Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were a professional ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were members of the American Hockey League, and played their home games at the Cincinnati Gardens. Throughout their existence they were the primary minor league affiliate of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim of the National Hockey League, with a three-year shared affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings.

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
CityCincinnati, Ohio
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated1997–2005
Home arenaCincinnati Gardens
ColorsEggplant and Jade
AffiliatesDetroit Red Wings
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Franchise history
1995–1997Baltimore Bandits
1997–2005Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
2007–presentRockford IceHogs

History

In 1997, the Baltimore Bandits franchise was losing money and accruing debts in Baltimore.[1] Jerry Robinson, owner of the Cincinnati Gardens arena, purchased the Bandits franchise to play at the Gardens, replacing the previous hockey tenant, the Cincinnati Cyclones of the International Hockey League.[2] The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim signed Cincinnati to a five-year affiliate agreement. From 1999 through 2002 team shared its affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings,[3] until the Red Wings affiliated with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Anaheim maintained their affiliation with Cincinnati through the 2005-06 season. The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were granted a voluntary suspension for the 2005–06 season[4] two days after Anaheim and Cincinnati ended their affiliation,[5] and Cincinnati could not find a replacement NHL affiliate. In October 2005 the team was renamed the Cincinnati RailRaiders, and was seeking an affiliation agreement for a return in 2006-07 season,[6] but failed to reach a goal of 2,000 season tickets sold to become re-active.[7]

On October 3, 2006, it was reported that a Windsor, Ontario-based company had been granted conditional approval to purchase and relocate the team,[8] however that deal fell through.[9] On March 19, 2007, the AHL announced that the team had been purchased, and moved to Rockford, Illinois, to become the Rockford IceHogs.[10]

The market was previously served by:

The team was replaced in this market by:

Affiliates

Season-by-season results

Regular season
SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSOLPointsGoals
for		Goals
against		Standing
1997–98802337137—662433034th, Mid-Atlantic
1998–9980353942—762272494th, Mid-Atlantic
1999–0080303794—732272445th, Mid-Atlantic
2000–0180412694—952542402nd, South
2001–02803333113—802162113rd, Central
2002–03802635136—712022423rd, Central
2003–04802937131—721882115th, West
2004–05804431—41932061913rd, West

Playoffs
SeasonPreliminary1st round2nd round3rd roundFinals
1997–98Out of Playoffs
1998–99—L, 0–3, Philadelphia———
1999–00Out of Playoffs
2000–01—L, 1–3, Norfolk———
2001–02L, 1–2, Chicago————
2002–03Out of Playoffs
2003–04W, 2–0, HoustonL, 3–4, Milwaukee———
2004–05—W, 4–3, MilwaukeeL, 1–4, Chicago——

Notable players and coaches

Numerous Cincinnati Mighty Ducks alumni were with the Anaheim Ducks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2007. In addition, former coach Mike Babcock led Anaheim to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2003 before he went to Detroit.

Joffrey Lupul playing for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in 2004.
Ilya Bryzgalov playing for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

Team records

Single season
Goals: 42 Bob Wren (1997–98)
Assists: 59 Craig Reichert (1997–98)
Points: 100 Bob Wren (1997–98)
Penalty minutes: 319 Shane O'Brien (2004–05)
GAA: 2.07 Frederic Cassivi (2004–05)
SV%: .924 Frederic Cassivi (2004–05)

Career
Career goals: 113 Bob Wren
Career assists: 186 Bob Wren
Career points: 299 Bob Wren
Career penalty minutes: 482 Shane O'Brien
Career goaltending wins: 76 Ilya Bryzgalov
Career shutouts: 19 Ilya Bryzgalov
Career games: 277 Bob Wren

References
  1. De Marco, Donna (April 14, 1997). "Bandits bills piling up, as owner tries to sell". www.bizjournals.com. Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  2. Hemmer, Andy (April 20, 1998). "Cyclones win face-off with Mighty Ducks at gate". www.bizjournals.com. Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  3. Gass, Pat (2019). So You Think You're a Detroit Red Wings Fan?: Stars, Stats, Records, and Memories for True Diehards. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-68358-257-1. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  4. "Board of Governors' spring meeting concludes". theahl.com. American Hockey League. May 18, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  5. "Anaheim ends affiliation with Cincinnati". theahl.com. American Hockey League. May 16, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  6. Watkins, Steve (January 9, 2006). "Cincinnati group races to get deposits to bring hockey back". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  7. "AHL gives RailRaiders voluntary suspension". www.bizjournals.com. Cincinnati Business Courier. May 16, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  8. "AHL Board approves franchise transfer". AHL.com. 2 October 2006. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  9. Duff, Bob (30 January 2007). "IceTrack loses AHL deal". Canada.com. Windsor Star. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  10. "theahl.com: League News". 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
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