| Adirondack Thunder | |
 | |
| City: | Glens Falls, New York |
|---|---|
| League: | ECHL |
| Conference: | Eastern |
| Division: | North |
| Founded: | 1990 |
| Home Arena: | Cool Insuring Arena |
| Colors: | Red, black, white, gray |
| Owner(s): | Adirondack Civic Center Coalition |
| General Manager: | Jeff Mead |
| Head Coach: | Pete MacArthur |
| Media: | The Post-Star WCQL |
| Affiliates: | New Jersey Devils (NHL) Utica Comets (AHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1990–1992: | Cincinnati Cyclones |
| 1992–2001: | Birmingham Bulls |
| 2001–2005: | Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies |
| 2005–2015: | Stockton Thunder |
| 2015–present: | Adirondack Thunder |
| Championships | |
| Division Championships: | 3 (2016–17, 2017–18, 2023-24) |
The Adirondack Thunder are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2015–16 season. The team is based in Glens Falls, New York, and affiliated with the NHL's New Jersey Devils and AHL's Utica Comets. The Thunder play their home games at the Cool Insuring Arena.
The Thunder replaced the AHL's Adirondack Flames after they were relocated to Stockton, California, to become the Stockton Heat.
History[]
On January 29, 2015, the Calgary Flames announced that they would be moving their AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames, to Stockton as one of five charter members of the AHL's new Pacific Division.[1] The next day, the Flames announced that the ECHL's Stockton Thunder (who they had purchased the day before) would move to Glens Falls in what was essentially a "market swap".
The Thunder name, logo and colors were unveiled on February 11, 2015.[2] Cail MacLean was announced the team's first head coach on July 23, 2015.[3]
The Thunder made the playoffs during their first season and were the first Adirondack hockey team to make the playoffs in ten years. They defeated the favored Manchester Monarchs four-games-to-one in the first round, becoming the first team in Glens Falls to win a playoff series since the Adirondack Red Wings in 1994. They faced the South Carolina Stingrays in the second round, which they lost in seven games.
During their second season, the league announced the sale of the Thunder from Calgary Sports and Entertainment to a local ownership group called Adirondack Civic Center Coalition on February 28, 2017.[4] The Thunder were the third of the three displaced franchises from the 2015 creation of the AHL Pacific Division to be sold by their NHL owners after relocating. However, in order for the new ownership group to complete the purchase of the team, they needed to raise $500,000 by a June 30, 2017, deadline and have since been asking for donations and hosting fundraisers.[5] The new ownership group completed the purchase on time but were in debt. They were able to sell the naming rights of the Glens Falls Civic Center to become the Cool Insuring Arena to cover some of the operating costs.[6]
With the Flames no longer operating the team, the Flames and Thunder ended their affiliation following the 2016–17 season.[7] Head coach MacLean would also leave to join the Flames' AHL affiliate in Stockton as an assistant coach.[8] The Thunder would then officially become the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils for the 2017–18 season,[9] and later extended the affiliation agreement for the 2018–19 season.[10] For the Thunder's first two seasons, the Devils' organization had been sending players to Glens Falls due to the proximity of their previous AHL affiliate, the Albany Devils. The Thunder also hired Brad Tapper as its next head coach.
Under Tapper, the Thunder finished the 2017–18 season first in their division and advanced to the conference finals before losing to the Florida Everblades four games to one. The Devils and the Thunder renewed their affiliation for another season. Tapper was then hired by the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL as an assistant coach[11] and was replaced by Alex Loh as head coach for the 2018–19 ECHL season.[12]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thunder voluntarily suspended operations for the 2020–21 ECHL season.[13]
On May 11, 2022, the Thunder would announce that the organization would be parting ways with Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Alex Loh. This coming after finishing the 2021-2022 season with a record of 27-40-4-0, a league worst .408 winning percentage and missing the playoffs for the first time since the team relocated to Glens Falls.[14]
Subsequently after the teams parting with Alex Loh, the organization would announce on June 21, 2022, that Pete MacArthur would be named the 4th head coach in team history.[15]
Rivals[]
The Manchester Monarchs were the Thunder's main rival.[16] Following both franchises relocating from California, the two teams met for four straight seasons in the Kelly Cup playoffs. The teams each won two series, alternating years, before the Monarchs ceased operations in 2019. The Thunder also have rivalries with the Reading Royals, Maine Mariners, Worcester Railers, and Brampton Beast before the Beast ceased operations in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the additions of the Newfoundland Growlers, Trois-Rivières Lions and Norfolk Admirals to the ECHL's North Division, the Thunder could have new rivalries develop in the future.
Season-by-season records[]
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Standing | Year | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Kelly Cup | |
| 2015–16 | 72 | 38 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 82 | 197 | 189 | 2nd, East Div. | 2016 | W, 4–1, MAN | L, 3–4, SC | — | — | |
| 2016–17 | 72 | 41 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 93 | 266 | 218 | 1st, North Div. | 2017 | L, 2–4, MAN | — | — | — | |
| 2017–18 | 72 | 41 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 89 | 233 | 221 | 1st, North Div. | 2018 | W, 4–2, WOR | W, 4–2, MAN | L, 1–4, FLA | — | |
| 2018–19 | 72 | 37 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 83 | 234 | 220 | 2nd, North Div. | 2019 | L, 1–4, MAN | — | — | — | |
| 2019–20 | 62 | 22 | 28 | 8 | 5 | 57 | 197 | 219 | 5th, North Div. | 2020 | Season cancelled | ||||
| 2020–21 | Opted out of participating due to the COVID-19 pandemic | 2021 | Did not participate | ||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | 71 | 27 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 58 | 202 | 272 | 6th, North Div. | 2022 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2022–23 | 72 | 32 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 75 | 237 | 243 | 4th, North Div. | 2023 | L, 1–4,[17] NFL | — | — | — | |
| 2023–24 | 72 | 43 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 97 | 241 | 212 | 1st, North Div. | 2024 | W, 4–3, MNE | W, 4–2, NOR | L, 2-4 FLA | — | |
Players and personnel[]
Current roster[]
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Isaac Poulter
|
G | L | 23 | 2022 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | New Jersey |
| 62 |
|
Connor Blake
|
D | R | 26 | 2023 | Calgary, Alberta | Thunder |
| 22 | 
|
Mac Welsher
|
F | L | 26 | 2023 | Grosse Point Farms, Michigan | Thunder |
| 20 |
|
Andre Ghantous
|
F | R | 26 | 2023 | Glendale, California | Thunder |
| 4 |
|
Brayden Crowder
|
D | L | 26 | 2023 | Sudbury, Ontario | Thunder |
| 44 |
|
Darian Skeoch
(C) |
D | R | 27 | 2023 | New Liskeard, Ontario | Thunder |
| 37 |
|
Mike Gillespie
|
F | R | 26 | 2023 | New City, New York | Thunder |
| 9 |
|
Tristan Ashbrook
(A) |
F | R | 26 | 2023 | Manistique, Michigan | Thunder |
| 11 |
|
Shane Harper
(A) |
F | R | 35 | 2021 | Valencia, California | Thunder |
| 28 |
|
T.J. Friedmann
|
F | L | 26 | 2023 | St. Louis, Missouri | Thunder |
| 71 | 
|
Yushiroh Hirano
|
F | R | 29 | 2023 | Tomakomai, Japan | Thunder |
| 92 |
|
Jace Isley
|
F | L | 22 | 2023 | Grand Prairie, Alberta | Thunder |
| 2 |
|
Brendan Less
|
D | R | 26 | 2023 | Kinnelon, New Jersey | Thunder |
| 27 |
|
Travis Broughman
|
F | R | 27 | 2022 | Richmond, Virginia | Thunder |
| 21 |
|
Patrick Grasso
|
C | R | 28 | 2021 | Des Moines, Iowa | Thunder |
| 43 |
|
Grant Jozefek
|
RW | L | 27 | 2022 | Chester, New Jersey | Thunder |
| 29 |
|
Vinnie Purpura
|
G | R | 26 | 2023 | Lemont, Illinois | Thunder |
| 10 |
|
Ryan Smith
(A) |
F | R | 27 | 2021 | Roanoke, Virginia | Thunder |
| 24 |
|
Matt Stief
|
D | L | 28 | 2022 | Boca Raton, Florida | Thunder |
| 55 |
|
Zach Walker
|
RW | L | 26 | 2023 | Boise, Idaho | Thunder |
| 6 |
|
Ryan Wheeler
|
D | L | 27 | 2023 | Lancaster, New York | Thunder |
| 34 |
|
Tyler Brennan
|
G | L | 21 | 2023 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | New Jersey |
| 35 |
|
Jeremy Brodeur
|
G | L | 28 | 2023 | Essex Fells, New Jersey | Thunder |
Team captains[]
- Rob Bordson, 2015
- Pete MacArthur, 2016–2017, 2021–2022[20]
- Mike Bergin, 2017–2018
- James Henry, 2018–2020[21]
- Shane Harper, 2022–2023[22]
- Patrick Grasso, 2023-2024[23]
- Darian Skeoch, 2023-present (Interim)
Head coaches[]
- Cail MacLean, 2015–2017
- Brad Tapper, 2017–2018
- Alex Loh, 2018–2022
- Pete MacArthur, 2022–present
References[]
- ↑ Flames AHL affiliate to join new Pacific Division. Calgary Flames (January 29, 2015).
- ↑ "Calgary named Adirondack Thunder", February 11, 2015.
- ↑ ADIRONDACK NAMES CAIL MACLEAN AS HEAD COACH. ECHL (July 23, 2015).
- ↑ "Civic Center Coalition to buy hockey team", February 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Effort to 'keep hockey here' struggling", April 27, 2017.
- ↑ "Cool Insuring buys naming rights to Civic Center", July 11, 2017.
- ↑ MAVERICKS BECOME ECHL AFFILIATE OF CALGARY, STOCKTON. ECHL (June 8, 2017).
- ↑ Stockton announces Cail MacLean will be assistant coach. The Post-Star (August 3, 2017).
- ↑ Adirondack Thunder enter affiliation agreement with New Jersey Devils. NHL.com (August 8, 2017).
- ↑ Thunder, Devils extend agreement. The Post-Star (May 24, 2018).
- ↑ CYCLONES' MACDONALD, THUNDER'S TAPPER NAMED ASSISTANT COACHES IN GRAND RAPIDS. ECHL (July 2, 2018).
- ↑ Alex Loh Named Adirondack Thunder Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations (July 18, 2018).
- ↑ NORTH DIVISION ELECTS SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR 2020-21 SEASON (November 18, 2020).
- ↑ Adirondack Thunder part ways with head coach Alex Loh (en).
- ↑ "MacArthur takes over as Thunder head coach (updated)".
- ↑ "Monarchs' departure doesn't help Thunder".
- ↑ THUNDER SEASON ENDS IN 3-0 GAME FIVE LOSS.
- ↑ Adirondack Thunder Roster. Adirondack Thunder (2023-07-06).
- ↑ Adirondack Thunder Elite Prospects. EliteProspects.com (2023-07-06).
- ↑ THUNDER ANNOUNCE SEASON-OPENING ROSTER (October 21, 2021).
- ↑ JAMES HENRY NAMED FOURTH CAPTAIN IN ADIRONDACK THUNDER HISTORY (October 13, 2018).
- ↑ ADIRONDACK THUNDER HAVE NAMED SHANE HARPER AS TEAM CAPTAIN (September 1, 2022).
- ↑ Patrick Grasso named Thunder team captain; Adirondack opens on road (October 20, 2023).
External links[]
| Adirondack Thunder | |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Team history (Cincinnati Cyclones - Birmingham Bulls - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies - Stockton Thunder) -Players |
| Arenas | Stockton Arena - Cool Insuring Arena |
| Head coaches | Cichocki - Thomas - Kromm - McLean - Tapper - Loh - MacArthur |
| Team captains | Bordson - MacArthur - Bergin - Henry -Harper |
| Rivals | Worcester Railers |
| Division titles (2) | 2016–17 - 2017–18 |
| Affiliates | NHL: New Jersey Devils - AHL: Utica Comets |
| New Jersey Devils | |
|---|---|
| Formerly the Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies - Founded in 1974 - Based in Newark, New Jersey | |
| Franchise | Team - General managers - Coaches - Players - Captains - Draft picks - Expansion draft - Seasons - Current season |
| History | Records - Award winners - Retired numbers - Broadcasters - List of New Jersey Devils draft picks |
| Personnel | Owner(s): David Blitzer and Josh Harris (Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment) - General manager: Tom Fitzgerald - Head coach: Sheldon Keefe - Team captain: Nico Hischier - Current roster |
| Arenas | Meadowlands Arena - Prudential Center |
| Rivalries | New York Rangers - Philadelphia Flyers |
| Affiliates | AHL: Utica Comets - ECHL: Adirondack Thunder |
| Media | TV: MSG Sportsnet, MSG 2, MSG Network, WCBS-TV - Radio: WFAN, WBBR |
| Culture and lore | Don Koharski - Mike "Doc" Emrick - Hockey Night Live! - 2014 NHL Stadium Series - 2024 NHL Stadium Series |
| Category - WikiProject - Commons | |
| ECHL (2023–24) | |||||||||||||||||
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