Cleveland Barons (2001–2006)

For the 1976–1978 NHL team, see Cleveland Barons (NHL). For the earlier AHL team, see Cleveland Barons (1937–1973).
Cleveland Barons
CityCleveland, Ohio
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated2001–2006
Home arenaGund Arena
ColorsTeal and Black
AffiliateSan Jose Sharks
Franchise history
1996–2001Kentucky Thoroughblades
2001–2006Cleveland Barons
2006–2015Worcester Sharks
2015–presentSan Jose Barracuda

The Cleveland Barons were a professional American ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Cleveland, Ohio, at Gund Arena between 2001 and 2006.

History

Josh Hennessy with the Barons

The team was named in honor of the popular Barons team that played in the AHL and its forerunners from 1929 to 1973 and the National Hockey League (NHL) team of the same name. The Barons name was revived in 2001 when the San Jose Sharks purchased their AHL affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades, and relocated them to Cleveland, where they would play at the arena which was owned and operated by Sharks owners George and Gordon Gund. The Gunds had also owned the NHL Barons, who played in the NHL in the late 1970s before being merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.

The franchise relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts, for the 2006–07 season and became the Worcester Sharks. Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), purchased the inactive Utah Grizzlies AHL franchise and moved it to Cleveland. Renamed the Lake Erie Monsters, the club resumed play in 2007 and then rebranded as the Cleveland Monsters in 2016.

The team logo, a shark holding a hockey stick, was originally designed as an alternate logo for the San Jose Sharks before being modified with a top hat, a monocle, and formal wear for the Barons.

This market was previously served by:

This market is now the home to:

Affiliates

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL SOL Points Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing Avg. attendance
2001–02 80 29 40 7 4 — 69 223 268 4th, Central 3,226
2002–03 80 22 48 5 5 — 54 203 286 5th, Central 3,561
2003–04 80 37 28 8 7 — 89 235 220 4th, North 4,212
2004–05 80 35 37 6 2 — 78 200 226 7th, North 4,178
2005–06 80 27 48 — 2 3 59 210 302 7th, North 3,548

Playoffs

Season Prelim 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Finals
2001–02 Out of Playoffs
2002–03 Out of Playoffs
2003–04 W, 2–1, Toronto L, 2–4, Hamilton — — —
2004–05 Out of Playoffs
2005–06 Out of Playoffs

Team records

Single Season

Goals: 35 Mike Craig (2001–02), Miroslav Zalesak (2003–04)
Assists: 48 Jeff Nelson (2002–03)
Points: 75 Miroslav Zalesak (2003–04)
Points, Defenseman: 46 Garrett Stafford (2003-04)
Penalty Minutes: 335 Matt Carkner (2001–02)
Wins: 19 Vesa Toskala (2001–02)
GAA: 2.34 Nolan Schaefer (2003–04)
SV%: .925 Seamus Kotyk (2003–04), Nolan Schaefer (2003–04)

Career

Career Goals: 84 Miroslav Zalesak
Career Assists: 117 Patrick Rissmiller
Career Points: 181 Patrick Rissmiller
Career Penalty Minutes: 948 Matt Carkner
Career Goaltending Wins: 34 Vesa Toskala
Career Shutouts: 7 Nolan Schaefer
Career Games: 315 Matt Carkner