Tucson Roadrunners
| Tucson Roadrunners | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Tucson, Arizona |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Pacific |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Home arena | Tucson Convention Center Arena |
| Colors | Brick red, desert sand, copper, black, white[1] |
| Owner(s) | Alex Meruelo |
| General manager | John Ferguson Jr.[2] |
| Head coach | Steve Potvin |
| Captain | Austin Poganski |
| Media | Arizona Daily Star KMSB (Fox 11) KTTU (My 18) KTZR (Fox Sports 1450) AHL.TV (Internet) |
| Affiliates | Utah Hockey Club (NHL) Allen Americans (ECHL) |
| Website | tucsonroadrunners.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1994–2016 | Springfield Falcons |
| 2016–present | Tucson Roadrunners |
| Championships | |
| Division titles | 2: (2017–18, 2019–20) |
 Current season | |
The Tucson Roadrunners are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that began play for the 2016–17 season. Based in Tucson, Arizona, and affiliated with the National Hockey League's (NHL) Utah Hockey Club, the Roadrunners play their home games at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.
In April 2016, the Arizona Coyotes announced they would relocate their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, to Tucson ahead of the 2016–17 season. Following the 2023–24 season, the Coyotes were deactivated by the NHL, and their operations were transferred to a new expansion team in Utah. Owner Alex Meruelo was given a five-year window to reactivate the Coyotes if a new arena was secured, but he abandoned the plan after a land auction was canceled.[3] The Roadrunners announced they would remain in Tucson as the AHL affiliate for the Utah team, with Meruelo retaining his ownership of the Roadrunners.
History
[edit]Arizona Coyotes affiliation
[edit]On April 19, 2016, the Arizona Coyotes announced that they had reached an agreement to purchase their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, and would relocate the team to Tucson for the 2016–17 season.[4][5] Said purchase and relocation was contingent on three approvals; the first from Rio Nuevo (Tucson's downtown revitalization authority) to invest $3.2 million in arena upgrades to bring the Convention Center to professional-quality standards was approved on April 26,[6] the second from the AHL Board of Governors to conditionally approve the purchase and relocation by the Coyotes was approved on May 10,[7] and the third from the Tucson City Council for a 10-year lease with the Convention Center was approved on May 17.[8][9]
A name-the-team contest was held between May 17 and May 31.[10] The hockey club's new name and logo were revealed on June 18 during the Tucson Convention Center's open house event.[11] The chosen name, Roadrunners, pays homage to the Phoenix Roadrunners, a team name that was used for various Phoenix professional hockey teams from 1967 to 2009, and creates a play on words with its parent club the Coyotes (a reference to the classic cartoon duo of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner). Its logo, as well, is a close match for the traditional logo used for Phoenix Roadrunners' teams of the past. On October 27, the day before their home opener, the Roadrunners unveiled their mascot, Dusty the Roadrunner. Dusty wears number 16 on his jersey, representing the year the Springfield Falcons relocated to Tucson in 2016.[12]
On June 21, 2016, Mark Lamb was hired as the team's first head coach after holding the same position with the Western Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos since 2009. Mark Hardy was hired as an assistant coach.[13] The team named its first president Brian Sandy, along with three other key staff members, on July 18.[14] On July 20, the Roadrunners announced their first general manager, Doug Soetaert, promoted from his former position as a scout for the Coyotes.[15]
The Roadrunners played their first-ever game on October 14, 2016, against the San Diego Gulls at Pechanga Arena, losing 5–3. Roadrunners' inaugural captain Craig Cunningham scored the team's first two goals in franchise history.[16] The Roadrunners played their first home game two weeks later on October 28, winning by a score of 6–5 in front of 6,521 fans.[17]
During a home game against the Manitoba Moose on November 19, 2016, Roadrunners player Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice just before the opening faceoff.[18] He was promptly transported to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an acute cardiac arrest resulting from ventricular fibrillation, a condition that caused his heart to stop beating. The arena's medical team, in addition to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Banner-University Medical Center, worked continuously for 85 minutes to administer CPR and ultimately succeeded in saving his life.[19] On October 27, 2017, the Roadrunners retired Cunningham's No. 14 jersey during a pregame ceremony.
After one season, Lamb was released and replaced by Mike Van Ryn, the player development coach with the Coyotes. Under Van Ryn, the Roadrunners finished in first place in the Pacific Division but were eliminated by the Texas Stars in the division finals of the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs. Van Ryn then left to pursue other coaching opportunities and was hired by the St. Louis Blues.[20] The Coyotes then hired Jay Varady as head coach of the Roadrunners for the 2018–19 season after a successful season as coach of the Kingston Frontenacs.[21]
On May 12, 2020, the AHL announced the cancelation for the remainder of the 2019–20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roadrunners were awarded the Pacific division title for having the best record in the division when play was suspended and later canceled.[22] Prior to the postponed start of the 2020–21 season, head coach Varady joined the Coyotes' staff as an assistant coach[23] and assistant Steve Potvin was promoted to head coach of the Roadrunners.[24] Varady returned to the Roadrunners as head coach before the 2021–22 season.[25] Following the season, Varady departed for the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach, with Potvin being renamed as head coach for the 2022–23 season.[26][27]
In the 2022–23 season, Roadrunners forward Michael Carcone led the AHL in total scoring with 31 goals, 54 assists, and 85 total points in 65 games played, winning the John B. Sollenberger Trophy. Carcone also set franchise records in goals, assists, points, power-play goals (14), and shots on goal (273), while earning his first career AHL All-Star selection and being named to the AHL First All-Star Team at the end of the season. The Roadrunners also saw the professional debut of forward Josh Doan, joining the team in March 2023 following his sophomore season with the Arizona State Sun Devils. Doan debuted with Tucson on March 17 and scored his first pro goal two games later on March 21. The Roadrunners qualified for the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, marking their first appearance since 2018. In the first round, they faced the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where they lost in a win-or-go-home game 3.[28]
In the 2023–24 season, the Roadrunners had rookie Josh Doan and goalie Matthew Villalta represent them for the 2024 AHL All-Star Game. Doan finished the regular season with 26 goals and 20 assists for 46 points in 62 games, as his 26 goals ranked first on the Roadrunners along with all rookies in the AHL, while Villalta led the AHL with 31 wins. The Roadrunners finished the regular season with a 43–23–4–2 record and finished second in the AHL's Pacific Division, with their 43 wins marking the most in a single season for the Roadrunners; which helped them clinch home-ice advantage for the first round of the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs and bring home playoff games to Tucson for the first time since 2018. However, Tucson was upset by the Calgary Wranglers in the first round, losing the first two games in a best-of-three series.[29]
Utah Hockey Club affiliation
[edit]Following concerns about an indefinite timeframe on a new arena and the effects of continued play at the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe, the NHL facilitated the sale of the Coyotes franchise to Utah-based billionaire Ryan Smith on April 18, 2024, after the NHL Board of Governors voted to establish a team in Utah using the Coyotes' hockey assets;[30] however, rather than formally relocate, the Coyotes franchise was instead marked "inactive", with Utah considered a hybrid (due to transfer of assets) expansion team. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo retained his rights to the Roadrunners, confirming that they would continue as the AHL affiliate for the Utah Hockey Club,[31] and initially announced his intention to move the Roadrunners from Tucson to Mullett Arena (either part-time or full-time) before rescinding those comments the next day, stating that he "spoke too soon".[32][33][34] The lease agreement with Mullett Arena is specifically for an NHL team, and any adjustments to the lease agreement with the ASU-owned arena would need to be approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. Furthermore, Tucson city officials received no communication from Meruelo on the intended move, nor did the Roadrunners franchise.[35]
On May 28, 2024, the Roadrunners initially announced that they would play six of its 36 home games during the 2024–25 season at Mullett Arena,[36][37] but later announced they would play all 36 of their home games in Tucson, following the decision by the Arizona State Land Department to cancel their June 27 land auction.[38] The city of Tucson and the Roadrunners also agreed on an amended license agreement to keep the team in Tucson through the 2026–2027 season, adding a year upon their original ten-year lease at the Tucson Convention Center.[39] However, following the decision by Alex Meruelo to walk away from his Coyotes ownership, reports emerged that once a new arena for the Meruelo-owned Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada was ready (with an expected completion date of 2026), the Roadrunners could potentially be relocated there.[39][40]
Rivalries
[edit]The Roadrunners consider the San Diego Gulls, the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, as their primary rival and refer to them as their "I-8 Border Rival".[41] Additionally, the winner of each season's series between the two teams is presented with the "I-8 Border Cup Trophy", which has been in the possession of the Roadrunners since the 2018–19 season.[42][43] As of the 2023–24 season, the two teams have faced each other 72 times during the regular season, which is the highest number of games that the Roadrunners have played against any opponent.[44] The Roadrunners current record against the Gulls is 38–31–2–1, with the Roadrunners winning the 2023–24 season series 7–1–0–0.[45][46]
Season-by-season results
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | OTL | SOL | Points | PCT | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing | Year | First Round |
Division Semifinals |
Division Finals |
Conference Finals |
Calder Cup Finals |
| 2016–17 | 68 | 29 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 66 | .485 | 187 | 237 | 6th, Pacific | 2017 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2017–18 | 68 | 42 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 90 | .662 | 214 | 173 | 1st, Pacific | 2018 | — | W, 3–1, SJ | L, 1–4, TEX | — | — |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 34 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 76 | .559 | 206 | 202 | 5th, Pacific | 2019 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2019–20 | 58 | 36 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 75 | .647 | 198 | 163 | 1st, Pacific | Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||||
| 2020–21 | 36 | 13 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 29 | .403 | 103 | 126 | 7th, Pacific | 2021[a] | — | L, 1–2, SJ | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 23 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 52 | .382 | 182 | 268 | 8th, Pacific | 2022 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2022–23 | 72 | 30 | 33 | 8 | 1 | 69 | .479 | 219 | 245 | 7th, Pacific | 2023 | L, 1–2, CV | — | — | — | — |
| 2023–24 | 72 | 43 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 92 | .639 | 222 | 214 | 2nd, Pacific | 2024 | L, 0–2, CGY | — | — | — | — |
- ^ The 2021 Calder Cup playoffs were not held; the Pacific Division held a postseason tournament for the division title. The bottom four teams had single-elimination play-in games to qualify for the semifinals (the first two rounds). The division semifinals and finals were best-of-three for the John D. Chick Trophy (the last two rounds).
Players
[edit]Current roster
[edit]Updated December 12, 2024.[47]
Team captains
[edit]Retired numbers
[edit]| No. | Player | Position | Career | No. retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Craig Cunningham | C | 2016 | October 27, 2017[55] |
Team records and leaders
[edit]Figures are updated as of the conclusion of the 2023–24 season.
Scoring leaders
[edit]These are the top-ten point-scorers for the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL.[56]
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; = current Roadrunners player
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Bunting | LW | 260 | 74 | 106 | 180 | .69 |
| Michael Carcone | LW | 148 | 70 | 81 | 151 | 1.02 |
| Lane Pederson | C | 183 | 58 | 66 | 124 | .68 |
| Jan Jenik | LW | 165 | 46 | 74 | 120 | .73 |
| Kyle Capobianco | D | 155 | 21 | 91 | 112 | .72 |
| Hudson Fasching | RW | 174 | 49 | 57 | 106 | .61 |
| Laurent Dauphin | C | 137 | 44 | 60 | 104 | .76 |
| Brayden Burke | LW | 146 | 35 | 64 | 99 | .68 |
| Cam Dineen | D | 207 | 18 | 72 | 90 | .43 |
| Nick Merkley | RW | 109 | 31 | 58 | 89 | .82 |
Franchise leaders
[edit]Single season
[edit]| Type | Number | Player | Season | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | 31 | Michael Carcone | 2022–23 | [57] |
| Assists | 54 | Michael Carcone | 2022–23 | [57] |
| Points | 85 | Michael Carcone | 2022–23 | [57] |
| Penalty minutes | 178 | Bokondji Imama | 2021–22 | [57] |
| Power play goals | 14 | Michael Carcone | 2022–23 | [57] |
| Short-handed goals | 3 | Laurent Dauphin & Jeremy Gregoire | 2016–17 & 2019–20 | [57] |
| Game winning goals | 8 | Josh Doan | 2023–24 | [57] |
| Plus–minus | +30 | Joel Hanley | 2017–18 | [57] |
| Wins | 31 | Matthew Villalta | 2023–24 | [57] |
| Shutouts | 5 | Adin Hill | 2017–18 | [57] |
Career
[edit]| Type | Number | Player | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games played | 279 | Dysin Mayo | [58] |
| Goals | 74 | Michael Bunting | [58] |
| Assists | 106 | Michael Bunting | [58] |
| Points | 180 | Michael Bunting | [58] |
| Penalty minutes | 287 | Bokondji Imama | [58] |
| Power play goals | 28 | Michael Carcone | [58] |
| Short-handed goals | 5 | Hudson Fasching | [58] |
| Game-winning goals | 11 | Michael Bunting | [58] |
| Plus-minus | +30 | Joel Hanley | [58] |
| Wins | 66 | Adin Hill | [58] |
| Shutouts | 10 | Adin Hill | [58] |
References
[edit]
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners Revealed as Name of Coyotes AHL Affiliate". ArizonaCoyotes.com (Press release). June 18, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
The Coyotes colors of Brick Red, Desert Sand and black embody the logo, along with copper, and reflect the symmetry between the Coyotes and the Roadrunners teams. The Coyotes' Creative Services department designed the logo.
- ^ "Coyotes Name John Ferguson as Assistant General Manager & GM of the Tucson Roadrunners". OurSports Central. September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Embattled Meruelo leaving Coyotes ownership after failed land auction". Associated Press. June 25, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Coyotes Sign Agreement to Purchase Springfield Falcons AHL Franchise". Arizona Coyotes. April 19, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ Chimelis, Ron (April 19, 2016). "Springfield Falcons to be sold, AHL team expected to leave Western Massachusetts". MassLive.com. The Republican. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ Pallack, Becky (April 26, 2016). "Rio Nuevo will spend $3.2M to get arena ready for pro hockey". tucson.com. Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ "BOG conditionally approves Coyotes' purchase". TheAHL.com. American Hockey League. May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ Pallack, Becky (May 17, 2016). "City Council approves deal with Coyotes for AHL hockey in Tucson". AZCentral.com. Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ McLellan, Sarah (May 17, 2016). "Tucson City Council approves lease agreement for Arizona Coyotes' AHL team". AZCentral. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ "Our AHL team is Coming to Tucson: Name the Team". Arizona Coyotes. May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ "Coyotes to Unveil New Name & Logo for AHL Affiliate in Tucson at Open House Event at TCC on June 18". Arizona Coyotes. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ Dorf, Alison. "It's official! Tucson Roadrunners unveil mascot's name". KOLD.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Coyotes Hire Lamb as Head Coach of Tucson Roadrunners". coyotes.nhl.com. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners hire new president, three others". tucson.com. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners Name Doug Soetaert as General Manager". OurSports Central. July 20, 2016.
- ^ Carter, Ivan. "Tucson Roadrunners lose first game to San Diego Gulls, 5-3". Tucson.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Rosenblatt, Zack. "Roadrunners rally, zip past Stockton in first-ever home game". Tucson.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Gold, John. "Here's how Tucson Roadrunner Craig Cunningham cheated sudden death". Tucson.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners Craig Cunningham recovery a miracle". AZ Central. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
- ^ "Roadrunners Announce Van Ryn to Leave Team to Pursue NHL Coaching Opportunity". OurSportsCentral.com. May 30, 2018.
- ^ "Coyotes Name Varady Head Coach of Tucson Roadrunners". Arizona Coyotes. July 2, 2018.
- ^ "Roadrunners named pacific division champions". Tucson Roadrunners. May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Coyotes Add Jay Varady to Coaching Staff for 2020–21 Season". OurSports Central. January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Coyotes Name Steve Potvin as Roadrunners Head Coach". OurSports Central. January 22, 2021.
- ^ "Coyotes Name Jay Varady as Tucson Roadrunners' Head Coach". OurSports Central. July 7, 2021.
- ^ "STEVE POTVIN NAMED TUCSON ROADRUNNERS HEAD COACH". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Roth, Thomas. "Red Wings hire Jay Varady as assistant coach". NHL.com. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Peebles, Jimmy. "The Road We Ran: Tucson Roadrunners 2022-2023 Season Recap". TucsonRoadrunners.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Schaffer, Jonathon. "'Running Through 23-24". TucsonRoadrunners.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (2024-04-18). "'Utah's ready for a team,' new owner says" (Press release). National Hockey League. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ Jones, Josh (2024-04-23). "With Arizona Coyotes leaving, relocation talk clouds Roadrunners' future in Tucson". Cronkite News. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
The Roadrunners remain under the ownership of Meruelo and will be an affiliate of the new team in Utah.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners moving to Tempe as Coyotes move to Utah". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ Ortiz, Jenna. "Think the Tucson Roadrunners will move to Mullett Arena next season? Not so fast". azcentral.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ Reynoldson, Matt. "Meruelo walks back Roadrunners relocation: "We haven't made a decision yet"". kvoa.com. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Sood, Sarika; Reynoldson, Matt. "Roadrunners owner Alex Meruelo intends to move team to Tempe". kvoa.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "AHL Roadrunners To Play At Least 30 Games In Tucson". TucsonRoadrunners.com. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Ortiz, Jenna. "Think the Tucson Roadrunners will move to Mullett Arena next season? Not so fast". theahl.com. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Roadrunners Announce All 36 Home Games To Be Played In Tucson". TucsonRoadrunners.com. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Borla, Charles. "Local officials respond to reports linking Tucson Roadrunners hockey team to Reno arena as soon as 2026". Tucson.com. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Cipollini, Alec (June 25, 2024). "Report: Alex Meruelo allegedly plans on relocating Tucson Roadrunners to Nevada after completion of new arena". Burn City Sports.
- ^ "Roadrunners Home For Six Games At Tucson Arena In March". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Roadrunners are best in the West". KOLD.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Peebles, Jimmy. "Game #66: Tucson At San Diego". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ Fera, Brett. "Arena history, dead heat on the ice bind Roadrunners to Gulls as AHL clubs renew rivalry". Tucson.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Schaffer, Jonathon. "Game #67: Tucson Roadrunners VS. San Diego Gulls". tucsonroadrunners.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Schoepke, Cole. "Game #67: Tucson Roadrunners (3) VS San Diego Gulls (2)". tucsonroadrunners.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners Roster". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Cunningham named Roadrunners captain". Tucson Roadrunners. November 2, 2016.
- ^ "Roadrunners Name Leadership Group For 2017-18 Season". Tucson Roadrunners. October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Roadrunners Name Mermis Team Captain, Announce Leadership Group". Tucson Roadrunners. November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Roadrunners Name Chaput Captain, Announce 2019–20 Leadership Group". Tucson Roadrunners. October 3, 2019.
- ^ "ROADRUNNERS BID FAREWELL TO DEFENSEMAN DYSIN MAYO". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "HUDSON FASCHING NAMED ROADRUNNERS CAPTAIN". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "ADAM CRACKNELL NAMED ROADRUNNERS CAPTAIN". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Cunningham jersey retired but new chapter ahead for 27-year old". nevalleynews.org. October 31, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
- ^ "Tucson Roadrunners – All Time AHL leaders". hockeydb.com. June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Tucson Roadrunners - Single-Season AHL Leaders". QuantHockey. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Tucson Roadrunners - All-Time AHL Leaders". QuantHockey. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
