Edmonton Ice
CityEdmonton, Alberta
LeagueWestern Hockey League
Operated1996 (1996)–98
Home arenaNorthlands Agricom
ColoursBlue, bronze, black, and white
       
Franchise history
1996–1998Edmonton Ice
1998–2019Kootenay Ice
2019–2023Winnipeg Ice
2023–presentWenatchee Wild

The Edmonton Ice were a junior ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, that played two seasons in the Western Hockey League from 1996 to 1998.

History

The WHL expanded to Edmonton in 1996, and the Ice began play at the Northlands Agricom.[citation needed] On January 16, 1996, Dave Siciliano was announced as the first head coach for the Ice.[1] He and team owner Ed Chynoweth, were committed to building a relationship between the Ice and the local minor ice hockey program.[2] The Ice completed the 1996–97 season with 14 wins in 72 games, placed last overall in the league, and did not qualify for the playoffs.[3]

When the team began the 1997–98 season with nine losses and one tie, Siciliano was fired on October 24, 1997, and replaced by assistant coach Ryan McGill.[4] During Siciliano's tenure, the Ice lost 31 games by a one-goal margin.[5]

After two seasons, the team relocated to Cranbrook, British Columbia, and became the Kootenay Ice. The team relocated a second time in 2019 and was known as the Winnipeg Ice[6] until the team was relocated a third time in June 2023 to Wenatchee, Washington, where they will be known as the Wenatchee Wild.[7]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1996–97 72 14 56 2 231 295 30 5th Central Out of playoffs
1997–98 72 17 49 6 242 328 40 4th Central Out of playoffs

NHL alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ Cowley, Norm (January 16, 1996). "Ice grabs ex-Pearn assistant". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 27.Free access icon
  2. ^ Short, John (January 17, 1996). "Ice committed to minor ice hockey". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 28.Free access icon
  3. ^ "1996–97 Western Hockey League Standings". Hockey Database. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Turchansky, Ray (October 25, 1997). "Coach Siciliano bumped off ice". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 34.Free access icon
  5. ^ Moore, Steve (November 26, 1997). "Sports Digest: Ex-Ice coach gets new job". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 36.Free access icon
  6. ^ "WHL to announce Kootenay Ice moving to Winnipeg – on the coldest day of the year". Global News. January 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "Western Hockey League's Winnipeg Ice franchise moving to Wenatchee, Wash". Sportsnet. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
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