Springfield Jr. Blues

Last updated
Springfield Jr. Blues
Springfield Jr Blues.svg
City Springfield, Illinois
League NAHL
DivisionMidwest
Founded1993
Home arena Nelson Center
ColorsNavy, Gold
   
Owner(s)Dan Ferguson
General managerTodd Pococke
Head coachTodd Pococke
MediaHockey TV
Franchise history
1993–presentSpringfield Jr. Blues
Championships
Playoff championshipsRobertson Cup
2 (1996,1997)

The Springfield Jr. Blues are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Midwest Division. [1] The team plays their home games at the Nelson Center in Springfield, Illinois. [2]

Contents

History

Founded by John D. O'Laughlin and Al Jennings, the franchise joined the North American Hockey League for the 1993–94 season. [3] Springfield had previously been home to multiple semi-pro teams the Springfield Kings and Springfield Capitols. The team has made numerous appearances in the NAHL playoffs and were back-to-back Robertson Cup National Championships in 1996 and 1997.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that curtailed the 2019–20 season, the Jr. Blues suspended operations for the 2020–21 season. [4] [5]

Season-by-season records

SeasonGPWLOTLPTSGFGAPIMFinish
2004–055630251612072001,5095th, South Div.
2005–065828264601812081,7213rd, South Div.
2006–076226315571882031,5886th, Central Div.
2007–085827255591901901,2534th, Central Div.
2008–095825285551831851,1824th, South Div.
2009–105621298501631939214th, South Div.
2010–115831243651911709765th, North Div.
2011–1260312726420219012163rd, Midwest Div.
2012–136026304561591819076th, North Div.
2013–146026268601411608755th, North Div.
2014–156023316521261848156th, North Div.
2015–166029256641551647705th of 6, Midwest Div.
13th of 22, NAHL
2016–176027285591741897175th of 6, Midwest Div.
18th of 24, NAHL
2017–186033216721691666703rd of 6, Midwest Div.
9th of 23, NAHL
2018–196033225711921779013rd of 6, Midwest Div.
9th of 23, NAHL
2019–20 [lower-alpha 1] 5416344361332069686th of 6, Midwest Div.
23rd of 26, NAHL
2020–21Did not participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021–2260362027621117710182nd of 8, Midwest Div.
7th of 29, NAHL
2022–236026313551471747107th of 8, Midwest Div.
25th of 29, NAHL
2023-2460202910501462168637th of 8th Midwest, 26 of 32 NAHLEliminated
  1. ↑ Season cancelled prior to completion.

Playoff records

SeasonGPWLOTLPTSGFGARound Results
2005Did not qualify
2006413091383Lost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. Texarkana Bandits
2007Did not qualify
200885303118119Won 1st Round, 3–0 vs. North Iowa Outlaws
Lost 2nd Round, 2–3 vs. Alexandria Blizzard
200941305993Lost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. St. Louis Bandits
20104130102076Lost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. Topeka RoadRunners
2011Did not qualify
201294501826155Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Janesville Jets
Lost Div. Finals, 1–3 vs. St. Louis Bandits
2013202—11332Lost Div. Play-in Round, 0–2 vs. Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
2014Did not qualify
2015Did not qualify
2016Did not qualify
2017Did not qualify
20183030027Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. Janesville Jets
2019413021018Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Minnesota Magicians
2020Postseason cancelled
2021Did not participate
20223021158Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2-1 vs. Anchorage Wolverines
2023Did not qualify

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Hockey League</span> North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league

The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 until 2014. It was founded by Ray Miron and Bill Levins and later sold to Global Entertainment Corporation, which operated the league from 2000 to 2013, at which point it was purchased by the individual franchise owners. As of the end of its final season in 2014, three of the 30 National Hockey League teams had affiliations with the CHL: the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American Hockey League</span> US Tier II junior ice hockey league

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 49th season of operation in 2023–24. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Hidalgo, Texas

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League. The team was based in the Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo, Texas, just south of McAllen, and played their home games at State Farm Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western States Hockey League</span> Amateur ice hockey league

The Western States Hockey League (WSHL) was a junior ice hockey league established in 1993. It was sanctioned by the United Hockey Union, the junior hockey branch of the Amateur Athletic Union. Previously, it was sanctioned by USA Hockey from 1994 to 2011. Teams played approximately 50 games in the regular season schedule, mimicking what players would experience at the collegiate level. As of January 2022, there are no active teams in the league following the creation of the Can-Am Junior Hockey League by former WSHL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wichita Falls Wildcats</span> Ice hockey team in Wichita Falls, Texas

The Wichita Falls Wildcats were a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The Wildcats played out of the 7,380-seat Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas. After failing to find a buyer, the Wildcats ceased operations for the 2017–18 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Bandits</span> American ice hockey team

The St. Louis Bandits were a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team played their home games at the 2,200-seat Hardee's Iceplex in Chesterfield, Missouri. Owners of the St. Louis Bandits include former St. Louis Blues Kelly Chase as well as Scott McCuaig, Ben Bishop, Jr., Jeff Cooper, Michael J. Brooks, and Jon Cooper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Amarillo, Texas

The Amarillo Wranglers are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The team's home arena is the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American 3 Hockey League</span> Tier III junior ice hockey league

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league that consists of teams from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Sanctioned by USA Hockey, for most of the league's existence, the winner of the NA3HL playoffs would advance to play for the Tier III National Championship, however, this has not been held since 2015.

The Wenatchee Wild were a Junior A ice hockey team. The team played its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the North American Hockey League as an expansion club for the 2008–09 season, and in that time they were well known for their rivalry with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Wild moved to the British Columbia Hockey League for 2015–16, after seeking approval from both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey for three years. In 2023, the ownership of the Wild purchased and relocated the Winnipeg Ice, a major junior Western Hockey League franchise, under the Wenatchee Wild brand, but ceased operations of their junior A team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janesville Jets</span> Ice hockey team in Janesville, Wisconsin

The Janesville Jets are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League. Based in Janesville, Wisconsin, their home games are played at the Janesville Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fresno Monsters</span> Ice hockey team in Fresno, California

The Fresno Monsters are a junior ice hockey team based in Fresno, California. The team is a member of the United States Premier Hockey League and plays in the Premier Division. The Monsters' home venue is Gateway Ice Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chippewa Steel</span> Ice hockey team in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

The Chippewa Steel is a Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, that plays in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corpus Christi IceRays</span> Ice hockey team in Corpus Christi, Texas

The Corpus Christi IceRays are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The IceRays are based in Corpus Christi, Texas, and play in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The "IceRays" moniker derives from the many different species of stingrays that inhabit the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights</span> Ice hockey team in Pittston, Pennsylvania

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are a junior ice hockey organization from Pittston, Pennsylvania. In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise in the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) and placed their Tier III franchise in the Eastern Hockey League into dormancy. The organization has reactivated and deactivated their Tier III level teams at various times, but plans to launch teams in the United States Premier Hockey League's Premier and Elite Divisions, non-USA Hockey sanctioned leagues that operate similar to the Tier III level. The organization also has several youth ice hockey teams in its development program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springfield Express</span> Ice hockey team in Springfield, Missouri

The Springfield Express was an AAU-sanctioned junior ice hockey team based in Springfield, Missouri and plays home games at the Mediacom Ice Park. The team is a member of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Premier Hockey League</span> American ice hockey league

The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is an American ice hockey league. Founded in 2012, the USPHL has grown to over 60 organizations from across the United States fielding teams in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), Premier, Elite, EHF, 18U, 16U, 15U, and High Performance youth divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (CHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Hidalgo, Texas

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees were a minor league professional ice hockey team that played in the Central Hockey League. The team was based in the Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo, Texas, just south of McAllen, and played their home games at State Farm Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Rebels</span> Ice hockey team in Gloucester County, New Jersey

The Philadelphia Rebels are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Hollydell Ice Arena in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma City Ice Hawks</span> Ice Hockey team from Edmond, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma City Ice Hawks, formerly the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers, were a Tier III junior ice hockey team, based in Edmond, Oklahoma, in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The Ice Hawks competed in the USA Hockey-sanctioned North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) after playing as a member of the United Hockey Union-sanctioned Western States Hockey League (WSHL) from 2014 to 2020. Their home games were played at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks</span> North American Hockey League team based in Danbury, Connecticut

The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks are a USA Hockey-sanctioned junior ice hockey organization based in Danbury, Connecticut. The organization has junior teams in the Tier II North American Hockey League and the Tier III North American 3 Hockey League, both of which play home games at the Danbury Ice Arena.

References

  1. ↑ "Jr. Blues skate on as Springfield's longest-operating sports franchise". sj-r.com. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  2. ↑ "The History of Hockey in Springfield". dexknows.com. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  3. ↑ "Junior Blues' finances 'better every year'". sj-r.com. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  4. ↑ "Springfield Jr. Blues suspend operations for 2020-21 season". NAHL. September 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ Mahan, Ryan. "Springfield Jr. Blues cancel 20-21 season". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.