Cleveland Monsters

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Cleveland Monsters
2021–22 AHL season
Cleveland Monsters logo.svg
CityCleveland, Ohio
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded1994 (In the IHL)
Operated2007–present
Home arenaRocket Mortgage FieldHouse
ColorsWine, white, blue
     
Owner(s)Dan Gilbert
General managerChris Clark[1]
Head coachMike Eaves
MediaRadio: WARF
TV: Bally Sports Great Lakes
Internet: AHL.TV
AffiliatesColumbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Franchise history
1994–1995Denver Grizzlies
1995–2005Utah Grizzlies
2007–2016Lake Erie Monsters
2016–presentCleveland Monsters
Championships
Conference Championships1 (2015–16)
Calder Cups1 (2015–16)

The Cleveland Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team began play 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[]

Early years[]

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 9, 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[]

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][15] 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.[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[]

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[]

Note: gold shading indicates season team won Calder Cup

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]
  1. ^ Season was delayed and shortened due to the ongoing pandemic; Calder Cup was not awarded.

Players[]

Current roster[]

Updated January 28, 2022.[38]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
77 Canada C L 21 2021 Niagara Falls, Ontario Blue Jackets
22 Switzerland Tim Berni D L 21 2021 Männedorf, Switzerland Blue Jackets
35 Canada Jean-Francois Berube G L 30 2021 Repentigny, Quebec Blue Jackets
12 United States Cole Cassels C R 26 2021 Hartford, Connecticut Monsters
23 Canada Jake Christiansen D L 22 2021 West Vancouver, British Columbia Blue Jackets
34 Canada D R 21 2021 Strathmore, Alberta Monsters
64 Canada Trey Fix-Wolansky RW R 22 2019 Edmonton, Alberta Blue Jackets
42 Canada C L 21 2021 Estevan, Saskatchewan Monsters
19 Canada Liam Foudy C L 21 2019 Toronto, Ontario Blue Jackets
44 Canada Brett Gallant LW L 33 2015 Summerside, Prince Edward Island Monsters
25 Canada C L 25 2021 Ottawa, Ontario Monsters
10 Canada Brendan Gaunce C L 27 2021 Sudbury, Ontario Blue Jackets
31 Canada G L 20 2021 Cambridge, Ontario Monsters
4 Canada Scott Harrington D L 28 2016 Kingston, Ontario Blue Jackets
14 Canada Adam Helewka LW L 26 2020 Burnaby, British Columbia Monsters
33 United States Cam Johnson G L 27 2021 Troy, Michigan Blue Jackets
3 Canada D L 25 2021 Quebec, Quebec Monsters
17 United States RW R 24 2020 Powell, Ohio Blue Jackets
27 Canada LW L 25 2021 Cartwright, Manitoba Monsters
26 Canada Thomas Schemitsch D R 25 2020 Thornhill, Ontario Monsters
20 Canada Justin Scott (A) RW L 26 2016 Burlington, Ontario Monsters
16 Canada Tyler Sikura (A) LW L 29 2020 Aurora, Ontario Blue Jackets
18 Canada Dillon Simpson (C) D L 28 2018 Edmonton, Alberta Monsters
37 United States C L 25 2021 San Diego, California Monsters
82 Sweden Kevin Stenlund C R 25 2018 Stockholm, Sweden Blue Jackets
6 United States D R 25 2021 Hanson, Massachusetts Monsters

Team captains[]

  • Mark Rycroft, 2007–08
  • Wyatt Smith, 2008
  • Brian Willsie, 2008–10
  • David Liffiton, 2010–12
  • Bryan Lerg, 2012–14
  • Brian Sutherby, 2013
  • Bruno Gervais, 2014–15
  • Ryan Craig, 2015–17
  • Nathan Gerbe, 2018–19
  • Zac Dalpe, 2019–21
  • Dillon Simpson, 2021–present

Retired numbers[]

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

Team records[]

Single season
Goals: 33, Zac Dalpe (2018-19)
Assists: 50, T.J. Hensick (2009–10)
Points: 70 T.J. Hensick (2009–10), Ben Walter (2010–11)
Penalty minutes: 215, Daniel Maggio (2014–15)
Wins: 27, Anton Forsberg (2016–17)
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: Andrew Agozzino, 67
Career assists: Andrew Agozzino, 98
Career points: Andrew Agozzino, 165
Career penalty minutes: Brett Gallant, 531
Career goaltending wins: Calvin Pickard, 60
Career shutouts: Tyler Weiman, 13
Career games: Cameron Gaunce, 264
Firsts and team records
  • First game: October 6, 2007, vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
  • First win: October 20, 2007, 3–2 vs. Syracuse Crunch
  • First goal: Matt Hussey (October 6, 2007 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins)
  • First shutout: Jason Bacashihua (November 15, 2007, vs. Quad City Flames)
  • First hat trick: Chris Stewart (November 17, 2007, vs. Toronto Marlies)
  • Most goals in a game: 4 by Patrick Rissmiller (December 3, 2010, vs. Chicago Wolves)
  • Most wins in a season: 44 (2010–11)
  • Most home wins in a season: 25 (2015–16)
  • Most points in a season: 97 (2015–16)
  • Most games won in a row: 8 (2010–11)
  • First playoff game: April 16, 2011. (vs. Manitoba Moose)
  • First playoff goal: April 16, 2011 (by Matthew Ford)
  • First playoff win: April 16, 2011 (Monsters 6, Manitoba Moose 4)
  • First playoff series win: April 23, 2016 (Monsters won series 3–0 vs. Rockford IceHogs)
  • First Western Conference championship: May 26, 2016 (Monsters won series 4–0 vs. Ontario Reign)
  • First Calder Cup championship: June 11, 2016 (Monsters won series 4–0 vs. Hershey Bears)

Media[]

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, with Bally Sports Great Lakes serving as the outlet. 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[]

The Monsters' official mascot is a seagull character named "Sullivan C. Goal" (aka "Sully").[43] Also featured are the "Monsters Hockey Girls" cheerleaders.[44]

References[]

  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. Retrieved October 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Schudel, Jeff (January 7, 2015). "Lake Erie Monsters: AHL says it isn't leaving Cleveland". The News-Herald. Retrieved October 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Pro Hockey". Newspapers.com. The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 18, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Famous sea monsters". SeaMonster.org. Retrieved April 5, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Lake Erie Monsters name Sacco new coach". The Plain Dealer. May 7, 2007. Retrieved October 6, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Oliver lands GM gig in Cleveland". Newspapers.com. The Morning Star. September 9, 2007. Retrieved October 6, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Wall ready to climb". Newspapers.com. Houston Today. October 10, 2007. Retrieved October 6, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "East Division Opponents". Newspapers.com. Times Leader. October 7, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Manoloff, Dennis (April 27, 2011). "Lake Erie Monsters eliminated by Manitoba Moose". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 6, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Blue Jackets now have a Monster partnership". Fox Sports. April 17, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Affiliation Partnership". OurSports Central. August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Blue Jackets, Monsters extend affiliation agreement". American Hockey League. August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  16. ^ "Monsters clinch first ever playoff series win". WOIO. April 24, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  18. ^ Wright, Branson (June 12, 2016). "Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in OT". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Record full house at the Q for Lake Erie Monsters' Calder Cup bid". The Plain Dealer. June 11, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  21. ^ Sadowski, Rick (August 25, 2016). "Jared Bednar hired as Avalanche coach". NHL.com. Retrieved August 26, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Blue Jackets name John Madden new Monsters coach". The Plain Dealer. August 29, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ Wright, Branson (April 17, 2015). "Monsters lose but still remain in playoff hunt". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "Around The League". Newspapers.com. The Citizens' Voice. April 21, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Monsters oust Crunch with Game 4 shutout". American Hockey League. April 25, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Isley, Ryan (May 8, 2019). "Cleveland Monsters swept out of AHL playoffs by Toronto Marlies, 6-2 in Game 4". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Eaves to coach AHL team". Newspapers.com. Wisconsin State Journal. June 19, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ Florjancic, Matthew (May 29, 2019). "John Madden will not return as Monsters head coach". WKYC. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ Kaplan, Emily (May 11, 2020). "AHL cancels rest of season due to coronavirus". ESPN. Retrieved October 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Justice, Camryn (May 11, 2020). "Cleveland Monsters' season ends as AHL cancels remaining 2020 games, playoffs". WEWS. Retrieved October 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ a b c Baker, Paul (March 9, 2018). "Quicken Loans Arena hockey banners". Stadium Journey. Retrieved March 9, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "Cleveland Monsters hockey banners". Stadium Journey.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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. Retrieved January 28, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved March 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League". American Hockey League. Retrieved March 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Radio Broadcast Agreement". Cleveland Monsters. October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "Cleveland Monsters announce 2021-22 TV and Radio broadcast schedules". Cleveland Monsters. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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.

External links[]

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