Phoenix RoadRunners
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix RoadRunners were a minor league
ice hockey
team based in Phoenix, Arizona
. They played in the ECHL
, beginning in the 2005–2006 season and ceasing operations at the end of the 2008-2009 season. The team was affiliated with the NHL
's San Jose Sharks
and the AHL
's Worcester Sharks
.
franchise by Phoenix Suns
owner Robert Sarver and former Phoenix Coyotes
star Claude Lemieux. In their first season, 2005–2006, the RoadRunners began the season well but dropped throughout the year because of injuries, and finished with the league's worst record.
of the National Hockey League
. 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
.
One bright spot to the season was that the RoadRunners qualified for their first trip to the ECHL
's Kelly Cup Playoffs. 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
.
. In the front office, Claude Lemieux
chose not to hold the title of President. 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 Coyotes chose instead to go with the other minor league hockey team in Arizona
, the Arizona Sundogs
. 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 season started off well for the Roadrunners, with a sweep of their three game series against the Utah Grizzlies
. 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.
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 21 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 1, 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.
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.
, with the three game series going 2 to 3 to the Runners. The following Tuesday the team got news that Kimbi Daniels
would be named the In Glas Co ECHL Player of the week. This was also the first time in his 10 year ECHL career that he has been given this honor. October ended with the team going 3-2-1 giving the team 7 of a possible 12 points in October. The team also finished near the top of the West Division as well as the National Conference.
As November rolled along, the Runners' got great news, when they heard that former RoadRunner Cam Paddock
made his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues, scoring on his first attempted shot. The month ended with the team going 5-8-1, giving them 11 of a possible 28 points, bringing the team to fourth in their Division.
Into December the team rallied around the outstanding goaltending of Craig Kowalski
and won two consecutive contests at home against the team's rival Las Vegas Wranglers
. The two game performance by Kowalski earned him the ECHL Goalie of the Week award, becoming the first RoadRunners Goalie since Cody Rudkowsky
in 2006 to win the award. The team also got word that they would see Mike Fornataro and Michael Wilson go to the ECHL All-Star Game in January. The team finished the month going 4-6-0 and gave the team 8 of a possible 20 points, and staying at fourth in their Division.
As the season rolled along into January, the RoadRunners saw two players go to the All-Star game, and then another weekly award got handed down. The team got word on January 27 that for the second consecutive month, Craig Kowalski
was named the Goalie of the week. He was given the award for his outstanding play from the 19th through the 25th. the team finished January with a 5-6-0 record, winning 10 of a possible 22 points. However, a series near the end of the season against the Alaska Aces did not go well, as they were outscored 18-5 throughout the series, and were swept, pretty much dashing the RoadRunners playoff hopes. As of March 31 the RoadRunners have 29 wins, 34 losses, 2 overtime losses, 3 shootout losses and 63 points.
The team ceased operations after the 2008-2009 season.
of the RoadRunners. 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. 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. 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 2007–08 ECHL Season coincided with Rocky's 40th year of service, which is by far the oldest mascot in the history of any pro sports team in Arizona
.
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. They played in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, beginning in the 2005–2006 season and ceasing operations at the end of the 2008-2009 season. The team was affiliated with the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Worcester Sharks
Worcester Sharks
The Worcester Sharks are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . The franchise is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and play their home games at the DCU Center in Downtown Worcester. The Sharks and the city of Worcester hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.-History:On...
.
Inaugural Season
In 2005, after four years without a minor league hockey team, the RoadRunners were revived as an ECHLECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
franchise by Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
owner Robert Sarver and former Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
star Claude Lemieux. In their first season, 2005–2006, 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 CoyotesPhoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. 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
Brad Church is a former Canadian ice hockey forward who played two games for the Washington Capitals and ten years of professional hockey in the minor leagues. Chosen first by the Capitals in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Church spent most of his time in the minors and never quite reached his...
.
One bright spot to the season was that the RoadRunners qualified for their first trip to the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
's Kelly Cup Playoffs. 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
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
.
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. Brad Church also decided on an assistant coach, that being Brian O'LearyBrian O'Leary
Brian Todd O'Leary was an American scientist, author, and former NASA astronaut. He was a member of the sixth group of astronauts selected by NASA in August 1967...
. In the front office, Claude Lemieux
Claude Lemieux
Claude Percy Lemieux is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He last played for the San Jose Sharks before announcing his retirement on July 8, 2009. He is one of only ten players in Stanley Cup history to win the Cup with three different teams. His 80 career playoff goals are the...
chose not to hold the title of President. Claude has stated that he will continue to act as a consultant to the team.
The Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
chose not to renew their affiliation agreement for the 2007–2008 season. The Coyotes chose instead to go with the other minor league hockey team in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, the Arizona Sundogs
Arizona Sundogs
The Arizona Sundogs are a double-A minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Prescott Valley, Arizona that began play in the Central Hockey League in 2006 and celebrated its fifth anniversary season in 2010-11...
. The RoadRunners signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and its AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks
Worcester Sharks
The Worcester Sharks are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . The franchise is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and play their home games at the DCU Center in Downtown Worcester. The Sharks and the city of Worcester hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.-History:On...
on October 19, 2007.
The season started off well for the Roadrunners, with a sweep of their three game series against the Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
. 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.
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 21 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 1, 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.
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.
Fourth (Final) Season
This season, the fourth and final in this team's history, started with the RoadRunners facing off against their rivals the Victoria Salmon KingsVictoria Salmon Kings
The Victoria Salmon Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Victoria, British Columbia. They were members of the Mountain Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL, debuting in the 2004–05 ECHL season and folding after the 2010–11 ECHL season as the Chilliwack Bruins WHL franchise...
, with the three game series going 2 to 3 to the Runners. The following Tuesday the team got news that Kimbi Daniels
Kimbi Daniels
Kimbi Daniels is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Fort St. John Flyers of the North Peace Hockey League...
would be named the In Glas Co ECHL Player of the week. This was also the first time in his 10 year ECHL career that he has been given this honor. October ended with the team going 3-2-1 giving the team 7 of a possible 12 points in October. The team also finished near the top of the West Division as well as the National Conference.
As November rolled along, the Runners' got great news, when they heard that former RoadRunner Cam Paddock
Cam Paddock
Cam Paddock is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He currently plays for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL.- Early life :...
made his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues, scoring on his first attempted shot. The month ended with the team going 5-8-1, giving them 11 of a possible 28 points, bringing the team to fourth in their Division.
Into December the team rallied around the outstanding goaltending of Craig Kowalski
Craig Kowalski
Craig Kowalski is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.-Playing career:...
and won two consecutive contests at home against the team's rival Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
. The two game performance by Kowalski earned him the ECHL Goalie of the Week award, becoming the first RoadRunners Goalie since Cody Rudkowsky
Cody Rudkowsky
Cody Rudkowsky is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played eight seasons in the American Hockey League and ECHL, and played in a single game for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League in 2002–03...
in 2006 to win the award. The team also got word that they would see Mike Fornataro and Michael Wilson go to the ECHL All-Star Game in January. The team finished the month going 4-6-0 and gave the team 8 of a possible 20 points, and staying at fourth in their Division.
As the season rolled along into January, the RoadRunners saw two players go to the All-Star game, and then another weekly award got handed down. The team got word on January 27 that for the second consecutive month, Craig Kowalski
Craig Kowalski
Craig Kowalski is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.-Playing career:...
was named the Goalie of the week. He was given the award for his outstanding play from the 19th through the 25th. the team finished January with a 5-6-0 record, winning 10 of a possible 22 points. However, a series near the end of the season against the Alaska Aces did not go well, as they were outscored 18-5 throughout the series, and were swept, pretty much dashing the RoadRunners playoff hopes. As of March 31 the RoadRunners have 29 wins, 34 losses, 2 overtime losses, 3 shootout losses and 63 points.
The team ceased operations after the 2008-2009 season.
Season-by-season record
- Updated daily
- Ties were changed with Over time losses following the 2005–2006 ECHL Season.
| Year | Games | Wins | Losses | Ties | OTL | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | 72 | 20 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 45 | Missed playoffs |
| 2006–2007 | 72 | 27 | 40 | 0 | 5 | 59 | Lost in Division Semi-finals, 0–4 |
| 2007–2008 | 72 | 24 | 39 | 0 | 9 | 57 | Missed playoffs |
| 2008–2009 | 68 | 29 | 34 | 0 | 5 | 63 | Missed playoffs |
Season records
- Game Played: 72 TIE- Dean Tiltgen (2005–06), Peder Skinner (2007–08)
- Goals: 27 TIE- Justin Aikins (2006–07), Sean O'ConnorSean O'Connor (ice hockey)Sean O'Connor is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 3rd round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft....
(2007–08) - Assists: 42- Daniel Sisca (2007–08)
- Points: 60 Daniel Sisca (2007–08)
- Best +- (Min. 40 games): +4 - Brent HenleyBrent HenleyBrent Henley is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Fort Wayne Komets in the Central Hockey League....
(2005–06) - Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent HenleyBrent HenleyBrent Henley is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Fort Wayne Komets in the Central Hockey League....
(2005–06) - Wins: 17- Craig KowalskiCraig KowalskiCraig Kowalski is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.-Playing career:...
(2008-09) - GAA (Min. 15 games): 2.34- Taylor Dakers (2007–08)
- SV % (Min. 15 games): .930- Taylor Dakers (2007–08)
- Shutouts: 2- Mike MoleMike MoleMike Mole is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently a member of the organization of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders.-External links:...
(2005–06)
Career records
- Game Played: 133- Daniel Sisca (2007–Current)
- Goals: 31- Daniel Sisca (2007-Current)
- Assists: 71- Daniel Sisca (2007-Current)
- Points: 102- Daniel Sisca (2007-Current)
- Best +- (Min. 60 games): -2- David Pszenyczny (2006-08)
- Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent HenleyBrent HenleyBrent Henley is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Fort Wayne Komets in the Central Hockey League....
(2005–06) - Wins: 19- Cody RudkowskyCody RudkowskyCody Rudkowsky is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played eight seasons in the American Hockey League and ECHL, and played in a single game for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League in 2002–03...
(2006–08) - GAA (Min. 15 games): 2.34- Taylor Dakers (2007-08)
- SV % (Min. 15 games): .930- Taylor Dakers (2007-08)
- Shutouts: 2, TIE- Mike MoleMike MoleMike Mole is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently a member of the organization of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders.-External links:...
(2005–06), Cody RudkowskyCody RudkowskyCody Rudkowsky is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played eight seasons in the American Hockey League and ECHL, and played in a single game for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League in 2002–03...
(2006–08)
Retired numbers
- #3 Adam Keller WHL RoadRunners defenceman, former RoadRunners player and general manager
- #4 Sandy HuculSandy HuculAlex "Sandy" Hucul is a former Canadian ice hockey player and coach.Hucul had a long playing career, turning professional in 1954 with the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Hockey League...
WHL RoadRunners defenceman, former RoadRunners player and head coach - #8 Robbie FtorekRobbie FtorekRobert Brian Ftorek is a former NHL player and coach. He was enshrined as member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991...
WHA RoadRunners forward, member of United States Hockey Hall of Fame
Rocky RoadRunner
Rocky RoadRunner is the mascotMascot
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 public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the RoadRunners. 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. The recent ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
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. Furthermore, rather than continuing the more lifelike version of previous years, the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
's version chose to make a more cartoonish version of Rocky. The 2007–08 ECHL Season coincided with Rocky's 40th year of service, which is by far the oldest mascot in the history of any pro sports team in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.