Albany River Rats
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| Albany River Rats | |
| |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Home ice | Pepsi Arena |
| Based in | Albany, New York |
| Colors | red and black |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Head coach | Tom Rowe |
| General manager | -- |
| Owner | Walter Robb |
The Albany River Rats are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Albany, New York, USA at the Pepsi Arena.
- Founded: 1993-1994
- Arena: Pepsi Arena (capacity 13,941)
- Uniform colors: red, and black
- Logo design: A cartoonish rat dressed in hockey gear
- Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche (both NHL)
- Division titles won: 4 (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98)
- Regular season titles won: 2 (1994-95, 1995-96)
- League championships won: 1 (1994-95)
- Local media: Times Union
- The franchise was previously known as: Capital District Islanders (1990-1993)
History
The team was founded as the Capital District Islanders (playing at Houston Field House on campus at RPI located across the Hudson River in Troy, New York) in 1990 but changed their name when the New Jersey Devils sold their old affiliate the Utica Devils to become linked with this team.The Rats' glory days came in the mid to late 90's when they made 7 consecutive playoff appearances, won 2 division titles, and took home the AHL's Calder Cup in 1995. However, wins have declined since the 1997-98 season, the last time Albany won a playoff series. Since their last playoff appearance in 2000, the River Rats have finished last in each of the past 6 seasons. A new affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes beginning in the 2006-07 season brings hope of a return to AHL glory not seen in Albany since the late '90s.
On March 22, 2006, the Devils announced that they were cutting ties with the River Rats after the 2005-06 AHL season, as the parent club announced the purchase of the Lowell Lock Monsters. Despite the move, the River Rats will not be relocated and will return to Albany next season.[#endnote_Devils] In April 2006, The Carolina Hurricanes signed a one year agreement (with the option to renew for two additional) with the River Rats to be their farm affiliate.[#endnote_Canes] Later on, Carolina was joined by the Colorado Avalanche in a one-year partnership agreement.[#endnote_Avs]
- This market was previously served by: Capital District Islanders (1990-93)
Year-by-year record
| Year | GP | W | L | T | OL | SOL | GF | GA | PTS | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005-06 | 80 | 25 | 48 | -- | 4 | 3 | 206 | 278 | 57 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2004-05 | 80 | 29 | 38 | 6 | 7 | -- | 198 | 248 | 71 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2003-04 | 80 | 21 | 39 | 11 | 9 | -- | 182 | 257 | 62 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2002-03 | 80 | 25 | 37 | 11 | 7 | -- | 197 | 235 | 68 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2001-02 | 80 | 14 | 42 | 12 | 12 | -- | 172 | 271 | 52 | Last, East | Out of Playoffs |
| 2000-01 | 80 | 30 | 40 | 6 | 4 | -- | 216 | 262 | 70 | Last, Mid-Atlantic | Out of Playoffs |
| 1999-00 | 80 | 30 | 40 | 7 | 3 | -- | 225 | 250 | 70 | 4th, Empire | Lost in round 1 |
| 1998-99 | 80 | 46 | 26 | 6 | 2 | -- | 275 | 230 | 100 | 2nd, Empire | Lost in round 1 |
| 1997-98 | 80 | 43 | 20 | 11 | 6 | -- | 290 | 223 | 103 | 1st, Empire | Lost in round 3 |
| 1996-97 | 80 | 38 | 28 | 9 | 5 | -- | 269 | 231 | 90 | Tied 1st, Empire State | Lost in round 3 |
| 1995-96 | 80 | 54 | 19 | 7 | -- | -- | 322 | 218 | 115 | 1st, Central | Lost in round 1 |
| 1994-95 | 80 | 46 | 17 | 17 | -- | -- | 293 | 219 | 109 | 1st, Northern | Won Calder Cup |
| 1993-94 | 80 | 38 | 34 | 8 | -- | -- | 312 | 315 | 84 | 3rd, Northern | Lost in round 1 |
Team records
- Goals: 46 Jeff Williams (1998-99)
- Assists: 60 John Madden (1998-99)
- Points: 98 John Madden (1998-99)
- Penalty Minutes: 348 Matt Ruchty (1994-95)
- GAA: 2.31 Richard Shulmistra (1997-98)
- SV%: .918 Richard Shulmistra (1997-98)
- Career Goals: 155 Steve Brule
- Career Assists: 214 Steve Brule
- Career Points: 369 Steve Brule
- Career Penalty Minutes: 1197 Rob Skrlac
- Career Goaltending Wins: 77 Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career Shutouts: 8 Peter Sidorkiewicz
- Career Games: 423 Jiri Bicek
References
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External links
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