| Peoria Rivermen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Peoria, Illinois |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Operated | 2005–2013 |
| Home arena | Carver Arena |
| Colors | Royal blue, navy, gold, white |
| Affiliate | St. Louis Blues (NHL) (2005–2013) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1932–1935 | Quebec Beavers |
| 1935–1951 | Springfield Indians |
| 1951–1954 | Syracuse Warriors |
| 1954–1967 | Springfield Indians |
| 1967–1974 | Springfield Kings |
| 1974–1994 | Springfield Indians |
| 1994–2005 | Worcester IceCats |
| 2005–2013 | Peoria Rivermen |
| 2013–2021 | Utica Comets |
| 2021–present | Abbotsford Canucks |
ThePeoria Rivermen were a professionalice hockey team in theAmerican Hockey League. They played inPeoria, Illinois, at theCarver Arena. After the2012–13 AHL season, the team relocated toUtica, New York, and became theUtica Comets.[1]
Two previous teams known as the Peoria Rivermen had existed prior to the AHL franchise's arrival in 2005: anIHLfranchise that played from 1982 through 1996 before being sold and relocated toSan Antonio; and anECHLteam that immediately replaced the IHL team. In 2005, the ECHL team folded to allow theWorcester IceCats to relocate to Peoria and take the Rivermen name.
In 2011,Dave Checketts announced that theSt. Louis Blues,Scottrade Center, and the Peoria Rivermen were all for sale. On May 10, 2012, Tom Stillman purchased the Peoria Rivermen franchise. On August 30, the Rivermen signed a one-year affiliation agreement with theEvansville IceMen, an expansion team in theECHL, cutting ties with theAlaska Aces, who they were affiliated with since the Rivermen joined the AHL.[2]
On March 29, 2013, the Rivermen were purchased by theVancouver Canucks.[3] On April 18, 2013, the AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to theVancouver Canucks.[4]
On May 13, 2013, the Vancouver Canucks confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials that they would not bring back the Rivermen franchise and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen would no longer play in Peoria.[5] The AHL announced on June 14, 2013, that the franchise was being relocated toUtica, New York, as theUtica Comets for the2013–14 AHL season.[6]
ASouthern Professional Hockey League franchise replaced the AHL incarnation of the Rivermen in 2013 and tookthe team's name.
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | PCT | Goals for | Goals against | Standing | Year | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
| 2005–06 | 80 | 46 | 26 | 3 | 5 | 100 | .625 | 253 | 226 | 3rd, West | 2006 | L, 0–4,HOU | — | — | — |
| 2006–07 | 80 | 37 | 33 | 2 | 8 | 84 | .525 | 221 | 242 | 5th, West | 2007 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2007–08 | 80 | 38 | 33 | 4 | 5 | 85 | .531 | 247 | 242 | 7th, West | 2008 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2008–09 | 80 | 43 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 92 | .575 | 215 | 211 | 2nd, West | 2009 | L, 3–4,HOU | — | — | — |
| 2009–10 | 80 | 38 | 33 | 2 | 7 | 85 | .531 | 233 | 248 | 5th, West | 2010 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2010–11 | 80 | 42 | 30 | 3 | 5 | 92 | .575 | 223 | 218 | 4th, West | 2011 | L, 0–4,HOU | — | — | — |
| 2011–12 | 76 | 39 | 33 | 2 | 2 | 82 | .539 | 217 | 207 | 4th, Midwest | 2012 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2012–13 | 76 | 33 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 74 | .487 | 183 | 218 | 5th, Midwest | 2013 | Did not qualify | |||