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97-759: Rochester was awarded a new franchise in June 1956, when the Pittsburgh Hornets were forced to suspend operations after their arena, the Duquesne Gardens was razed in an urban renewal project. With the Hornets franchise in limbo until a new arena could be built, there was room in the league for a team in Rochester. The Americans' team colors are red, white and blue. The logo is a patriotic badge with "Americans" written in cursive script. They have won

194-625: A Pittsburgh theater chain owner, purchased the Olympics and relocated the team to become the Pittsburgh Hornets. The Hornets were led by former Olympics coach Donnie Hughes . the Hornets won their first two franchise games against the Cleveland Falcons on November 7, 1936, at the Duquesne Gardens . During the 1938–39 season , Larry Aurie replaced Don Hughes as the second coach in team history. That year Don Deacon led

291-477: A fight with Sylvio Mantha and was fined $ 100. On March 30, 1933, Shore scored a playoff overtime goal against Toronto, the only time he accomplished that feat in his career. In Boston Garden on December 12, 1933, Shore ended the career of Toronto Maple Leafs star Ace Bailey when he hit Bailey from behind. When Bailey's head hit the ice, he was knocked unconscious and went into convulsions. Moments earlier, Maple Leafs teammate King Clancy upended Shore with

388-470: A hard check as he rushed up the ice. Angry, dazed, and thinking he was going after Clancy, Shore rushed at Bailey intent on revenge. In retaliation, the Leafs tough-guy Red Horner punched Shore, whose head hit the ice as he fell from the blow. Shore was knocked unconscious and required seven stitches but was not seriously injured. Bailey was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a fractured skull and

485-599: A member of the International Hockey League . The Cardinals, who played at Edgerton Park Arena , lasted only one season, compiling a 15–29–3 record and a host of financial difficulties. In the early 1950s, with the Rochester Community War Memorial under construction, Montreal Canadiens manager Frank Selke promised an American Hockey League team to Rochester at some point in the future, with 1956 one target year that

582-690: A puck in the preseason. He would later become the coach and general manager. The next year Bastien's replacement, Gil Mayer , went on to win the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award . The Hornets again made it to the Calder Cup Finals in 1951 but lost in Game 7 to the Cleveland Barons. Despite the loss, forward Bob Solinger was named MVP of playoffs with ten goals and six assists. During the 1951–52 season , Pittsburgh finished first overall in

679-530: A reported conflict with vice-president of hockey operations, Ted Nolan . On May 17, 2011, it was revealed that Terry Pegula had signed a nonbinding letter of intent to purchase the Americans. Pegula, who had recently purchased the Buffalo Sabres desired to re-affiliate the two clubs. The potential purchase had to clear several financial and legal obstacles; first, Pegula had to seek the permission of

776-635: A star below the hornet near the cuffs. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed: white body with red trim. In 1952, the Hornets introduced a new black and gold color scheme that was familiar with the city's baseball team and football team . The colors were not new for hockey in Pittsburgh, having been worn by the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NHL from 1925 to 1928 (before a switch to blue and gold in 1928–29) and by different incarnations of

873-746: A tribute game at the Mellon Arena against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (affiliated with the Red Wings, as well as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at the time). The WBS Pens wore Hornets jerseys and a banner was raised inside the arena that celebrated the three Hornets’ Calder Cup Championships. The banner has since been removed from inside the Mellon Arena and arena officials aren't sure of its location. The uniforms worn by

970-463: A week. Shore visited several doctors who wanted to amputate the ear, but found one who sewed it back on. After refusing anesthetic , Shore used a mirror to watch the doctor sew the ear on. Shore claimed Coutu used his hockey stick to cut off the ear, and Coutu was fined $ 50. Shore later recanted and Coutu's money was refunded. Another unusual incident involving Shore occurred in January 1930 when he

1067-439: Is the closest NHL city to Rochester, while Rochester is the closest AHL city to Buffalo. (The Hamilton Bulldogs , which existed as an AHL franchise from 1996 to 2015, were closer geographically to Buffalo than Rochester is, but played on the other side of the U.S.-Canada border) During the original Sabres affiliation, the Americans won three Calder Cup championships and finished as runners-up another six times. They finished out of

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1164-543: The 1943–44 season the Hornets did not win one game away from the Duquesne Gardens. The winless record on the road was the first occurrence of such a feat in the history of the AHL. Following the season Larry Aurie ended his stint as coach to finish with a record of 129–162–39 in 330 games, a .450 winning percentage. Following Aurie's departure, Max Kaminsky became the third coach of the Hornets in 1944. A year later,

1261-1002: The Buffalo Bisons of the AHL to the Calder Cup championship in 1943 and 1944. After the war, the Springfield Indians resumed play in 1946 and Shore returned. In addition to owning the Indians, Shore purchased the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) in May 1948, and owned the team until it folded in December 1949. As an owner, Shore could be cantankerous and was often accused of treating players with little respect. He commonly had Springfield players who had been out of

1358-580: The Calder Cup six times, and lost in the Cup finals ten times. Hockey was popular in Rochester, a city known for its cold weather, as far back as the 1920s; the University of Rochester had a collegiate hockey team as early as 1906, and even at that time, East High School had already developed a successful program. Professional hockey arrived in 1935 in the form of the Rochester Cardinals ,

1455-875: The Detroit Olympics in 1927 playing home games at the Detroit Olympia . The Olympics played two seasons in the Canadian Professional Hockey League (Canpro) and seven seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL) after the IHL split from Canpro in 1929. The IHL would merge with the Canadian-American Hockey League (Can-Am) in 1936 to form the International-American Hockey League . In October 1936, John Harris ,

1552-490: The Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player four times, the most of any defenceman; only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe have won it more often. After the league began naming NHL All-Star teams at the end of Shore's fifth season, Shore was honoured as a First Team All-Star in seven of his last nine seasons, while being named a Second Team All-Star one of the other seasons; in the remaining season he missed over half

1649-592: The Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets . The Hornets' home jerseys were wool. The color scheme was black with gold trim. The jerseys featured tie-down collars and the familiar hornet in a helmet on the sleeves. The road jerseys consisted of a gold body and black trim. The Hornets returned to red and white uniforms in the 1954–55 season. When the Hornets returned to the ice in 1961 after their five-year hiatus, they wore red and white wool jerseys with tie-down collars. A full circular crest trimmed in gold replaced

1746-586: The Providence Reds . At the start of the 1940–41 season , the International-American Hockey League (IAHL) became the American Hockey League (AHL). During the early 1940s, the Hornets had mediocre finishes. However, during this time frame, the team still continued to set league records. In 1942, Red Heron set an AHL record by scoring six goals in one game, which is a double hat trick . Also in 1944, Bob Gracie and Bob Walton were

1843-669: The Springfield Indians . They again lost in the finals to the Cape Breton Oilers in 1993. After a very slow start in the 1995–96 season, the Americans came together midway through the season behind the dramatically improved goaltending of Steve Shields . The team breezed through the first three rounds of the playoffs before finally winning a hard-fought battle against the Portland Pirates to win their sixth, and most recent, Calder Cup. In 2000, with

1940-734: The Western Canada Hockey League in 1925 . His team finished last in the league and moved to Portland after the season. Shore moved to the league champion Edmonton Eskimos in 1926 , where he converted from forward to defence and was given the nickname "the Edmonton Express". When the Western Hockey League (renamed from the WCHL) folded in 1926, Shore was sold to the Boston Bruins of

2037-830: The 1960–61 season, in which the Americans failed to qualify for the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens transferred their working agreement to the Quebec Aces of the American Hockey League and sent Rochester players Guy Rousseau and Claude Labrosse to Quebec. As the exclusive affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Americans made the playoffs the next two seasons but never contended for the Calder Cup championship. Beginning in 1963–64, former Americans defenseman Joe Crozier became

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2134-417: The 1961–62 season: Most times shut out in a season (9); most games lost in a season (58) and most games lost at home (27). The team also finished in the last place in AHL, finishing with the fewest wins in team history (10) and their lowest point total in team history (22). The next season the Hornets doubled their total of wins in their second season back from returning to the AHL. However, the team established

2231-416: The AHL due to the rougher, more violent product on the ice. Toth and House held out for the AHL and ended up losing out to the group backed by Canadians. The AHL granted a group which included Rochesterians (and Amerks Hall of Fame members) Sam Toth and Ed House a conditional franchise for Rochester that June. The terms required that the group raise $ 150,000 of capital, two thirds of which was to be raised by

2328-523: The AHL for a Rochester team. Prior to the AHL franchise, the Arpeako Packers played before thousands at the new Rochester War Memorial. Center Sam Toth and Left Wing Ed House started the original group tasked to bring professional hockey to Rochester. The Central Hockey League was sold on Rochester as its next expansion city. The CHL told Toth and House the CHL was a league that promised more fans than

2425-553: The AHL's record for the longest winless streak. The team went 0–22–1 before beating the Hershey Bears on March 26. Following the 1962–63 season, owner John Harris sold the Hornets franchise to Bruce Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings. The purpose of the sale, Harris said, was to provide a better team for Pittsburgh fans. Norris, by having a 100% interest in the team, will make sure better players are available to

2522-478: The AHL's top scorers with each recording 95 points in the season. Two AHL records were set on March 17, 1945: Pittsburgh and the Cleveland Barons set the mark for most goals scored in one period by netting a combined 12 goals in the third period (Pittsburgh 7, Cleveland 5). The total goals scored in the game – 22 – is also a one-game record. However, not all records set by the Hornets were positive. During

2619-554: The AHL, finishing with 46 wins and 95 points. The Hornets then finally won their first Calder Cup on April 20, 1952, by beating the Providence Reds in six games on a goal by Ray Hannigan during the game's second overtime at the Rhode Island Auditorium . The AHL president, Maurice Podoloff , nor the Calder Cup Trophy, were present when the Hornets earned the championship. They were later presented with

2716-616: The Americans became a joint affiliate of both the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , though the club was operated by the Canadiens. Under coach Billy Reay , the team finished in third place in the AHL standings and played the defending champion Providence Reds in the opening round of the Calder Cup playoffs. With Bobby Perreault in goal, the Americans defeated Providence and goaltender Johnny Bower in five games. Rochester then

2813-508: The Americans being sold to Steve Donner . Despite the sale, the original Buffalo-Rochester partnership became the longest such NHL-AHL affiliation, lasting until the 2007–08 season, and revived for 2011–12. The proximity of the cities of Buffalo and Rochester is a significant advantage in that the Sabres are able to call up and send down players between the two teams with ease, as the two cities are only an hour's drive away from each other; Buffalo

2910-657: The Amerks, reuniting them shortly after the 2010–11 season concluded. On May 6, 2008, the American Hockey League approved the sale of the Americans to Canadian businessman Curt Styres and his investment group, Arrow Express Sports. The sale also included the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League . On May 13, 2009, Lewis Staats, president of the Americans, formally announced that Jody Gage would not return after 13 seasons as

3007-470: The Bruins, Shore strutted back and forth in front of Coutu and Cleghorn. Coutu body-slammed, head-butted, elbowed and tried to torment Shore. Next Coutu picked up the puck and made a rush at Shore. The two players collided. Shore held his ground and Coutu flew through the air violently crashing to the ice. Shore's ear was almost ripped off but he barely noticed it. Coutu was out cold and was out of commission for

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3104-720: The Calder Cup Finals after Billy Harris scored:26 seconds into overtime in what would be the last goal in Pittsburgh Hornets’ history. Thirty-one years after the Hornets first game, Coach Baz Bastien and team captain Ab McDonald were presented with the Calder Cup. The Hornets were Calder Cup Champions one last time. On February 3, 2001, the Pittsburgh Penguins minor-league affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins , played

3201-449: The Cup while traveling en route to Pittsburgh. It was also during the 1951–52 season that the Hornets wore black and gold jerseys for the first time. The Hornets would return to the Calder Cup finals the next year only to lose again in Game 7 to the Cleveland Barons. However, during the 1954–55 season Pittsburgh defeated the Buffalo Bisons in six games to capture the club's second Calder Cup Championship. The Hornets finish first overall in

3298-555: The Hornets became a minor-league club for the Toronto Maple Leafs ending their affiliation with the Red Wings. For the 1946–47 season the Hornets returned to the AHL Finals for the second time in team history, losing Game 7 to the mid-state Hershey Bears . The Maple Leafs' success with four Stanley Cup championships between 1947 and 1951 helped to solidify the position of the minor league Hornets. The Hornets played

3395-502: The Hornets during their first season in Pittsburgh were Columbia blue , royal blue , and white. The team that season was sometimes nicknamed the "Blue Shirts" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its reporting. The front of the jersey featured a large circular crest with the Hornets' logo and team name. At the beginning of the second season, the team changed its colors to bright red and white. From then until 1944,

3492-431: The Hornets roster at the start of the 1936–37 season. The Hornets, still a minor-league team for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings , made their debut in the International-American Hockey League in 1936–37. The league transformed into the American Hockey League in 1940. The Hornets disbanded after the 1955–56 season . The franchise was suspended because the archaic Duquesne Gardens was torn down. The Hornets reappeared in

3589-548: The Hornets' home jerseys were red wool with a white script "P" and the word "Hornets" sewn onto them. Starting with the 1944–45 AHL season , the team wore red wool jerseys for home games with a simple, block number on front and back, and a simple crew neck collar. The 1947–48 season saw the addition of a sleeve logo featuring a hornet head wearing a hockey helmet. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed; white body with red trim. The 1948–49 jersey took this style one step further by including seven stars on each sleeve, including

3686-561: The Hornets, Harris said in announcing the sale. Things turned around dramatically during the 1963–64 season when the Hornets won 40 games, which was more than the previous two seasons combined under the Harris ownership. Goaltender Roger Crozier won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award for being the AHL's Rookie of the Year. Crozier also won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for being

3783-517: The IAHL with 41 assists and 65 points. In 1940, the Hornets won 25 and made the playoffs and advance to the Calder Cup finals. The Hornets were originally the minor-league affiliate of the Red Wings who won the Stanley Cup in 1936. Larry Aurie , a member of that team, was a player-coach and led them to their first appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 1940 where they were swept in three games by

3880-496: The Maple Leafs while Smrke retired. The Americans struggled through the early part of the 1967–68 AHL season. Just before Christmas, and with the team in last place with a record of 12-15-3, Crozier made a deal with the expansion Minnesota North Stars . In exchange for forwards J. P. Parise and Milan Marcetta the Americans received Ted Taylor , Len Lunde , George "Duke" Harris , Murray Hall , Don Johns , Carl Wetzel and

3977-478: The Maple Leafs' style of hockey that involved hard, close checking that produced low scoring games. In 1948, the Hornets lost only 18 games, for their best record since 1938. Max Kaminsky would end his coaching career in 1947 with the Hornets. He had a .562 winning percentage. Kaminsky won 91 games, lost 68 and tied 27 in his 186 games behind the bench. In 1948 the Hornets set the team all-time best record for goals scored in one season with 301 goals. Sid Smith became

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4074-601: The NHL. As a rookie, he scored 12 goals and six assists for a total of 18 points and accumulated 130 penalty minutes. His first goal came on November 20, 1926 in Boston's 5-1 loss to Chicago. Shore helped the Bruins win their first Stanley Cup in 1929. In the 1925–26 season, Billy Coutu and Sprague Cleghorn of the Montreal Canadiens were traded to the Boston Bruins. During their first practice with

4171-524: The North division, which was also the final playoff spot in the North division, clinching the position on the final day of the regular season. During the first round of playoffs, the Americans faced off against the Belleville Senators in a best of three playoff series. The Americans would win two of the three games, both in overtime, with both scores resulting in a 4–3 win for the Americans. With

4268-571: The Park Plaza apartments and a local fixture, Stouffer's Restaurant. Today Duranti's Restaurant features the only remaining evidence of the Gardens, with 2, 11-feet wide sections of exposed red brick wall. The wall would have been the front wall of the Gardens' visiting team's dressing room. However Duranti's closed in 2008, and the bricks were removed and stored for two years. Pittsburghhockey.net, an online Pittsburgh hockey museum, donated bricks to

4365-461: The Pittsburgh Hornets did not evolve from the International Hockey League's Pittsburgh Shamrocks . The franchise started play in 1927, playing their first nine seasons as the Detroit Olympics . Then on October 4, 1936, after winning the IHL championship, the Olympics moved to Pittsburgh to become the Hornets. Bill Anderson and Bill Hudson were the only two players from the Shamrocks to be on

4462-480: The Pittsburgh Penguins' current arena CONSOL Energy Center for a historical display. The display contains original bricks from the Duquesne Gardens and Mellon Arena. The Gardens would be replaced as the home rink of the city's pro hockey team as the construction of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena began in 1958, three miles to the west of the Gardens. At that time, due to the disrepair of the arena and

4559-531: The Sabres' then current farm team, the Portland Pirates, since the Pirates had an agreement with the Sabres that lasted through 2014 and had no out clause. Second, the Americans' corporate sister club, the Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse team, was split off and retained by Styres as Pegula owned the rival Buffalo Bandits . After these arrangements were made, the agreement was reached June 24, 2011, with

4656-435: The Vancouver NHL team was prepared to either sell or fold the Rochester club. But the Americans were saved in the summer of 1972 when a group of eight Rochester businessmen, most notably Sam Toth, Richard Altier of Altier's Shoes, and Joe Fox, head of Rochester-based athletic-wear maker Champion Products , bought the Americans franchise from Vancouver and named Amerks defenseman Don Cherry as coach and general manager. Playing

4753-748: The War Memorial. The home games were at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens , about 180 miles (290 km) from Rochester, except for of one playoff game at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium in the Calder Cup finals. On May 8, 1966, before a crowd of 7,655 at the "Aud" the Americans tied up the series at two games apiece with a 3–1 victory over the Cleveland Barons. Rochester went on to win the next two games and their second consecutive Calder Cup. Notable players from this era included Bronco Horvath , Gerry Cheevers , Bobby Perreault , Al Arbour , Darryl Sly , Norm "Red" Armstrong , Duane Rupp , Wally Boyer , Dick Gamble , Stan Smrke , Jim Pappin , Don Cherry , Gerry Ehman , Larry Hillman , and Mike Walton . Alex Faulkner ,

4850-401: The Western Conference Finals. The Americans began a dual-affiliation in 2005 after signing an agreement with the Florida Panthers . Under this agreement the Panthers and Sabres both supplied the Americans with players while the Sabres still employed the coaching staff. In 2007, the Sabres announced that season would be their last season of affiliation with the Americans. Reasons cited include

4947-428: The best goalkeeper in the AHL. It was the eighth time in the 23-year history of the team that a Hornets' goalie won the award. On February 8, 1966, Pittsburgh was granted an NHL franchise, which would become the Pittsburgh Penguins . To make room for the NHL, Pittsburgh's AHL franchise had to be closed. However, the Hornets would go out with a bang. On April 30, 1967, they finished the sweep of Rochester Americans in

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5044-418: The blue color translated on black-and-white televisions. Home teams wore darker colors and, unfortunately, the Hornets' blue jerseys looked like the dark. Rare television coverage was too confusing for viewers who couldn't see any contrast between the teams on the television. During the final years of the franchise, the Hornets wore the same durene jerseys used by their NHL affiliate, the Detroit Red Wings, with

5141-486: The division finals, sweeping them, and advanced to their first conference finals appearance since the 2004 Calder Cup playoffs . Updated November 27, 2024. The Rochester Americans have retired only two sweater numbers in their history. Asterisk denotes number of Calder Cups won Pittsburgh Hornets The Pittsburgh Hornets were a minor-league professional men's ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . Contrary to popular belief,

5238-408: The entire Indians team refused to play after Shore suspended three players without pay, including future NHL star Bill White , for what he said was "indifferent play". When the team asked for an explanation, Shore suspended the two players who spoke for the team, one of whom was Brian Kilrea . Alan Eagleson , then a little-known lawyer and sometime politician, was brought in to negotiate with Shore on

5335-683: The exception of a circular Hornets crest. "The Hornets will be a tough act to follow. We're replacing a championship winning team with a group of guys that might not be playing in the NHL if it weren't for expansion." — Jack Riley Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager in 1967, explaining the differences between the Penguins and the Hornets Goals: 130 ( John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty , 1940–50 and Bob Solinger , 1949–56) Assists: 253 ( Frank Mathers , 1948–56) Points: 319 ( John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty , 1940–50) PIM: 442 ( Pete Backor , 1945–54) Player Builder Other Eddie Shore Edward William Shore (November 25, 1902 – March 16, 1985)

5432-436: The familiar helmeted hornet on the sleeves. The Captain's "C" or alternate captain's "A's" were worn on the right side of the chest. The home jerseys were red with white trim and featured the stars on the sleeves again. Meanwhile, Hornets' owner, John Harris, wanted his team to have a unique jersey for road games. The result was a blue wool jersey trimmed in gold. The jersey lasted two seasons. However, there were problems with how

5529-404: The final game 4–2 before a crowd of 11,711 at the Colisée de Québec . In July 1966, Maple Leaf Gardens Limited sold the team to a group which included their then general manager Punch Imlach for a reported $ 400,000. Two years later, the team was sold to the Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) minor league for a reported $ 950,000. Imlach was a part owner of the Canucks at

5626-419: The final game of the series. The Americans once again qualified for the playoffs following the 2022–23 season , and finished third in the North division. In the division semifinals, they faced off against rival Syracuse. They initially went down 2–0 in the series, but were able to win three games in a row to advance to the division finals. The Americans faced off against the division-winning Toronto Marlies in

5723-406: The financial insecurity of the AHL team, issues between ownership, the City of Rochester, and Blue Cross Arena management, along with the awkwardness of the dual affiliation with the Panthers. In 2008, the 29-year affiliation officially ended when Buffalo chose the Portland Pirates to be their new AHL affiliate. This separation lasted until 2011 when Terrence Pegula bought the Sabres and then later

5820-409: The first and only Hornets' player to score 50 goals in one season, finishing with 55 goals and 57 assists, the highest in the AHL, to earn the John B. Sollenberger Trophy for leading scorer. His 112-point total was also the highest in the league and the highest in Hornets' history. However, in 1949 tragedy struck the team when Hornets star goaltender Baz Bastien lost his right eye after being hit by

5917-410: The first person from Newfoundland and Labrador to play in the NHL, also played on the Amerks. When the National Hockey League expanded from six to twelve teams for the 1967–68 NHL season the Americans lost several players. Arbour (St. Louis), and Boyer (Oakland), were drafted by the new NHL teams. Ehman was traded to Oakland and Horvath was loaned to Minnesota. Rupp and Walton were both promoted to

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6014-456: The first team in American Hockey League history to win a playoff series after trailing three-games-to-none. The Amerks' comeback against the Cleveland Barons included the efforts of the veteran Migay, right wing Pat Hannigan and league-leading goaltender Ed Chadwick. A crowd of 7,762 at the War Memorial witnessed a 4–1 triumph in Game 7. Rochester went on to lose the Calder Cup finals in five games to Eddie Shore 's Springfield Indians . Following

6111-420: The five seasons with the Bruins, the Amerks made the playoffs the first four years, losing in the Calder Cup finals in 1977 to Nova Scotia. Prior to the 1979–80 season, the Americans were purchased by the Knox family, owners of the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) and became the Sabres' AHL affiliate. After the Knox brothers died in the 1990s, the Americans and Sabres were split up, with the Sabres going to John Rigas and

6208-478: The franchise being suspended, the city of Rochester, New York was awarded a franchise, becoming the Rochester Americans . In 1961 the franchise returned as a minor league team for the Red Wings, the Hornets emerged from five years of inactivity and played their first game at the Civic Arena, on October 14, 1961, in front of 9,317 fans. The Hornets were back but the records during the next two years gave little to cheer for. The Hornets set many AHL records during

6305-467: The game began. Thirteen years later, the NHL introduced an annual all-star game . Shore and the Bruins won their second Stanley Cup in 1939. Shore retired and bought the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League , where he was player-owner in 1939–40. He was persuaded to rejoin the Bruins after injuries to the Bruins' defence corps, with an agreement that he would play in home games for $ 200 per match. Shore played just four games for Boston, and

6402-412: The game of hockey, Eddie Shore was awarded the vanity license plate "MR HOCKEY" by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On March 15, 1985, Shore was visiting his son in Springfield, Massachusetts . That night, Shore began coughing up and vomiting blood and was later rushed to the hospital. He was pronounced dead the next morning and the cause of death was later determined to be liver cancer . His funeral

6499-409: The lineup perform maintenance in the Eastern States Coliseum , the Indians' home, referring to them as "Black Aces". Today, the term is commonly used to refer to extra players on the roster who train with the team in case of injury. Despite this, the Indians prospered under his ownership, making the playoffs 12 times and winning three Calder Cups in a row from 1960 to 1962. During the 1967 season ,

6596-415: The new Civic Arena in 1961 and, after a poor start, they became AHL contenders again, this time as a farm club for the Detroit Red Wings. They won a division title in 1964 and won their third Calder Cup in 1967 . Following the 1967 win, the Hornets permanently closed operations, as the Pittsburgh Penguins began play the next fall and took over the market when the NHL expanded . The team started as

6693-401: The next two seasons independent of any NHL affiliations, the Amerks qualified for the playoffs in 1972–73, losing to the Boston Braves in the first round. The next season, 1973–74, the Amerks went on to become regular season champions, but lost in the first round to New Haven. The Boston Bruins hired Cherry as their coach in 1974–75 and became the Americans' parent team the same year. During

6790-415: The official announcement following the same day. Pegula purchased the Americans for US$ 5 million. For the 2013–14 season, the Americans participated in that year's edition of the AHL Outdoor Classic played at Frontier Field against the Lake Erie Monsters immediately before leaving to take part in the 2013 Spengler Cup , the first time in 17 years that an AHL team participated (the Americans were also

6887-408: The participants in the 1996 Spengler Cup ). On July 28, 2015, Randy Cunneyworth was re-hired as the Americans' head coach, returning after being the head coach for the Americans from 2000 to 2008. Cunneyworth was relieved of his duties the following season on May 16, 2016 and reassigned to a position in the Sabres' department of player development. Dan Lambert was named the new head coach. Lambert

6984-605: The players' behalf. The battle escalated for months, ending with Shore giving up day-to-day operation of the club to the Los Angeles Kings ; the genesis of the National Hockey League Players' Association stems from that incident. Shore took back full control of the team in 1974, changed its name back to the Indians and restored its traditional blue-white-red scheme. He continued to own the team until he sold it in 1976. For his contributions to

7081-681: The playoffs only five times in 28 years. The Americans won the first of their "Sabres era" Calder Cups in 1983 under young coach Mike Keenan , sweeping Maine, 4–0. In the 1986–87 season, the John Van Boxmeer -coached team won the division championship on the last game of the season against the Binghamton Whalers . The Americans were one point behind the Whalers and playing in Binghamton. After goalie Darcy Wakaluk paced

7178-474: The promotion of then-coach Brian McCutcheon to assistant coach with the Sabres, former Amerks player Randy Cunneyworth was named coach of the Amerks. On November 12, 2003, the Sabres and the New Jersey Devils played in the first-ever NHL regular-season game in Rochester. In the 2003–04 season, the Americans were beaten in five games by the eventual Calder Cup champion Milwaukee Admirals in

7275-638: The regular season, the second time in team history, with 70 points. Willie Marshall won the MVP in the playoffs with an AHL-best 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists). The first Hornets’ team ended after the 1955–56 season. On March 31, 1956, The Hornets played their final game at the Duquesne Gardens; a 6–4 win over the Barons. The Hornets franchise was suspended for five years because of Pittsburgh's urban renewal project, Renaissance I, called for The Gardens to be torn down. Demolition started on August 13, 1956, to make way for

7372-479: The rights to Horvath. The return of Horvath marked his fourth tour of duty with the Amerks since 1956–57. The Americans improved to go 26-10-6 for the balance of the season en route to finish with the best record in the league. The regular-season champion Amerks then defeated the Hershey Bears four games to one in the playoff semi-finals and the Quebec Aces four games to two in the Calder Cup finals. The Amerks won

7469-414: The sale of stock in less than two weeks. When their effort to secure the funds failed to reach its goal, a new group, backed by Selke of the Canadiens and Conn Smythe of the Toronto Maple Leafs , was awarded the franchise. The Leafs and Canadiens each owned 27.5% of the team, with the balance sold to Rochester interests. The team was named the "Americans". Upon entering the league for the 1956–57 season

7566-664: The schedule due to injury. A bruiser known for his violence , Shore set a then-NHL record for 165 penalty minutes in his second season. Shore started his career with his hometown minor hockey team in Cupar, Saskatchewan , the Cupar Canucks. He played for the Melville Millionaires and won the 1923-24 Saskatchewan senior championship. Shore moved up to professional hockey with the Regina Capitals of

7663-407: The second game. With no officials on the ice (a common occurrence at that time which was changed as a result of this game) a brawl broke out. Players from both teams received suspensions and tough-guy Andy Ristau received a concussion. The Americans won the game in overtime on a goal by defenseman Jim Hofford , who was a late addition to the lineup as a result of the brawl. The Americans went on to win

7760-528: The series win, it was the first postseason series win in 17 years, with the last before that coming in the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs . In the following round, they would upset the North division and regular-season Eastern Conference champion Utica Comets in five games. They would face the Laval Rocket in the North Division finals, but would lose in three games, including a triple-overtime loss in

7857-575: The series, 4–1. The Americans took on the Sherbrooke Canadiens in the finals and after five games found themselves down three games to two. Behind the leadership of NHL veteran Don Lever , the Amerks came from behind to win Game 6, 7–4, and won the championship in Sherbrooke. After losing many players from that team to the NHL the following season, the Amerks struggled but returned to the finals in 1990 and 1991, losing both times to

7954-415: The team to a tie in regulation and overtime, the game proceeded to the new "shoot-out" format used that season. As the shoot-out began, Van Boxmeer made one of the most memorable coaching moves in Americans history and pulled Wakaluk from the game, inserting usual starting goalie Darren Puppa who had sat out the game due to injury. Puppa stopped every shot and low-scoring defenseman Jack Brownschidle scored

8051-414: The team's coach and general manager. Under Crozier, the Americans won the Calder Cup in 1965, 1966 and 1968 and were finalists in 1967; they are the only team in AHL history to appear in the Calder Cup finals in four consecutive seasons. In 1965–66, the Americans played their final 10 regular season and all playoff home games at neutral sites because the 1966 American Bowling Congress tournament occupied

8148-410: The team's general manager. Gage currently serves as the team's director of strategic planning. The Americans notched their 2,000th win on February 21, 2010, in a shootout against the Portland Pirates . Derek Whitmore , from the Rochester suburb of Greece was the last shooter for Portland but goaltender Alexander Salak made the save. Head coach Benoit Groulx left the organization on May 31 after

8245-538: The time. With the majority of the Rochester players transferred to Vancouver, Canucks won the 1968–69 and 1969–70 WHL Lester Patrick Cup championships, while the Amerks finished in last place each year. When Vancouver became the expansion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League, they utilized the Amerks as their farm team. After Rochester finished at the bottom of the AHL standings for four straight years and with local fan support dwindling,

8342-702: The winning goal. While the teams both finished with identical records (47-26-7), Rochester won the division based on having a better record in head-to-head competition. The first round of playoffs saw the Americans play the rival Hershey Bears. However, the first two games were moved to the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium due to the Rochester War Memorial being previously booked for the Shrine Circus. The second event of that memorable season occurred during pregame warmups of

8439-407: The year. In the summer of 1959, the Maple Leafs bought out the Canadiens ownership share of the club, giving them a 55% controlling interest, due to concerns that with Montreal operating the club they were giving their prospects priority over those of the Leafs. They purchased most of the remaining 45% in 1963, boosting their ownership share to 98% by November 1964. In 1959–60, the Americans became

8536-615: Was March 24 against the Detroit Red Wings , which coincidentally was also the final NHL game for Hall of Famer and teammate Nels Stewart . In February 1940, Shore and eight other arena managers organized the Ice Capades . Although Shore had played his last NHL game, he played two more seasons in Springfield. The Indians halted operations during World War II , and Shore moved his players to Buffalo where he coached

8633-438: Was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman , principally for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League , and the longtime owner of the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League . Iconic for his aggressiveness, toughness and defensive skill, he was called both " Old Blood and Guts " [1] and " the Edmonton Express." In 2017, Shore was named one of the ' 100 Greatest NHL Players ' in history. Shore won

8730-418: Was also made the Americans' general manager and former Americans' player Chris Taylor was named head coach. Sexton was fired on June 16, 2020, along with Botterill. Taylor and the coaching staff were later also fired. Seth Appert was later hired as coach with Jason Karmanos as general manager as part of his Sabres assistant general manager duties. During the 2021–22 season , the Americans finished 5th in

8827-474: Was challenged to a boxing match by baseball player Art Shires . While NHL President Frank Calder said that Shore's participation was up to Bruins' manager Art Ross to decide, baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis vetoed Shires' participation, and the match was never held. On January 24, 1933, during a game against Montreal, Shore accidentally punched NHL referee-in-chief Cooper Smeaton during

8924-408: Was defeated in a five-game final by the Cleveland Barons , who won the Calder Cup. The Americans reached the playoffs in 1959, losing to the Buffalo Bisons in five games. The 1959 Americans were led by the "WHAM" line of center Rudy Migay , left wing Gary Aldcorn and right wing Billy Hicke . Migay and Hicke were named co-MVP for the AHL that season, and Hicke was chosen as the league's rookie of

9021-576: Was fired at the end of the 2016–17 season after a clearing out of the coaching staff and management in Buffalo. For the 2017 season, it was decided by new Sabres general manager Jason Botterill , that the Americans would have their own general manager and be modeled after how Botterill's previous team, the Pittsburgh Penguins , operated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins . In June 2017, the Sabres' new assistant general manager Randy Sexton

9118-621: Was held in his hometown five days later. He is buried in Hillcrest Park Cemetery in the Sixteen Acres section of Springfield . Shore was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947. The Boston Bruins retired his uniform number , 2. The Eddie Shore Award is given annually to the AHL's best defenceman. In 1998, he was ranked number 10 on The Hockey News ' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players , making him

9215-643: Was mentioned. Demonstrative of the support for hockey in Rochester, 7,092 fans turned out for a game between the AHL Buffalo Bisons and the NHL Montreal Canadiens on November 21, 1955; the game ended in a 5–5 tie and sold out five days beforehand. When 60-year-old Duquesne Gardens in Pittsburgh was scheduled for demolition in 1956, it left the Pittsburgh Hornets without an arena and forced them to go idle, freeing up room in

9312-518: Was operated on for more than four hours. There were many fears that he could possibly die. He came out of a coma for the second time 10 days later, making a full recovery, but he did not play professionally again. When he was assured that Bailey would survive, league president Frank Calder suspended Shore for 16 games. An all-star benefit game was held at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 14, 1934, which raised $ 20,909 for Bailey and his family. Bailey and Shore shook hands and embraced at centre ice before

9409-523: Was reported as being unenthusiastic about the arrangement. Obtaining permission to play in the Indians' home games, he began to agitate to play in Springfield road games as well, which provoked his trade to the New York Americans on January 25, 1940, for Eddie Wiseman and $ 5000. He stayed with the Americans through their elimination from the playoffs, and was simultaneously playing with the Indians in their playoff games. Shore's final NHL game

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