Watertown Wolves

The Watertown Wolves are a minor professional hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League based in Watertown, New York, and play home games at the Watertown Municipal Arena. The team was on hiatus during the 2015–16 season while renovations at the Watertown Municipal Arena were completed and then returned for the 2016–17 season.[1] With a history dating to 2010, the Wolves are the oldest franchise in the FHL.

Watertown Wolves
CityWatertown, New York
LeagueFederal Prospects Hockey League
Founded2010
Home arenaWatertown Municipal Arena
ColorsBlack, blue, white
     
Owner(s)Andreas Johansson
Head coachBrent Clarke
MediaWatertown Daily Times
Franchise history
2010–20131000 Islands Privateers
2013–2014Watertown Privateers
2014–presentWatertown Wolves
Championships
Regular season titles1 (2014–15)
Playoff championships2 (2015, 2018)

History

Privateers

The team was originally known as the 1000 Islands Privateers and played at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center in Alexandria Bay for two seasons before moving to Watertown for the 2012–13 season.[2] On March 1, 2013, Privateers owner and president Nicole Kirnan served as the team's coach for the first time, making her the first woman to head coach a professional hockey team in the United States.[3][4]

Before the 2013–14 season, the Privateers revamped their identity by changing their name to the Watertown Privateers and redesigning their jerseys and logo. Brad Zangs was brought in as new head coach.[5]

Wolves

Watertown's FHL team returned for the 2014–15 with new ownership after the previous owners decided not to continue. The team rechristened itself as the Watertown Wolves during this season.

In their first season, the Wolves won both the regular season and the playoffs championship. First-year head coach, Brent Clarke, would be named FHL Coach of the Year, but would resign after the season.[6]

The Wolves suspended operations for the 2015–16 season to allow for the Watertown Municipal Arena to be renovated; the team attempted to find another arena in Northern New York to use, but were unable to find an available venue. The renovations were completed on schedule and the Wolves signed a new one-year lease agreement with the city of Watertown in order to return after one season off.[7][8]

The Wolves returned for the 2016–17 season and hired Phil Esposito as head coach.[9]

Prior to the 2017–18 season, the franchise was purchased by IDHL, LLC., the a subsidiary of the FHL and an organization that had announced to be operating a developmental league as feeder system for the FHL[10][11] called the International Developmental Hockey League.[12] The IDHL put off launching the new league and would instead focus solely on operating the Wolves. The shareholders in Top Shelf Hockey eventually left the Wolves organization outright later in the offseason stating they had grown exhausted over the major financial and emotional investments they were making in the franchise.[13] The new owners did not retain Esposito as coach and instead hired Trevor Karasiewicz.[14]

Karasiewicz led the team to a league championship in first season. After his second season, he left for the head coaching position with the Fresno Monsters, a junior team in the Western States Hockey League. Former Danville Dashers coach Paul MacLean was brought in as his replacement.[15]

The franchise was sold again in 2020 with entrepreneur Andreas Johansson as majority owner and league commissioner Don Kirnan staying on in a minority role.[16] The team then brought back Brent Clarke as head coach for the 2020–21 season.

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLOTWOTLSOLPts[lower-alpha 1]FinishPlayoffs
2010–11442613—50573rd of 6Lost Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Akwesasne Warriors
2011–12492915311952nd of 8Won First Round, 2–1 vs. Akwesasne Warriors
Lost Second Round, 0–2 vs. Danbury Whalers
2012–13531826522683rd of 6Lost Semifinals, 0–3 vs. Danbury Whalers
2013–1456153254—593rd of 4Lost Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Dayton Demonz
2014–1554321363—1111st of 6Won Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Danbury Whalers
Won Finals, 3–2 vs. Danville Dashers
2016–1756272324—894th of 7Lost Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Danville Dashers
2017–1852291265—1042nd of 7Won Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Carolina Thunderbirds
Won Finals, 3–1 vs. Port Huron Prowlers
2018–1958241671—873rd of 6Lost Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Elmira Enforcers
2019–2048222132—743rd of 5, EasternSeason cancelled[lower-alpha 2]
  1. Except for the 2010–11 season, the FHL awards 3 points for a regulation time win, 2 points for an overtime win, and 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss
  2. 2019–20 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References
  1. "Wolves Already Planning For 2016-17". FHL. June 24, 2015.
  2. City Council approves Privateers’ move to fairgrounds
  3. "With Kirnan behind bench, Privateers win". Watertown Daily Times. March 2, 2013.
  4. "Nicole Kirnan, first woman to coach men's pro hockey team, faced 'demoralizing' criticism". Yahoo! Sports. March 14, 2013.
  5. "Minnesota native Zangs new man behind Privateers' bench". Watertown Daily Times. October 31, 2013.
  6. "Wolves Bench Boss Clarke Resigns". Federal Hockey League. FHL. April 29, 2015.
  7. "Wolves, city ink new contract for Watertown arena". Watertown Daily Times. May 17, 2016.
  8. "Wolves Fans Give New Arena Warm Reception". WWNY TV. January 17, 2017.
  9. "Watertown Wolves hire Esposito as head coach". Watertown Daily Times. September 8, 2016.
  10. "THE IDHL IS BORN". OurSports Central. February 6, 2017.
  11. "Introducing the International Developmental Hockey League for players ages 20-23". USA Junior Hockey Magazine. February 9, 2017.
  12. "New Owners Take Over Watertown Wolves Hockey Team". WWNY TV. June 29, 2017.
  13. "Last of local owners depart Watertown Wolves". Watertown Daily Times. September 29, 2017.
  14. "Watertown Wolves hire Karasiewicz as coach". Watertown Daily Times. July 6, 2017.
  15. "Sunday Sports: Watertown Wolves name new coach". WWNY-TV. August 11, 2019.
  16. "Watertown Wolves sold to entrepreneur Johansson". NNY360.com. April 2, 2020.
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