Capital District Islanders

Lore & Background

The Capital District Islanders were born out of an effort to attract professional hockey to Albany's newly built Knickerbocker Arena. In May 1989, Albany County Executive Jim Coyne formed the Committee to Bring Pro Hockey to Albany, chaired by former RPI hockey coach Mike Addesa. The committee disbanded in January 1990 after backing a bid by Michael Cantanucci, a Troy native and auto dealership owner, over a bid by businessman Ben Fernandez. Cantanucci explored obtaining an AHL franchise and negotiated with the Detroit Red Wings, who held territorial rights for the Adirondack Red Wings within 50 miles. In May 1990, the Red Wings denied permission to move the Sherbrooke Canadiens to Troy, but changed their position after the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets relocated to become the Albany Choppers. Cantanucci negotiated a deal with Red Wings Executive Vice-President Jim Lites, including a $1 million payment and annual fees. Unable to obtain a corporate loan, the City of Troy lent the team the money using Community Development Block Grant funds, later replaced by private financing. Instead of an expansion franchise, Cantanucci purchased the rights of the dormant Boston Braves AHL franchise. The team was named 'Capital District Islanders' to draw fans from the entire region, and its uniforms and logo were identical to the NHL Islanders except for 'Capital District' above the logo. The team struggled at the box office in its first season, with average paid attendance of 1,113 and over $500,000 in losses. David Hanson became general manager before the second season, and Cantanucci sold the franchise to Albert Lawrence before the 1991–92 season.

Reader's Guide

The Capital District Islanders are notable as a short-lived AHL franchise that operated in Troy for three seasons before relocating to Albany. Their establishment required a complex indemnity agreement with the Adirondack Red Wings, reflecting the territorial tensions within the AHL. The team served as the primary affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and was coached by Butch Goring, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the parent club. Despite the affiliation, the team struggled financially and at the box office, often giving away free tickets to boost attendance. The franchise's relocation to Albany as the River Rats marked the end of its identity, but its history illustrates the challenges of placing a minor league team in a market already served by another AHL franchise. The team's presence also coincided with the short-lived Albany Choppers of the IHL, and the two teams competed for fans in the same region.

Did You Know?

• The team was established within the territorial rights of the Adirondack Red Wings and required a $1 million indemnity payment to that franchise.
• The Capital District Islanders played at the Houston Field House on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which had a capacity of 5,203 seats.
• In their first season, the team had an average paid attendance of only 1,113, and on 13 occasions had more free tickets than paid admissions.
• The franchise relocated to Albany and became the Albany River Rats prior to the 1993–94 season.