Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights

The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Omaha, Nebraska, United States at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 2005–2007. Following the 2006–07 season, the Calgary Flames announced that the team would relocate to the Quad Cities for 2007–08.

Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
CityOmaha, Nebraska
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Founded1977
Operated20052007
Home arenaOmaha Civic Auditorium
ColorsRed, black, gold and silver        
AffiliateCalgary Flames
Franchise history
1977–1987Maine Mariners
1987–1993Utica Devils
1993–2003Saint John Flames
2005–2007Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
2007–2009Quad City Flames
2009–2014Abbotsford Heat
2014–2015Adirondack Flames
2015–2022Stockton Heat
2022–PresentCalgary Wranglers
Championships
Division titles1: (2006–07)

History

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In 2005, the AHL franchise of the Calgary Flames (the Saint John Flames, which existed from 1993 to 2003) was reestablished in Omaha. The Ak-Sar-Ben part of the team's name comes from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, an Omaha civic organization, whose logo was integrated into the insignia of the team and was a partner with the Omaha organization. Ak-Sar-Ben, which is (ironically) "Nebraska" spelled backwards, was also the name of the arena of the original Omaha Knights. The team logo was shown with identical flame marks as the Calgary Flames' logo.

Following two difficult seasons at the gate, rumors swirled around both Omaha and the Quad Cities that the Flames would relocate their affiliate to the latter region, which was at the time served by the Quad City Mallards of the United Hockey League.[1] The Calgary Flames and Quad City Mallards confirmed the move on May 24, 2007.[2]

Season-by-season record

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Year GP W L OTL SOL GF GA PTS Finish Playoffs
2005–06 80 35 31 3 11 206 221 84 6th, West Out of playoffs
2006–07 80 49 25 5 1 214 189 104 1st, West Lost 1st round, 4–2, Iowa Stars

Team records

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Single season

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Goals: 28, Carsen Germyn (2006–07)
Assists: 43, Andrei Taratukhin (2006–07)
Points: 60, Dustin Boyd, Carsen Germyn, and Andrei Taratukhin (2006–07)
Penalty minutes: 294, Brandon Prust (2005–06)
Plus/minus: +27, David Van Der Gulik (2006–07)
Wins: 35, Curtis McElhinney (2006–07)
Shutouts: 7, Curtis McElhinney (2006–07)
GAA: 2.13, Curtis McElhinney (2006–07)
SV%: .917, Curtis McElhinney (2006–07)

Career

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Career goals: 52, Carsen Germyn
Career assists: 63, Carsen Germyn
Career points: 115, Carsen Germyn
Career penalty minutes: 505, Brandon Prust
Career goaltending wins: 44, Curtis McElhinney
Career shutouts: 10, Curtis McElhinney
Career games: 156, Warren Peters

Team captains

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ DeVrieze, Craig (May 15, 2007). "Report: AHL hockey team moving from Omaha to the Quad-Cities". Quad-City Times. Retrieved May 15, 2007.
  2. ^ "Flames announce relocation of AHL franchise to Quad Cities". Calgary Flames. May 24, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2021.