Erie Otters

Erie Otters
City	Erie, Pennsylvania
League	Ontario Hockey League
Conference	Western
Division	Midwest
Founded	1996 (1996)–97
Home arena	Erie Insurance Arena
Colors	Navy blue, gold, red, white
Website	www.ottershockey.com
Franchise history
1996–pres	Erie Otters
1988–96	Niagara Falls Thunder
1984–88	Hamilton Steelhawks
1978–84	Brantford Alexanders
1977–78	Hamilton Fincups
1976–77	St. Catharines Fincups
1974–76	Hamilton Fincups
1960–74	Hamilton Red Wings
1953–60	Hamilton Tiger Cubs
1946–53	Windsor Spitfires

The Erie Otters are a professional ice hockey team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Midwest Division of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), one of only three American teams in the circuit. The "Otters" name refers to the North American otter (Lontra canadensis), a semiaquatic mammal common to Lake Erie.

History

The Erie Otters were previously located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where they were called the Niagara Falls Thunder. They moved to Erie Insurance Arena in downtown Erie in time for the 1996–97 season. After three seasons of mediocrity in Erie, they won the Midwest Division's Holody Trophy in 1999. It was their first of three consecutive Midwest Division championships, culminating in a J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 2001–02 season. Additionally, Dave MacQueen won the Matt Leyden Trophy in 2000–01 as the OHL Coach of the Year and Sherwood Bassin was awarded OHL Executive of the Year for his role in building a championship team as general manager. The Erie Otters were the second U.S. team to win the OHL Championship, following the 1994–95 season champions Detroit Junior Red Wings (now the Plymouth Whalers).

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) officially partnered with the Erie Otters in 2012 as their official medical provider.

Connor McDavid era (2012-15)

Main article: Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid, a Canadian center, played for the Erie Otters from 2012 to 2015, before joining the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Otters chose him as their first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection Draft. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau subsequently named McDavid the top North American prospect for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, where the Oilers selected him first overall. The Greater Toronto Hockey League named McDavid "Player of the Year" for the 2011–12 season following a record of 79 goals and 130 assists. Hockey Canada, the governing body for amateur hockey in Canada, granted McDavid "Exceptional Player" status, which permitted him to play in the OHL a year earlier than would otherwise be permissible for a player his age. He was only the third player to receive that status, after John Tavares and Aaron Ekblad.

Uniforms and logos

The Erie Otters' colors are navy blue, gold, red, and white. Their primary logo features a circular outline with a fierce, anthropomorphic otter furnishing a hockey stick and gear. The "Otters" wordmark is superimposed over the design in red with gold and navy blue outline. The team's home uniform includes a navy blue sweater with red and gold accents. The away uniforms feature a white jersey with navy blue and red trim.

For the 2013 season, the Erie Otters introduced a gold alternate jersey. This jersey features a navy blue shoulder yoke, navy blue and white stripes, and the cursive "Otters" wordmark centered across the chest. Its design resembles the sweaters of the defunct Erie Blades, who played from 1975 to 1982.

Arena

Main article: Erie Insurance Arena

The Erie Otters play their home games at Erie Insurance Arena, which opened in 1981 and currently seats 5,500 spectators. It is a centerpiece of the Erie Civic Center Complex, which also includes the Jerry Uht Park baseball stadium, home to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves.

Championships

• J. Ross Robertson Cup (OHL Champions)
  2001–02
• Wayne Gretzky Trophy (Western Conference Champions)
  2001–02, 2014–15
• Hamilton Spectator Trophy (1st place regular season)
  2000–01
• Holody Trophy (Midwest Division Champions)
  1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2014-15

Coaches

Dave MacQueen won the Matt Leyden Trophy in 2000–01 as the OHL Coach of the Year.

Multiple years in parentheses

• 1996–1997 Chris Johnstone, Dale Dunbar
• 1997–1998 Dale Dunbar (2)
• 1998–1999 Paul Theriault
• 1999–2006 Dave MacQueen (7)
• 2006–2007 Peter Sidorkiewicz (2)
• 2007–2012 Robbie Ftorek (4)
• 2012–present Kris Knoblauch

Players

A total of 21 players have been selected at the National Hockey League Entry Draft since the franchise relocated to Erie, including a five-year stretch from 1997–2001 in which seven members of the team were selected in the first round: (1997 Jason Ward, 11th, Montreal Canadiens; 1998 Michael Rupp, ninth, New York Islanders; 1999 Tim Connolly, fifth, New York Islanders; 2000 Nikita Alexeev, eighth, Tampa Bay Lightning; Brad Boyes, 24th, Toronto Maple Leafs; 2001 Carlo Colaiacovo, 17th, Toronto Maple Leafs; and Adam Munro, 29th, Chicago Blackhawks).

Award winners

• 1999–2000 - Brad Boyes, CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award, Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year)
• 2000–01 - Brad Boyes, Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player), William Hanley Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player)
• 2000–01 - Joey Sullivan, Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian of the Year)
• 2001–02 - Brad Boyes, CHL Sportsman of the Year Award, Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player), William Hanley Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player), Wayne Gretzky 99 Award (Playoffs MVP)
• 2001–02 - Cory Pecker, Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy (Overage Player of the Year)
• 2003–04 - Chris Campoli, CHL Humanitarian of the Year, Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year)
• 2006–07 - Derrick Bagshaw, Roger Neilson Memorial Award (Top Academic University Player)
• 2007-09 - Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall draft pick)
• 2011-12 - Connor McDavid, Jack Ferguson Award (First Overall draft pick)
• 2013-14 - Connor Brown, Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion), Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger), Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player)
• 2013-14 - Dane Fox, Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy (Top Overage Player of the Year)
• 2013-14 - Connor McDavid, William Hanley Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player), Bobby Smith Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year)
• 2013-14 - Oscar Dansk & Devin Williams, Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against)

NHL alumni

• Nikita Alexeev
• Adam Berti
• Michael Blunden
• Brad Boyes
• Andre Burakovsky

• Chris Campoli
• Carlo Colaiacovo
• Tim Connolly
• Luke Gazdic
• Justin Hodgman

• Brett MacLean
• Connor McDavid
• Steve Montador
• Greg McKegg
• Adam Munro
• Jordan Nolan

• Ryan O'Marra
• Ryan O'Reilly
• Jeff Paul
• Nick Palmieri
• Geoff Platt

• Michael Rupp
• Stephen Valiquette
• Philip Varone
• Jason Ward
• Jeff Zehr

Retired numbers

• Brad Boyes (#16)
• Vince Scott (#18)

Current roster

Updated April 29th, 2015

Goaltenders
#		Player	Born	Place of birth	Drafted
31		Devin Williams	1995	Saginaw, Michigan	Eligible 2015
35		Daniel Dekoning	1996	Listowel, Ontario	Eligbile 2015

Defencemen
#		Player	Born	Place of birth	Drafted
3		Cory Genovese	1994 (OA)	Hespeler, Ontario	Undrafted
6		Patrick Murphy	1995	Hamilton, Ontario	Eligible 2015
23		Kurtis MacDermid	1994 (OA)	Sauble Beach, Ontario	LA - Free Agent 2012
24		Darren Raddysh	1996	Caledon, Ontario	Eligible 2015
25		T.J. Fergus	1997	Oakville, Ontario	Eligible 2015
42		Mitchell Byrne	1998	Brampton, Ontario	Eligible 2016
44		Travis Dermott	1996	Newmarket, Ontario	Eligible 2015
57		Troy Donnay	1994 (OA)	Fenton, Michigan	NYR - Free Agent 2013

Forwards
#		Player	Position	Born	Place of birth	Drafted
9		Kyle Maksimovich	LW	1998	Hamilton, Ontario	Eligible 2016
10		Shaun Bily	C	1998	Doylestown, Pennsylvania	Eligible 2016
11		Mason Marchment	RW	1995	Uxbridge, Ontario	Eligible 2015
12		Alex DeBrincat	C	1997	Detroit, Michigan	Eligible 2016
14		Nicholas Baptiste	RW	1995	Ottawa, Ontario	BUF – Round 3, 69 overall – 2013
15		Kyle Pettit	C	1996	Komoka, Ontario	VAN – Round 6, 156 overall – 2014
17		Taylor Raddysh	RW	1998	Caledon, Ontario	Eligible 2016
19		Dylan Strome	C	1997	Mississauga, Ontario	ARI - Round 1, 3 overall - 2015
21		Patrick Fellows	LW	1997	Toronto, Ontario	Eligible 2015
26		Quentin Maksimovich	C	1996	Hamilton, Ontario	Eligible 2015
27		Jake Marchment	C	1995	Ajax, Ontario	LAK – Round 6, 157 overall – 2014
29		Nick Betz	RW	1995	Clinton Township, Michigan	Eligible 2015
81		Remi Elie	LW	1995	Green Valley, Ontario	DAL – Round 2, 40 overall – 2013
97		Connor McDavid	C	1997	Newmarket, Ontario	EDM - Round 1, 1 overall - 2015

Note: (OA) = Overage player

Team records

Team records for a single season
Statistic	Total	Season
Most points	106	2013–14
Most wins	52	2013–14
Most goals for	331	2014–15
Least goals for	169	2011–12
Least goals against	170	2013–14
Most goals against	378	2006–07

Individual player records for a single season
Statistic	Player	Total	Season
Most goals	Dane Fox	64	2013–14
Most assists	Dylan Strome	84	2014–15
Most points	Dylan Strome	129	2014–15
Most points, rookie	Alex DeBrincat	104	2014–15
Most points, defenceman	Chris Campoli	66	2003–04
Best GAA (goalie)	Adam Munro	2.31	2000–01
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Legend: OTL - Overtime Loss, SL - Shootout Loss, PTS - Points, GF - Goals For, GA - Goals Against

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tie	OTL	SL	PTS	PCT%	GF	GA	Standing
1996–97	66	23	36	7	-	-	53	0.402	240	260	5th Central
1997–98	66	33	28	5	-	-	71	0.538	261	252	4th West
1998–99	68	31	33	4	-	-	66	0.485	271	297	3rd Midwest
1999–00	68	33	28	4	3	-	73	0.515	224	229	1st Midwest
2000–01	68	45	11	10	2	-	102	0.735	264	171	1st Midwest
2001–02	68	41	22	4	1	-	87	0.632	246	218	1st Midwest
2002–03	68	24	35	6	3	-	57	0.397	181	248	5th Midwest
2003–04	68	29	26	6	7	-	71	0.471	221	212	5th Midwest
2004–05	68	31	26	6	5	-	73	0.500	186	207	4th Midwest
2005–06	68	26	35	-	4	3	59	0.434	219	266	5th Midwest
2006–07	68	15	50	-	1	2	33	0.243	209	378	5th Midwest
2007–08	68	18	46	-	2	2	40	0.294	206	343	5th Midwest
2008–09	68	34	29	-	3	2	73	0.537	208	254	3rd Midwest
2009–10	68	33	28	-	5	2	73	0.537	257	259	4th Midwest
2010–11	68	40	26	-	1	1	82	0.603	281	229	3rd Midwest
2011–12	68	10	52	-	3	3	26	0.191	169	338	5th Midwest
2012–13	68	19	40	-	4	5	47	0.346	206	312	5th Midwest
2013–14	68	52	14	-	2	0	106	0.779	312	170	2nd Midwest
2014–15	68	50	14	-	2	2	104	0.765	331	212	1st Midwest

Playoffs

• 1996–97 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in division quarter-finals.
• 1997–98 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 3 in division quarter-finals.
• 1998–99 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 1999–2000 Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to S.S. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 3 in conference semi-finals.
• 2000–01 Defeated London Knights 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Brampton Battalion 4 games to 1 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Plymouth Whalers 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2001–02 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated London Knights 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
  Defeated Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
  Defeated Barrie Colts 4 games to 1 in finals. OHL CHAMPIONS
  Lost to Victoriaville Tigres 5-4 (OT) in the Memorial Cup semi-finals.
• 2002–03 Out of playoffs.
• 2003–04 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
• 2004–05 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2005–06 Out of playoffs.
• 2006–07 Out of playoffs.
• 2007–08 Out of playoffs.
• 2008–09 Lost to London Knights 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2009–10 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2010–11 Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 3 in conference quarter-finals.
• 2011–12 Out of playoffs.
• 2012–13 Out of playoffs.
• 2013-14 Defeated Saginaw Spirit 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 1 in conference finals.
• 2014-15 Defeated Sarnia Sting 4 games to 1 in conference quarter-finals.
  Defeated London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals.
  Defeated Sault Ste. Marie 4 games to 2 in conference finals.
  Lost to Oshawa Generals 4 games to 1 in finals.

External links

• Erie Otters (official website)
• Erie Otters coverage at Erie Times-News