The Edmonton Ice were a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta. A Western Hockey League expansion team established in 1996, the team played only two seasons from 1996 to 1998 before relocating to Cranbrook, British Columbia, where the team became known as the Kootenay Ice.
| Edmonton Ice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Edmonton, Alberta |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Operated | 1996–98 |
| Home arena | Northlands Agricom |
| Colours | Blue, bronze, black, and white |
| Franchise history | |
| 1996–1998 | Edmonton Ice |
| 1998–2019 | Kootenay Ice |
| 2019–2023 | Winnipeg Ice |
| 2023–present | Wenatchee Wild |
History edit
The city of Edmonton had a rich history with the Western Hockey League (WHL), with Edmonton Oil Kings owner Bill Hunter serving as a driving force behind the establishment of the league in 1966.[1] The Oil Kings were a successful early franchise, but relocated to Portland in 1976 after the establishment of the professional Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association.[2] The Oil Kings briefly returned to the league for the 1978–79 season, but when the team relocated again, Edmonton was left without top-level junior hockey. After nearly two decades, the WHL expanded to Edmonton in 1996, and the Ice began play at the Northlands Agricom.[3]
On January 16, 1996, Dave Siciliano was announced as the first head coach for the Ice.[4] Siciliano and team owner Ed Chynoweth were committed to building a relationship between the Ice and local minor ice hockey programs.[5] The Ice completed the 1996–97 season with 14 wins in 72 games, placing last overall in the league, and did not qualify for the playoffs.[6]
When the team began the 1997–98 season with nine losses and one tie, Siciliano was fired on October 24, 1997, and replaced by assistant coach Ryan McGill.[7] During Siciliano's tenure, the Ice lost 31 games by a one-goal margin.[8] The team gained only three more wins and again missed the playoffs.
After two seasons, the team relocated to Cranbrook, British Columbia, and became the Kootenay Ice. The team has since been relocated twice more. In 2019, the team moved from Cranbrook to Winnipeg and was known as the Winnipeg Ice; then, in 2023, the team moved to Wenatchee, Washington, where they are known as the Wenatchee Wild.[9][10] Edmonton gained a new WHL expansion franchise in 2007, which was named the Edmonton Oil Kings after the original Edmonton WHL club.[11]
Season-by-season record edit
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1996–97 | 72 | 14 | 56 | 2 | 231 | 295 | 30 | 5th Central | Did not qualify |
| 1997–98 | 72 | 17 | 49 | 6 | 242 | 328 | 40 | 4th Central | Did not qualify |
NHL alumni edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ "WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Jordan, Kevin (2021-10-31). "Edmonton Ice". WHL Arena Guide. Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ Cowley, Norm (January 16, 1996). "Ice grabs ex-Pearn assistant". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 27.
- ^ Short, John (January 17, 1996). "Ice committed to minor ice hockey". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 28.
- ^ "1996–97 Western Hockey League Standings". Hockey Database. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Turchansky, Ray (October 25, 1997). "Coach Siciliano bumped off ice". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 34.
- ^ Moore, Steve (November 26, 1997). "Sports Digest: Ex-Ice coach gets new job". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 36.
- ^ Greenslade, Brittany; Dacey, Elisha (2019-01-28). "WHL to announce Kootenay Ice moving to Winnipeg – on the coldest day of the year". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Western Hockey League's Winnipeg Ice franchise moving to Wenatchee, Wash". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. 2023-06-16. Archived from the original on 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ "Edmonton joins WHL as 22nd franchise". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. 2006-03-17. Archived from the original on 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
