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 | |
---|---|
City | Edmonton, Alberta |
League | Western Hockey League |
Operated | 1996 | –98
Home arena | Northlands Agricom |
Colours | Blue, bronze, black, and white |
Franchise history | |
1996–1998 | Edmonton Ice |
1998–2019 | Kootenay Ice |
2019–2023 | Winnipeg Ice |
2023–present | Wenatchee Wild |
The WHL expanded to Edmonton in 1996, and the Ice began play at the Northlands Agricom.[citation needed] On January 16, 1996, Dave Siciliano was announced as the first head coach for the Ice.[1] He and team owner Ed Chynoweth, were committed to building a relationship between the Ice and the local minor ice hockey program.[2] The Ice completed the 1996–97 season with 14 wins in 72 games, placed last overall in the league, and did not qualify for the playoffs.[3]
When the team began the 1997–98 season with nine losses and one tie, Siciliano was fired on October 24, 1997, and replaced by assistant coach Ryan McGill.[4] During Siciliano's tenure, the Ice lost 31 games by a one-goal margin.[5]
After two seasons, the team relocated to Cranbrook, British Columbia, and became the Kootenay Ice. The team relocated a second time in 2019 and was known as the Winnipeg Ice[6] until the team was relocated a third time in June 2023 to Wenatchee, Washington, where they will be known as the Wenatchee Wild.[7]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
1996–97 | 72 | 14 | 56 | 2 | 231 | 295 | 30 | 5th Central | Out of playoffs |
1997–98 | 72 | 17 | 49 | 6 | 242 | 328 | 40 | 4th Central | Out of playoffs |