Albany Choppers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Albany Choppers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Albany, New York |
| League | IHL |
| Division | East Division |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Operated | 1990–91 (folded mid-season, February 1991) |
| Home arena | Knickerbocker Arena |
| Colors | Blue, red and white |
| Owner | David Welker |
| General manager | Jim Salfi |
| Head coach | Dave Allison |
| Captain | Dale Henry |
| Affiliates | Independent |
| Franchise history | |
| 1990–91 | Albany Choppers |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | None |
| Division titles | None |
| Conference titles | None |
| Turner Cups | None |
The Albany Choppers were an independent professional ice hockey team in Albany, New York, which existed for the first 55 games (of 82) in the 1990–91 season of the International Hockey League.
The Fort Wayne Komets had been mainstays of the IHL for four decades. Before the 1990–91 season, its owner, gravel magnate David Welker, opted to move his franchise to Albany. The city had recently built Knickerbocker Arena, which was built to National Hockey League standards of the time. They represented the IHL's first effort in years to push beyond its traditional heartland in the Great Lakes; they were the easternmost team in the IHL since the Johnstown Jets left the league in 1955. The Schenectady-based Price Chopper supermarket chain bought in as a minority partner—hence the name and colors of red, white and blue, which matched Price Chopper's corporate hues.[1]
Among players for the Choppers were goaltenders Rick Knickle, former St. Louis Blue Bruce Racine and former Boston Bruin John Blue; former New York Islander and team captain Dale Henry, former Minnesota North Star Dave Richter, and Mario Lemieux's brother, center Alain Lemieux, who was the team's leading scorer until he was traded for cash. A large number of players were ex-Springfield Indians, including Henry, Lemieux, forwards Stu Burnie, Bob Bodak and Jim McGeough, and defensemen Vern Smith and Manny Vivieros. Dave Allison served as the team's head coach. Ken Morrow was to serve as the team's general manager,[2] but he changed his mind and turned down the position, which was filled by Jim Salfi.[3]
