Edmonton Ice


The Edmonton Ice were a junior ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, that played two seasons in the Western Hockey League from 1996 to 1998.

History

Despite the long-held belief that major junior hockey could not compete against the NHL, the WHL expanded to Calgary, Alberta in 1995, and to Edmonton in 1996. While the Hitmen would be a success, and ultimately were purchased by the Calgary Flames, the Ice's history in Edmonton was rocky. Forced to play in the substandard Northlands Agricom rather than the Northlands Coliseum. After only two seasons in which the team lost games on the ice and a great deal of money off it, the team decamped for Cranbrook, British Columbia, where they became the Kootenay Ice. In 2019, the Ice relocated once again and are currently playing as the Winnipeg Ice.
The Ice were the second Edmonton team to play in the WHL, preceded by two incarnations of the Edmonton Oil Kings from 1966-76 and 1977–78. After nine years absent of the Alberta capital, the WHL returned to Edmonton again in 2007 with the third incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings which are owned by, rather than opposed by, the Oilers.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
SeasonGPWLTGF GAPointsFinishPlayoffs
1996–977214562231295305th CentralOut of playoffs
1997–987217496242328404th CentralOut of playoffs

NHL alumni