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Cleveland Monsters

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Cleveland Monsters
CityCleveland, Ohio
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded1994 (In the IHL)
Operated2007–present
Home arenaRocket Mortgage FieldHouse
ColorsBlue, black, gold, white
       
Owner(s)Dan Gilbert
General managerChris Clark[1]
Head coachTrent Vogelhuber
CaptainStefan Matteau
MediaRadio: WARF
TV: WUAB
WTCL-LD/WOHZ-CD (RESN)
Online: AHL.TV
AffiliateColumbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Franchise history
1994–1995Denver Grizzlies
1995–2005Utah Grizzlies
2007–2016Lake Erie Monsters
2016–presentCleveland Monsters
Championships
Division titles1 (2023–24)
Conference titles1 (2015–16)
Calder Cups1 (2015–16)
Current season

The Cleveland Monsters are a professional ice hockey team based in Cleveland, that play in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team debuted in 2007 as the Lake Erie Monsters and since 2015 has served as the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Monsters play home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland and have one Calder Cup championship, after winning their first title in 2016.

Franchise history

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

The Monsters began in 2006 when the dormant Utah Grizzlies AHL franchise was purchased on May 16, 2006, by a Cleveland ownership group led by Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans.[2] A new AHL team was awarded to Cleveland following the departure of the Cleveland Barons to Worcester, Massachusetts, after the 2005–06 season.[3] With Quicken Loans Arena established as the team's home venue, the Colorado Avalanche was announced on December 17, 2006, as the franchise's first NHL parent club with a five-year agreement.[2][4]

The franchise was officially announced on January 25, 2007, as the Lake Erie Monsters, referring to Bessie, a creature of local folklore. The name was chosen from researching focus groups around the Cleveland area and the logo incorporated the geographical connection in the region with Lake Erie.[5]

Former NHL player Joe Sacco was named as the Lake Erie Monsters first head coach and Dave Oliver was named general manager.[6][7] The Monsters opened their inaugural 2007–08 campaign with a loss at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 6, 2007.[8] The team ended the season 26–41.[9]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, the Monsters qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in team history. After gaining a 3–1 series lead over the Manitoba Moose in the opening round, the Monsters proceeded to lose the next three consecutive games, losing the series 4–3.[10]

Blue Jackets era

[edit]
Monsters with the Calder Cup in 2016

On April 17, 2015, the Monsters announced the signing of a multi-year agreement to become the AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets, which took effect in the 2015–16 season.[11] The multi-season affiliation was extended in 2019.[12][13]

The Monsters finished the 2015–16 season by setting a franchise record in points (97) and qualified for the playoffs for the second time in team history.[14] On April 23, 2016, the Monsters defeated their first round opponent, the Rockford IceHogs, 5–3, ending a three-game sweep of their opponent in a best-of-five series.[15][16] The Monsters advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to play the Grand Rapids Griffins in a best-of-seven series, defeating them 4–2. They then swept the defending Calder Cup Champion Ontario Reign in the Western Conference Finals to reach their first Calder Cup Final in franchise history.[17] On June 11, 2016, the Monsters won the franchise's first Calder Cup in a four-game sweep of the Hershey Bears, with Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring the Cup-winning goal in overtime.[17][18]

This marked Cleveland's first AHL title since the Barons won their last Calder Cup in 1964, and 10th overall for a Cleveland-based AHL team.[17] The Monsters won Game 4 before a sellout crowd of 19,665 people at Quicken Loans Arena — the second largest crowd for a professional hockey game in Ohio behind the 19,941 in a Cleveland Lumberjacks game against the Minnesota Moose in February 1996, and the second largest in Calder Cup playoff history behind the 20,103 Philadelphia Phantoms game four victory in the 2005 Calder Cup Finals over the Chicago Wolves.[19]

On August 9, 2016, the Lake Erie Monsters changed their name to the Cleveland Monsters.[20] The team's Calder Cup winning head coach, Jared Bednar, was then hired by the Colorado Avalanche on August 25.[21] Under their new name and coach John Madden, the Monsters failed to qualify for the playoffs in the 2016–17 season.[22][23][24] In the 2017–18 season, the Monsters earned last place in the Western Conference and failed to make the playoffs.[25] The team returned to the playoffs following the 2018–19 season as the fourth seed in the North Division where they upset the division champion Syracuse Crunch before being swept by the Toronto Marlies in the division finals.[26][27] Head coach John Madden then left the team and was replaced by Mike Eaves.[28][29]

The Monsters 2019–20 season was curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] The team ended the season in last place in their division with a record of 24–31.[31][32] Owing to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the 2020–21 season was delayed and shortened with no playoffs held in their division.[33] They ended the season in second place within their division.[34]

Cleveland hockey history

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The following teams have previously played in Cleveland. The Monsters recognize and honor past Cleveland teams with commemorative banners at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse:[35][36]

Season-by-season results

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for 		Goals
against 		Standing Year 1st
round 		2nd
round 		3rd
round 		Finals
2007–08 80 26 41 6 7 65 .406 209 276 6th, North 2008 Did not qualify
2008–09 80 34 38 3 5 76 .475 199 218 6th, North 2009 Did not qualify
2009–10 80 34 37 1 8 77 .481 234 257 6th, North 2010 Did not qualify
2010–11 80 44 28 3 5 96 .600 223 206 2nd, North 2011 L, 3–4, MTB — — —
2011–12 76 37 29 3 7 84 .553 189 210 3rd, North 2012 Did not qualify
2012–13 76 35 31 3 7 80 .526 211 220 3rd, North 2013 Did not qualify
2013–14 76 32 33 1 10 75 .492 200 235 4th, North 2014 Did not qualify
2014–15 76 35 29 8 4 82 .539 211 240 4th, Midwest 2015 Did not qualify
2015–16 76 43 22 6 5 97 .638 211 188 2nd, Central 2016 W, 3–0, RFD W, 4–2, GR W, 4–0, ONT W, 4–0, HER
2016–17 76 39 29 4 4 86 .566 195 198 5th, Central 2017 Did not qualify
2017–18 76 25 41 7 3 60 .395 190 258 7th, Central 2018 Did not qualify
2018–19 76 37 29 8 2 84 .553 232 234 4th, North 2019 W, 3–1, SYR L, 0–4, TOR — —
2019–20 62 24 31 5 2 55 .444 159 192 8th, North 2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 29 16 10 1 2 35 .603 101 86 2nd, Central 2021 No playoffs were held[a]
2021–22 76 28 35 8 5 69 .454 207 262 7th, North 2022 Did not qualify
2022–23 72 33 32 5 2 73 .507 220 254 6th, North 2023 Did not qualify
2023–24 72 40 24 5 3 88 .611 233 238 1st, North 2024 W, 3–1, BEL W, 3–0, SYR L, 3–4, HER –
  1. ^ Season was delayed and shortened due to the lingering pandemic; Calder Cup not awarded.

Players

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Current roster

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Updated November 7, 2024.[38]

Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
37 United States Roman Ahcan LW L 25 2022 Savage, Minnesota Monsters
8 Norway Ole Bjorgvik-Holm D L 22 2021 Oslo, Norway Blue Jackets
6 Canada Madison Bowey D R 29 2024 Winnipeg, Manitoba Monsters
42 Canada Cameron Butler RW R 22 2023 Ottawa, Ontario Blue Jackets
4 Canada Corson Ceulemans D R 21 2023 Regina, Saskatchewan Blue Jackets
34 Canada Cole Clayton (A) D R 24 2021 Strathmore, Alberta Blue Jackets
10 Canada Luca Del Bel Belluz C L 20 2023 Woodbridge, Ontario Blue Jackets
64 Canada Trey Fix-Wolansky (A) RW R 25 2019 Edmonton, Alberta Blue Jackets
2 United States Grant Gabriele D R 27 2024 Brighton, Michigan Monsters
18 United States Dylan Gambrell C R 28 2024 Bonney Lake, Washington Blue Jackets
19 Canada Jake Gaudet C L 28 2021 Ottawa, Ontario Monsters
73 Canada Jet Greaves G L 23 2021 Cambridge, Ontario Blue Jackets
91 United States Rocco Grimaldi RW R 31 2024 Rossmoor, California Monsters
16 United States Curtis Hall C R 24 2024 Chagrin Falls, Ohio Monsters
20 Slovakia Samuel Knazko D L 22 2022 Trenčín, Slovakia Blue Jackets
14 United States Joseph LaBate C L 31 2024 Eagan, Minnesota Monsters
11 Canada James Malatesta LW L 21 2023 Montreal, Quebec Blue Jackets
17 Canada Denton Mateychuk D L 20 2024 Winnipeg, Manitoba Blue Jackets
25 United States Stefan Matteau (C) C L 30 2023 Chicago, Illinois Monsters
93 Canada Max McCue C L 21 2024 Sudbury, Ontario Blue Jackets
41 United States Hunter McKown C R 22 2023 San Jose, California Blue Jackets
24 United States Justin Pearson LW L 26 2023 Nashua, New Hampshire Monsters
36 Canada Zach Sawchenko G L 26 2024 Calgary, Alberta Blue Jackets
12 Canada Owen Sillinger (A) C L 27 2022 Regina, Saskatchewan Blue Jackets
5 Czech Republic Stanislav Svozil D L 21 2023 Přerov, Czech Republic Blue Jackets

Team captains

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Retired numbers

[edit]
Monsters retired numbers and championship banners hanging from the rafters of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

No Monsters player has had his number retired. However, the team has retired the numbers of players who have played on past Cleveland franchises to honor the city's hockey history.[35]

Cleveland Monsters retired numbers
No. Player Position Team
1 Johnny Bower G Barons
9 Fred Glover C Barons
15 Jock Callander C Lumberjacks
27 Dave Michayluk RW Lumberjacks

Notable alumni

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The following players have played both 100 games with the Monsters and 100 games in the National Hockey League:

Team records

[edit]
Single season
Goals: 33, Zac Dalpe (2018–19)
Assists: 50, T.J. Hensick (2009–10)
Points: 71 Trey Fix-Wolansky (2022–23)
Penalty minutes: 215, Daniel Maggio (2014–15)
Wins: 28, Jet Greaves (2023-24)
GAA: 2.11, Cedrick Desjardins (2011–12)
SV%: .932, Cedrick Desjardins (2011–12)
Shutouts: 8, Tyler Weiman (2008–09)
  • Goaltending records need a minimum 25 games played by the goaltender
Playoffs

[39][40]

Goals: 10, Oliver Bjorkstrand (2016)
Assists: 10, Ryan Craig (2016)
Points: 16 (tie), Oliver Bjorkstrand and Lukas Sedlak (2016)
Penalty minutes: 26, Kerby Rychel (2016)
Wins: 9, Anton Forsberg (2016)
GAA: 1.34, Anton Forsberg (2016)
SV%: .949, Anton Forsberg (2016)
Shutouts: 2, Anton Forsberg (2016)
Career
Career goals: Trey Fix-Wolansky, 69
Career assists: Andrew Agozzino, 98
Career points: Trey Fix-Wolansky, 165
Career penalty minutes: Brett Gallant, 663
Career goaltending wins: Calvin Pickard, 60
Career shutouts: Tyler Weiman, 13
Career games: Justin Scott, 336
Firsts and team records

Media

[edit]

Radio

WARF AM 1350 serves as the radio outlet for the team. Play-by-play announcer Tony Brown calls games on-site.[41]

TV

Select Monsters games will be televised on WUAB channel 43, as well as Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), which is carried on sister stations WTCL-LD channel 22 in Cleveland, and WOHZ-CD channel 22 in Canton. The broadcast team consists of play-by-play broadcaster Tony Brown, former Monsters goaltender and current Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender development coach Brad Thiessen as booth analyst, former Cleveland Lumberjacks player Jock Callander as rinkside analyst, and WHBC afternoon host Kenny Roda as host/locker room reporter. All televised games are also simulcast on the radio.[42]

Mascot and entertainment

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The Monsters' official mascot is a seagull character named "Sullivan C. Goal" (aka "Sully").[43] Also featured are the "Monsters Hockey Girls" cheerleaders.[44] In March 2023 the Monsters unveiled "The Modelo Experience" which allows fans the opportunity to take ride on a custom made "fanboni" built by Cleveland Power and Performance.[45]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Blue Jackets Name Chris Clark Monsters' General Manager". Cleveland Monsters. June 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Minor league hockey will return to Cleveland". Newspapers.com. Dayton Daily News. May 17, 2006. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Schudel, Jeff (January 7, 2015). "Lake Erie Monsters: AHL says it isn't leaving Cleveland". The News-Herald. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Pro Hockey". Newspapers.com. The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 18, 2006. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "Famous sea monsters". SeaMonster.org. Archived from the original on 2001-07-19. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  6. ^ "Lake Erie Monsters name Sacco new coach". The Plain Dealer. May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "Oliver lands GM gig in Cleveland". Newspapers.com. The Morning Star. September 9, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  8. ^ "Wall ready to climb". Newspapers.com. Houston Today. October 10, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "East Division Opponents". Newspapers.com. Times Leader. October 7, 2008. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  10. ^ Manoloff, Dennis (April 27, 2011). "Lake Erie Monsters eliminated by Manitoba Moose". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Blue Jackets now have a Monster partnership". Fox Sports. April 17, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-21. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Affiliation Partnership". OurSports Central. August 20, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-08-20. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Blue Jackets, Monsters extend affiliation agreement". American Hockey League. August 20, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-08-20. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "Monsters open playoffs with victory over Rockford". The Plain Dealer. April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Monsters clinch first ever playoff series win". WOIO. April 24, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c "Lake Erie Monsters win Calder Cup Finals in overtime". WJW. June 11, 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Wright, Branson (June 12, 2016). "Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in OT". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  19. ^ "Record full house at the Q for Lake Erie Monsters' Calder Cup bid". The Plain Dealer. June 11, 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-03-22. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  20. ^ "Lake Erie Monsters change name, get new uniforms". KLTV. August 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  21. ^ Sadowski, Rick (August 25, 2016). "Jared Bednar hired as Avalanche coach". NHL.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  22. ^ "Blue Jackets name John Madden new Monsters coach". The Plain Dealer. August 29, 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  23. ^ Wright, Branson (April 17, 2015). "Monsters lose but still remain in playoff hunt". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "Around The League". Newspapers.com. The Citizens' Voice. April 21, 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  25. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "Monsters oust Crunch with Game 4 shutout". American Hockey League. April 25, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-26. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  27. ^ Isley, Ryan (May 8, 2019). "Cleveland Monsters swept out of AHL playoffs by Toronto Marlies, 6-2 in Game 4". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  28. ^ "Eaves to coach AHL team". Newspapers.com. Wisconsin State Journal. June 19, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  29. ^ Florjancic, Matthew (May 29, 2019). "John Madden will not return as Monsters head coach". WKYC. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  30. ^ Kaplan, Emily (May 11, 2020). "AHL cancels rest of season due to coronavirus". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2020-05-11. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  31. ^ Justice, Camryn (May 11, 2020). "Cleveland Monsters' season ends as AHL cancels remaining 2020 games, playoffs". WEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-05-31. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  33. ^ Taft, Jay (May 6, 2021). "AHL makes it official: No playoff hockey for Rockford IceHogs this year". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  34. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  35. ^ a b c Baker, Paul (March 9, 2018). "Quicken Loans Arena hockey banners". Stadium Journey. Archived from the original on 2011-11-25. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  36. ^ "Cleveland Monsters hockey banners". Stadium Journey. Archived from the original on 2021-05-16.
  37. ^ "Cleveland hockey history". Lake Erie Monsters. February 3, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  38. ^ "Cleveland Monsters – Team roster". Elite Prospects. eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-18. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  39. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  40. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  41. ^ "Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Radio Broadcast Agreement". Cleveland Monsters. October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  42. ^ [clevelandmonsters.com/news/detail/cleveland-monsters-announce-first-rock-entertainment-sports-network-game-telecast-and-return-of-monsters-ot-studio-show "Cleveland Monsters Announce First Rock Entertainment Sports Network Game Telecast And Return Of Monsters OT Studio Show"]. Cleveland Monsters.com. Cleveland Monsters. Retrieved October 17, 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  43. ^ "Sully, the Monsters official Mascot". Lake Erie Monsters. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  44. ^ "Monsters Hockey Girls". Lake Erie Monsters. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  45. ^ "Monsters introduce a new, unique fan experience: The Modelo Fanboni | Cleveland Monsters".
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