Chicago Express
| Chicago Express | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | North |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Home arena | Sears Centre |
| Colors | Navy, Gray, Sky Blue |
| Owner(s) | Craig Drecktrah |
| Head coach | Steve Martinson |
| Affiliates | Springfield Falcons (AHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2011-present | Chicago Express |
The Chicago Express is a professional ice hockey team located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the Chicagoland market. The Express is a member of the North Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference.[1] The team plays its home games at the Sears Centre.[2]
The Express is owned by Craig Drecktrah, who formerly owned the United Hockey League's Chicago Hounds and Rockford IceHogs.
It was announced on July 13, 2011 that the Express will be affiliated with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and the AHL's Springfield Falcons.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Team history
[edit] Inception
The team formed out of talks between owner Craig Drecktrah and officials at the Sears Centre. On the heels of the Chicago Hounds folding in 2009 after only playing one season (2006–07) at the Sears Centre, Drecktrah worked with arena and Hoffman Estates village officials to bring in an ECHL franchise.[2] The league approved the franchise's application at the ECHL's annual Board of Governors Meeting in June 2010.[4]
[edit] Team name
To name the new franchise, the team held a special name the team contest that eventually received over a thousand unique name suggestions. On July 22, the four finalists for the team name were unveiled. They were the:
- Chicago Blizzard
- Hoffman Estates Hammers
- Chicago Knights
- Chicago Express
Voting for the team's name closed on August 4, with Express announced as the winner on September 21. The final four portion of the contest received a total of 20,000 votes.[5]
[edit] Mascot
The mascot for the Chicago Express is "Traxx" the Horse.
[edit] Current roster
Updated November 14, 2011.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Press release (August 1, 2011). "Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting concludes". ECHL. http://echl.com/annual-echl-board-of-governors-meeting-concludes-p172058. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
- ^ a b Selvam, Ashok (June 19, 2010). "Sears Centre to house new hockey team". Daily Herald. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=388932. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
- ^ Press release (July 13, 2011). "Columbus Blue Jackets Announce ECHL Affiliation Agreement Chicago Express for 2011-12". Columbus Blue Jackets. http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569268. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
- ^ Press release (June 24, 2010). "Expansion membership approved for Chicago". ECHL. http://echl.com/expansion-membership-approved-for-chicago-br-i-team-begins-play-in-2011-12-i--p166145. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (February 8, 2011). "Sears Centre welcomes new hockey team to town". Daily Herald. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=409663. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
- ^ "chicagoexpresshockey.com: Players". http://chicagoexpresshockey.com/team/players/. Retrieved 2011-11-14.
[edit] External links
- Official Website of the Chicago Express
- Official website of the ECHL
- Official website of the Sears Centre
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