Lake Erie Monsters
Encyclopedia
The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey
team in the American Hockey League
. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season
at the Quicken Loans Arena
in Cleveland, Ohio
. The team is an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche
of the NHL
.
NBA basketball team and Quicken Loans
on May 16, 2006. The team was relocated to Cleveland to replace the former Cleveland American Hockey League tenant, the Cleveland Barons, who had moved to Massachusetts to compete as the Worcester Sharks
following the 2005–06 season. With the Quicken Loans Arena
established as the team's home venue the Colorado Avalanche were announced as the franchise's primary NHL affiliate with a five-year agreement on December 17, 2006.
On January 25, 2007, the franchise was announced by Dan Gilbert as the Lake Erie Monsters, referring to Bessie
, a creature of local folklore. The name was chosen from researching focus groups around the Cleveland area and the logo incorporated the Geographical connection in the Region with Lake Erie
. With the team colors of Wine, Black, White, Yellow and Blue, the Monsters secondary logo was chosen instead to feature on the front jerseys.
Former NHL player, Joe Sacco who had been coaching within the Avalanche's affiliate organizations for the past three-years, was named as the Monsters first head coach and was joined by former Avalanche and NHL defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre
as an assistant on May 7, 2007.
With Lake Erie placed to compete in the North Division of the American Hockey League. The Monsters opened their inaugural 2007–08 campaign at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins
on October 6, 2007.
On November 11, 2010, it was announced that the Avalanche and Monsters agreed on a multi-year extension to their current agreement. The terms of this extension were not disclosed as per NHL/AHL policy.
This market was previously served by:
(*) - same team
AM 850 (which has been on board since the beginning of the franchise) and WHKW
AM 1220. When on AM 1220, the games will be also be heard on Youngstown
sister station WHKZ
AM 1440 (which simulcasts the bulk of WHKW's schedule). Each station will air 38 games. Prior to 2010-2011, all games were heard on WKNR, but a number of games were aired on tape delay because of conflicts with other programming. The dual flagship arrangement allows for all 76 games to be aired live. Doug Plagens is the radio voice of the team. For select daytime games, WKNR will slide the game over to sister station WWGK AM 1540.
On the TV side, fifteen games will be televised, with the games spilt between FS Ohio (10 games), and Cleveland My Network TV affiliate WUAB
channel 43 (5 games). Doug Plagens is the play by play voice, along with former Cleveland Lumberjacks
star Jock Callander
serving as analyst and WKNR evening co-host Kenny Roda as locker room reporter. When a Monsters game is televised, the broadcast will be simulcast on the radio.
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 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...
. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season
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:...
at the Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States....
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. The team is an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
of the 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...
.
History
The Lake Erie Monsters began with the revival of the dormant Utah Grizzlies franchise purchased by an Cleveland ownership group led by Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
NBA basketball team and Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans Inc., headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is the largest online mortgage lender and the 5th largest retail mortgage lender overall in the USA. The company consists of the QuickenLoans.com online lending site, the Rock Financial brand in southeast Michigan, One Reverse Mortgage, based...
on May 16, 2006. The team was relocated to Cleveland to replace the former Cleveland American Hockey League tenant, the Cleveland Barons, who had moved to Massachusetts to compete as the Worcester Sharks
Worcester Sharks
The Worcester Sharks are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . The franchise is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and play their home games at the DCU Center in Downtown Worcester. The Sharks and the city of Worcester hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.-History:On...
following the 2005–06 season. With the Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States....
established as the team's home venue the Colorado Avalanche were announced as the franchise's primary NHL affiliate with a five-year agreement on December 17, 2006.
On January 25, 2007, the franchise was announced by Dan Gilbert as the Lake Erie Monsters, referring to Bessie
Bessie (lake monster)
Bessie is a name given to an alleged lake monster in Lake Erie, also known as "South Bay Bessie". The first recorded sighting of Bessie occurred in 1793, and more sightings have occurred intermittently and in greater frequency in the last three decades...
, a creature of local folklore. The name was chosen from researching focus groups around the Cleveland area and the logo incorporated the Geographical connection in the Region with Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
. With the team colors of Wine, Black, White, Yellow and Blue, the Monsters secondary logo was chosen instead to feature on the front jerseys.
Former NHL player, Joe Sacco who had been coaching within the Avalanche's affiliate organizations for the past three-years, was named as the Monsters first head coach and was joined by former Avalanche and NHL defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre
Sylvain Lefebvre
Sylvain Lefebvre is a retired ice hockey defenceman who played on five different National Hockey League teams from 1989 to 2003. He is currently an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche.-Playing career:...
as an assistant on May 7, 2007.
With Lake Erie placed to compete in the North Division of the American Hockey League. The Monsters opened their inaugural 2007–08 campaign at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins
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....
on October 6, 2007.
On November 11, 2010, it was announced that the Avalanche and Monsters agreed on a multi-year extension to their current agreement. The terms of this extension were not disclosed as per NHL/AHL policy.
This market was previously served by:
- Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians (ice hockey)The Cleveland Indians was a professional ice hockey team in Cleveland, Ohio, that played home games in the Elysium Arena. In 1929, the Kitchener Dutchmen International Hockey League franchise was transferred to Cleveland. In the summer of 1934, the team was renamed the Cleveland Falcons....
(1929–1934) IHL* - Cleveland FalconsCleveland FalconsThe Cleveland Falcons were a professional ice hockey team in Cleveland, Ohio, that played home games in the Elysium Arena. The team was founded in 1929, as the Cleveland Indians as a member of the International Hockey League, where they played for five seasons, then reamed the Falcons...
(1934–1936) IHL* - Cleveland FalconsCleveland FalconsThe Cleveland Falcons were a professional ice hockey team in Cleveland, Ohio, that played home games in the Elysium Arena. The team was founded in 1929, as the Cleveland Indians as a member of the International Hockey League, where they played for five seasons, then reamed the Falcons...
(1936–1937) AHLAmerican 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...
* - Cleveland Barons (1937–1972) AHLAmerican 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...
* - Cleveland CrusadersCleveland CrusadersThe Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...
(1972–1976) WHAWorld Hockey AssociationThe 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... - Cleveland Barons (NHL)Cleveland Barons (NHL)The Cleveland Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1976–78. They were a relocation of the California Golden Seals franchise, which had played in Oakland since 1967...
(1976–1978) NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe 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... - Cleveland LumberjacksCleveland LumberjacksThe Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:...
(1992–2001) IHL - Cleveland Barons (2001–2006) AHLAmerican 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...
(*) - same team
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 26 | 41 | 6 | 7 | 65 | 209 | 276 | 6th, North | 5,974 |
| 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 | 34 | 38 | 3 | 5 | 76 | 199 | 218 | 6th, North | 5,934 |
| 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 | 37 | 1 | 8 | 77 | 234 | 257 | 6th, North | 6,484 |
| 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 | 44 | 28 | 3 | 5 | 96 | 223 | 206 | 2nd, North | 6,568 |
Playoffs
At the end of the 2010-11 season the Monsters made it into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. After gaining a 3-1 game lead over the Manitoba Moose they lost in game 7 4-1 and lost the round.| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:... |
Did Not Make AHL 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:... |
Did Not Make AHL Playoffs | ||||
| 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... |
Did Not Make AHL 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... |
L, 3-4, 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... |
— | — | — | 8,069 |
Team records
- Franchise First Game: October 6, 2007. Grand Rapids GriffinsGrand Rapids GriffinsThe 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....
3, Lake Erie Monsters 2 - Franchise First Win: October 20, 2007. Lake Erie Monsters 3, Syracuse CrunchSyracuse CrunchThe 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...
2. - Franchise First Goal: October 6, 2007. Grand Rapids GriffinsGrand Rapids GriffinsThe 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....
3, Lake Erie Monsters 2. Goal scored by Matt HusseyMatt HusseyMatt Hussey is an American professional ice hockey center who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with German side ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL.-Playing career:... - Franchise First Shutout: November 15, 2007. Jason BacashihuaJason BacashihuaJason Bacashihua is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League ....
. Lake Erie Monsters 2, Quad City FlamesQuad City FlamesThe Quad City Flames were an ice hockey team that played between 2007 and 2009. They were owned by QC Sports Ventures Inc., an ownership group based out of the Quad Cities. The Flames played at the I wireless Center in Moline, Illinois. They were the American Hockey League farm team of the...
0. - Franchise First Hat Trick: November 17, 2007. Chris Stewart. Lake Erie Monsters 5, Toronto MarliesToronto MarliesThe Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
3. - Franchise Most Goals in a Game: December 3, 2010. 4-Patrick Rissmiller. Lake Erie Monsters 6, Chicago WolvesChicago WolvesThe 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...
3. - Franchise Most Wins in a Season: 44 (2010–11)
- Franchise Most Points in a Season: 96 (2010–11)
- Franchise Most Games Won in a Row: 8 (2010–11)
Single season
- Goals: 26
Brian WillsieBrian WillsieBrian Willsie is a Canadian ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Hamilton Bulldogs.-Playing career:Willsie grew up in the small southwestern Ontario town of Belmont, Ontario and played minor hockey for the local Belmont MHA teams and the AAA Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs...
(2009–10),
Matt FordMatthew Ford (ice hockey)Matthew Ford is an American professional ice hockey forward. he is currently playing with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
(2010–11) - Assists: 50 T.J. Hensick (2009–10)
- Points: 70 T.J. Hensick (2009–10), Ben WalterBen WalterBen James Walter is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
(2010–11) - Penalty Minutes: 213 Mitch LoveMitch LoveMitch Love is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs in the Central Hockey League.On September 8, 2010, Love was signed as a free agent by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs....
(2007–08) - Wins: 23 Jason BacashihuaJason BacashihuaJason Bacashihua is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League ....
(2010–11) - GAA: 2.29 Jason Bacashihua (2010–11)
- SV%: .917 Jason Bacashihua (2010–11)
- Shutouts: 8 Tyler WeimanTyler WeimanTyler Weiman is an Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Augsburger Panther of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
(2008–09)
- Goaltending records need a minimum 25 games played by the goaltender
Career
- Career Goals: 39 T.J. Hensick, Ryan StoaRyan StoaRyan James Stoa is an American professional ice hockey Left wing currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League.-Amateur:...
, Matt Ford - Career Assists: 92 T.J. Hensick
- Career Points: 131 T.J. Hensick
- Career Penalty Minutes: 248 Patrick BordeleauPatrick BordeleauPatrick Bordeleau is a Canadian professional ice hockey Forward. He primarily plays as an Enforcer for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League....
- Career Goaltending Wins: 51 Tyler Weiman
- Career Shutouts: 13 Tyler Weiman
- Career Games: 173 Ray MaciasRaymond MaciasRaymond Jonathan "Ray" Macias is an American ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Reading Royals of the ECHL.-Playing career:...
Playoffs
- Franchise First Playoff Game: April 16, 2011. Lake Erie Monsters 6, Manitoba MooseManitoba MooseThe 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...
4. - Franchise First Playoff Goal: April 16, 2011. Lake Erie Monsters 6, Manitoba MooseManitoba MooseThe 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...
4. Goal scored by Matthew Ford. - Franchise First Playoff Win: April 16, 2011. Lake Erie Monsters 6, Manitoba MooseManitoba MooseThe 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...
4.
Radio and TV
The Monsters' flagship radio stations are WKNRWKNR
WKNR — branded ESPN 850 WKNR — is a commercial sports radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio. Owned by Good Karma Broadcasting, WKNR is the primary Cleveland affiliate for ESPN Radio; together with sister station WWGK, WKNR is often referred to as ESPN Cleveland.WKNR is the Cleveland affiliate...
AM 850 (which has been on board since the beginning of the franchise) and WHKW
WHKW
WHKW is an AM radio station in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, operating on 1220 kHz. The station is owned by Salem Communications and carries religious programming from the company's radio network. The bulk of WHKW's programming is simulcast on WHKZ in Warren, Ohio.The 1220 frequency in Cleveland was the...
AM 1220. When on AM 1220, the games will be also be heard on Youngstown
Youngstown
Youngstown may refer to:A place*Canada**Britannia Youngstown, Edmonton, Alberta**Youngstown, Alberta*United States**Youngstown, Florida**Youngstown, Indiana**Youngstown, New York**Youngstown, Ohio***Youngstown State University...
sister station WHKZ
WHKZ
WHKZ is a radio station in Warren, Ohio, USA. The station carries religious programming from the Salem Network. The bulk of WHKZ's programming is simulcast from WHKW on 1220 kHz in Cleveland, Ohio....
AM 1440 (which simulcasts the bulk of WHKW's schedule). Each station will air 38 games. Prior to 2010-2011, all games were heard on WKNR, but a number of games were aired on tape delay because of conflicts with other programming. The dual flagship arrangement allows for all 76 games to be aired live. Doug Plagens is the radio voice of the team. For select daytime games, WKNR will slide the game over to sister station WWGK AM 1540.
On the TV side, fifteen games will be televised, with the games spilt between FS Ohio (10 games), and Cleveland My Network TV affiliate WUAB
WUAB
WUAB, identified on-air as "My43 The Block, WUAB", is the MyNetworkTV affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. The station is licensed to the suburb of Lorain, and it shares a studio in downtown Cleveland with sister station WOIO, Cleveland's CBS affiliate. Its transmitter is located in Parma, Ohio...
channel 43 (5 games). Doug Plagens is the play by play voice, along with former Cleveland Lumberjacks
Cleveland Lumberjacks
The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:...
star Jock Callander
Jock Callander
William Darren "Jock" Callander is a former professional ice hockey player.-Career:The younger brother of Drew, Jock Callander replaced a small NHL career with a historic one in the IHL. Never drafted, he had brief stops with St...
serving as analyst and WKNR evening co-host Kenny Roda as locker room reporter. When a Monsters game is televised, the broadcast will be simulcast on the radio.