Albany River Rats
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| Albany River Rats | |
| Image:AlbanyRiverRats2006.JPG | |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Home ice | Pepsi Arena |
| Based in | Albany, New York |
| Colors | red and black |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Head coach | Tom Rowe |
| General manager | -- |
| Owner | Walter Robb |
The Albany River Rats are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Albany, New York, USA at the Pepsi Arena.
- Founded: 1993-1994
- Arena: Pepsi Arena (capacity 13,941)
- Uniform colors: red, and black
- Logo design: A cartoonish rat dressed in hockey gear
- Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche (both NHL)
- Division titles won: 4 (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98)
- Regular season titles won: 2 (1994-95, 1995-96)
- League championships won: 1 (1994-95)
- Local media: Play-by-play broadcasted on WTMM 1300 AM TU Story, Coverage in local papers including the Times Union
- The franchise was previously known as: Capital District Islanders (1990-1993)
Contents |
[edit] History
The team was founded as the Capital District Islanders (playing at Houston Field House on campus at RPI located across the Hudson River in Troy, New York) in 1990 but changed their name when the New Jersey Devils sold their old affiliate the Utica Devils to become linked with this team.
The Rats' glory days came in the mid to late 90's when they made 7 consecutive playoff appearances, won 2 division titles, and took home the AHL's Calder Cup in 1995. However, wins have declined since the 1997-98 season, the last time Albany won a playoff series. Since their last playoff appearance in 2000, the River Rats have finished last in each of the past 6 seasons. A new affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes beginning in the 2006-07 season brings hope of a return to AHL glory not seen in Albany since the late '90s.
On March 22, 2006, the Devils announced that they were cutting ties with the River Rats after the 2005-06 AHL season, as the parent club announced the purchase of the Lowell Lock Monsters. Despite the move, the River Rats will not be relocated and will return to Albany next season. In April 2006, The Carolina Hurricanes signed a one year agreement (with the option to renew for two additional) with the River Rats to be their farm affiliate. Later on, Carolina was joined by the Colorado Avalanche in a one-year partnership agreement.
- The franchise was previously known as: Capital District Islanders (1990-93)
- The market was previously served by: Albany Choppers of the IHL (1990-91)
[edit] Year-by-year record
| Year | GP | W | L | T | OL | SOL | GF | GA | PTS | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005-06 | 80 | 25 | 48 | -- | 4 | 3 | 206 | 278 | 57 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2004-05 | 80 | 29 | 38 | 6 | 7 | -- | 198 | 248 | 71 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2003-04 | 80 | 21 | 39 | 11 | 9 | -- | 182 | 257 | 62 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2002-03 | 80 | 25 | 37 | 11 | 7 | -- | 197 | 235 | 68 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2001-02 | 80 | 14 | 42 | 12 | 12 | -- | 172 | 271 | 52 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2000-01 | 80 | 30 | 40 | 6 | 4 | -- | 216 | 262 | 70 | Last, Mid-Atlantic | Out of Playoffs |
| 1999-00 | 80 | 30 | 40 | 7 | 3 | -- | 225 | 250 | 70 | 4th, Empire | Lost in round 1 |
| 1998-99 | 80 | 46 | 26 | 6 | 2 | -- | 275 | 230 | 100 | 2nd, Empire | Lost in round 1 |
| 1997-98 | 80 | 43 | 20 | 11 | 6 | -- | 290 | 223 | 103 | 1st, Empire | Lost in round 3 |
| 1996-97 | 80 | 38 | 28 | 9 | 5 | -- | 269 | 231 | 90 | Tied 1st, Empire State | Lost in round 3 |
| 1995-96 | 80 | 54 | 19 | 7 | -- | -- | 322 | 218 | 115 | 1st, Central | Lost in round 1 |
| 1994-95 | 80 | 46 | 17 | 17 | -- | -- | 293 | 219 | 109 | 1st, Northern | Won Calder Cup |
| 1993-94 | 80 | 38 | 34 | 8 | -- | -- | 312 | 315 | 84 | 3rd, Northern | Lost in round 1 |
[edit] Affiliates
- New Jersey Devils (1993-2006)
- Carolina Hurricanes\ Colorado Avalanche (2006-???)
[edit] Team records
- Goals: 46 Image:Flag of Canada.svg Jeff Williams (1998-99)
- Assists: 60 John Madden (1998-99)
- Points: 98 John Madden (1998-99)
- Penalty Minutes: 348 Image:Flag of Canada.svg Matt Ruchty (1994-95)
- GAA: 2.31 Image:Flag of Canada.svg Richard Shulmistra (1997-98)
- SV%: .918 Richard Shulmistra (1997-98)
- Career Goals: 155 Image:Flag of Canada.svg Steve Brule
- Career Assists: 214 Steve Brule
- Career Points: 369 Steve Brule
- Career Penalty Minutes: 1197 Image:Flag of Canada.svg Rob Skrlac
- Career Goaltending Wins: 77 Image:Flag of Poland.svg Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career Shutouts: 8 Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career Games: 423 Image:Flag of Slovakia.svg Jiri Bicek
[edit] References
- ↑2 "What's next for the River Rats?", Capital News 9, 2006-03-22. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.
- ↑3 "River Rats announce new affiliation, lease", theahl.com, 2006-04-04. Retrieved on 2006-04-17.
- ↑3 "Albany River Rats New AHL Affiliate For The Avalanche", coloradoavalanche.com, 2006-04-18. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
[edit] External links
| American Hockey League | |
|---|---|
| 2006-07 teams: Albany River Rats | Binghamton Senators | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | Chicago Wolves | Grand Rapids Griffins | Hamilton Bulldogs | Hartford Wolf Pack | Hershey Bears | Houston Aeros | Iowa Stars | Lowell Devils | Manchester Monarchs | Manitoba Moose | Milwaukee Admirals | Norfolk Admirals | Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights | Peoria Rivermen | Philadelphia Phantoms | Portland Pirates | Providence Bruins | Rochester Americans | San Antonio Rampage | Springfield Falcons | Syracuse Crunch | Toronto Marlies | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | Worcester Sharks | |
| Trophies and Awards: Calder Cup Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award | Eddie Shore Award | Hap Holmes Memorial Award | Jack A. Butterfield Trophy | John B. Sollenberger Trophy | Les Cunningham Award | Willie Marshall Award | |
| Related Articles: NHL | ECHL | UHL | CHL | SPHL | |
