| New Orleans Brass | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| League | East Coast Hockey League |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Operated | 1997–2002 |
| Home arena | Municipal Auditorium (1997–1999) New Orleans Arena (1999–2002) |
| Colors | Purple, gold |
| General manager | Dan Belisle |
| Head coach | Ted Sator |
| Franchise history | |
| 1997–2002 | New Orleans Brass |
TheNew Orleans Brass were ahockey team in theECHL from 1997 to 2002.[1] The team was at one time affiliated with theSan Jose Sharks. Home games were played first at the New OrleansMunicipal Auditorium (until October 29, 1999) and then at theNew Orleans Arena.[2] In 2002, the NBA'sCharlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans and became the primary tenant in the arena. TheNew Orleans Hornets (now theNew Orleans Pelicans) pressured the state ofLouisiana, which owns the arena, into demanding that the Brass bear the expense of converting the arena to and from basketball and hockey as a condition of staying in the arena.[3] The expense was more than the Brass' ownership was willing to pay. The Municipal Auditorium had recently replaced its floor, and in the process removed its ice plant. Without a suitable home, the Brass folded.[3]
The only head coach of the Brass wasTed Sator. The team's first GM was Larry Kish, who was succeeded by Dan Belisle. Future New Orleans mayorRay Nagin was a co-owner and president of the team.[4] The most prominent player was formerBoston BruinJeff Lazaro, who was one of two players to play every season for the Brass, and who is the team's career leader in most statistical categories.
The Brass made the playoffs every year, winning three series, two in the 1998–99 season (the same season the Brass earned its worst record), and one in the 2000–01 season, putting the Brass in the conference semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively.[1] The principal rivals of the Brass were theLouisiana IceGators and theMississippi Sea Wolves (Biloxi, MS). TheBaton Rouge Kingfish were another, intrastate rival for the Brass.
The team's games were broadcast in New Orleans on radio station WSMB (nowWWWL). The first radio voice of the Brass was Steve Carroll, who is now the radio voice of theAnaheim Ducks.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | PCT | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 70 | 36 | 24 | 10 | 0 | .586 | Lost in Round 1 |
| 1998–99 | 70 | 30 | 27 | 13 | 0 | .521 | Lost in Round 3 |
| 1999–00 | 70 | 36 | 27 | 0 | 7 | .564 | Lost in Round 1 |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 35 | 25 | 12 | 0 | .569 | Lost in Round 2 |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 0 | .528 | Lost in Round 1 |
Sources:[1]
Sources:[1]
List of New Orleans Brass alumni who played more than 25 games in New Orleans and 25 or more games in theNational Hockey League.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
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