The Fredericton Express were a professional ice hockey team based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. They played in the American Hockey League between 1981 and 1988. The Express were affiliated with the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. Home games were played at the Aitken Centre on the University of New Brunswick campus.[1]

Fredericton Express
CityFredericton, New Brunswick
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated1981–1988
Home arenaAitken Centre
AffiliatesQuebec Nordiques
Vancouver Canucks
Franchise history
1981–1988Fredericton Express
1988–1993Halifax Citadels
1993–1996Cornwall Aces
1999–presentWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Championships
Division titles2: (1982–83, 1983–84)

After the Canucks hired Brian Burke as Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations in 1987, tensions between the joint ownership by the two teams were beginning to show Burke visited Fredericton for the first time in October of that year. The previous season the Express had the 2nd worst record in the AHL and the team’s top five scorers were all sent down by the Canucks.[1]

Despite the internal conflict,in 1988 the Express played their best season yet, with a 42-21 Win-Loss record. The Express went on to play in the Calder Cup Finals, where they lost to the Hershey Bears, with a final score of 4-2. During the summer of that year, they moved to become the Halifax Citadels.[1]

Season-by-season results

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Regular season

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Season[2] Games Won Lost Tied OTL Points Goals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1981–82 80 20 55 5 45 275 408 5th, North
1982–83 80 45 27 8 98 348 284 1st, North
1983–84 80 45 30 5 95 340 262 1st, North
1984–85 80 36 36 8 80 279 301 2nd, North
1985–86 80 35 37 8 78 319 311 4th, North
1986–87 80 32 43 5 69 292 357 6th, North
1987–88 80 42 27 8 3 95 370 318 2nd, North

Playoffs

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Season 1st round 2nd round Finals
1981–82 Out of playoffs
1982–83 W, 4–2, Adirondack L, 2–4, Maine
1983–84 L, 3–4, Nova Scotia
1984–85 L, 2–4, Sherbrooke
1985–86 L, 2–4, Adirondack
1986–87 Out of playoffs
1987–88 W, 4–2, Sherbrooke W, 4–1, Maine L, 0–4, Hershey

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Crossley, Drew (2014-07-19). "Fredericton Express". Fun While It Lasted. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  2. ^ "Fredericton Express hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.