| Phoenix RoadRunners | |
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| City: | Phoenix, Arizona |
|---|---|
| League: | ECHL |
| Conference: | National Conference |
| Division: | West Division |
| Founded: | 2005 |
| Home Arena: | US Airways Center |
| Colors: | Carolina Blue, Black, Sunflower Gold |
| Owner(s): | Robert Sarver |
| General Manager: | Brad Church (Director of Hockey Operations) |
| Head Coach: | Brad Church |
| Media: | Arizona Republic East Valley Tribune |
| Affiliates: | San Jose Sharks (NHL), Worcester Sharks (AHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2005 to Current: | Phoenix RoadRunners |
| Championships | |
| Regular Season Titles: | none |
| Division Championships: | none |
| Conference Championships: | none |
| Kelly Cups: | none |
The Phoenix RoadRunners are a minor league ice hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena) is a sports and entertainment Arena located in Phoenix Arizona. Robert Sarver (born 1961 in Tucson Arizona) is the current majority owner of the Phoenix Suns. Brad Church (born November 14, 1976 in Dauphin Manitoba) is a Canadian Ice hockey forward who played two games for the The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix, Arizona. The East Valley Tribune is a daily newspaper serving the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, including Mesa, Tempe, Chandler Minor leagues are professional Sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, They play in the ECHL, and began play in the 2005–2006 season. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered The team is affiliated with the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AHL's Worcester Sharks. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The San Jose Sharks are a professional Ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Worcester Sharks are a professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League.
Contents |
Season recaps
Inaugural season
In 2005, after 4 years without a minor league hockey team, the RoadRunners were revived as an ECHL franchise by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and former Phoenix Coyotes star Claude Lemieux. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. In their first season, the 2005–2006 season, the RoadRunners began the season well but dropped throughout the year because of injuries and finished with the league's worst record.
Second season
In the off-season, the RoadRunners cemented an affiliation deal with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The RoadRunners once again started very well, staying above . 500 for a good portion of the year. The team climbed up the National Division, topping out at fifth place. However, due to several trades which were lackluster to say the least, the team ended up with a 27–40 record. Furthermore, with 8 games left in the regular season, Head Coach Ron Filion and General Manager Ray Delia resigned, Filion being replaced by assistant coach Brad Church. Brad Church (born November 14, 1976 in Dauphin Manitoba) is a Canadian Ice hockey forward who played two games for the [1]
One bright spot to the season was that the RoadRunners qualified for their first trip to the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered This was the first time since the 1995–1996 team lost in the conference quarter finals that the RoadRunners had made it to the Playoffs. However in the first round, the team was swept 4–0 against rivals Las Vegas Wranglers. The Las Vegas Wranglers are a minor league Ice hockey team in Las Vegas Nevada.
Third season
After the season ended, the RoadRunners decided to keep Church on, and also extend to him a managerial role as well. His duties include, but are not limited to: Contract preparation, immigration, and other administrative duties. [2] Brad Church also decided on an assistant coach, that being Brian O’Leary. In the front office, Claude Lemieux chose not to hold the title of President. Claude Percy Lemieux (born July 16, 1965 in Buckingham, Quebec) is a former professional Ice hockey player active in the National Hockey Claude has stated that he will continue to act as a consultant to the team.
The Phoenix Coyotes chose not to renew their affiliation agreement for the 2007–2008 season. The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The Coyotes chose instead to go with the other minor league hockey team in Arizona, the Arizona Sundogs. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The Arizona Sundogs are a minor-league Ice hockey team based in Prescott Valley Arizona that began play in 2006. The RoadRunners signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the San Jose Sharks and its AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks on October 19, 2007. The San Jose Sharks are a professional Ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. The Worcester Sharks are a professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League.
The season started off well for the Roadrunners, with a sweep of their three game series against the Utah Grizzlies. The Utah Grizzlies are an Ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play in West Valley City Utah, USA at the E Center. The end of the month of October brought good news for the Roadrunners, as they learned that Daniel Sisca had won the CCM TACKS ECHL Player Of The Month Award. October events and holidays Children's Book Week ( England) - First Week of October National Day ( China People's Republic [3]
In November, the team was only able to win 3 of their 13 scheduled games, taking the team lower into the standings. As the calendar turned to the month of December, the same losing ways continued, with the team going 4–7, although the team was finally able to muster a win against the Wranglers in their annual Midnight game. It was also announced on December 21st that both Peder Skinner and Brian Yandle were added to the All-Star Team.
From January through February, the Roadrunners were able to win an accumulative amount of 8 games, and included a stretch of 8 consecutive losses. Despite the low amount of wins, the team, as of March 1st, still was in the running to make the playoffs, coming in tied for 8th place.
In March, as the playoffs started coming into the picture for the Roadrunners, the team faced a tough schedule, with the remaining slate of teams averaging a . 617 winning percentage. [1] The team for the month of march went 5–6, and by the end of the month, was still in contention for the playoffs despite the tough schedule.
In April, the Roadrunners fell short of making the playoffs, and finished with a record of 24 wins, 39 losses, 5 overtime losses, 4 shoot-out losses, and 57 points. The team finished in 5th place in West Division.
Battle of the Desert
During the 2006–2007 offseason, the Arizona Sundogs of the CHL and the Phoenix RoadRunners came to an agreement on an annual two game pre-season hockey contest. The Arizona Sundogs are a minor-league Ice hockey team based in Prescott Valley Arizona that began play in 2006. The games showcase the talent of Arizona's two minor league hockey teams, and help the two teams evaluate their current talent and who will and will not make the upcoming season's roster. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Due to there being two games instead of an odd number, the two teams have decided that in case of a tie, there will be a shoot out immediately following the second game. The winner of the two game series will get the "Glass Cactus". [4]
2007 Battle of the Desert
The Roadrunners won the first ever Battle of the Desert, with the team sweeping the two game series. The RoadRunners outscored the Sundogs 11–7, and won the first ever "Glass Cactus" Award.
Battle of the Desert results
| Year | Game 1 Result | Game 2 Result | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | RoadRunners Win 4–1 | RoadRunners Win 7–6 | RoadRunners Sweep Series 2–0, win Glass Cactus |
Rocky RoadRunner
Rocky RoadRunner is the mascot of the RoadRunners. The term mascot – defined as a term for any person animal or object thought to bring Luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common Rocky, who has been with the team for decades, is a mainstay from the early years in the desert. His service dates back all the way to 1967. [5] The recent ECHL move brought a major change of the entire costume, most notably the skin, which has turned a bright yellow compared to a shade of brown in previous years. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered [6] Furthermore, rather than continuing the more lifelike version of previous years, the ECHL's version chose to make a more cartoonish version of Rocky. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a Professional Ice hockey league based in Princeton New Jersey, with teams scattered The 2007–08 ECHL Season coincides with Rocky's 40th year of service, which is by far the oldest mascot in the history of any pro sports team in Arizona. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. [7]
Active roster
Current roster
- As of April 7, 2008. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor The 2007-08 ECHL Season was the 20th season of the ECHL. Two teams suspended operations at the end of the 2006-07 season the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the [8]
- # Indicates that Cam Paddock is currently on loan to the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The San Antonio Rampage is an Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio Texas.
- ^ Indicates that Chris Murray is currently on loan to the AHL's Albany River Rats. Chris Murray (born September 26, 1966) is a Canadian -born Singer-songwriter and guitarist working primarily in the genre of Ska American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Albany River Rats are an Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League.
- * Indicated that Gerard Miller is currently on loan to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League.
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| # | Player | Catches | Height | Weight | Age | Place of Birth | |
| 31 |  |
David McKee | L | 6'1 | 190 | 24 | Irving, Texas |
| 39 |  |
Taylor Dakers | R | 6'1 | 175 | 21 | Langley, British Columbia |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Shoots | Height | Weight | Age | Place of Birth | |
| 7 | |
Reagan Rome – C | L | 6'0 | 210 | 26 | Nesbitt, Manitoba |
| 17 | |
Ian Turner – A | R | 6'1 | 190 | 26 | Belleville, Ontario |
| 10 | |
Chris Murray ^ | R | 6'2 | 185 | 23 | Dover, Massachusetts |
| 22 | |
Bryan Nathe | R | 6'0 | 190 | 25 | Elk River, Minnesota |
| 23 | |
Brett Angel | L | 6'6 | 230 | 26 | Kingston, Ontario |
| 6 | |
Taylor Christie | L | 6'3 | 210 | 25 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 19 | |
Tom Sawatske | R | 6'0 | 197 | 24 | Duluth, Minnesota |
| 28 | |
Gerard Miller * | R | 6'0 | 205 | 25 | Cold Spring Harbor, New York |
| 11 | |
Matt Burke | R | 6'0 | 190 | 23 | Milton, Massachusetts |
| 5 | |
Rob Dmytruck | R | 5'10 | 195 | 24 | Scarborough, Ontario |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Shoots | Height | Weight | Age | Place of Birth | |
| 9 | |
Daniel Sisca – A | L | 5'9 | 160 | 24 | Woodbridge, Ontario |
| 11 | |
Cam Paddock # | R | 6'1 | 185 | 25 | North Vancouver, British Columbia |
| 25 | |
Gino Guyer | L | 5'11 | 192 | 24 | Coleraine, Minnesota |
| 14 | |
Thatcher Bell | L | 5'11 | 190 | 26 | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
| 12 | |
Peder Skinner | L | 5'8 | 160 | 21 | Isle aux Morts, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| 27 | |
Chris Stevens | L | 5'10 | 200 | 21 | Dawson Creek, British Columbia |
| 18 | |
Jeff Smith | L | 6'6 | 225 | 27 | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| 11 | |
Mathieu Melanson | L | 6'0 | 200 | 22 | Shediac, New Brunswick |
| 15 | |
Matt Carter | L | 6'2 | 215 | 20 | Mississauga, Ontario |
| 20 | |
Dusty Jamieson | L | 6'2 | 195 | 26 | Forest, Ontario |
| 21 | |
Mitch Carefoot | L | 6'2 | 210 | 23 | Dauphin, Manitoba |
| 13 | |
Sean O'Connor | R | 6'3 | 220 | 26 | Victoria, British Columbia |
| 24 | |
Ryan Walsh | R | 6'0 | 170 | 28 | Orleans, Ontario |
| 07 | |
David Michael | R | 6'5 | 250 | 23 | Northridge, California |
| 16 | |
Nathan Gillies | R | 5'10 | 195 | 27 | Mississauga, Ontario |
Season-by-season record
- Updated daily
- Ties were changed with Over time losses and Shoot-out Losses following the 2005–2006 ECHL Season. David McKee Owns (born 1935 is a British Author and Illustrator, chiefly of children's books and animations including those starring Mr Benn Irving (pronounced 'er-ving' is a city located in the US state of Texas within Dallas County. In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. Ian Turner (born 17 January 1953 in Middlesbrough) is a former footballer who won the FA Cup when he played for Southampton F In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. Belleville ( 2006 population 48821 metropolitan population 91518 is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Chris Murray (born September 26, 1966) is a Canadian -born Singer-songwriter and guitarist working primarily in the genre of Ska Dover is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Elk River is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States, about 34 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Duluth is a Port City in the US state of Minnesota and the County seat of St See Cold Spring Harbor for other uses of the name Cold Spring Harbor is a hamlet (and Census-designated place) in Matthew Burke (born March 26 1973 in Sydney) is a retired Australian Rugby union player Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area Scarborough (ˈskɑrˌbəroʊ ( 2001 Census 593297 is the area that forms the eastern part of the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. Woodbridge is a large Suburban community (Estimated 2006 pop 101170 in the City of Vaughan, just north of Toronto. This page is about the two distinct British Columbia municipalities that use the name and are often jointly referred to as "North Vancouver" Coleraine is a city in Itasca County, Minnesota, United States. Charlottetown (ˈʃɑrlɪtaʊn (2006 population 32174 is a Canadian city and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, making it the seat Chris Stevens may refer to Chris Stevens (journalist, reviewer for CNET Chris Stevens (Northern Exposure, character in the television The City of Dawson Creek is a small city in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Jeff Smith can refer to Jeff Smith (baseball is a coach in the Minnesota Twins' organization Regina (rɨˈdʒaɪnə is the capital of Saskatchewan, Canada. Matthew John Carter (born 22 March 1972) is a former General Secretary of the British Labour Party. Mississauga (ˌmɪsɪˈsɑgə) incorporated in 1974 is a City located in the Regional Municipality of Peel Forest Ontario may refer to Forest Frontenac County Ontario Forest Lambton County Ontario Dauphin ( French for the eldest son of the king of France) is a city in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of 7906 as of 2006 Victoria (vɪkˈtɔɹiə is the capital city of British Columbia. Orléans is a Suburban area within the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. David Tibet (born David Michael Bunting, 5 March 1960 in Batu Gajah, Malaysia) is a British poet and Artist who Northridge is a community in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles California, United States. Mississauga (ˌmɪsɪˈsɑgə) incorporated in 1974 is a City located in the Regional Municipality of Peel
| Year | Games | Wins | Losses | Ties | OTL | SOL | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | 72 | 20 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 45 | Missed playoffs |
| 2006–2007 | 72 | 27 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 59 | Lost in Division Semi-finals, 0–4 |
| 2007–2008 | 72 | 24 | 39 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 57 | Missed playoffs |
Head coaches
- Ron Filion (2005–2006)
- Brad Church (2006-current)
Team rivals
Retired numbers
- #3 Adam Keller WHL Roadrunners defenceman, former Roadrunners manager
- #4 Sandy Hucul WHL Roadrunners defenceman, former Roadrunners head coach
- #8 Robbie Ftorek WHA Roadrunners forward, member of United States Hockey Hall of Fame
Team records
Season records
- Game Played: 72 TIE- Dean Tiltgen (2005–06), Peder Skinner (2007–2008)
- Goals: 27 TIE- Justin Aikins (2006–2007), Sean O'Connor (2007–08)
- Points: 60 Daniel Sisca (2007–2008)
- Assists: 42- Daniel Sisca (2007–08)
- Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent Henley (2005–06)
- Wins: 15- Mike Mole (2005–06)
- GAA (Min. Brad Church (born November 14, 1976 in Dauphin Manitoba) is a Canadian Ice hockey forward who played two games for the The Idaho Steelheads are a minor league Ice hockey team in Boise, Idaho. The Utah Grizzlies are an Ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play in West Valley City Utah, USA at the E Center. The Las Vegas Wranglers are a minor league Ice hockey team in Las Vegas Nevada. The Victoria Salmon Kings are a professional Ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. Adam Keller (born 1955 in Tel Aviv-Yafo) is an Israeli peace activist who was among the founders of Gush Shalom, of which he is a spokesperson Alex "Sandy" Hucul (born December 5, 1933 in Eston, Saskatchewan) is a former Canadian Ice hockey player and Robert Brian Ftorek (born January 2, 1952 in Needham Massachusetts) is a former NHL player and coach Mike Mole (born October 12, 1982) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender. 10 games): 2. 34- Taylor Dakers (2007–08)
- SV % (Min. 10 games): . 930- Taylor Dakers (2007–08)
- Shutouts: 2- Mike Mole (2005–06)
Career records
- Game Played: 132- Dusty Demianiuk (2005–2007)
- Goals: 27 TIE- Justin Aikins (2006–2007), Sean O'Connor (2007-?)
- Points: 60- Daniel Sisca (2007-?)
- Assists: 42- Daniel Sisca (2007-?)
- Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent Henley (2005–06)
- Wins: 19- Cody Rudkowsky (2006–08)
- GAA (Min. Mike Mole (born October 12, 1982) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender. Cody Rudkowsky (born July 21, 1978 in Willingdon, Alberta Canada, is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender 10 games): 2. 24- Taylor Dakers (2007-?)
- SV % (Min. 10 games): . 930- Taylor Dakers (2007-?)
- Shutouts: 2, Tie- Mike Mole (2005–06), Cody Rudkowsky (2006–08)
NHL alumni
(Must have played in National Hockey League after playing with team, not prior to playing with team)
References
- ^ phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines
- ^ phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines
- ^ ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League
- ^ phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines
- ^ Rocky Roadrunner - Phoenix Roadrunners Mascot
- ^ Google Image Result for http://www.mascotstalker.com/rocky/rocky.jpg
- ^ phxroadrunners.com: Rocky RoadRunner
- ^ phxroadrunners.com: Home
- ^ The Internet Hockey Database - Hockey Statistics, Logos, and Trading Cards
- ^ The Internet Hockey Database - Hockey Statistics, Logos, and Trading Cards
External links
- PHX RoadRunners Official Website
- Phoenix Roadrunners Booster Club Website
- Phoenix Roadrunners Booster Club Myspace Page
- ECHL Website
- Official RoadRunners Myspace Page
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