The Mahoning Valley Thunder was a professional af2 arena football team from 2007 to 2009.
43-686: Having entered af2 as an expansion team in 2007, the Thunder played its home games at Cortland Banks Field at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown, Ohio . The team's colors were a combination of Black and Navy Blue , with the minor color of Gray . Single-game tickets ranged from $ 5.00 to $ 50.00. The team sold out their inaugural home game, on March 31, 2007, to a crowd of over 5,900 fans, while their 2nd home game entertained almost 4,800 fans, on April 21, 2007. The Thunder's first head coach, Mike Hold , went 11-26 in his two-plus years at
86-926: A buyer for the franchise. Aston Rebels relocated and renamed as the Philadelphia Rebels. 2018–19 season: The NAHL added another team to its East Division with an expansion franchise granted to the Maryland Black Bears . The Coulee Region Chill were sold and relocated as the Chippewa Steel in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin , and the Philadelphia Rebels became the Jamestown Rebels in Jamestown, New York . The Topeka RoadRunners were sold and rebranded as
129-475: A concert by 3 Doors Down . The first hockey game was played about a week later, on November 4. In Fall 2007, the city hired Eric Ryan Productions of nearby Struthers , to temporarily operate the arena until the city could find another company to manage the facility. SMG and Global Spectrum are the final two companies in the running to run the Chevrolet Centre. The Chevy Centre was formerly managed by
172-484: A few weeks after its opening on Friday, November 18, 2005, when General Motors acquired the naming rights, and was renamed the Chevrolet Centre. Choosing Chevrolet for the naming rights was highly appropriate because one of the brand's more successful cars, the Cobalt , was manufactured in nearby Lordstown at the time. On October 4, 2008, it was announced that GM had decided not to renew their naming rights deal with
215-631: A large part to a $ 26 million HUD redevelopment grant secured in 2000 by Congressman James A. Traficant Jr. It is home to the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League . The Covelli Centre was previously known as the Chevrolet Centre and is nicknamed "The Chevy Centre" or "The Convo" by some in the area from its former names. The arena's grand opening was on October 29, 2005, when it hosted
258-762: A new team in the East Division to be located in Rochester, New York that will be known as the "Rochester Junior Americans" ("Jr. Amerks"), a nod to Rochester's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Rochester Americans ("Amerks"), a minor league affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres . The team is co-owned by Wegmans CEO Coleen Wegman and Chris O'Donnell. Former Amerks, AHL and NHL players and coaches, including Brian Gionta , Nathan Paetsch , Stephen Gionta , David Leggio , will be affiliated with
301-737: A one-season pandemic-related hiatus. The league added a third team in Alaska called the Anchorage Wolverines . 2022-23 Season: The Minnesota Magicians were purchased and relocated to Eagle River, Wisconsin as the Wisconsin Windigo . The NAHL approved the relocation of the Wichita Falls Warriors to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become the Oklahoma Warriors . 2023-24 Season: NAHL approved
344-1057: A team in Greeley, Colorado called the Colorado Grit . The Grit will play in the Greely Ice Haus . 2024-25 Season: NAHL has approved a 7th team in the Central Division, located in Watertown, South Dakota , going by the name of the Watertown Shamrocks . The Shamrocks will be the 33rd team in the NAHL. They will play their home games at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena . The Shamrocks will be owned by Codington County Hockey Club LLC , including Mark Gullbrandson, Donald Sisson, KC Finnegan, and Vince Foley at... NAHL Approved an expansion team in
387-580: Is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey , and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in
430-651: The Brookings Blizzard . Traverse City North Stars franchise purchased by the Soo Eagles and joined the league from Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League . The Dawson Creek Rage, New Mexico Mustangs, and St. Louis Bandits takes leaves of absence. The Chicago Hitmen fold. 2013–14 season: The dormant New Mexico Mustangs relocated to Richfield, Minnesota, and became Minnesota Magicians . The Texas Tornado relocated back to North Richland Hills, Texas, and became Lone Star Brahmas . The Minnesota Wilderness joined
473-852: The Keystone Ice Miners , remaining in the North Division, and the Wenatchee Wild moved from the Midwest Division to the South Division. 2015–16 season: On May 1, 2015, the NAHL announced that the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise was purchased by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights organization to be an expansion team for the 2015–16 season. The Keystone Ice Miners ceased operations. The Michigan Warriors ceased operations due to
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#1732780876721516-792: The North American Hockey League played select home games at the arena. Upon joining the USHL, the Phantoms moved into the Covelli Centre full-time in 2009. The Ohio Junior High wrestling championships were held at the arena. The facility was utilized to house the "Mercy Health Covelli Field Hospital," an additional medical space for COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 pandemic . On April 30, 2009, Sam Covelli, owner of many Panera and O'Charley's restaurants in
559-842: The Topeka Pilots . 2019–20 season: The NAHL approved of two expansion teams: the Maine Nordiques in Lewiston, Maine , and the New Mexico Ice Wolves in Albuquerque, New Mexico . The Brookings Blizzard relocated and became the St. Cloud Blizzard . 2020–21 season: The NAHL added the Wichita Falls Warriors as an expansion team while the Topeka Pilots were relocated as the Kansas City Scouts and
602-506: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra . Both 2:30 and 7:30 shows were sold out. The first sold-out hockey game was on January 14, 2006. On March 8, 2010, it was announced that the Covelli Centre would host Elton John on May 1, 2010. The event sold out in a record time of 30 minutes on March 12, 2010, which eclipsed the previous record set by Carrie Underwood , an event that sold out in 48 hours. The Covelli Centre has been at
645-521: The Wenatchee Wild . The Fargo-Moorhead Jets were approved for dormancy. 2009–10 season: The Janesville Jets were awarded an expansion franchise. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms and the USNTDP left the league for the USHL. The Texas Tornado returned to the league after taking a year off while their home arena was undergoing renovations. The Motor City franchise's new ownership changed
688-572: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights sold their franchise to the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks . The St. Cloud Blizzard rebranded as the St. Cloud Norsemen . The Corpus Christi IceRays , Jamestown Rebels , Kansas City Scouts, and Springfield Jr. Blues went dormant for the season due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic . The Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Kenai River Brown Bears both temporarily relocated to Minnesota and closer to
731-607: The 2012–13 season and returned to the NOJHL for the season 2015–16 season. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees were relocated to Aston, Pennsylvania and became the Aston Rebels . A new East Division was formed composed of Aston, Johnstown, New Jersey, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Wenatchee Wild organization left the NAHL and joined the Canadian Junior A British Columbia Hockey League . 2016–17 season: The league announced
774-609: The Central Division, located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, with the name of the Minnesota Mallards. They will be the 34th team in the NAHL. They will play home games at Forest Lake Sports Center. (Midwest and Central) Top 4 teams qualify, and in the 1st round(Division Semi-Finals), the 1st seed (seeding based on placement in division) plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed plays the 3rd seed in a 2H-2A-1H best of 5 Series. The winners of those two series will play each other in
817-778: The Division Finals with the same 2H-2A-1H Best of 5 format. The winner of the Division Finals will be crowned the Division Champions and will represent the Division in the Final Four, hosted at the Fogerty Ice Arena in Blaine, Minnesota . (South and East) The top 6 teams qualify, with the 1st seed and 2nd seed (seeding based on placement in division) getting byes. Seeds 3, 4, 5, and 6 will all play in
860-661: The Fogarty Arena and will compete for the Robertson Cup Champion. Under USA Hockey Tier II sanctioning, NAHL teams do not charge players to play and also provide players with uniforms, team clothing and select equipment such as sticks, gloves and helmets. Players without local family live with billet families in their area and pay a monthly stipend that covers food and other costs. Unlike the Tier I United States Hockey League , there are no roster restrictions in
903-682: The International Coliseums Company, a subsidiary of Global Entertainment, which owns the Central Hockey League . On Friday, April 4, 2008; the city of Youngstown signed a deal with Ticketmaster to become the official ticket provider of the Chevrolet Centre. The arena itself is owned by the city. The arena, which was initially named the Convocation Center when it opened in October, was renamed
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#1732780876721946-676: The Motor City Machine. However, the Express' home city of Owatonna was granted another NAHL team for 2008–09, named the Owatonna Express. The Express were joined by another new Minnesota NAHL franchise, the Albert Lea Thunder. The Texas Tornado franchise went on a one-year hiatus as they awaited renovations on their arena. Wenatchee, Washington , was awarded an expansion franchise for the 2008–09 season as
989-409: The NAHL on overage players, which allows for the older players to gain extra NCAA exposure as well as teams to retain a veteran core. Teams are still bound to USA Hockey rules regarding import players, and presently each team is allowed to have four non-American players on their roster. Import players may also apply for an exemption from being counted as an import, but only if they have played hockey in
1032-677: The North Division and played at West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The Marquette Rangers moved to Flint, Michigan, and changed their name to Michigan Warriors. Port Huron joined the North Division and played at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Michigan. The North Iowa Outlaws relocated to become the Coulee Region Chill in Onalaska, Wisconsin. The Aberdeen Wings joined the Central Division and played at
1075-1055: The Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Austin Bruins joined the Central Division and played at the Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota. The Dawson Creek Rage joined the West Division and played at EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The Albert Lea Thunder relocate to become the Amarillo Bulls at joined the South Division out of the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. The New Mexico Mustangs joined
1118-655: The South Division and played at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The Alaska Avalanche relocate to Palmer, Alaska, but keep the same name. 2011–12 season: The Owatonna Express relocate to Odessa, Texas, and become Odessa Jackalopes . The Motor City Metal Jackets relocate to Jamestown, New York, and become Jamestown Ironmen . The Minot Minotauros and Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings granted expansion. 2012–13 season: The Alaska Avalanche relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and became Johnstown Tomahawks . Alexandria Blizzard relocated to Brookings, South Dakota, and became
1161-933: The United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas . The teams span the United States from Maine in the East to Alaska in the Northwest and to Texas in the South. The teams play a 59-game regular season, usually starting on the 2nd weekend in September and ending near mid-April (2020-21 season is exception, the season started in late 2020-early 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic ). The Champions of each division(not regular season) will play in Blaine, MN at
1204-579: The United States for four years prior. From its beginning in 1975, the NAHL was primarily a 6–12-team league based in the Midwest, known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League and changed the name to the North American Hockey League in 1984. The league's all-time leading scorer is Ryan Fultz who tallied 246 points in four seasons. Other notable alumni from the NAHL include Pat LaFontaine , Mike Modano , Doug Weight , Pat Peake , Brian Rolston , Brian Holzinger , Brian Rafalski , Todd Marchant , John Scott , Connor Hellebuyck , and George Parros . In 2003,
1247-432: The area, signed a 3-year, $ 360,000 contract to rename the then Chevrolet Centre to the Covelli Centre. Covelli has indicated that he plans to work to more aggressively market the arena. We'll do whatever it takes to promote the Centre. We believe in it. The arena officially took on the Covelli Centre name on June 1, 2009. The arena's first sold-out performances were on November 12, 2005, when it hosted two concerts by
1290-406: The arrival of the major junior Flint Firebirds . The Soo Eagles announced they were returning to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League citing the lack of other local teams as they were the last remaining team in Michigan. The New Jersey Junior Titans organization bought the franchise from the Eagles and relocated to Middleton, New Jersey. The Eagles originally sought membership with the NAHL for
1333-400: The city. The city was in the process of negotiating with local Chevy dealers to keep the name of the facility the same. [1] On Wednesday, April 30, 2009 Covelli Enterprises (a local franchisee of Panera Bread and O'Charley's restaurants), signed a 3-year, $ 120,000 naming-rights deal, giving the Centre its current name. [2] Starting in November 2008, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of
Mahoning Valley Thunder - Misplaced Pages Continue
1376-463: The continued expansion of the East Division by adding the Northeast Generals of Attleboro, Massachusetts . The Generals organization also has a Tier III team in the North American 3 Hockey League (previously in the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League prior to the 2016 league merger). On April 8, 2016, the Shreveport Mudbugs were announced as an expansion team. 2017–18 season: The Wichita Falls Wildcats ceased operations after failing to find
1419-455: The end of the NAHL season. The trophy is awarded annually to the USA Hockey Tier II junior national playoff champion. The Cup is the oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States and is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan. Chuck Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pool Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976 to 1983. As of
1462-589: The forefront of what is hoped to be a major downtown revitalization in the city of Youngstown. The downtown economy has benefitted since its opening, primarily from guests patronizing its bars and restaurants before and after events. The city and other private firms came to an agreement that allowed people to park for free in downtown on days when there is an event at the arena. 41°05′46″N 80°38′53″W / 41.096145°N 80.647943°W / 41.096145; -80.647943 North American Hockey League The North American Hockey League (NAHL)
1505-408: The helm. Hold was fired on April 28, 2009. After going 0-3 under interim head coach, Brennan Booth, the Thunder named the franchise's second head coach, Chris MacKeown, on May 26, 2009. The team ended with a 2-14 record in 2009. Attendance declined steadily over the three years, and the owners were unable to find investors to keep the team afloat. This led to an announcement on September 9, 2009 that
1548-549: The league from the Superior International Junior Hockey League by purchasing dormant St. Louis Bandits franchise. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees purchased the Wenatchee Wild franchise. The Fresno Monsters were relocated to become the second incarnation of the Wenatchee Wild and the Monsters returned to only fielding a team in the Western States Hockey League . The Jamestown Ironmen and Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings ceased operations. 2014–15 season: The Port Huron Fighting Falcons were relocated to Connellsville, Pennsylvania , to become
1591-465: The league merged with the now defunct America West Hockey League to form a 19-team league. The 2024–25 season has 35 teams playing in four divisions: Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise relocation. See respective team articles from more information. 2006–07 season: Bozeman Icedogs , Billings Bulls , and Helena Bighorns left the league for the Northern Pacific Hockey League . Cleveland Jr. Barons were granted inactive status for
1634-453: The new team. The team will play at the Rochester Ice Center in the metropolitan suburb of Fairport, New York. The NAHL added another team to the East Division later in 2022-23 season, as the New Hampshire Mountain Kings were approved for their membership, making it the first time an NAHL team was located in New Hampshire . The team will be based out of the renovated Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett, New Hampshire . The NAHL also introduced
1677-465: The other teams in their division until mid-April 2021 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions to Alaska. 2021–22 season: The Amarillo Bulls were relocated to Mason City, Iowa , as the North Iowa Bulls . The Kansas City Scouts were originally granted another season of dormancy, but were instead sold and relocated to Amarillo as the Amarillo Wranglers to begin play for the 2021–22 season. Corpus Christi, Jamestown, and Springfield returned after
1720-406: The play-in, which happens around early-to-mid April. The 3 seed will host the 6 seed for all 3 games*, as the 4th seed will also host the 5th seed for all 3 games*. The winner with the lowest seed will play the 1st seed, and the winner with the highest seed will play the 2nd seed. From there, the format is the same as the Midwest and Central. The Robertson Cup Championship is a playoff series held at
1763-484: The season. Wasilla Spirit changed names to Alaska Avalanche. Minnesota Blizzard became the Alexandria Blizzard. Texarkana Bandits moved to Chesterfield, Missouri , and became the St. Louis Bandits . Marquette Rangers were added to the league. 2007–08 season: Santa Fe Roadrunners moved to Topeka, Kansas , as the Topeka Roadrunners . The Kenai River Brown Bears started play in the league. 2008–09 season: The Southern Minnesota Express moved to Detroit and became
Mahoning Valley Thunder - Misplaced Pages Continue
1806-421: The team would suspend operations indefinitely. The af2 disbanded the same day. This American football team article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a sports team in Ohio is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Covelli Centre The Covelli Centre is a multi-purpose arena in Youngstown, Ohio , United States. It opened in 2005, thanks in
1849-410: The team's nickname from Machine to Metal Jackets. 2010–11 season: The NAHL Board of Governors accepted membership of several new teams in the league. The Fresno Monsters were awarded an expansion franchise. after having a team in the Tier III Junior A Western States Hockey League . The Corpus Christi IceRays were awarded a franchise formerly known as the Alpena IceDiggers. The Chicago Hitmen joined
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