| Helena Bighorns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Helena, Montana |
| League | North American Hockey League |
| Division | West |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Folded | 2006 |
| Home arena | Helena Ice Arena |
| Colors | Blue, silver and white |
| Franchise history | |
| 2001–06 | Helena Bighorns |
TheHelena Bighorns were aTier II juniorice hockey team that played in theNorth American Hockey League (NAHL).
In 2001, the Helena Bighorns were founded as an expansion franchise in theAmerica West Hockey League. After its second season, the AWHL merged with theNorth American Hockey League and the Bighorns were one of eight teams that were transferred.[1] The team saw a modest amount of success over the next three years, however, in 2006, the Bighorns ran into problems. That offseason, the team nearest rivals, theBillings Bulls and theBozeman IceDogs, announced that they would be withdrawing from the league to join theNorthern Pacific Hockey League. Helena attempted to make the same move, however, they were blocked by the existence of theQueen City Cutthroats, a NorPac team already in Helena, Montana. with the team unable to continue in the NAHL, the Bighorns folded that summer.[2]
After the original Bighorns dissolved, the Queen City Cutthroats assumed their identity. The team changed their name and colors to match, becoming the newHelena Bighorns.
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWHL | |||||||||||
| 2001–02 | 56 | 27 | 24 | 5 | 59 | 218 | 197 | 7th of 9, AWHL | Missing information | ||
| 2002–03 | 56 | 29 | 26 | 1 | 59 | 247 | 207 | 4th of 7, North 6th of 11, AWHL | Missing information | ||
| NAHL | |||||||||||
| 2003–04 | 56 | 28 | 22 | 6 | 62 | 205 | 191 | t-4th of 7, West t-12th of 21, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 (Billings Bulls) | ||
| 2004–05 | 56 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 70 | 203 | 168 | 3rd of 6, West 8th of 19, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 0–3 (Billings Bulls) | ||
| 2005–06 | 56 | 17 | 35 | 6 | 40 | 186 | 246 | 5th of 5, West 18th of 20, NAHL | Did not qualify | ||