Peoria Rivermen

Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team based in Peoria, Illinois, and are members of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The team was previously a member of the American Hockey League (AHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), with affiliations to National Hockey League (NHL) teams such as the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. The Rivermen have a rich history, with notable players including Keith Tkachuk, Brett Hull, and Chris Chelios, who have all played in the NHL All-Star Game. The team has also had affiliations with the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes.

● History

The Peoria Rivermen were founded in 1982 as a member of the International Hockey League (IHL), with the team playing their home games at the Peoria Civic Center. The team joined the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in 1996, and later became a member of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2005, with affiliations to the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. During their time in the AHL, the Rivermen had notable players such as T.J. Oshie, David Backes, and B.J. Crombeen, who have all played for the St. Louis Blues in the NHL. The team also had affiliations with the Chicago Wolves and Rockford IceHogs, and played against teams such as the Milwaukee Admirals and Grand Rapids Griffins. In 2013, the team relocated to Utica, New York and became the Utica Comets, with the Rivermen name being revived in 2013 as a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), with affiliations to teams such as the Evansville Thunderbolts and Fayetteville Marksmen.

● Team identity

The Peoria Rivermen's team identity is centered around their name, which is derived from the city's Illinois River waterfront and the rivermen who worked on the river. The team's logo features a riverman character, and their colors are blue, red, and white, which are inspired by the city's Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. The team has a strong rivalry with the Quad City Storm and the Bloomington Thunder, and has played against teams such as the Knoxville Ice Bears and the Macon Mayhem. The Rivermen have also hosted games against teams such as the Pensacola Ice Flyers and the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, and have participated in events such as the SPHL President's Cup and the NHL Winter Classic.

● Season-by-season records

The Peoria Rivermen have a rich history of competitive seasons, with notable records including their 2009-10 season, in which they finished with a record of 44-24-12, and their 2011-12 season, in which they finished with a record of 39-33-8. The team has also had successful seasons in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), with records such as their 2016-17 season, in which they finished with a record of 27-24-5, and their 2018-19 season, in which they finished with a record of 35-20-1. The Rivermen have played against teams such as the Huntsville Havoc and the Birmingham Bulls, and have participated in events such as the SPHL playoffs and the NHL Entry Draft.

● Players

The Peoria Rivermen have had a number of notable players throughout their history, including Keith Tkachuk, Brett Hull, and Chris Chelios, who have all played in the NHL All-Star Game. The team has also had players such as T.J. Oshie, David Backes, and B.J. Crombeen, who have all played for the St. Louis Blues in the NHL. The Rivermen have also had affiliations with players such as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, who have both played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. The team has also had players such as Ryan Miller and Brian Elliott, who have both played for the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues in the NHL.

● Arena and attendance

The Peoria Rivermen play their home games at the Peoria Civic Center, which has a seating capacity of over 9,000. The team has a strong fan base, with average attendance figures of over 4,000 per game. The Rivermen have also hosted games at other arenas, such as the Carver Arena and the Grossinger Motors Arena, and have played against teams such as the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves. The team has also participated in events such as the NHL Winter Classic and the AHL All-Star Game, which have been held at arenas such as the Wrigley Field and the United Center.

● Affiliates

The Peoria Rivermen have had affiliations with a number of teams throughout their history, including the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team has also had affiliations with the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes, and has played against teams such as the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rivermen have also had affiliations with teams such as the Evansville Thunderbolts and Fayetteville Marksmen of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), and have participated in events such as the SPHL President's Cup and the NHL Entry Draft. The team has also had affiliations with players such as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, who have both played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. Category:Ice hockey teams in Illinois