Springfield Falcons: Difference between revisions

 

== History ==

===The beginning===

In 1994, the longtime AHL [[Springfield Indians]] team was sold to interests that moved the franchise to [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], to become the [[Worcester IceCats]] (now the [[Utica Comets]]). Ex-Indian players [[Bruce Landon]], then the general manager of the Indians, and Wayne LaChance, a local rink owner and former member of the [[Springfield Kings]], secured an expansion franchise for Springfield for the [[1994–95 AHL season|1994–95 season]]. The Indians name was still under trademark, so the new owners named the team after Andy and Amelia, a pair of nesting [[peregrine falcon]]s that was a popular local civic symbol. The AHL, which was headquartered in nearby [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|West Springfield]], was keen to maintain a presence in a city that had hosted a team in the AHL or its predecessors for all but nine years since 1926, and readily granted an expansion franchise to Landon and LaChance.

 

===The Columbus Blue Jackets affiliation===

[[File:Springfield Falcons Logo.svg|thumb|left|Falcons logo used from 2010-2016]]

 

The [[2012–13 AHL season|2012–13 season]], beginning with the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]], saw the Falcons make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. With help of NHL players [[Matt Calvert]], [[Cam Atkinson]], [[Ryan Johansen]], [[John Moore (ice hockey)|John Moore]] and [[Tim Erixon]], the Falcons were able to take an early lead in both the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference. When the NHL lockout ended and these players were called up to Columbus, the Falcons continued to stay at the top of the standings. All-Star play from goaltender [[Curtis McElhinney]] and forward [[Jonathan Marchessault]], as well as veteran leadership from team captain [[Ryan Craig]], helped guide the team to a first-place finish in the Northeast Division. On April 6, 2013, the Falcons qualified for the [[2013 Calder Cup playoffs]], ending a nine-year playoff drought, the longest in AHL history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/first-four-teams-are-in-p183025 |website=[[American Hockey League]] |title=First Four teams are in |date=2013-04-06}}</ref> The Falcons defeated the [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] in the first round three games to one, with all of their wins coming in overtime. The Falcons playoff run came to an end at the hands of the [[Syracuse Crunch]], as the Crunch swept the Falcons out of the playoffs in their second round matchup. Winger Jonathan Marchessault was named to the First All-Star team, while goaltender Curtis McElhinney was named a Second Team All-Star.

 

 

 

While it was initially announced that the entire coaching staff would return to Springfield for the [[2014–15 AHL season|2014–15 season]], head coach Brad Larsen was promoted to an assistant coach in Columbus. On June 16, 2014, Columbus announced that [[Jared Bednar]] would become head coach and he continued to be joined by assistant coach [[Nolan Pratt]], in addition to first year assistant [[Toby Petersen]]. In the 2014–15 season, the team set a franchise record with 11 consecutive wins. The streak lasted from November 14 through December 6, and propelled the Falcons back into first place in the Northeast Division. However, a poor March cost the team as they missed the playoffs, finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

On May 4, 2016, the Portland Pirates announced that it had signed a letter of intent with an outside buyer to sell and relocate the franchise for the [[2016–17 AHL season|2016–17 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/portland-pirates-sign-letter-of-intent-to-relocate-franchise/n-5136999 |title=Portland Pirates Sign Letter of Intent to Relocate Franchise |website=Portland Pirates |date=May 4, 2016}}</ref> It was reported that the team would be relocated to Springfield following the pending sale and relocation of the Falcons franchise.<ref>{{cite web|title=Portland Pirates to leave Maine and move to Springfield, MA|url=http://www.wcsh6.com/sports/hockey/portland-pirates-to-leave-maine-and-move-to-springfield-ma/170627229|website=WCSH|accessdate=4 May 2016|language=en-US}}</ref>

 

 

'''This market was previously home to:'''

 

==Players==

===Retired numbers===

*'''#2:''' [[Eddie Shore]]

 

== AHL Hall of Famers ==

List of Springfield Falcons alumni later inducted into the [[AHL Hall of Fame]].

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