Phoenix RoadRunners

Pro hockey team | USA_eng = 1
text_color = #FFBF00
bg_color = #6495ED
team = Phoenix RoadRunners
|200px|center
logosize = 180px
city = Phoenix, Arizona
league = ECHL
conference = National Conference
division = West Division
founded = 2005
arena = US Airways Center
colors = Carolina Blue, Black, Sunflower Gold, White
owner = Robert Sarver
coach = Brad Church
GM = Brad Church (Director of Hockey Operations)
media = Arizona Republic
East Valley Tribune
affiliates = San Jose Sharks (NHL), Worcester Sharks (AHL)
name1 = Phoenix RoadRunners
dates1 = 2005 to Current
reg_season_titles = none
division_titles = none
conf_titles = none
kelly_cups = none

The Phoenix RoadRunners are a minor league ice hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the ECHL, and began play in the 2005–2006 season. The team is affiliated with the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AHL's Worcester Sharks.

eason recaps

Inaugural season

In 2005, after 4 years without a minor league hockey team, the RoadRunners were revived as an ECHL franchise by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and former Phoenix Coyotes star Claude Lemieux. In their first season, the 2005–2006 season, the RoadRunners began the season well but dropped throughout the year because of injuries and finished with the league's worst record.

econd season

In the off-season, the RoadRunners cemented an affiliation deal with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. The RoadRunners once again started very well, staying above .500 for a good portion of the year. The team climbed up the National Division, topping out at fifth place. However, due to several trades which were lackluster to say the least, the team ended up with a 27–40 record. Furthermore, with 8 games left in the regular season, Head Coach Ron Filion and General Manager Ray Delia resigned, Filion being replaced by assistant coach Brad Church. [ [http://www.phxroadrunners.com/news/recentheadlines/index.html?article_id=441 phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines ] ]

One bright spot to the season was that the RoadRunners qualified for their first trip to the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs. This was the first time since the 1995–1996 team lost in the conference quarter finals that the RoadRunners had made it to the Playoffs. However in the first round, the team was swept 4–0 against rivals Las Vegas Wranglers.

Third season

After the season ended, the RoadRunners decided to keep Church on, and also extend to him a managerial role as well. His duties include, but are not limited to: Contract preparation, immigration, and other administrative duties. [ [http://www.phxroadrunners.com/news/recentheadlines/index.html?article_id=475 phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines ] ] Brad Church also decided on an assistant coach, that being Brian O’Leary. In the front office, Claude Lemieux chose not to hold the title of President. Claude has stated that he will continue to act as a consultant to the team.

The Phoenix Coyotes chose not to renew their affiliation agreement for the 2007–2008 season. The Coyotes chose instead to go with the other minor league hockey team in Arizona, the Arizona Sundogs. The RoadRunners signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the San Jose Sharks and its AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks on October 19, 2007.

The season started off well for the Roadrunners, with a sweep of their three game series against the Utah Grizzlies. The end of the month of October brought good news for the Roadrunners, as they learned that Daniel Sisca had won the CCM TACKS ECHL Player Of The Month Award. [ [http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/ppublic.cgi?action=show_of_the_week_news&cat=2&id=488 ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League ] ]

In November, the team was only able to win 3 of their 13 scheduled games, taking the team lower into the standings. As the calendar turned to the month of December, the same losing ways continued, with the team going 4–7, although the team was finally able to muster a win against the Wranglers in their annual Midnight game. It was also announced on December 21st that both Peder Skinner and Brian Yandle were added to the All-Star Team.

From January through February, the RoadRunners were able to win an accumulative amount of 8 games, and included a stretch of 8 consecutive losses. Despite the low amount of wins, the team, as of March 1st, still was in the running to make the playoffs, coming in tied for 8th place.

In March, as the playoffs started coming into the picture for the RoadRunners, the team faced a tough schedule, with the remaining slate of teams averaging a .617 winning percentage. [http://www.phxroadrunners.com/news/recentheadlines/index.html?article_id=690] The team for the month of march went 5–6, and by the end of the month, was still in contention for the playoffs despite the tough schedule.

In April, the RoadRunners fell short of making the playoffs, and finished with a record of 24 wins, 39 losses, 5 overtime losses, 4 shoot-out losses, and 57 points. The team finished in 5th place in West Division.

Battle of the Desert

During the 2006–2007 offseason, the Arizona Sundogs of the CHL and the Phoenix RoadRunners came to an agreement on an annual two game pre-season hockey contest. The games showcase the talent of Arizona's two minor league hockey teams, and help the two teams evaluate their current talent and who will and will not make the upcoming season's roster.Due to there being two games instead of an odd number, the two teams have decided that in case of a tie, there will be a shoot out immediately following the second game. The winner of the two game series will get the "Glass Cactus". [ [http://www.phxroadrunners.com/news/recentheadlines/index.html?article_id=512 phxroadrunners.com: Recent Headlines ] ]

Due to numerous reasons, the Battle of the Desert was not re-newed for the 2008-2009 hockey season. Instead the RoadRunners accepted an offer to play a two game pre-season series against the ECHL's Florida Everblades.

2007 Battle of the Desert

The RoadRunners won the first ever Battle of the Desert, with the team sweeping the two game series. The RoadRunners outscored the Sundogs 11–7, and won the first ever "Glass Cactus" Award.

Battle of the Desert results

eason-by-season record

*Updated daily
*Ties were changed with Over time losses and Shoot-out Losses following the 2005–2006 ECHL Season.

Head coaches

*Ron Filion (2005–2006)
*Brad Church (2006-current)

Team rivals

*Idaho Steelheads
*Utah Grizzlies
*Las Vegas Wranglers
*Victoria Salmon Kings

Retired numbers

* #3 Adam Keller WHL RoadRunners defenceman, former RoadRunners player and general manager
* #4 Sandy Hucul WHL RoadRunners defenceman, former RoadRunners player and head coach
* #8 Robbie Ftorek WHA RoadRunners forward, member of United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Team records

eason records

[ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ The Internet Hockey Database - Hockey Statistics, Logos, and Trading Cards ] ] :Game Played: 72 TIE- Dean Tiltgen (2005–06), Peder Skinner (2007–2008):Goals: 27 TIE- Justin Aikins (2006–2007), Sean O'Connor (2007–08) :Points: 60 Daniel Sisca (2007–2008):Assists: 42- Daniel Sisca (2007–08):Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent Henley (2005–06):Wins: 15- Mike Mole (2005–06):GAA (Min. 10 games): 2.34- Taylor Dakers (2007–08):SV % (Min. 10 games): .930- Taylor Dakers (2007–08):Shutouts: 2- Mike Mole (2005–06)

Career records

[ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ The Internet Hockey Database - Hockey Statistics, Logos, and Trading Cards ] ]

:Game Played: 132- Dusty Demianiuk (2005–2007) :Goals: 27 TIE- Justin Aikins (2006–2007), Sean O'Connor (2007-?) :Points: 60- Daniel Sisca (2007-?):Assists: 42- Daniel Sisca (2007-?):Penalty Minutes: 271- Brent Henley (2005–06):Wins: 19- Cody Rudkowsky (2006–08):GAA (Min. 10 games): 2.24- Taylor Dakers (2007-?):SV % (Min. 10 games): .930- Taylor Dakers (2007-?):Shutouts: 2, Tie- Mike Mole (2005–06), Cody Rudkowsky (2006–08)

NHL alumni

(Must have played in National Hockey League after playing with team, not prior to playing with team)

*Daniel Winnik

References

External links

* [http://www.phxroadrunners.com/ PHX RoadRunners Official Website]
* [http://www.roadrunnersboosters.com/ Phoenix Roadrunners Booster Club Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/roadrunnersboosters Phoenix Roadrunners Booster Club Myspace Page]
* [http://www.echl.com/ ECHL Website]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=220783746&MyToken=3c407757-7d0d-4727-abda-50fb9697a821/ Official RoadRunners Myspace Page]