Peoria Rivermen
CityPeoria, Illinois
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated2005–2013
Home arenaCarver Arena
ColorsRoyal blue, navy, gold, white
       
AffiliateSt. Louis Blues (NHL) (2005–2013)
Franchise history
1932–1935Quebec Beavers
1935–1951Springfield Indians
1951–1954Syracuse Warriors
1954–1967Springfield Indians
1967–1974Springfield Kings
1974–1994Springfield Indians
1994–2005Worcester IceCats
2005–2013Peoria Rivermen
2013–2021Utica Comets
2021–presentAbbotsford Canucks

The Peoria Rivermen were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, at the Carver Arena. After the 2012–13 AHL season, the team relocated to Utica, New York, and became the Utica Comets.[1]

History

In 2011, Dave Checketts announced that the St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center, and the Peoria Rivermen were all for sale. On May 10, 2012, Tom Stillman purchased the Peoria Rivermen franchise. On August 30, the Rivermen signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the Evansville IceMen, an expansion team in the ECHL, cutting ties with the Alaska Aces, who they were affiliated with since the Rivermen joined the AHL.[2]

On March 29, 2013, the Rivermen were purchased by the Vancouver Canucks.[3] On April 18, 2013, the AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to the Vancouver Canucks.[4]

On May 13, 2013, the Vancouver Canucks confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials that they would not bring back the Rivermen franchise and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen would no longer play in Peoria.[5] The AHL announced on June 14, 2013, that the franchise was being relocated to Utica, New York, as the Utica Comets for the 2013–14 AHL season.[6]

A Southern Professional Hockey League franchise replaced the AHL incarnation of the Rivermen in 2013 and took the team's name.

Season-by-season results

Regular season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for 		Goals
against 		Standing Year 1st
round 		2nd
round 		3rd
round 		Finals
2005–06 80 46 26 3 5 100 .625 253 226 3rd, West 2006 L, 0–4, HOU — — —
2006–07 80 37 33 2 8 84 .525 221 242 5th, West 2007 Did not qualify
2007–08 80 38 33 4 5 85 .531 247 242 7th, West 2008 Did not qualify
2008–09 80 43 31 2 4 92 .575 215 211 2nd, West 2009 L, 3–4, HOU — — —
2009–10 80 38 33 2 7 85 .531 233 248 5th, West 2010 Did not qualify
2010–11 80 42 30 3 5 92 .575 223 218 4th, West 2011 L, 0–4, HOU — — —
2011–12 76 39 33 2 2 82 .539 217 207 4th, Midwest 2012 Did not qualify
2012–13 76 33 35 5 3 74 .487 183 218 5th, Midwest 2013 Did not qualify

Players

Team captains

Coaches

References

  1. ^ "It's official: Pro hockey returns to Utica". Observer-Dispatch. June 14, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Blues Name Evansville New ECHL Affiliate". St. Louis Blues. August 30, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Tung, Allen (March 29, 2013). "Report: Vancouver Canucks Purchase Rivermen; Move to Abbotsford?". The Canuck Way. FanSided. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  4. ^ Eminian, Dave (April 18, 2013). "Sold: AHL approves Blues sale of Rivermen to Vancouver". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Peoria Rivermen to the Southern Professional Hockey League". Central Illinois Proud. May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  6. ^ "Utica Comets to join AHL in 2013–14". American Hockey League. June 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
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