Oklahoma City Barons

The Oklahoma City Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team's first season was 2010–11. They played their home games at the Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City Barons
CityOklahoma City, Oklahoma
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceWestern Conference
DivisionWest Division
Founded1984
Operated2010–2015
Home arenaCox Convention Center
ColorsBlue, orange, white
     
Owner(s)Oilers Entertainment Group
Prodigal, LLC (local management)
AffiliatesEdmonton Oilers (NHL)
Bakersfield Condors (ECHL)
Websitehttp://www.okcbarons.com
Franchise history
1984–1988Nova Scotia Oilers
1988–1996Cape Breton Oilers
1996–2003Hamilton Bulldogs
2003–2004Toronto Roadrunners
2004–2005Edmonton Road Runners
2010–2015Oklahoma City Barons
2015–presentBakersfield Condors
Championships
Division Championships1 (2011–12)

History

On February 9, 2010, the American Hockey League Board of Governors approved of the relocation of the Oilers' inactive AHL franchise to Oklahoma City, after a five-year dormancy.[1] The franchise had gone through six incarnations, the first of which was the Nova Scotia Oilers and most recently the Edmonton Road Runners, who ceased play in 2005. The Barons were named through a fan contest.[2][3][4] Before the Barons, the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City had also been the home to former Central Hockey League franchises, the Oklahoma City Stars and the Oklahoma City Blazers. Bob Funk Jr., who headed the former Blazers' ownership group, is also at the helm of Prodigal Hockey LLC, the Barons' ownership group.

Todd Nelson served as the Barons' first head coach with Gerry Fleming joining him as his assistant.[5] Bill Scott, a former Director of Hockey Operations for the AHL, served as the Barons' first general manager.[6]

In December 2014, Nelson was promoted to the Oilers' coaching staff as head coach and Fleming being promoted to the Barons' head coach position.[7]

After the team's inaugural season in 2010–11, the Barons finished in the bottom five in the league for average attendance, including worst in the league in 2012–13.[8] On December 18, 2014, the Oilers and Barons announced that the Barons would cease operations after the current season citing continued financial losses stemming from poor attendance.[9]

On January 29, 2015, the AHL announced that the Edmonton Oilers' AHL franchise would be located in Bakersfield, California, replacing the Barons beginning with the 2015–16 season. The Oilers' owned-and-operated Bakersfield Condors are part of a new Pacific Division that introduced the league to the state of California.

Team information

Logos and uniforms

The Oklahoma City Barons colors were midnight blue, copper and white (with red used for outlining) later on changed to blue, orange and white. This color palette was also used by the Edmonton Oilers between 1996 and 2011. The Barons' logo prominently features an oil derrick, symbolizing a rich tradition in the production of oil in the state of Oklahoma, and further showcasing the similarities between the cities of Edmonton and Oklahoma City.

Like the other 29 teams in the American Hockey League, the Oklahoma City Barons played in the Reebok EDGE style uniforms. The Barons' home uniform was a white jersey with a midnight blue collar and trim the white jersey, while their away uniform is a midnight blue jersey with a copper collar and trim, with the Barons logo placed on the front. These jerseys have been styled from the Edmonton Oilers' now-former away and alternate jerseys, respectively. The Barons' shoulder logos also include the Edmonton Oilers logo and the "OKC" secondary logo.

Mascot

The Oklahoma City Barons' official team mascot was a mountain lion, named Derrick.[10] Derrick was officially introduced on July 27, 2010, after a lengthy "Name the Mascot" fan contest, which was held on the Barons' website.[11] Derrick's role within the Barons' organization was to interact with fans; having his photo taken, meeting and greeting, and signing autographs during their home games. He also makes public appearances in and around Oklahoma City.

On February 19, 2012, the Barons introduced another mountain lion, named Bit, as a secondary mascot.

Season-by-season results
Calder Cup Champions Conference Champions Division Champions League Leader

Records as of May 20, 2015.[12]

Regular Season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing Year 1st
round		 2nd
round		 3rd
round		 Finals
2010–118040292991.5692452345th, West2011L, 2–4, HAM———
2011–127645224599.6512151761st, West2012W, 3–1, HOUW, 4–1, SAL, 1–4, TOR—
2012–137640252991.5992402283rd, South2013W, 3-2, CHAW, 4-1, TEXL, 3-4, GR—
2013–147636292983.5462392563rd, West2014L, 0–3, TEX———
2014–157641275390.5922242123rd, West2015W, 3-0, SAL, 3-4, UTI-—
Totals3842021321535454.5911,1631,1065 Playoff Appearances

Players

Team captains

Notable alumni

List of Oklahoma City Barons alumni who played more than 100 games in Oklahoma City and 100 or more games in the National Hockey League.

Individual award winners
Bryan Helmer, February 2011

Willie Marshall Award (Leading Goal Scorer)

Eddie Shore Award (Best Defenseman)

Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award (Best Goaltender)

Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award

Team records

Single season
Colin McDonald, February 2011
Goals: Colin McDonald, 42 (2010–11)
Assists: Brad Moran, 52 (2010–11)
Points: Alexandre Giroux, 78 (2010–11)
Penalty minutes: Triston Grant, 163 (2011–12)
Wins: Yann Danis, 26 (2011–12) & Richard Bachman, 26 (2013–14)
Shutouts: Yann Danis, 5 (2011-12)
GAA: Yann Danis, 2.07 (2011–12)
SV%: Yann Danis, .924 (2011–12)

Career
Career games: Curtis Hamilton, 208 (2011–15)
Career goals: Mark Arcobello, 60 (2010–14)
Career assists: Mark Arcobello, 101 (2010–14)
Career points: Mark Arcobello, 161 (2010–14)
Career penalty minutes: Alex Plante, 336 (2010–13)
Career wins: Yann Danis, 52 (2011–13)
Career shutouts: Yann Danis, 7 (2011–13)

References
  1. "Oklahoma City Joining AHL in 2010-11". American Hockey League. 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  2. "Oilers farm team nickname determined by contest". Edmonton Journal. 2010-05-19. Archived from the original on 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  3. "Logo Found!". OilFieldhockey.com. 2010-05-07. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  4. "Barons coming to Oklahoma City". American Hockey League. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  5. "Todd Nelson named Head Coach of the Barons; Gerry Fleming joins staff as Assistant Coach". Oklahoma City Barons. 2010-07-15. Archived from the original on 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  6. "Bill Scott named GM of Barons". Oklahoma City Barons. 2010-08-06. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  7. "Oilers Add Todd Nelson To Coaching Staff; Name Fleming Barons Coach". okcbarons.com. December 15, 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  8. "American Hockey League history and statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com.
  9. "OKC Barons To Cease Operations At End Of Current Season". news9.com. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  10. "Derrick". Oklahoma City Barons. 2010-07-27. Archived from the original on 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  11. "Barons introduce their mascot Derrick the Mountain Lion". Oklahoma City Barons. 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  12. Hockeydb.com, Oklahoma City Barons season statistics and records.
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