Fresno Monsters

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 Selland Arena, previously the home facility to the now defunct Fresno Falcons of the West Coast Hockey League and ECHL.

Fresno Monsters
CityFresno, California
LeagueUnited States Premier Hockey League
Founded2009
Home arenaSelland Arena
ColorsBlack, green
   
Owner(s)Central Valley Community Sports Foundation
(Jeff Blair, owner)
Head coachCody Key
Franchise history
WSHL/USPHL franchise
2009–presentFresno Monsters
NAHL franchise
2010–2013Fresno Monsters
2013–presentWenatchee Wild

History

The Monsters were announced in spring 2009, filling a void for hockey in Fresno after the Fresno Falcons folded. The team began play in mid-September 2009, playing in the Tier III Jr. A Western States Hockey League (WSHL). On December 15, 2009, the Monsters announced the organization was given expansion approval into the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the 2010–11 season and Fresno would host two levels of junior hockey for the first time.[1] On May 23, 2013, it was revealed the Monsters' North American Hockey League franchise would move to Wenatchee, Washington, and become the second Wenatchee Wild. The Monsters would continue to field a team in the Western States Hockey League, now sanctioned under United Hockey Union (UHU) instead of USA Hockey, with the same ownership of David White and Shoot the Puck, Inc. In 2015, the UHU promoted the WSHL and Monsters to their own level of Tier II.

On March 22, 2016, after six seasons coaching the WSHL Monsters, head coach and general manager Bryce Dale stepped down from his positions with the organization.[2][3] In June 2016, David White sold the Monsters to the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, led by Jeff Blair. Former Monsters' assistant coach, Jason Rivera, was then named head coach but was replaced by former NHL enforcer, Kevin "Killer" Kaminski prior to the season.[4] In January 2018, the team announced it would begin to occasionally play games again at the larger Selland Arena, their home while the organization also had a NAHL franchise.[5] The following season, the Monsters moved back to Selland Arena for 21 of their 23 scheduled home games.[6] After three seasons, coach Kaminski left to become the head coach of the La Ronge Ice Wolves in his home province of Saskatchewan.[7] He was replaced by Trevor Karasiewicz from the Watertown Wolves in the Federal Hockey League.

In 2020, the Monsters left the WSHL and joined another independent junior hockey league, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), in the Premier Division.[8]

Season-by-season records

WSHL/USPHL team (2009–present)
SeasonGPWLOTWOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2009–1049415—385264941,5161st of 8, WesternWon Div. Semifinals vs. San Diego Gulls
Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Phoenix Polar Bears[9]
2010–1146368—2742201191,2332nd of 8, WesternLost Div. Semifinals vs. Phoenix Polar Bears
2011–1246432—187264931,2811st of 6, Western
1st of 16, WSHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Arizona RedHawks
Won Div. Finals, 2–1 vs. Valencia Flyers
0–3–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin
(L, 1–3 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 3–6 vs. Ice Jets; L, 2–3 vs. Rhinos)
2012–13463213—1652081141,3261st of 6, Western
4th of 22, WSHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Gulls
Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Bay Area Seals
0–2–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin (wild card)
(L, 3–4 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 3–8 vs. Rhinos)
2013–1446375—4782401221,3671st of 6, Western
3rd of 24, WSHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Long Beach Bombers
Won Div. Finals, 2–0 vs. Ontario Avalanche
2–1–0 in Thorne Cup Finals Round Robin
(W, 6–3 vs. Jr. Brahmas; OTW, 4–3 vs. Jr. Steelheads; L, 1–3 vs. Knights)
Lost Thorne Cup Semifinal game, 2–3 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads
2014–1546387—177301941,2571st of 8, Western
3rd of 28, WSHL		Div. Quarterfinals, Bye
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Gulls
Won Div. Finals, 2–1 vs. Valencia Flyers
Lost Conf. Finals, 0–2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads
2015–16523612—4762671471,2143rd of 8, Western
9th of 29, WSHL		Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Arizona Hawks
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Long Beach Bombers
2016–17522522—5552242371,0845th of 8, Western
16th of 27, WSHL		Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Las Vegas Storm
2017–18513317—1672981891,2553rd of 6, Western
9th of 23, WSHL		Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. San Diego Sabers
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Ontario Avalanche
Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. Long Beach Bombers
2018–1951311631100[lower-alpha 1]2271721,2482nd of 5, Western
9th of 23, WSHL		Won Div. Semifinals. 2–0 vs. San Diego Sabers
Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Long Beach Bombers
2019–20513413221082941417931st of 5, Western
6th of 20, WSHL		Playoffs cancelled
  1. Beginning with the 2018–19 season, the WSHL began awarding 3pts for a win, 2pts for an overtime win, and 1pt for an overtime loss.

North American Hockey League team (2010–2013)
SeasonGPWLOTLPtsGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2010–115819345431582431,6356th of 6, WestDid not qualify
2011–1260272310641671791,4545th of 6, WestDid not qualify
2012–136018357431392241,1154th of 4, WestLost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Wenatchee Wild

References
  1. "The Monster Mash". Junior Hockey Magazine. October 4, 2010.
  2. "Fresno Monsters Looking for a Head Coach". Junior Hockey News. March 23, 2016.
  3. "Bryce Dale Steps Down after 6 Seasons Behind the Bench". Fresno Monsters. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  4. "Former Washington Capitals Kevin "Killer" Kaminski named as new Head Coach". Fresno Monsters. October 26, 2016.
  5. "FRESNO TO PLAY SERIES AT SELLAND ARENA". WSHL.org. January 17, 2018.
  6. The Monsters Return to Downtown Fresno, Fresno Monsters, July 24, 2018
  7. "Ice Wolves Hire New Management & Coaching Staff". La Ronge Ice Wolves. April 8, 2019.
  8. "United States Premier Hockey League Adds Eight New West Coast Member Organizations". USPHL. April 17, 2020.
  9. http://arizonarubber.com/story.cfm?id=2704


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.