Utica Devils
Encyclopedia
The Utica Devils were an ice hockey
team of the American Hockey League
. The team played in Utica, New York
at the Utica Memorial Auditorium
.
AHL
affiliate from 1987 to 1993. The franchise was moved from Portland, Maine
at the end of the 1986-87 season where it played as the Maine Mariners
. Utica was coached by Tom McVie
for four seasons from 1987 to 1991, followed by Herb Brooks
in 1991-92, and Robbie Ftorek
in 1992-93.
During 1993, the Calgary Flames
purchased the team and relocated it to Saint John, New Brunswick
to become the Saint John Flames
. The Devils moved their AHL affiliation to the Albany River Rats
the same year.
Notable players who at one time were Utica Devils include Martin Brodeur
, Bill Guerin
, Kevin Todd
, Corey Schwab
, Bobby Holik
, Claude Vilgrain
, Valeri Zelepukin
, Jason Smith
and Jim Dowd
. The team's last coach was Robbie Ftorek
.
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 of 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 played in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
at the Utica Memorial Auditorium
Utica Memorial Auditorium
Utica Memorial Auditorium is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Utica, New York, with a capacity of 5,700 for concerts.It was built in 1959 on the site of the old Erie Canal. When it was completed, the "Aud" was one of just three arenas built without obstructed views. It hosted the 1962 NCAA...
.
History
The Utica Devils were the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National 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...
affiliate from 1987 to 1993. The franchise was moved from Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
at the end of the 1986-87 season where it played as the Maine Mariners
Maine Mariners
The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
. Utica was coached by Tom McVie
Tom McVie
Tom McVie was a coach in the National Hockey League. He coached the Washington Capitals from the 1975–76 season to the middle of the 1978–79 season. He moved to the Winnipeg Jets, then in the World Hockey Association, and coached the team with Bill Sutherland in its first two NHL seasons, 1979–80...
for four seasons from 1987 to 1991, followed by Herb Brooks
Herb Brooks
Herbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
in 1991-92, and Robbie Ftorek
Robbie Ftorek
Robert Brian Ftorek is a former NHL player and coach. He was enshrined as member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991...
in 1992-93.
During 1993, the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
purchased the team and relocated it to Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
to become the Saint John Flames
Saint John Flames
The Saint John Flames were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 2003 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calgary Flames bought and relocated the Utica Devils, to be their AHL affiliate....
. The Devils moved their AHL affiliation to the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
the same year.
Notable players who at one time were Utica Devils include Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
, Bill Guerin
Bill Guerin
William Robert Guerin is an American former professional ice hockey player and current player development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Guerin played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League winning two Stanley Cup championships with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins teams...
, Kevin Todd
Kevin Todd
Kevin Todd is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Todd started his National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils in 1989. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...
, Corey Schwab
Corey Schwab
Corey Schwab is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He was drafted in the 10th round, 200th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils...
, Bobby Holik
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
, Claude Vilgrain
Claude Vilgrain
Claude Vilgrain is a retired Haitian-born Canadian ice hockey player. He played in 89 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers. He was raised in Quebec City, Quebec.-External links:...
, Valeri Zelepukin
Valeri Zelepukin
Valeri Mikhailovich Zelepukin is a retired Russian ice hockey player who has played in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks between 1991 and 2001. He is 6'1"", weighs 200 lbs and shoots left-handed...
, Jason Smith
Jason Smith (hockey)
Jason Matthew Smith is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League from 1993–94 to 2008–09.-Playing career:...
and Jim Dowd
Jim Dowd (hockey player)
James Thomas Dowd is an American former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League for ten different teams over the course of 17 NHL seasons. Dowd, who won the 1995 Stanley Cup with the hometown New Jersey Devils, was the second New Jersey high school hockey player to...
. The team's last coach was Robbie Ftorek
Robbie Ftorek
Robert Brian Ftorek is a former NHL player and coach. He was enshrined as member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991...
.
- The market was previously served by: Mohawk Valley CometsMohawk Valley CometsThey Mohawk Valley Comets are a former professional ice hockey team based in Utica, NY. They were a member of the North American Hockey League from 1973 to 1977.-Season-by-season results:...
of the ACHLAtlantic Coast Hockey LeagueThe Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. The league was founded by Bill Coffey....
(1985–1987) - The franchise was replaced by: Utica Bulldogs of the CoHL (1993–1994)
- The franchise was later known as: Albany River RatsAlbany River RatsThe Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
, Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben KnightsOmaha Ak-Sar-Ben KnightsThe Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Omaha, Nebraska, USA at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 2005–07...
, 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...
and the Abbotsford HeatAbbotsford HeatThe Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
.
Regular Season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | Points | Goals For | Goals Against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 1987–88 AHL season The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss... |
80 | 34 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 81 | 318 | 307 | 5th, South |
| 1988–89 1988–89 AHL season The 1988–89 AHL season was the 53rd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned awarding points for an overtime loss. The Sherbrooke Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 37 | 34 | 9 | |||||
| 83 | 309 | 295 | 3rd, South | ||||||
| 1989–90 1989–90 AHL season The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 44 | 32 | 4 | |||||
| 92 | 354 | 315 | 4th, South | ||||||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 36 | 42 | 2 | |||||
| 74 | 325 | 346 | 6th, South | ||||||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
80 | 34 | 40 | 6 | |||||
| 74 | 268 | 313 | 4th, South | ||||||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
80 | 33 | 36 | 11 | |||||
| 77 | 325 | 354 | 3rd, South |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 1987–88 AHL season The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss... |
Out of Playoffs | |||
| 1988–89 1988–89 AHL season The 1988–89 AHL season was the 53rd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned awarding points for an overtime loss. The Sherbrooke Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
L, 1-4, Hershey 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... |
|||
| 1989–90 1989–90 AHL season The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season... |
L, 1-4, Rochester Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial... |
|||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Out of Playoffs | |||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
L, 0-4, Binghamton Binghamton Rangers The Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:... |
|||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
L, 1-4, Rochester Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial... |
|||
Team records
- Goals: 53, Paul YsebaertPaul YsebaertPaul Robert Ysebaert is a former professional ice hockey player. During his fourteen years playing career in the National Hockey League, Ysebaert played left wing for the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning...
, 1989–90 - Assists: 81, Kevin ToddKevin ToddKevin Todd is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Todd started his National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils in 1989. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...
, 1990–91 - Points: 118, Kevin Todd, 1990–91
- Penalty Minutes: 359, Bill HuardBill HuardWilliam John Huard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Huard had a professional career of over 600 games, including parts of 7 seasons at the NHL level with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Nordiques, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.-Playing...
, 1990–91 - GAA: 2.71, Chris TerreriChris TerreriChristopher Arnold Terreri is an American former goaltender for several NHL teams, most notably for the New Jersey Devils, with whom he played for twelve seasons....
, 1987–88 - SV%: .910, Chris Terreri, 1987–88
- Career goals: 126, Jeff MadillJeff MadillJeff Madill is a retired ice hockey right winger. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft....
, 1987–91 - Career assists: 163, Kevin ToddKevin ToddKevin Todd is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Todd started his National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils in 1989. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim...
, 1988–93 - Career points: 264, Paul YsebaertPaul YsebaertPaul Robert Ysebaert is a former professional ice hockey player. During his fourteen years playing career in the National Hockey League, Ysebaert played left wing for the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning...
, 1987–90 - Career penalty minutes: 1216, Jamie HuscroftJamie HuscroftJamie Huscroft is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who spent parts of ten seasons in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, 1987–92 - Career goaltending wins:
- Career shutouts: 3, Craig BillingtonCraig Billington-International:-External links:*...
- Career games: 273, Dave MarcinyshynDave MarcinyshynDavid Joseph Marcinyshyn is a retired ice hockey defenceman.Undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft, Marcinyshyn signed with the New Jersey Devils in 1987 and made his NHL debut for the Devils during the 1990–91 NHL season playing nine games in total and spent four seasons with the American Hockey...
, 1987–91