Tri-City Americans
| Tri-City Americans | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Kennewick, Washington |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | U.S. |
| Founded | 1988-89 |
| Home arena | Toyota Center |
| Colours | Navy blue, red, silver, white |
| General manager |  Bob Tory |
| Head coach | Jim Hiller |
|
Website www.amshockey.com |
|
| Franchise history | |
| 1966–67 | Calgary Buffaloes |
| 1967–77 | Calgary Centennials |
| 1977–82 | Billings Bighorns |
| 1982–83 | Nanaimo Islanders |
| 1983–88 | New Westminster Bruins |
| 1988-present | Tri-City Americans |
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center. Every game is broadcast locally on the Tri-City Americans flagship radio station 870AM KFLD, and each game can also be heard streaming live at KFLD's UStream Channel, as well as from time-to-time being telecast on Saturday nights on KVEW 42.2.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Tri-City Americans franchise is an original franchise of the WHL. They began in 1966 as the Calgary Buffaloes before being renamed the Centennials after one season. The franchise was also known as the Billings Bighorns from 1977–82 before relocating to Nanaimo, British Columbia as the Nanaimo Islanders. After only one season, they moved to New Westminster, British Columbia to become the second incarnation of the New Westminster Bruins. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1988.
The Americans enjoyed local support until early 2000, the start of 4 owners in 4 years, all wanting to relocate the team to Canada. Between selling off team assets and one owner banning the local newspaper columnist from attending games, the attendance dropped considerably. The lack of any banners in the barn didn't help matters either. Although the ownership group represented by Darryl Porter had stated upon purchasing the team that they would create a local presence (the oft-heard criticism of the ownerships groups), Mr. Porter had still not moved to the Tri-Cities in his 3rd year of ownership. In 2004, Porter attempted to move the team to Chilliwack, British Columbia in Canada. However, the other Western Hockey League teams voted to prevent the move, including all four other American teams as well as 2 Canadian teams. Shortly after this failure, the team was sold to Tri-Cities natives, including Olaf Kolzig, the former goalie for the Washington Capitals, and Stu Barnes of the Dallas Stars, both former Americans players. Since the sale the team has doubled attendance figures and won the first division championship in team history. Porter and his investment group were later granted the Chilliwack Bruins as an expansion franchise.
On November 29, 1989 Americans goaltender Olaf Kolzig became the first goalie to register a WHL goal when he attempted a shot on an empty net against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
The Americans annual series with the Highway 395 rival Spokane Chiefs is always intense and full of action, clearly their biggest rival year in and year out. The competitiveness of the two team is such that an annual tradition with the Americans is to play the Chiefs at home on New Year's Eve. The only time this tradition was broken was due to a one-day strike by the Americans over the training tactics of one of the coaches.
In the 2002–03 season, sixteen year old goaltender Shannon Szabados became the first female player to compete in the WHL when she played one game for the Americans. In 2010 Szabados won gold in Women's Ice Hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics playing for Canada.
During the 2007–08 WHL season, the Americans won the US Division regular season championship for the first time after a March 15, 2008 showdown with the division rival Spokane Chiefs in Kennewick, Washington at the Toyota Center. The Americans won the Western Conference regular season championship, and the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for the best overall regular season record in the WHL. The 2009–10 Season marked the third straight year the Americans won the US Division.
At their annual New Year's Eve game against the Spokane Chiefs on December 31, 2008, the Americans set a record for attendance at a hockey game in the Toyota Center, with 6,042 attendees.[1] The Americans surpassed this number on March 13, 2010, in a game against Spokane, with an attendance of 6,053.[2]
The Americans won the Western Conference championship for the first time in the 2010 playoffs defeating the Chilliwack Bruins, Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants in successive series before dropping the league championship to the Calgary Hitmen in 5 games.
[edit] Charitable work and events
The Americans are charitably-active in the Tri-Cities area. Years ago, the Americans were one of the first teams to do 'The Teddy Bear Toss', which was originally called 'Toy Trick'. This is where the fans would throw stuffed animals onto the rink on a selected night when the home team scores their first goal. The players collect the bears and hand them out to various organizations or the players take them along with them when they visit children in the local hospitals.
A definite first at the Tri-City rink was the Breast Cancer night. Brian Sandy, Senior VP of business operations and Chief Marketing Officer, dreamed up this event, where the ice is tinted pink and the players wear pink jerseys that are auctioned-off at the end of the night. The game on Feb 2, 2008, every jersey sold for the maximum donation of $500 each, with all proceeds supporting breast cancer research.
The Americans also were active in raising start-up funds for the establishment of a local chapter of The First Tee. Players visit schools and hospitals weekly and assist the young hockey players with their practices. Links are provided on their website to other organizations like the local Humane Society, and opportunities have been provided to the Children's Developmental Center to volunteer to aid in the seating at games for a $15,000 check at the season's conclusion.
[edit] Current roster
[edit] Roster Movement
- 9/15/2011: Max Moline traded to Lethbridge Hurricanes for a conditional 5th round 2013 Bantam Draft Pick.[5]
- 9/15/2011: Lucas Walter claimed off waivers from Portland Winterhawks.[6]
- 9/30/2011: Brennen Bosovich, Clint Filbrandt and Matt Hughesman removed from roster.
- 10/4/2011: Matt Mackenzie transferred to Rochester Americans in 3 year contract deal with the Buffalo Sabres,[7] and Olli Dickson transferred to Alberta Junior Hockey League.[8]
- 10/6/2011: Brock Sutherland traded to Calgary Hitmen for Nathan MacMaster.[9]
- 10/16/2011: Acquired Derek Ryckman from Lethbridge Hurricanes for 4th round pick in 2012 bantam draft and reassigned Justin Gutierrez.[10]
- 1/7/2012: Acquired Jesse Mychan from Everett Silvertips for a 4th round pick in the 2013 bantam draft.[11]
[edit] 2011 Pre-Season Results
| Date | Opponent | Time/Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 9/2 | Everett Silvertips | 5-2 | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Sat 9/3 | Portland Winterhawks | 5-4 SO | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Thu 9/8 | Kootenay Ice | 4-5 | Toyota Center |
| Fri 9/9 | Portland Winterhawks | 2-3 | Toyota Center |
| Sat 9/10 | Spokane Chiefs | 3-2 SO | Toyota Center |
| Thu 9/15 | Spokane Chiefs | 5-1 | Eagles Ice-A-Rena |
| Sat 9/17 | Spokane Chiefs | 4-2 | Toyota Center |
[edit] 2011-2012 Regular Season Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time/Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/24 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 4-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sun 9/25 | Portland Winterhawks | 5:05 pm / 6-5 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 9/30 | Portland Winterhawks | 7:00 pm / 4-1 W | Rose Garden |
| Sat 10/1 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 2-7 L | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Wed 10/5 | Kelowna Rockets | 7:00 pm / 3-4 L | Prospera Place |
| Fri 10/7 | Kelowna Rockets | 7:05 pm / 5-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Sun 10/9 | Portland Winterhawks | 5:00 pm / 4-0 W | Memorial Coliseum |
| Wed 10/12 | Prince Albert Raiders | 7:05 pm / 2-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 10/14 | Brandon Wheat Kings | 7:05 pm / 2-3 L | Toyota Center |
| Sat 10/15 | Vancouver Giants | 7:05 pm / 5-0 W | Toyota Center |
| Sun 10/16 | Everett Silvertips | 5:05 pm / 3-6 L | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Wed 10/19 | Saskatoon Blades | 7:05 pm / 5-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 10/21 | Prince George Cougars | 7:00 pm / 1-0 W | CN Centre |
| Sat 10/22 | Prince George Cougars | 7:00 pm / 1-0 W | CN Centre |
| Tue 10/25 | Victoria Royals | 7:05 pm / 4-5 L | Toyota Center |
| Sat 10/29 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 3-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 11/5 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 4-1 W | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Wed 11/9 | Kootenay Ice | 6:00 pm / 5-4 W | Cranbrook Recreational Complex |
| Fri 11/11 | Medicine Hat Tigers | 6:30 pm / 4-3 W | Medicine Hat Arena |
| Sat 11/12 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 6:00 pm / 7-3 W | ENMAX Centre |
| Fri 11/18 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:35 pm / 0-3 L | ShoWare Center |
| Sat 11/19 | Kamloops Blazers | 7:05 pm / 3-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Wed 11/23 | Portland Winterhawks | 7:05 pm / 7-6 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 11/25 | Swift Current Broncos | 7:05 pm / 5-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 11/26 | Regina Pats | 7:05 pm / 6-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Wed 11/30 | Kelowna Rockets | 7:05 pm / 2-6 L | Prospera Place |
| Fri 12/2 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:35 pm / 4-2 W | ShoWare Center |
| Sat 12/3 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm / 4-3 W | Toyota Center |
| Tue 12/6 | Victoria Royals | 7:05 pm / 6-2 W | Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre |
| Wed 12/7 | Victoria Royals | 7:05 pm / 5-3 W | Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre |
| Sat 12/10 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm / 5-1 W | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Sun 12/11 | Portland Winterhawks | 5:05 pm / 3-0 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 12/16 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm / 5-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 12/17 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm / 5-3 W | ShoWare Center |
| Thu 12/29 | Kelowna Rockets | 7:05 pm / 5-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 12/31 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 4-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Wed 1/4 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 7:05 pm / 5-0 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 1/6 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm / 7-3 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 1/7 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm / 4-0 W | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Wed 1/11 | Kamloops Blazers | 7:00 pm / 2-3 L | Interior Savings Centre |
| Fri 1/13 | Vancouver Giants | 7:30 pm / 11-4 W | Pacific Coliseum |
| Sat 1/14 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 3-5 L | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Mon 1/16 | Portland Winterhawks | 3:00 pm / 1-5 L | Rose Garden |
| Tue 1/17 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm / 4-0 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 1/20 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 1-3 L | Toyota Center |
| Sat 1/21 | Kamloops Blazers | 7:05 pm / 3-4 L | Toyota Center |
| Wed 1/25 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 6:00 pm / 5-4 W | Rexall Place |
| Fri 1/27 | Red Deer Rebels | 6:30 pm / 2-3 L | ENMAX Centrium |
| Sun 1/29 | Calgary Hitmen | 3:00 pm / 1-4 L | Scotiabank Saddledome |
| Fri 2/3 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm / 4-1 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 2/4 | Victoria Royals | 7:05 pm / 6-3 W | Toyota Center |
| Wed 2/8 | Kamloops Blazers | 7:00 pm / 1-5 L | Interior Savings Centre |
| Fri 2/10 | Portland Winterhawks | 7:05 pm / 2-4 L | Toyota Center |
| Sat 2/11 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 5-3 W | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Tue 2/14 | Vancouver Giants | 7:05 pm / 4-5 L | Toyota Center |
| Wed 2/15 | Portland Winterhawks | 7:00 pm / 3-5 L | Memorial Coliseum |
| Fri 2/17 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:35 pm / 5-2 W | ShoWare Center |
| Sat 2/18 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 3-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Tue 2/21 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm / 7-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Fri 2/24 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm / 4-2 W | Toyota Center |
| Sat 2/25 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm / 7-5 W | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Sun 2/26 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 5:05 pm / 5-1 W | ShoWare Center |
| Tue 2/28 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 7:05 pm | Toyota Center |
| Fri 3/2 | Portland Winterhawks | 7:05 pm | Toyota Center |
| Sat 3/3 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm | Comcast Arena at Everett |
| Sun 3/4 | Portland Winterhawks | 5:00 pm | Rose Garden |
| Wed 3/7 | Vancouver Giants | 7:00 pm | Pacific Coliseum |
| Fri 3/9 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Sun 3/11 | Prince George Cougars | 5:05 pm | Toyota Center |
| Tue 3/13 | Prince George Cougars | 7:05 pm | Toyota Center |
| Fri 3/16 | Everett Silvertips | 7:05 pm | Toyota Center |
| Sat 3/17 | Spokane Chiefs | 7:05 pm | Toyota Center |
[edit] Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1988–89 | 72 | 33 | 34 | 5 | - | 300 | 299 | 71 | 4th West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1989–90 | 72 | 39 | 28 | 5 | - | 433 | 354 | 83 | 3rd West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1990–91 | 72 | 36 | 32 | 4 | - | 404 | 386 | 76 | 4th West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1991–92 | 72 | 35 | 35 | 2 | - | 363 | 376 | 72 | 2nd West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1992–93 | 72 | 28 | 41 | 3 | - | 245 | 312 | 59 | 6th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1993–94 | 72 | 19 | 48 | 5 | - | 272 | 373 | 43 | 6th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1994–95 | 72 | 36 | 31 | 5 | - | 295 | 279 | 77 | 4th West | Lost West Division final |
| 1995–96 | 72 | 45 | 25 | 2 | - | 336 | 255 | 92 | 3rd West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1996–97 | 72 | 22 | 43 | 7 | - | 225 | 288 | 51 | 7th West | Out of playoffs |
| 1997–98 | 72 | 17 | 49 | 6 | - | 264 | 371 | 40 | 7th West | Out of playoffs |
| 1998–99 | 72 | 43 | 23 | 6 | - | 311 | 219 | 92 | 2nd West | Lost West Division final |
| 1999–00 | 72 | 24 | 39 | 7 | 2 | 231 | 288 | 57 | 6th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 21 | 36 | 8 | 7 | 217 | 284 | 57 | 7th West | Out of playoffs |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 31 | 31 | 10 | 0 | 260 | 271 | 72 | 3rd U.S. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 20 | 44 | 3 | 5 | 240 | 335 | 48 | 4th U.S. | Out of playoffs |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 31 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 205 | 197 | 76 | 3rd U.S. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 4 | 172 | 196 | 64 | 4th U.S. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 30 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 188 | 221 | 67 | 4th U.S. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 47 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 240 | 190 | 96 | 2nd U.S. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 52 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 262 | 176 | 108 | 1st U.S. | Lost Western Conference final |
| 2008–09 | 72 | 49 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 263 | 184 | 101 | 1st U.S. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2009–10 | 72 | 47 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 272 | 193 | 97 | 1st U.S. | Lost final |
| 2010–11 | 72 | 44 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 286 | 223 | 92 | 3rd U.S. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
[edit] Team records
| Team records for a single season | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most points | 108 | 2007–08 |
| Most wins | 52 | 2007–08 |
| Most goals for | 433 | 1989–90 |
| Least goals for | 172 | 2004–05 |
| Least goals against | 176 | 2007–08 |
| Most goals against | 386 | 1990–91 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Kyle Reeves | 89 | 1990–91 |
| Most assists | Brian Sakic | 122 | 1990–91 |
| Most points | Brian Sakic | 162 | 1990–91 |
| Most points, rookie | Bill Lindsay | 85 | 1989–90 |
| Most points, defenceman | Steve Jacques | 84 | 1989–90 |
| Best GAA (goalie) | Chet Pickard | 2.28 | 2008–09 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
[edit] NHL alumni
[edit] Retired numbers
8 - Brian Sakic
14 - Stu Barnes, Todd Klassen[citation needed]
33 - Olaf Kolzig
[edit] References
- ^ Tri-City Herald. January 1, 2009. "Ams ring in new year with victory" by Annie Fowler. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
- ^ WHL Scoresheet Spokane@Tri-City. March 13, 2010. "WHL Scoresheet Spokane@Tri-City" Retrieved March 23, 2010.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. September 24, 2011. "Meet the 2011-2012 Tri-City Americans" by Annie Fowler. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. June 26, 2011. "Ams' Yuen drafted in 4th round" by Annie Fowler. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
- ^ AMSHOCKEY.COM. September 15, 2011. "Americans trade Moline to Hurricanes" Retrieved September 30, 2011.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. September 15, 2011. "Ams grab Portland's Walter off waivers" Retrieved September 30, 2011.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. October 5, 2011. "Sabres sign Ams' MacKenzie to 3-year deal" Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. October 5, 2011. "Americans head to Kelowna" Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- ^ AMSHOCKEY.COM. October 6, 2011. "Americans and Hitmen swap Sutherland and MacMaster" Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- ^ Tri-City Herald. October 18, 2011. "Ams welcome aboard new faces" Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ AMSHOCKEY.COM. January 7, 2012 "Americans add Mychan from Silvertips" Retrieved January 7, 2012.
[edit] External links
- Tri-City Americans website
- Tri-City Herald coverage of Tri-City Americans
- Tri-City Americans flagship radio station
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