History
The Peoria Rivermen franchise was born in 1982–83 in the old International Hockey League, operating under owner Ken Wilson as the Peoria Prancers. The franchise was taken over by the Peoria Civic Center in 1984, which held a contest with the Peoria Journal Star newspaper to rename the team. Rivermen was the winner. The Peoria Rivermen operated in the 1984–85 season and won the IHL's Turner Cup. They were bought by Bruce Saurs in the summer of 1989, and he owned the club for 18 seasons. The franchise dropped down to the ECHL for the 1996–97 season, playing nine seasons there before moving to the American Hockey League for the 2005–06 season, where it presently operates; the current franchise, however, follows the history of the Worcester IceCats. The Peoria franchise is the ninth oldest continuously operating minor-league pro hockey franchise in history. The 2010–11 season marks Peoria's 29th franchise season in that run. It was announced by Dave Checketts that the St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center and the Peoria Rivermen are all up for sale.
On May 10, 2012, Tom Stillman purchased the Peoria Rivermen franchise.
On August 30, 2012, the Rivermen signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the Evansville IceMen, an expansion team in the ECHL, cutting ties with the Alaska Aces, who they were affiliated with since the Rivermen joined the AHL.
On March, 29, 2013, The Rivermen were purchased by the Vancouver Canucks who intend to move the franchise to Abbotsford, B.C.. It is expected the St. Louis Blues will affiliate with the AHL's Chicago Wolves for the 2013–14 season, with Calgary Flames moving its AHL affiliate from Abbotsford, B.C. to Utica, NY in time for the 2013–14 season. The deal is subject to approval from the AHL.
On April 18, 2013, The AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to the Vancouver Canucks. Although rumours speculate the team will move to Abbotsford, neither the city nor the currently residing team (the Abbotsford Heat) have made any announcements regarding a move.
This market was previously served by:
- Peoria Blades of the CntHL (1972–1982)
- Peoria Prancers / Peoria Rivermen of the IHL (1982–1996)
- Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL (1996–2005)
Their main rivals are the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Blues' top rivals the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Chicago Wolves.
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