Edmonton Ice

The Edmonton Ice were a junior ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, that played two seasons in the Western Hockey League from 1996 to 1998.

Edmonton Ice
CityEdmonton, Alberta
LeagueWestern Hockey League
Operated1996 (1996)–98
Home arenaNorthlands Agricom
ColoursBlue, bronze, black, and white
                   
Franchise history
1996–1998Edmonton Ice
1998–2019Kootenay Ice
2019–presentWinnipeg Ice

History

Despite the long-held belief that major junior hockey could not compete against the NHL, the WHL expanded to Calgary, Alberta in 1995, and to Edmonton in 1996. While the Hitmen would be a success, and ultimately were purchased by the Calgary Flames, the Ice's history in Edmonton was rocky. Forced to play in the substandard Northlands Agricom rather than the Northlands Coliseum. After only two seasons in which the team lost games on the ice and a great deal of money off it, the team decamped for Cranbrook, British Columbia, where they became the Kootenay Ice. In 2019, the Ice relocated once again and are currently playing as the Winnipeg Ice.[1]

The Ice were the second Edmonton team to play in the WHL, preceded by two incarnations of the Edmonton Oil Kings from 1966–76 and 1977–78. After nine years absent of the Alberta capital, the WHL returned to Edmonton again in 2007 with the third incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings which are owned by, rather than opposed by, the Oilers.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

SeasonGPWLTGF GAPointsFinishPlayoffs
1996–977214562231295305th CentralOut of playoffs
1997–987217496242328404th CentralOut of playoffs

NHL alumni

See also

References
  1. "WHL to announce Kootenay Ice moving to Winnipeg – on the coldest day of the year". Global News. January 29, 2019.
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