Rochester Americans

The Rochester Americans are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the American Hockey League. They celebrated their 50th consecutive season in the American Hockey League in 2005-06. Their years of unbroken league membership rank second only to the Hershey Bears. Rochester has won six Calder Cups. Known commonly as the "Amerks", they are located in Rochester, New York. Since the team's inception in 1956, they have played at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, formerly known as Rochester War Memorial Arena, which was renovated in the mid-1990s.

When the Amerks entered the American Hockey League in the fall of 1956 they were the joint affiliate of both the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. Under Coach Billy Reay the first-year team finished in third place in the AHL standings and played the defending champion Providence Reds in the opening round of the Calder Cup playoffs. With Amerks' goalie Bobby Perreault leading the way the Americans defeated Providence and goaltender Johnny Bower in five games. Rochester then faced the Cleveland Barons in the Calder Cup finals but lost the series in five games.
When the National Hockey League expanded from six to twelve teams for the 1967-68 NHL season the Amerks lost several of the above-mentioned players. Arbour (St. Louis), Ehman (Oakland), Boyer (Oakland), Horvath (Minnesota) and Rupp (Pittsburgh) were all drafted by the new NHL teams. Pappin was promoted to the Maple Leafs. Smrke retired.

With the core of the team now gone the Amerks struggled throughout the early part of the '67-'68 AHL season. With the team in last place Crozier decided to try and turn the team's fortunes around. Just before Christmas Crozier made a blockbuster deal with the expansion Minnesota North Stars. In exchange for forwards Jean Paul Parise and Milan Marcetta the Amerks received Ted Taylor, Len Lunde, George "Duke" Harris, Murray Hall, Don Johns and the rights to Horvath. The return of Horvath marked his fourth tour of duty with the Amerks since 1956-57.
The Rochester Americans have retired only two sweater numbers in their history. The first was No. 6 in honor of Norm "Red" Armstrong following his death from a fall in a construction accident in 1974 at age 35. Number 9 was later retired in honor of Dick Gamble and Jody Gage. Gage broke Gamble's team scoring records with the Amerks during his long tenure with the team. Gage currently serves as the Amerks' General Manager.

Rochester Americans are affiliated with Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers.