Utica Devils

Utica Devils
CityUtica, New York
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Founded1977
Operated1987–1993
Home arenaUtica Memorial Auditorium
ColorsGreen, red and white (original)
Red and black (later)
AffiliateNew Jersey Devils (NHL) (1987–1993)
Franchise history
1977–1987Maine Mariners
1987–1993Utica Devils
1993–2003Saint John Flames
2005–2007Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
2007–2009Quad City Flames
2009–2014Abbotsford Heat
2014–2015Adirondack Flames
2015–2022Stockton Heat
2022–PresentCalgary Wranglers

The Utica Devils were a professional ice hockey team of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team was based in Utica, New York, and played its home games at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

History

The Utica Devils were AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils from 1987 to 1993. The franchise was moved from Portland, Maine, at the end of the 1986–87 season, where it played as the Maine Mariners. The Utica Devils displaced the Mohawk Valley Comets of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League that had played there since 1985. Utica was coached by Tom McVie for four seasons from 1987 to 1991, followed by Herb Brooks in 1991–92 and Robbie Ftorek in 1992–93.

Notable players who at one time were Utica Devils include Martin Brodeur, Bill Guerin, Kevin Todd, Corey Schwab, Bobby Holik, Claude Vilgrain, Valeri Zelepukin, Jason Smith, and Jim Dowd.

In 1993, the NHL's Calgary Flames purchased the Utica Devils franchise from the New Jersey Devils and subsequently relocated the team to Saint John, New Brunswick, to become the Saint John Flames. The Devils moved their AHL affiliation to the Albany River Rats the same year. Utica gained the Bulldogs of the Colonial Hockey League in 1993, which only lasted one season before folding and being replaced by the Utica Blizzard in 1994. The AHL eventually returned to Utica in 2013 with the Utica Comets using the Vancouver Canucks' franchise. In April 2021, a new trademark was filed for the brand "Utica Devils" by Robert Esche, the operator of the Utica Comets, for a potential relocation of the Binghamton Devils.[1] On May 6, it was announced that the Devils would affiliate with Utica, but the Comets name would remain.[2]

Season-by-season results

Regular season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL Points Goals
for 		Goals
against 		Standing Year 1st
round 		2nd
round 		3rd
round 		Finals
1987–88 80 34 33 11 2 81 318 307 5th, South 1988 Did not qualify
1988–89 80 37 34 9 — 83 309 295 3rd, South 1989 L, 1–4, HER — — —
1989–90 80 44 32 4 — 92 354 315 4th, South 1990 L, 1–4, RCH — — —
1990–91 80 36 42 2 — 74 325 346 6th, South 1991 Did not qualify
1991–92 80 34 40 6 — 74 268 313 4th, South 1992 L, 0–4, BNG — — —
1992–93 80 33 36 11 — 77 325 354 3rd, South 1993 L, 1–4, RCH — — —

Team records

Goals: 53, Paul Ysebaert, 1989–90
Assists: 81, Kevin Todd, 1990–91
Points: 118, Kevin Todd, 1990–91
Penalty Minutes: 359, Bill Huard, 1990–91
GAA: 2.71, Chris Terreri, 1987–88
SV%: .910, Chris Terreri, 1987–88
Career goals: 126, Jeff Madill, 1987–91
Career assists: 163, Kevin Todd, 1988–93
Career points: 264, Paul Ysebaert, 1987–90
Career penalty minutes: 1216, Jamie Huscroft, 1987–92
Career goaltending wins: Craig Billington, 59
Career shutouts: 3, Craig Billington
Career games: 273, Dave Marcinyshyn, 1987–91

References

  1. ^ "Potential move of AHL teams puts future of hockey in Binghamton in question". WBNG-TV. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  2. ^ Birnell, Ben (May 6, 2021). "Utica Comets Rob Esche: 'It's really exciting to rebrand the Utica Comets'". Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved May 6, 2021.


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