Bozeman Icedogs

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The Bozeman Icedogs were a junior ice hockey team which played in the Junior 'A' Tier II American Frontier Hockey League (1996-1998), America West Hockey League (1999-2003), and North American Hockey League (2003-2006). They were once a part of the America West Hockey League, which merged with the North American Hockey League in 2003. The team showed great success in the NAHL, tying records in wins and points during the 2005-2006, but is now dissolved.

[edit] History

Founded in 1996 by a Michigan-based investment group, the Icedogs were forced to play their entire first season on the road when the ownership team’s funding fell short with their rink only half-built. Despite the circumstances, which left them practicing at times outdoors and playing all ‘home’ games in Helena (Mont.), the Icedogs, coached by David “Smoke” Cole and captained by Brad Michalski, earned a .500 record and a position in the AFHL playoffs. Forward Kevin Wesolek set a league record for single-season scoring as he captured 1996-1997 Rookie of the Year honors.

In the fall of 1997, the Icedogs moved into the brand new Valley Ice Garden, a state-of-the-art, 3,500-seat arena outside Bozeman. Bill Martel, owner of the Bozeman construction firm that had been building the facility, took over ownership of both the team and the arena, providing the Gallatin Valley with its first indoor ice skating facility. The rink opened to the public with an open house on September 14, 1997.

The Icedogs played their first game at the Valley Ice Garden on Tuesday, September 30, 1997, a 6-4 victory over the Butte (Mont.) Irish in front of a sellout crowd with Wesolek scoring the team’s first goal. The Icedogs went on to record sixteen- and seven-game unbeaten streaks while selling out nearly every game en route to a second place finish in the AFHL. Bozeman fell to the rival Billings (Mont.) Bulls in six games in the Borne Cup Finals, but earned a berth in the Gold Cup National Championship Tournament, where they were eliminated in the first round of round robin play. Wesolek finished second in the AFHL in scoring and set a league record for career scoring, with 198 points over two seasons.

The 1998-1999 season brought less success for the Icedogs, who struggled throughout, and finished in last place in the AWHL, missing the playoffs for the first time. Forward Jimmy Sokol finished second in the league in scoring while linemate Jason Deitsch led the league in points-per-game.

The 1999-2000 season was a turbulent one for the Icedogs. After seven games, Cole was fired and replaced with assistant coach Dale “Duner” Hladun. The team failed to improve under Hladun, who was forced to leave the team due to visa issues and replaced by assistant coach Darren Blue. Amidst on-ice and off-ice distraction the Icedogs missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

In March of 2000, the Bozeman Icedogs hired John LaFontaine, brother of NHL great Pat LaFontaine, as head coach and director of hockey operations. LaFontaine immediately turned the program around, leading the Icedogs to a .500 record and playoff appearance in his first season as coach. Goaltender Matt Migliaccio led the AWHL in saves percentage.

In 2001-2002 the Icedogs tore through the AWHL, finishing with the league’s best regular season record. Canadian Aaron Kakapetum was named the AWHL’s top defenseman. The Icedogs defeated the Fernie (B.C.) Ghostriders in the championship series to win their first Borne Cup. The Icedogs followed their victory by hosting the Gold Cup National Championship tournament, where they failed to post a victory.

The 2002-2005 seasons were marked by poor records and early playoff exits, but in 2005-2006, the Icedogs set NAHL records for total wins and consecutive wins en route to the regular season championship. Goaltender Matt Dalton was named league MVP after setting NAHL records for goals against average and saves percentage. Forward Josh Heidinger led the league in scoring was voted the NAHL’s top forward. After defeating the Fairbanks (Alaska) Ice Dogs for their second Borne Cup title, the Icedogs fell to the Texas Tornado in the final game of the national championship Robertson Cup tournament in May 2006.

Later that month, following the dissolution of the Helena Bighorns and Billings Bulls, the Valley Ice Garden was sold to a beer distributor and the Icedogs were dissolved. The Junior B Bozeman Blackhawks took on the Icedogs moniker, and would play in Bozeman’s semi-enclosed Haines Pavillion. In ten years, the Icedogs made eight playoff appearances, three trips to the national tournament, and won two Borne Cup championships, while consistently leading the league in attendance.

[edit] Notable Icedogs alumni

Thomas Hajek (1996-1998) who played D-I college hockey at the University of Vermont and is currently an All Star and team captain of the Philadelphia Wings NLL professional lacrosse team; Tyler Kindle (1996-1999) who played D-I at Wayne State University and currently plays professionally for the Fresno Falcons of the ECHL; Ryan Carrigan (1997-1998), who played D-I college hockey at Northern Michigan and Niagara and currently plays professionally for the Rio Grande Killer Bees of the CHL; Jason Deitsch (1998-1999) who was a three-time first team D-III All American at St. Norbert College, the 2006 UHL Rookie of the Year, and currently plays professionally as an Assistant Captain with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL; Corbin Schmidt (1999-2000) who played D-I with Alaska-Fairbanks, and currently play professionally for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL; Matt Migliaccio (2000-2001) and Zak McClellan (2001-2004) who went on to play with D-I powerhouse Michigan State; Josh Heidinger (2002-2006) who plays for D-I Canisius; and Matt Dalton (2005-2006) who will play for D-I Bemidji State. Numerous other former Icedogs have played D-I and D-III college hockey and enjoyed stints in the minor professional ranks. 6 season.