City Peoria, Illinois Home arena Carver Arena Arena Peoria Civic Center | Operated 2005–2013 1932–1935 Quebec Beavers Founded 2005 | |
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Colors Royal blue, navy, gold, white Affiliates St. Louis Blues (NHL) (2005–2013) Affiliate St. Louis Blues (2005–2013, National Hockey League) Location Peoria, Illinois, United States Color Royal blue, navy, gold, white | ||
The Peoria Rivermen was a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena. On June 14, 2013, it was announced that the team would relocate to Utica, New York after the 2012–13 AHL season, and be known as the Utica Comets.
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History
In 2011, It was announced by Dave Checketts that the St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center and the Peoria Rivermen were all up for sale.
On May 10, 2012, Tom Stillman purchased the Peoria Rivermen franchise. On August 30, 2012, the Rivermen signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the Evansville IceMen, an expansion team in the ECHL, cutting ties with the Alaska Aces, who they were affiliated with since the Rivermen joined the AHL.
On March 29, 2013, the Rivermen were purchased by the Vancouver Canucks. On April 18, 2013, The AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to the Vancouver Canucks.
On May 13, 2013, the Vancouver Canucks confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials that they would not bring back the Rivermen franchise and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen would no longer play in Peoria. The AHL announced on June 14, 2013, that the franchise was being relocated to Utica, New York as the Utica Comets for the 2013-14 AHL season.
An SPHL franchise replaced the AHL incarnation of the Rivermen in 2013 and took the team's name.