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Springfield Falcons
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <h3>Beginning</h3> <p>In 1994, the longtime AHL <a href="/facts/Springfield_Indians/L7aXWXQo">Springfield Indians</a> team was sold to interests that moved the franchise to <a href="/facts/Worcester%2c_Massachusetts/LqhMK07t">Worcester, Massachusetts</a>, to become the <a href="/facts/Worcester_IceCats/uxS1StUF">Worcester IceCats</a> (now the <a href="/facts/Abbotsford_Canucks/D82XAsSQ">Abbotsford Canucks</a>). Ex-Indian players <a href="/facts/Bruce_Landon/aWdJ2HEC">Bruce Landon</a>, then the general manager of the Indians, and Wayne LaChance, a local rink owner and former member of the <a href="/facts/Springfield_Kings/L7aXWXQo">Springfield Kings</a>, secured an expansion franchise for Springfield for the <a href="/facts/1994%25E2%2580%259395_AHL_season/Y5WUMSHc">1994–95 season</a>. The Indians name was still under trademark, so the new owners named the team after Andy and Amelia, a pair of nesting <a href="/facts/Peregrine_falcon/M1d3YUDf">peregrine falcons</a> that was a popular local civic symbol. The AHL, which was headquartered in nearby <a href="/facts/West_Springfield%2c_Massachusetts/4IVuJBgy">West Springfield</a>, was keen to maintain a presence in a city that had hosted a team in the AHL or its predecessors for all but nine years since 1926, and readily granted an expansion franchise to Landon and LaChance. </p><p>The Falcons secured affiliation with both the <a href="/facts/Hartford_Whalers/FEeyqHaK">Hartford Whalers</a> and the <a href="/facts/Winnipeg_Jets_(1972%25E2%2580%259396)/3hdHQzuA">Winnipeg Jets</a> of the NHL. Since the Indians had been the Whalers' top affiliate in their last few years, this allowed the Falcons to secure most of the players who had played for the Indians the previous season. Veteran defenseman <a href="/facts/John_Stevens_(ice_hockey)/m9Tofk6x">John Stevens</a> (the last captain of the Indians, who shared the co-captaincy that first year with <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a>) scored the franchise's first goal. </p> <p>Among the Falcons' early notable players were <a href="/facts/Jean-Guy_Trudel/Y7kYbHIv">Jean-Guy Trudel</a>, the franchise's leading career goal and point scorer; <a href="/facts/Daniel_Bri%25C3%25A8re/ltxIefEC">Daniel Briere</a> of the <a href="/facts/Colorado_Avalanche/7RzQdUhp">Colorado Avalanche</a>; <a href="/facts/Manny_Legac%25C3%25A9/RhAcuTMx">Manny Legace</a>, the franchise's all-time leading goaltender and former <a href="/facts/St._Louis_Blues/EwCLUBpF">St. Louis Blues</a> starter; <a href="/facts/Nikolai_Khabibulin/PdHfKwCr">Nikolai Khabibulin</a>, former Stanley Cup winning goalie; and <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a>, the franchise's long-time captain and inspirational leader. During the <a href="/facts/2003%25E2%2580%259304_AHL_season/vB1BjwVp">2004 season</a>, Springfield fans voted on the Web for the club's 10th Anniversary Team, and selected Briere at center, Trudel at left wing, <a href="/facts/Tavis_Hansen/2m2HRPUH">Tavis Hansen</a> at right wing, <a href="/facts/Brad_Tiley/92B8bd8S">Brad Tiley</a> and <a href="/facts/Dan_Focht/yC6XbGFT">Dan Focht</a> on defense and Legace in goal. </p><p>Individual honors won by Falcons players during their first thirteen seasons included the <a href="/facts/Aldege_%2522Baz%2522_Bastien_Memorial_Award/b64408He">Baz Bastien Award</a> given to the league's best goaltender (to Legace in 1996 and <a href="/facts/Scott_Langkow/3ArF7d6N">Scott Langkow</a> in 1998), Briere winning the <a href="/facts/Dudley_%2522Red%2522_Garrett_Memorial_Award/TsEbTRJR">Red Garrett Award</a> emblematic of rookie of the year and a nod as First Team All-Star center in 1998, Tiley winning the <a href="/facts/Eddie_Shore_Award/PXUUCYbQ">Eddie Shore Award</a> for the league's outstanding defenseman in 2000 and Trudel winning a Second Team All-Star award in 1999–00. </p><p>After the Whalers relocated to become the <a href="/facts/Carolina_Hurricanes/6W142XTg">Carolina Hurricanes</a>, the Falcons were subsequently affiliated exclusively with the Jets, an affiliation that continued when that team became the <a href="/facts/Arizona_Coyotes/aRXqJutc">Phoenix Coyotes</a> in 1996. The team was then affiliated with the <a href="/facts/Tampa_Bay_Lightning/rGIb6vya">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> between <a href="/facts/2004%25E2%2580%259305_AHL_season/RTIzVYyx">2004</a> and <a href="/facts/2006%25E2%2580%259307_AHL_season/vT86JKsl">2007</a>. </p><p>The team had finished in first place in its division twice and made the playoffs six times in its first nine seasons. However, after three seasons affiliated with Tampa Bay and nine straight losing seasons, the team announced that it was exercising its option to sever relations with the Lightning. On March 19, 2007, they announced an affiliation with the <a href="/facts/Edmonton_Oilers/2YvX9ghz">Edmonton Oilers</a> beginning in the <a href="/facts/2007%25E2%2580%259308_AHL_season/fKMKLoSd">2007–08 season</a> until the conclusion of the <a href="/facts/2009%25E2%2580%259310_AHL_season/o96y6NKm">2009–10 season</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> </p> <h3>Edmonton Oilers affiliation</h3> <p>On August 3, 2007, the team hired former Edmonton Oilers player <a href="/facts/Kelly_Buchberger/dl4ombt6">Kelly Buchberger</a> to be the head coach. After posting a .500 record, the Oilers promoted Buchberger to be an assistant coach on the Oilers staff. On June 17, 2008, assistant coach Jeff Truitt was named the team's tenth head coach. He was fired in February 2009, after 50 games, and replaced by former <a href="/facts/Houston_Aeros_(1994%25E2%2580%25932013)/VPKnrKEl">Houston Aeros</a> coach Rob Daum. The Falcons finished the 2008–09 season with the worst record in the AHL. </p><p>On June 23, 2009, Oilers general manager <a href="/facts/Steve_Tambellini/EoEmALT0">Steve Tambellini</a> announced that Daum would remain the head coach of the Springfield Falcons through the 2009–10 season. From November 25 to January 1, the Falcons went on a franchise record 17-game losing streak, recording only five points in that span. The Falcons finished the 2009–10 season as the worst team in the AHL once again, and was the only team that did not win at least 30 games. The lone bright spot from the season was <a href="/facts/Charles_Linglet/lJkGg2tH">Charles Linglet</a> being named a Second Team All-Star. </p><p>On February 9, 2010, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they were severing ties with the Springfield Falcons to move their affiliation to <a href="/facts/Oklahoma_City_Barons/LqSB3zr6">Oklahoma City</a>, a decision that had been expected for months.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <h3>Columbus Blue Jackets affiliation</h3> <p>On March 25, 2010, the <a href="/facts/Columbus_Blue_Jackets/SedVneGp">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> announced a one-year affiliation agreement with a one-year option. Also introduced was a new jersey and logo. The new logo still had a falcon holding a hockey stick, but the background was changed to grey, the word Falcons to red, and the word Springfield to navy blue.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> The new <a href="/facts/ECHL/sFkUo0Sk">ECHL</a> affiliation was with the <a href="/facts/Evansville_IceMen/BSgwTRgV">Evansville IceMen</a>. </p><p><a href="/facts/Rob_Riley_(ice_hockey)/yRvg4HQ4">Rob Riley</a>, the former head coach at the <a href="/facts/United_States_Military_Academy/px9g8rhT">United States Military Academy</a>, was named the new head coach of the Falcons on August 3, 2010, replacing Daum. The Falcons opened the <a href="/facts/2010%25E2%2580%259311_AHL_season/gGeLoNAU">2010–11 AHL season</a> with a home-and-home matchup against the <a href="/facts/Providence_Bruins/SosJJuCW">Providence Bruins</a>. To honor the 75th anniversary of the AHL, each team wore throwback jerseys from 1936. The Bruins wore the jerseys of the <a href="/facts/Providence_Reds/TKnJVc3x">Providence Reds</a> while the Falcons wore the jerseys of the <a href="/facts/Springfield_Indians/L7aXWXQo">Springfield Indians</a>. The Falcons won the first game in Providence 5–1, while the Bruins took the following game in Springfield 6–5. </p><p>On December 21, 2010, it was announced that the Falcons had been sold to Charlie Pompea, while Bruce Landon remained the minority owner, and continued to be the president/general manager. </p><p>During the <a href="/facts/2011%25E2%2580%259312_AHL_season/HsQbdvej">2011–12 season</a>, the Falcons honored the Springfield hockey teams that had won the Calder Cup, wearing commemorative jerseys for those games, and honoring former coaches and players in pre-game festivities. Following the season, Rob Riley was fired as head coach after two seasons of missing the playoffs. Assistant coach <a href="/facts/Brad_Larsen/gJbnRrHq">Brad Larsen</a> was named head coach for the 2012–13 season. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_AHL_season/nJYKaamC">2012–13 season</a>, beginning with the <a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_NHL_lockout/nQLGz7QB">2012–13 NHL lockout</a>, saw the Falcons make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. With help of NHL players <a href="/facts/Matt_Calvert/uEpAlsqQ">Matt Calvert</a>, <a href="/facts/Cam_Atkinson/RIcdmyp0">Cam Atkinson</a>, <a href="/facts/Ryan_Johansen/t6gDmfAw">Ryan Johansen</a>, <a href="/facts/John_Moore_(ice_hockey)/VcR0Vbx1">John Moore</a> and <a href="/facts/Tim_Erixon/Q3JUjSdM">Tim Erixon</a>, the Falcons were able to take an early lead in both the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference. When the NHL lockout ended and these players were called up to Columbus, the Falcons continued to stay at the top of the standings. All-Star play from goaltender <a href="/facts/Curtis_McElhinney/AJozTUJo">Curtis McElhinney</a> and forward <a href="/facts/Jonathan_Marchessault/VU0t5f1S">Jonathan Marchessault</a>, as well as veteran leadership from team captain <a href="/facts/Ryan_Craig/wSb3N14s">Ryan Craig</a>, helped guide the team to a first-place finish in the Northeast Division. On April 6, 2013, the Falcons qualified for the <a href="/facts/2013_Calder_Cup_playoffs/E0lwVuRF">2013 Calder Cup playoffs</a>, ending a nine-year playoff drought, the longest in AHL history.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> The Falcons defeated the <a href="/facts/Manchester_Monarchs_(AHL)/UsN8PxKE">Manchester Monarchs</a> in the first round three games to one, with all of their wins coming in overtime. The Falcons playoff run came to an end at the hands of the <a href="/facts/Syracuse_Crunch/lqUMRbRg">Syracuse Crunch</a>, as the Crunch swept the Falcons out of the playoffs in their second round matchup. Winger Jonathan Marchessault was named to the First All-Star team, while goaltender Curtis McElhinney was named a Second Team All-Star. </p><p>The 2013–14 Falcons set a team record for wins (47) and points (100).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> They suffered a first round defeat in the playoffs at the hands of the Providence Bruins in five games. </p><p>On February 4, 2014, the Springfield Falcons announced that <a href="/facts/Bruce_Landon/aWdJ2HEC">Bruce Landon</a> would be retiring. Landon had served as president, general manager and co-owner since 1994. He remained with the team as director of hockey operations.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> Sarah Pompea, the daughter of owner Charlie Pompea, was named the new team president. </p><p>While it was initially announced that the entire coaching staff would return to Springfield for the <a href="/facts/2014%25E2%2580%259315_AHL_season/1w3Q3KEf">2014–15 season</a>, head coach Brad Larsen was promoted to an assistant coach in Columbus. On June 16, 2014, Columbus announced that <a href="/facts/Jared_Bednar/qxGY65gE">Jared Bednar</a> would become head coach and he continued to be joined by assistant coach <a href="/facts/Nolan_Pratt/HAC3j810">Nolan Pratt</a>, in addition to first year assistant <a href="/facts/Toby_Petersen/fuFdu3Bu">Toby Petersen</a>. In the 2014–15 season, the team set a franchise record with 11 consecutive wins. The streak lasted from November 14 through December 6, and propelled the Falcons back into first place in the Northeast Division. However, a poor March cost the team as they missed the playoffs, finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. </p> <h3>Arizona Coyotes affiliation</h3> <p>On April 17, 2015, the Springfield Falcons and Arizona Coyotes announced that they had reached a three-year affiliation agreement.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> This was part of change of affiliations for the <a href="/facts/2015%25E2%2580%259316_AHL_season/N0aghs62">2015–16 season</a> where Columbus would have their AHL team in <a href="/facts/Lake_Erie_Monsters/jl7tC35C">Cleveland</a>, the Colorado Avalanche in <a href="/facts/San_Antonio_Rampage/WKz0jNSL">San Antonio</a> and the <a href="/facts/Florida_Panthers/IowYX78o">Florida Panthers</a> would be tied to the <a href="/facts/Portland_Pirates/Y2RDVPf8">Portland Pirates</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p><p>The Coyotes hired <a href="/facts/Ron_Rolston/qVFzrQFT">Ron Rolston</a> as the team's head coach, with <a href="/facts/Doug_Janik/yTqAa1Jy">Doug Janik</a> and Mike Bavis as his assistants for the <a href="/facts/2015%25E2%2580%259316_AHL_season/N0aghs62">2015–16 season</a>. <a href="/facts/Dustin_Jeffrey/jWjdoPke">Dustin Jeffrey</a> was named a Second Team All-Star, although he finished the season with the <a href="/facts/Wilkes-Barre%2fScranton_Penguins/88adGgQ9">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins</a> after being traded at the trade deadline. The season was one of the worst in franchise history and marked the 11th time in 13 seasons that the club missed the playoffs, finishing with the second lowest points percentage in the AHL and the most regulation losses. </p><p>On April 19, 2016, the Arizona Coyotes signed an agreement to purchase the team. The Coyotes had been in negotiations to relocate the franchise to <a href="/facts/Tucson%2c_Arizona/26QPvEaG">Tucson, Arizona</a>, for the <a href="/facts/2016%25E2%2580%259317_AHL_season/94pMwfPz">2016–17 season</a> and join the other AHL Pacific Division teams created in the previous season.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p><p>On May 4, 2016, the Portland Pirates announced that it had signed a letter of intent with an outside buyer to sell and relocate the franchise for the <a href="/facts/2016%25E2%2580%259317_AHL_season/94pMwfPz">2016–17 season</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> It was reported that the team would be relocated to Springfield following the pending sale and relocation of the Falcons franchise.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p>The AHL Board of Governors conditionally approved of the sale and relocation of the Falcons on May 10,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> pending approval of a deal through Tucson's city council.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> On May 17, the Coyotes and the Tucson city council came to terms on a lease agreement for the 2016–17 season to meet the conditions of the AHL approval.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> The team became the <a href="/facts/Tucson_Roadrunners/4ssatMrU">Tucson Roadrunners</a>. The Pirates' sale and relocation to Springfield was approved on May 23,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> to subsequently become the <a href="/facts/Springfield_Thunderbirds/3tCJGMmo">Springfield Thunderbirds</a>. </p><p>This market was previously home to: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Springfield_Indians/L7aXWXQo">Springfield Indians</a> (1926–1994)</li></ul> <h2 id="season-by-season-results">Season-by-season results</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th colspan="12">Regular season</th><th colspan="6">Playoffs</th></tr><tr><th>Season</th><th>Games</th><th>Won</th><th>Lost</th><th>Tied</th><th>OTL</th><th>SOL</th><th>Points</th><th>PCT</th><th>Goalsfor</th><th>Goalsagainst</th><th>Standing</th><th>Year</th><th>Prelims</th><th>1stround</th><th>2ndround</th><th>3rdround</th><th>Finals</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1994%25E2%2580%259395_AHL_season/Y5WUMSHc">1994–95</a></td><td>80</td><td>31</td><td>37</td><td>12</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>74</td><td>.463</td><td>269</td><td>289</td><td>5th, North</td><td><a href="/facts/1995_Calder_Cup_playoffs/4nTasC7u">1995</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1995%25E2%2580%259396_AHL_season/SEydF0ch">1995–96</a></td><td>80</td><td>42</td><td>22</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>—</td><td>100</td><td>.625</td><td>272</td><td>215</td><td>1st, North</td><td><a href="/facts/1996_Calder_Cup_playoffs/NWf68PFx">1996</a></td><td>—</td><td>W, 3–1, <a href="/facts/Providence_Bruins/SosJJuCW">PRO</a></td><td>L, 2–4, <a href="/facts/Portland_Pirates/Y2RDVPf8">POR</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1996%25E2%2580%259397_AHL_season/pW135GKp">1996–97</a></td><td>80</td><td>41</td><td>25</td><td>12</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>96</td><td>.600</td><td>268</td><td>229</td><td>2nd, New England</td><td><a href="/facts/1997_Calder_Cup_playoffs/8Gm31UB2">1997</a></td><td>—</td><td>W, 3–2, <a href="/facts/Portland_Pirates/Y2RDVPf8">POR</a></td><td>W, 4–1, <a href="/facts/Providence_Bruins/SosJJuCW">PRO</a></td><td>L, 3–4, <a href="/facts/Hershey_Bears/nLHdP4z1">HER</a></td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1997%25E2%2580%259398_AHL_season/anqGAhNH">1997–98</a></td><td>80</td><td>45</td><td>26</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>99</td><td>.619</td><td>278</td><td>248</td><td>1st, New England</td><td><a href="/facts/1998_Calder_Cup_playoffs/85WPWMGF">1998</a></td><td>—</td><td>L, 1–3, <a href="/facts/Worcester_IceCats/uxS1StUF">WOR</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1998%25E2%2580%259399_AHL_season/1GeMwhdK">1998–99</a></td><td>80</td><td>35</td><td>35</td><td>9</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>80</td><td>.500</td><td>245</td><td>232</td><td>3rd, New England</td><td><a href="/facts/1999_Calder_Cup_playoffs/bjI9qIdz">1999</a></td><td>—</td><td>L, 0–3, <a href="/facts/Hartford_Wolf_Pack/kaD3Ep8d">HAR</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/1999%25E2%2580%259300_AHL_season/lRW4AXIv">1999–00</a></td><td>80</td><td>33</td><td>35</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>78</td><td>.488</td><td>272</td><td>252</td><td>4th, New England</td><td><a href="/facts/2000_Calder_Cup_playoffs/YxYtHay7">2000</a></td><td>—</td><td>L, 2–3, <a href="/facts/Hartford_Wolf_Pack/kaD3Ep8d">HAR</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2000%25E2%2580%259301_AHL_season/J6YwyYkJ">2000–01</a></td><td>80</td><td>29</td><td>37</td><td>8</td><td>6</td><td>—</td><td>72</td><td>.450</td><td>253</td><td>280</td><td>6th, New England</td><td><a href="/facts/2001_Calder_Cup_playoffs/9X68CTh0">2001</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2001%25E2%2580%259302_AHL_season/FMaYMTms">2001–02</a></td><td>80</td><td>35</td><td>41</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>74</td><td>.463</td><td>213</td><td>237</td><td>5th, North</td><td><a href="/facts/2002_Calder_Cup_playoffs/64LVR3fE">2002</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2002%25E2%2580%259303_AHL_season/NpmUczPw">2002–03</a></td><td>80</td><td>34</td><td>38</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>76</td><td>.475</td><td>202</td><td>243</td><td>4th, East</td><td><a href="/facts/2003_Calder_Cup_playoffs/XafgVe6J">2003</a></td><td>W, 2–0 <a href="/facts/Hartford_Wolf_Pack/kaD3Ep8d">HAR</a></td><td>L, 1–3, <a href="/facts/Hamilton_Bulldogs_(AHL)/e17L1xkj">HAM</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2003%25E2%2580%259304_AHL_season/vB1BjwVp">2003–04</a></td><td>80</td><td>26</td><td>43</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>63</td><td>.394</td><td>179</td><td>234</td><td>7th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2004_Calder_Cup_playoffs/GrRtI4sA">2004</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2004%25E2%2580%259305_AHL_season/RTIzVYyx">2004–05</a></td><td>80</td><td>24</td><td>47</td><td>—</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>57</td><td>.356</td><td>161</td><td>255</td><td>7th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2005_Calder_Cup_playoffs/7lFEWEzQ">2005</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2005%25E2%2580%259306_AHL_season/JMP6o4FH">2005–06</a></td><td>80</td><td>28</td><td>43</td><td>—</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>65</td><td>.406</td><td>220</td><td>312</td><td>6th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2006_Calder_Cup_playoffs/cBl5LsRI">2006</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2006%25E2%2580%259307_AHL_season/vT86JKsl">2006–07</a></td><td>80</td><td>28</td><td>49</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>59</td><td>.369</td><td>181</td><td>268</td><td>7th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2007_Calder_Cup_playoffs/M6EUJwlu">2007</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2007%25E2%2580%259308_AHL_season/fKMKLoSd">2007–08</a></td><td>80</td><td>35</td><td>35</td><td>—</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>80</td><td>.500</td><td>214</td><td>257</td><td>5th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2008_Calder_Cup_playoffs/ktTpyY3v">2008</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2008%25E2%2580%259309_AHL_season/6HBlkqgV">2008–09</a></td><td>80</td><td>24</td><td>44</td><td>—</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>60</td><td>.375</td><td>188</td><td>258</td><td>7th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2009_Calder_Cup_playoffs/ABNHxeDF">2009</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2009%25E2%2580%259310_AHL_season/o96y6NKm">2009–10</a></td><td>80</td><td>25</td><td>39</td><td>—</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>66</td><td>.413</td><td>207</td><td>296</td><td>8th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2010_Calder_Cup_playoffs/UsQvQBdg">2010</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2010%25E2%2580%259311_AHL_season/gGeLoNAU">2010–11</a></td><td>80</td><td>35</td><td>40</td><td>—</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>75</td><td>.469</td><td>232</td><td>253</td><td>6th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2011_Calder_Cup_playoffs/6uHNAW0T">2011</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2011%25E2%2580%259312_AHL_season/HsQbdvej">2011–12</a></td><td>76</td><td>36</td><td>34</td><td>—</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>78</td><td>.513</td><td>217</td><td>231</td><td>4th, Northeast</td><td><a href="/facts/2012_Calder_Cup_playoffs/A4E9BJ61">2012</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_AHL_season/nJYKaamC">2012–13</a></td><td>76</td><td>45</td><td>22</td><td>—</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>99</td><td>.651</td><td>235</td><td>186</td><td>1st, Northeast</td><td><a href="/facts/2013_Calder_Cup_playoffs/E0lwVuRF">2013</a></td><td>—</td><td>W, 3–1, <a href="/facts/Manchester_Monarchs_(AHL)/UsN8PxKE">MAN</a></td><td>L, 0-4, <a href="/facts/Syracuse_Crunch/lqUMRbRg">SYR</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2012%25E2%2580%259313_AHL_season/nJYKaamC">2013–14</a></td><td>76</td><td>47</td><td>23</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>100</td><td>.651</td><td>247</td><td>212</td><td>1st, Northeast</td><td><a href="/facts/2014_Calder_Cup_playoffs/K5dhMNMT">2014</a></td><td>—</td><td>L, 2-3, <a href="/facts/Providence_Bruins/SosJJuCW">PRO</a></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2014%25E2%2580%259315_AHL_season/1w3Q3KEf">2014–15</a></td><td>76</td><td>38</td><td>28</td><td>—</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>86</td><td>.566</td><td>192</td><td>209</td><td>3rd, Northeast</td><td><a href="/facts/2015_Calder_Cup_playoffs/IVpto9T2">2015</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/2015%25E2%2580%259316_AHL_season/N0aghs62">2015–16</a></td><td>76</td><td>26</td><td>42</td><td>—</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>60</td><td>.395</td><td>194</td><td>265</td><td>8th, Atlantic</td><td><a href="/facts/2016_Calder_Cup_playoffs/x19aF9DC">2016</a></td><td colspan="5">Out of playoffs</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="players">Players</h2> <h3>Retired numbers</h3> <ul><li>No. 2: <a href="/facts/Eddie_Shore/vVf5lh9u">Eddie Shore</a></li> <li>No. 23: <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a></li></ul> <p><i>Note: Former AHL President <a href="/facts/Jack_Butterfield_(ice_hockey)/qxJK1J1y">Jack Butterfield</a> and Vice-President Gordie Anziano, longtime Springfield residents, were honored with banners raised with the retired numbers.</i> </p> <h3>Team awards</h3> <p>At the end of each season, the team awarded individual players with: </p> <ul><li>The Jim Denver "Good Guy" Award</li> <li>The Al Lawrence Best Defensive Player Award</li> <li>The Florence Kurdziel "Unsung Hero" Award</li> <li>The Muriel Strauss Good Sportsmanship Award</li> <li>The Dick Casey True Grit Award</li> <li>The <a href="/facts/Ross_Lowe/ot8v2e8j">Ross Lowe</a> Award as team MVP</li></ul> <h3>Team captains</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/John_Stevens_(ice_hockey)/m9Tofk6x">John Stevens</a>, <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a> (co-captains) 1994–1996</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a> 1996–99</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tavis_Hansen/2m2HRPUH">Tavis Hansen</a> 1999–01</li> <li><a href="/facts/Jean-Guy_Trudel/Y7kYbHIv">Jean-Guy Trudel</a> 2001–02</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a> 2002-03</li> <li><a href="/facts/Shane_Willis/st1m3Lct">Shane Willis</a> 2004-05</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ryan_Craig/wSb3N14s">Ryan Craig</a> 2005–06</li> <li><a href="/facts/Norm_Milley/u7t22mQk">Norm Milley</a> 2006–07</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rick_Berry/27aFAL2B">Rick Berry</a> 2007–08</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tim_Sestito/70QItqUD">Tim Sestito</a> 2008–09</li> <li><a href="/facts/Dean_Arsene/9YbT3zSM">Dean Arsene</a> 2009–10</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ben_Guit%25C3%25A9/oFQJNwFk">Ben Guite</a> 2010–11</li> <li><a href="/facts/Dane_Byers/MNU2gJ1I">Dane Byers</a> 2011–12</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ryan_Craig/wSb3N14s">Ryan Craig</a> 2012–15</li> <li><a href="/facts/Craig_Cunningham/dm74gasU">Craig Cunningham</a> 2015–2016</li></ul> <h3>Notable NHL alumni</h3> <p><i>List of Springfield Falcons alumni who played at least 100 games in Springfield and played 100 or more games in the <a href="/facts/National_Hockey_League/sLo4QAS8">National Hockey League</a>:</i> </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Ramzi_Abid/AUm1Jk4P">Ramzi Abid</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nikita_Alexeev/ftku70Bh">Nikita Alexeev</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Frank_Banham/QLUxW8uh">Frank Banham</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Goran_Bezina/dzVLkFmA">Goran Bezina</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Daniel_Bri%25C3%25A8re/ltxIefEC">Daniel Briere</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Matt_Calvert/uEpAlsqQ">Matt Calvert</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Michael_Chaput/kdwy0Ik2">Michael Chaput</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Taylor_Chorney/yRAbgCTN">Taylor Chorney</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Martin_Cib%25C3%25A1k/QCozt3EW">Martin Cibak</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sean_Collins_(ice_hockey%2c_born_1988)/7penoVAW">Sean Collins</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ryan_Craig_(ice_hockey)/wSb3N14s">Ryan Craig</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jeff_Daniels_(ice_hockey)/hmaQzAqV">Jeff Daniels</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Devan_Dubnyk/xJPfUPHC">Devan Dubnyk</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Robert_Esche/ruxtDqrU">Robert Esche</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Cody_Goloubef/exnMn0M2">Cody Goloubef</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Martin_Grenier/lNgK5Vsw">Martin Grenier</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Ravil_Gusmanov/p0GHa2dC">Ravil Gusmanov</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nick_Holden/4MN4vDub">Nick Holden</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jean-Fran%25C3%25A7ois_Jacques/g2LMXaeJ">Jean-Francois Jacques</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tom%25C3%25A1%25C5%25A1_Kubal%25C3%25ADk/hon5sLI3">Tomas Kubalik</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Scott_Langkow/3ArF7d6N">Scott Langkow</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Manny_Legace/RhAcuTMx">Manny Legace</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Fran%25C3%25A7ois_Leroux/50QcEoAE">Francois Leroux</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Trevor_Letowski/qgprDXgt">Trevor Letowski</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Scott_Levins/FxvcCGDp">Scott Levins</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Marek_Mal%25C3%25ADk/h6dS7ST7">Marek Malik</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jonathan_Marchessault/VU0t5f1S">Jonathan Marchessault</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Steve_Martins/rVMvajoA">Steve Martins</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Maxim_Mayorov/YYUmRfXQ">Maxim Mayorov</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Colin_McDonald_(ice_hockey)/x74MvT2j">Colin McDonald</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/John_Moore_(ice_hockey)/VcR0Vbx1">John Moore</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Theo_Peckham/ab3yGNBD">Theo Peckham</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nolan_Pratt/HAC3j810">Nolan Pratt</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dalton_Prout/JUgM2AtC">Dalton Prout</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Liam_Reddox/vAvDnf8m">Liam Reddox</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jay_Rosehill/Wg4XwBHS">Jay Rosehill</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Kirill_Safronov/8TcWlzyo">Kirill Safronov</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/David_Savard/lyaqV2Aj">David Savard</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Luk%25C3%25A1%25C5%25A1_Sedl%25C3%25A1k/nhq92vyW">Lukas Sedlak</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Robert_Schnabel_(ice_hockey)/Cjqy7rYn">Robert Schnabel</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rob_Schremp/TVmI4m3C">Rob Schremp</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tim_Sestito/70QItqUD">Tim Sestito</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Wyatt_Smith/faBzIcaV">Wyatt Smith</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/John_Stevens_(ice_hockey)/m9Tofk6x">John Stevens</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Radoslav_Such%25C3%25BD/rGPwNryS">Radoslav Suchy</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nick_Tarnasky/tFjMekxW">Nick Tarnasky</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Brent_Thompson/atXX8e9T">Brent Thompson</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Shane_Willis/st1m3Lct">Shane Willis</a></li></ul> <h2 id="ahl-hall-of-fame-members">AHL Hall of Fame members</h2> <p>List of Springfield Falcons alumni later inducted into the <a href="/facts/AHL_Hall_of_Fame/IJ2NY7K3">AHL Hall of Fame</a>. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Bryan_Helmer/xulzAUC0">Bryan Helmer</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Brad_Smyth/qwarpKXB">Brad Smyth</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/John_Stevens_(ice_hockey)/m9Tofk6x">John Stevens</a></li></ul> <p>In addition, team owner <a href="/facts/Bruce_Landon/aWdJ2HEC">Bruce Landon</a> was also inducted into the AHOF. </p> <h2 id="team-records">Team records</h2> <h3>Single season</h3> Goals: <a href="/facts/John_LeBlanc/4Ypokz5y">John LeBlanc</a>, 39 (1994–95) Goals by a rookie: <a href="/facts/Daniel_Bri%25C3%25A8re/ltxIefEC">Daniel Briere</a>, 36 (1997–98) Assists: <a href="/facts/Jean-Guy_Trudel/Y7kYbHIv">Jean-Guy Trudel</a>, 65 (2000–01) Points: Jean-Guy Trudel, 99 (2000–01) Penalty minutes: <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a>, 373 (1994–95) Appearances by a goalie: <a href="/facts/Devan_Dubnyk/xJPfUPHC">Devan Dubnyk</a>, 62 (2008–09) GAA: <a href="/facts/Manny_Legace/RhAcuTMx">Manny Legace</a> 2.27 (1995–96) SV%: <a href="/facts/Curtis_McElhinney/AJozTUJo">Curtis McElhinney</a>, .923 (2012–13) Shutouts: Curtis McElhinney, 9 (2012–13) <h3>Career</h3> <p>These are the top ten scorers in Falcons' history. <i>Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points</i> </p> <table><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Pos</td><td>GP</td><td>G</td><td>A</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Jean-Guy_Trudel/Y7kYbHIv">Jean-Guy Trudel</a></td><td>LW</td><td>228</td><td>90</td><td>152</td><td>242</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a></td><td>RW</td><td>501</td><td>61</td><td>157</td><td>218</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Daniel_Bri%25C3%25A8re/ltxIefEC">Daniel Briere</a></td><td>RW</td><td>169</td><td>88</td><td>129</td><td>217</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Jason_Jaspers/WPTvWj3g">Jason Jaspers</a></td><td>C</td><td>317</td><td>86</td><td>114</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Ryan_Craig/wSb3N14s">Ryan Craig</a></td><td>LW</td><td>305</td><td>94</td><td>86</td><td>180</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Brad_Tiley/92B8bd8S">Brad Tiley</a></td><td>D</td><td>239</td><td>33</td><td>130</td><td>163</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Tavis_Hansen/2m2HRPUH">Tavis Hansen</a></td><td>C</td><td>298</td><td>79</td><td>79</td><td>158</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Eric_Healey/vGYA3DeQ">Eric Healey</a></td><td>LW</td><td>178</td><td>57</td><td>80</td><td>137</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Jason_McBain/5ur3GVcE">Jason McBain</a></td><td>D</td><td>208</td><td>35</td><td>87</td><td>122</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Rob_Schremp/TVmI4m3C">Rob Schremp</a></td><td>F</td><td>147</td><td>30</td><td>88</td><td>118</td></tr></tbody></table> Career penalty minutes: 1529 <a href="/facts/Rob_Murray/y0Ncr5Gb">Rob Murray</a> Career goaltending wins: 64 <a href="/facts/Manny_Legace/RhAcuTMx">Manny Legace</a> Career shutouts: 9 <a href="/facts/Curtis_McElhinney/AJozTUJo">Curtis McElhinney</a> Career games: 501 Rob Murray Career goals: 94 Ryan Craig Career shorthanded goals: 5 <a href="/facts/Andrew_Joudrey/tGe0ycwI">Andrew Joudrey</a> <h3>Single game</h3> Goals: 4 Jean-Guy Trudel, Daniel Briere, <a href="/facts/Grant_Potulny/WAHI3u2p">Grant Potulny</a>, <a href="/facts/Chad_Wiseman/5dk1y9Dy">Chad Wiseman</a>, <a href="/facts/Jack_Skille/U56gtRXP">Jack Skille</a> Points: 6 Chad Wiseman <h2 id="list-of-nhl-affiliates">List of NHL affiliates</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Hartford_Whalers/FEeyqHaK">Hartford Whalers</a> 1994–1997</li> <li><a href="/facts/Winnipeg_Jets_(1972%25E2%2580%25931996)/3hdHQzuA">Winnipeg Jets</a>/<a href="/facts/Arizona_Coyotes/aRXqJutc">Phoenix Coyotes/Arizona Coyotes</a> 1994–2004, 2015–2016</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tampa_Bay_Lightning/rGIb6vya">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> 2001–2003, 2004–2007</li> <li><a href="/facts/Edmonton_Oilers/2YvX9ghz">Edmonton Oilers</a> 2007–2010</li> <li><a href="/facts/Columbus_Blue_Jackets/SedVneGp">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> 2010–2015</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/19970531211037/http://www.falconsahl.com/">The Springfield Falcons Official Website</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=304">The Internet Hockey Database - Springfield Falcons</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Edmonton Oilers reach affiliation deal with Springfield Falcons". National Hockey League. March 19, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2021. <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-reach-affiliation-deal-with-springfield-falcons/c-290739" target="_blank">https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-reach-affiliation-deal-with-springfield-falcons/c-290739</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Chimelis, Ron (February 10, 2010). "Edmonton Oilers decision to activate AHL team in Oklahoma City leaves Springfield Falcons without NHL affiliation". The Republican. Retrieved October 19, 2021. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/sports/2010/02/edmonton_oilers_decision_to_ac.html" target="_blank">https://www.masslive.com/sports/2010/02/edmonton_oilers_decision_to_ac.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Columbus Blue Jackets and Springfield Falcons Reach an American Hockey League Affiliation Agreement". Columbus Blue Jackets. March 25, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2021. <a href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-and-springfield-falcons-reach-an-american-hockey-league-affiliation-agreement/c-522683" target="_blank">https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-and-springfield-falcons-reach-an-american-hockey-league-affiliation-agreement/c-522683</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"First four teams are in". American Hockey League. April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013. <a href="https://theahl.com/first-four-teams-are-in" target="_blank">https://theahl.com/first-four-teams-are-in</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"FALCONS END REGULAR SEASON WITH RECORD WIN, POINT TOTALS". Springfield Falcons. April 19, 2014. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140422233202/http://falconsahl.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=297" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20140422233202/http://falconsahl.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=297</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Bruce Landon stepping down as Springfield Falcons president and part owner". The Republican. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014. <a href="https://www.masslive.com/sports/2014/02/bruce_landon_stepping_down_as.html" target="_blank">https://www.masslive.com/sports/2014/02/bruce_landon_stepping_down_as.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Coyotes Announce New Affiliation Agreement with Springfield of the AHL". Arizona Coyotes. April 17, 2015. 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