Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL)

Lore & Background

The franchise originated as an ECHL expansion team awarded to Barry Kemp for Ontario, California. In 2004, Kemp partnered with others to form Bloomington Partners and transferred the rights to Bloomington, Illinois, but after a fallout the city voided the arena contract. The franchise was then sold to Legacy Partners, LLC, headed by Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver, and relocated to Phoenix. Former Phoenix Coyotes star Claude Lemieux was named the club's first president. The Roadrunners began play in 2005–06, finishing with the league's worst record. In 2006–07, they secured an affiliation with the Phoenix Coyotes and qualified for the Kelly Cup playoffs for the first time, but were swept 4–0 by the Las Vegas Wranglers in the first round. After the season, Lemieux resigned as president but remained a consultant. The Coyotes did not renew the affiliation for 2007–08, and the Roadrunners signed a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks and its AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks. The team missed the playoffs in 2007–08 and finished fifth in the West Division. In their final season, 2008–09, the Roadrunners were eliminated from playoff contention after being swept by the Alaska Aces, outscored 18–5 in the series. The team ceased operations after the season.

Reader's Guide

The Phoenix Roadrunners were notable for reviving a historic hockey name in the desert after a four-year gap in minor league hockey in Phoenix. The team's ownership included Robert Sarver, majority owner of the Phoenix Suns, and its first president was former NHL star Claude Lemieux. The Roadrunners made only one playoff appearance in four seasons, a first-round sweep by the Las Vegas Wranglers in 2007. The team's career records were dominated by Daniel Sisca, who held the marks for goals (32), assists (73), and points (105). Goaltender Taylor Dakers posted the best career goals-against average (2.34) and save percentage (.930) among those with at least 15 games. The franchise also featured a mascot, Rocky Roadrunner, whose service dated back to 1967, making him the oldest mascot in any professional sports team in Arizona by the 2007–08 season. The Roadrunners' affiliation history included the Phoenix Coyotes and later the San Jose Sharks and Worcester Sharks. The team's demise after the 2008–09 season left Phoenix without an ECHL team.

Did You Know?

• The franchise was originally awarded for Ontario, California, then moved to Bloomington, Illinois, before finally relocating to Phoenix.
• Claude Lemieux, a former Phoenix Coyotes star, served as the team's first president.
• The Roadrunners' mascot, Rocky Roadrunner, had been with the team since 1967, making him the oldest mascot in any Arizona professional sports team by 2007–08.
• Goaltender Craig Kowalski won the ECHL Goalie of the Week award in December 2008, the first Roadrunners goalie to do so since Cody Rudkowsky in 2006.