup
Calder 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...
; they would reach the 2011 Calder Cup finals as well, but lost to the Binghamton Senators. They are the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
The team plays their home games in the Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Houston)
The Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Rockets of the National Basketball Association, the principal owners of the building, and the Aeros of the American Hockey League.Rockets...
, which they moved to from the Compaq Center
Compaq Center (Houston)
The Lakewood Church Central Campus is a house of worship in Houston, Texas, United States...
for the 2003–04 season.
In 2003, the Aeros replaced their original bomber logo, carried over from their IHL days, to a new logo featuring a forward-facing modern fighter jet below a bold "AEROS", and using the WHA Aeros' colors of light and dark blue. In 2005, as part of their affiliation with the Wild, the Aeros changed their colors to the Wild's forest green and Iron Range
Iron Range
The Iron Range is a region that makes up the northeastern section of Minnesota in the United States. "The Range", as it is known by locals, is a region with multiple distinct bands of iron ore...
red. On April 18, 2006, the team announced that the 2006–07 season would see the Aeros return to their original bomber logo associated with their championship seasons, with only minor color alterations; the blue elements of the original logo were replaced with green.
The principal owner is Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, with Chuck Watson, the former owner, now owning a 10% minority share along with Houston Native, Nick Sheppard, holding a 4% share.
Season-by-season results
- International Hockey League (1994–2001)
- American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey LeagueThe 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...
(2001–present)
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 81 | 38 | 35 | — | 8 | — | 84 | 272 | 283 | 2nd, Central |
| 1995–96 | 82 | 29 | 45 | — | 8 | — | 66 | 262 | 328 | 5th, Central |
| 1996–97 | 82 | 44 | 30 | — | 8 | — | 96 | 247 | 228 | 2nd, Southwest |
| 1997–98 | 82 | 50 | 22 | — | 10 | — | 110 | 268 | 214 | 2nd, Southwest |
| 1998–99 | 82 | 54 | 15 | — | 13 | — | 121 | 307 | 209 | 1st, Southwest |
| 1999–00 | 82 | 44 | 29 | — | 9 | — | 97 | 219 | 197 | 3rd, Western |
| 2000–01 | 82 | 42 | 32 | — | 8 | — | 92 | 229 | 245 | 2nd, Western |
| 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 | 39 | 26 | 10 | 5 | — | 93 | 234 | 232 | 2nd, West |
| 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 | 47 | 23 | 7 | 3 | — | 104 | 266 | 222 | 1st, West |
| 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 | 28 | 34 | 14 | 4 | — | 74 | 197 | 220 | 4th, West |
| 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 | 40 | 28 | — | 6 | 6 | 93 | 212 | 195 | 4th, West |
| 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 | 50 | 24 | — | 3 | 3 | 106 | 285 | 242 | 2nd, West |
| 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 | 27 | 43 | — | 4 | 6 | 64 | 205 | 269 | 7th, West |
| 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 | 45 | 29 | — | 2 | 4 | 96 | 206 | 183 | 3rd, West |
| 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 | 38 | 31 | — | 2 | 9 | 87 | 218 | 230 | 3rd, West |
| 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 | 34 | 34 | — | 7 | 5 | 80 | 206 | 224 | 7th, West |
| 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 | 46 | 28 | — | 1 | 5 | 96 | 238 | 211 | 2nd, West |
Playoffs
| Season | Prelim | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | — | L, 1–3, PHX Phoenix RoadRunners The Phoenix RoadRunners were a minor league ice hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They played in the ECHL, beginning in the 2005–2006 season and ceasing operations at the end of the 2008-2009 season... |
— | — | — |
| 1995–96 | Out of playoffs. | ||||
| 1996–97 | — | W, 3–0, LV Las Vegas Thunder The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999... |
W, 4–1, SA San Antonio Dragons The San Antonio Dragons were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League for two seasons in 1996–97 and 1997–98. The Dragons were based in San Antonio, Texas and played at the Freeman Coliseum and occasionally the Alamodome.... |
L, 1–4, LB | — |
| 1997–98 | — | L, 1–3, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
— | — | — |
| 1998–99 | — | W, 3–2, LB | W, 4–3, CHI 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... |
— | W, 4–3, ORL |
| 1999–00 | — | W, 4–1, UT | L, 2–4, CHI 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... |
— | — |
| 2000–01 | — | L, 3–4, MTB 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... |
— | — | — |
| 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, 3–2, UT | W, 4–0, 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... |
L, 1–4, CHI 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, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
W, 4–2, NOR Norfolk Admirals The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:... |
W, 4–3, GR Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.... |
W, 4–3, HAM 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... |
| 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, 0–2, CIN Cincinnati Mighty Ducks The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, at the Cincinnati Gardens.-History:... |
— | — | — | — |
| 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... |
— | L, 1–4, CHI 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... |
— | — | — |
| 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.... |
— | W, 4–0, PEO 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:... |
L, 0–4, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
— | — |
| 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:... |
— | L, 1–4, RFD Rockford IceHogs This article is about the former UHL franchise. For the current American Hockey League franchise, see Rockford IceHogs.The Rockford IceHogs were a professional ice hockey team in Rockford, Illinois USA. They were a member of the United Hockey League from 1999 to 2007. The IceHogs played their home... |
— | — | — |
| 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:... |
— | W, 4-3, PEO 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:... |
W, 4-3, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
L, 4-2, MTB 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... |
— |
| 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... |
Out of playoffs. | ||||
| 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... |
— | W, 4-0, PEO 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:... |
W, 4-3, MIL Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:... |
W, 4–3, HAM 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 2-4, BIN 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... |
Franchise records
Single season- Goals: 47
United States Patrick O'Sullivan (2005–06) - Assists: 88
Canada Brian WisemanBrian WisemanBrian Wiseman was a Canadian ice hockey forward and college assistant coach.As a novice player, Brian scored an astounding 413 goals in a single season. This broke a record held by Wayne Gretzky, and brought about national attention to the nine year-old Wiseman.Brian owns the only retired number...
(1998–99) - Points: 110 Canada Kirby LawKirby LawKirby Law is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played for HC Ambri-Piotta of the National League A . He previously played nine games over parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers.-Playing career:Law...
(2005–06) - Penalty minutes: 333 Canada Gord DonnellyGord DonnellyGord Donnelly is a former ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted in the third round, 62nd overall, of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. He played in the National Hockey League with the Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars.In his NHL career, Donnelly...
(1995–96) - GAA: 2.01 Canada Josh HardingJosh HardingJosh Harding is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
(2004–05) - SV%: .930 Josh HardingJosh HardingJosh Harding is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
(2004–05)
Career
- Career goals: 132 Canada Mark FreerMark FreerMark Paul Freer is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played 122 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames.-Career statistics:-External links:...
- Career assists: 210 Canada Mark FreerMark FreerMark Paul Freer is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played 122 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames.-Career statistics:-External links:...
- Career points: 342 Canada Mark FreerMark FreerMark Paul Freer is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played 122 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames.-Career statistics:-External links:...
- Career penalty minutes: 721 United States Erik Reitz
- Career goaltending wins: 126 Canada Frederic ChabotFrederic ChabotFrédéric Chabot is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.-Playing career:...
- Career shutouts: 18 Canada Frederic ChabotFrederic ChabotFrédéric Chabot is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.-Playing career:...
- Career games: 469 Canada Mark FreerMark FreerMark Paul Freer is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played 122 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, and Calgary Flames.-Career statistics:-External links:...
Retired numbers
- 9 Canada Gordie HoweGordie HoweGordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
(1973-77 with the WHAHouston Aeros (WHA)The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972...
team)