Alaska Avalanche
Ice hockey team in Palmer, Alaska
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Alaska Avalanche were a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division. The team played its home games first at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla, Alaska and then at the MTA Events Center in Palmer, Alaska.
| Alaska Avalanche | |
|---|---|
| |
| City | Palmer, Alaska |
| League | North American Hockey League |
| Division | West |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Home arena | MTA Events Center |
| Colors | Green, Blue, and white |
| Franchise history | |
| 1990–1991 | Dearborn Magic |
| 1991–1994 | Michigan Nationals |
| 1994–1996 | Dearborn Heights Nationals |
| 1996–2001 | St. Louis Sting |
| 2001–2005 | Springfield Spirit |
| 2005–2006 | Wasilla Spirit |
| 2006–2012 | Alaska Avalanche |
| 2012–present | Johnstown Tomahawks |
History
In 2005, the Springfield Spirit moved to Wasilla, Alaska, as the 'Wasilla Spirit', only to re-brand themselves as the 'Alaska Avalanche' the next season. The Avalanche played out of the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla until the end of the 2009–10 season. The Avalanche moved to Palmer, Alaska, beginning in the 2010–11 season and played at the MTA Events Center.[1][2]
The team relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 2012, taking the place of the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs, who moved to Greenville, South Carolina, in 2011. They became known as the Johnstown Tomahawks.[3]
Season-by-season records
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasilla Spirit | ||||||||||
| 2005–06 | 56 | 23 | 33 | 2 | 48 | 133 | 187 | 1,307 | t-3rd of 5, West t-15th of 20, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 2–3 (Fairbanks Ice Dogs) |
| Alaska Avalanche | ||||||||||
| 2006–07 | 62 | 16 | 39 | 7 | 39 | 148 | 242 | 1,699 | 6th of 6, South 17th of 17, NAHL | Did not qualify |
| 2007–08 | 58 | 16 | 38 | 4 | 36 | 158 | 270 | 1,251 | 5th of 6, South 17th of 18, NAHL | Did not qualify |
| 2008–09 | 58 | 23 | 30 | 5 | 51 | 172 | 224 | 1,505 | 3rd of 4, West 16th of 19, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 (Wenatchee Wild) |
| 2009–10 | 58 | 32 | 19 | 7 | 71 | 198 | 178 | 1,393 | 2nd of 4, West t-5th of 19, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 0–3 (Fairbanks Ice Dogs) |
| 2010–11 | 58 | 32 | 22 | 4 | 68 | 193 | 173 | 1,479 | 3rd of 6, West 13th of 26, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 0–3 (Wenatchee Wild) |
| 2011–12 | 60 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 76 | 192 | 173 | 1,161 | 3rd of 6, West 13th of 28, NAHL | Lost Div. Semifinal series, 2–3 (Wenatchee Wild) |