Fresno Monsters
| Fresno Monsters | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Fresno, California |
| League | Western States Hockey League |
| Division | Western |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Home arena | Selland Arena |
| Colors |
Black, green |
| Owner(s) |
Central Valley Community Sports Foundation (Jeff Blair, owner) |
| Head coach | Kevin Kaminski |
| Franchise history | |
| WSHL franchise | |
| 2009–present | Fresno Monsters |
| NAHL franchise | |
| 2010–2013 | Fresno Monsters |
| 2013–present | Wenatchee Wild |
The Fresno Monsters are an Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Fresno, California. The team is a member of the Western States Hockey League[1] and plays in the Western Division. The Monsters' home venue is Selland Arena, previously the home facility to the now defunct Fresno Falcons of the ECHL.
History
The Monsters were announced in spring 2009, filling a void for hockey in Fresno after the Fresno Falcons folded. The team began play in mid-September 2009, playing in the Tier III Jr. A Western States Hockey League (WSHL). On December 15, 2009, the Monsters announced the organization was given expansion approval into the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the 2010–11 season and Fresno would host two levels of junior hockey for the first time.[2] On May 23, 2013, it was revealed the Monsters' North American Hockey League franchise would move to Wenatchee, Washington, and become the second Wenatchee Wild. The Monsters would continue to field a team in the Western States Hockey League, now sanctioned under United Hockey Union (UHU) instead of USA Hockey, with the same ownership of David White and Shoot the Puck, Inc. In 2015, the UHU promoted the WSHL and Monsters to their own level of Tier II.
On March 22, 2016, after six seasons coaching the WSHL Monsters, head coach and general manager Bryce Dale stepped down from his positions with the organization.[3][4] In June 2016, David White sold the Monsters to the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, led by Jeff Blair. Former Monsters' assistant coach, Jason Rivera, was then named head coach but was replaced by former NHL enforcer, Kevin "Killer" Kaminski prior to the season.[5] In January 2018, the team announced it would begin to occasionally play games again at the larger Selland Arena, their home while the organization also had a NAHL franchise.[6] The following season, the Monsters moved back to Selland Arena for 21 of their 23 scheduled home games.[7]
Season-by-season records
Western States Hockey League team (2009–present)
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | 49 | 41 | 5 | 3 | 85 | 264 | 94 | 1,516 | 1st of 8, Western | Won Div. Semifinals vs. San Diego Gulls Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Phoenix Polar Bears[8] |
| 2010–11 | 46 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 74 | 220 | 119 | 1,233 | 2nd of 8, Western | Lost Div. Semifinals vs. Phoenix Polar Bears |
| 2011–12 | 46 | 43 | 2 | 1 | 87 | 264 | 93 | 1,281 | 1st of 6, Western 1st of 16, WSHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Arizona RedHawks Won Div. Finals, 2–1 vs. Valencia Flyers 0–3–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin (L, 1–3 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 3–6 vs. Ice Jets; L, 2–3 vs. Rhinos) |
| 2012–13 | 46 | 32 | 13 | 1 | 65 | 208 | 114 | 1,326 | 1st of 6, Western 4th of 22, WSHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Gulls Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Bay Area Seals 0–2–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin (wild card) (L, 3–4 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 3–8 vs. Rhinos) |
| 2013–14 | 46 | 37 | 5 | 4 | 78 | 240 | 122 | 1,367 | 1st of 6, Western 3rd of 24, WSHL | Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Long Beach Bombers Won Div. Finals, 2–0 vs. Ontario Avalanche 2–1–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin (W, 6–3 vs. Jr. Brahmas; OTW, 4–3 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 1–3 vs. Knights) Lost Thorne Cup Semifinal game, 2–3 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads |
| 2014–15 | 46 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 77 | 301 | 94 | 1,257 | 1st of 8, Western 3rd of 28, WSHL | Div. Quarterfinals, Bye Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Gulls Won Div. Finals, 2–1 vs. Valencia Flyers Lost Conf. Finals, 0–2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads |
| 2015–16 | 52 | 36 | 12 | 4 | 76 | 267 | 147 | 1,214 | 3rd of 8, Western 9th of 29, WSHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Arizona Hawks Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Long Beach Bombers |
| 2016–17 | 52 | 25 | 22 | 5 | 55 | 224 | 237 | 1,084 | 5th of 8, Western 16th of 27, WSHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Las Vegas Storm |
| 2017–18 | 51 | 33 | 17 | 1 | 67 | 298 | 189 | 1,255 | 3rd of 6, Western 9th of 23, WSHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Sabers Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Ontario Avalanche Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. Long Beach Bombers |
North American Hockey League team (2010–2013)
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 58 | 19 | 34 | 5 | 43 | 158 | 243 | 1,635 | 6th of 6, West | Did not qualify |
| 2011–12 | 60 | 27 | 23 | 10 | 64 | 167 | 179 | 1,454 | 5th of 6, West | Did not qualify |
| 2012–13 | 60 | 18 | 35 | 7 | 43 | 139 | 224 | 1,115 | 4th of 4, West | Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Wenatchee Wild |
References
- ↑ "WSHL Official Website".
- ↑ "The Monster Mash". Junior Hockey Magazine. October 4, 2010.
- ↑ "Fresno Monsters Looking for a Head Coach". Junior Hockey News. March 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Bryce Dale Steps Down after 6 Seasons Behind the Bench". Fresno Monsters. March 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Former Washington Capitals Kevin "Killer" Kaminski named as new Head Coach". Fresno Monsters. October 26, 2016.
- ↑ "FRESNO TO PLAY SERIES AT SELLAND ARENA". WSHL.org. January 17, 2018.
- ↑ The Monsters Return to Downtown Fresno, Fresno Monsters, July 24, 2018
- ↑ http://arizonarubber.com/story.cfm?id=2704
External links