New Orleans Brass
Encyclopedia
The New Orleans Brass was a hockey team in the ECHL
from 1997-2002. The team was at one time affiliated with the San Jose Sharks
. Home games were played first at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium
(until October 29, 1999) and then at the New Orleans Arena
.
In 2002, the NBA's New Orleans Hornets moved to the Arena. The state of Louisiana
, which owns the arena, then tried to force the Brass to bear the expense of converting the arena from a basketball floor to an ice playing surface as a condition of staying in the Arena. The expense was more than the Brass' ownership was willing to pay. The Municipal Auditorium had recently replaced its floor, and in the process removed its ice plant. Without a suitable home, the Brass folded.
The only head coach of the Brass was Ted Sator
. The team was managed by Dan Belisle and owned by future New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin
.
The Brass made the playoffs every year, winning three series, two in the 1998-99 season (the same season the Brass got its worst record), and one in the 2000-01 season, putting the Brass in the conference semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. The principal rival of the Brass was the Louisiana IceGators. The Baton Rouge Kingfish were another, less successful intrastate rival.
The team's games were broadcast in New Orleans on radio station WSMB (now WWWL).
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
from 1997-2002. The team was at one time affiliated with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Home games were played first at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium
Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans)
The Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr. Municipal Auditorium is a 7,853-seat multi-purpose arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a component of the New Orleans Cultural Center, alongside the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. It is located in the Treme neighborhood in Louis Armstrong Park near Congo...
(until October 29, 1999) and then at the New Orleans Arena
New Orleans Arena
New Orleans Arena is an indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the city's Central Business District, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome....
.
In 2002, the NBA's New Orleans Hornets moved to the Arena. The state of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, which owns the arena, then tried to force the Brass to bear the expense of converting the arena from a basketball floor to an ice playing surface as a condition of staying in the Arena. The expense was more than the Brass' ownership was willing to pay. The Municipal Auditorium had recently replaced its floor, and in the process removed its ice plant. Without a suitable home, the Brass folded.
The only head coach of the Brass was Ted Sator
Ted Sator
Ted Sator is an American professional ice hockey coach.-Playing career:Ted Sator played for parts of two seasons for Bowling Green State University. During the 1971–72 campaign for the NCAA team Sator played 27 games, where he tallied 5 goals and assisted on 6 others...
. The team was managed by Dan Belisle and owned by future New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin
Ray Nagin
Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr. is a former mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Nagin gained international note in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the New Orleans area....
.
The Brass made the playoffs every year, winning three series, two in the 1998-99 season (the same season the Brass got its worst record), and one in the 2000-01 season, putting the Brass in the conference semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. The principal rival of the Brass was the Louisiana IceGators. The Baton Rouge Kingfish were another, less successful intrastate rival.
The team's games were broadcast in New Orleans on radio station WSMB (now WWWL).
Season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | PCT | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-98 | 70 | 36 | 24 | 10 | 0 | .586 | Lost in Round 1 |
| 1998-99 | 70 | 30 | 27 | 13 | 0 | .521 | Lost in Round 3 |
| 1999-00 | 70 | 36 | 27 | 0 | 7 | .564 | Lost in Round 1 |
| 2000-01 | 72 | 35 | 25 | 12 | 0 | .569 | Lost in Round 2 |
| 2001-02 | 72 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 0 | .528 | Lost in Round 1 |