Cleveland Monsters Explained

Current:2024–25 AHL season
Bg Color:background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#115687 5px solid; border-bottom:#231f1f 5px solid;
Text Color:
  1. 231f20
Team:Cleveland Monsters
Logosize:185px
City:Cleveland, Ohio
League:American Hockey League
Conference:Eastern
Division:North
Founded:1994 (In the IHL)
Operated:2007–present
Arena:Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Colors:Blue, black, gold, white
Owner:Dan Gilbert
Coach:Trent Vogelhuber
Gm:Chris Clark[1]
Captain:Stefan Matteau
Media:Radio: WARF
TV: WUAB
WTCL-LD/WOHZ-CD (RESN)
Online: AHL.TV
Affiliates:Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Name1:Denver Grizzlies
Dates1:1994–1995
Name2:Utah Grizzlies
Dates2:1995–2005
Name3:Lake Erie Monsters
Dates3:2007–2016
Name4:Cleveland Monsters
Dates4:2016–present
Division Titles:1 (2023–24)
Conf Titles:1 (2015–16)
Calder Cups:1 (2015–16)

The Cleveland Monsters are a professional ice hockey team based in Cleveland, that play in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team debuted in 2007 as the Lake Erie Monsters and since 2015 has served as the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Monsters play home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland and have one Calder Cup championship, after winning their first title in 2016.

Franchise history

Early years

The Monsters began in 2006 when the dormant Utah Grizzlies AHL franchise was purchased on May 16, 2006, by a Cleveland ownership group led by Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans.[2] A new AHL team was awarded to Cleveland following the departure of the Cleveland Barons to Worcester, Massachusetts, after the 2005–06 season.[3] With Quicken Loans Arena established as the team's home venue, the Colorado Avalanche was announced on December 17, 2006, as the franchise's first NHL parent club with a five-year agreement.[4]

The franchise was officially announced on January 25, 2007, as the Lake Erie Monsters, referring to Bessie, a creature of local folklore. The name was chosen from researching focus groups around the Cleveland area and the logo incorporated the geographical connection in the region with Lake Erie.[5]

Former NHL player Joe Sacco was named as the Lake Erie Monsters first head coach and Dave Oliver was named general manager.[6] [7] The Monsters opened their inaugural 2007–08 campaign with a loss at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins on October 6, 2007.[8] The team ended the season 26–41.[9]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, the Monsters qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in team history. After gaining a 3–1 series lead over the Manitoba Moose in the opening round, the Monsters proceeded to lose the next three consecutive games, losing the series 4–3.[10]

Blue Jackets era

On April 17, 2015, the Monsters announced the signing of a multi-year agreement to become the AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets, which took effect in the 2015–16 season.[11] The multi-season affiliation was extended in 2019.[12] [13]

The Monsters finished the 2015–16 season by setting a franchise record in points (97) and qualified for the playoffs for the second time in team history.[14] On April 23, 2016, the Monsters defeated their first round opponent, the Rockford IceHogs, 5–3, ending a three-game sweep of their opponent in a best-of-five series.[15] [16] The Monsters advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to play the Grand Rapids Griffins in a best-of-seven series, defeating them 4–2. They then swept the defending Calder Cup Champion Ontario Reign in the Western Conference Finals to reach their first Calder Cup Final in franchise history.[17] On June 11, 2016, the Monsters won the franchise's first Calder Cup in a four-game sweep of the Hershey Bears, with Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring the Cup-winning goal in overtime.[17] [18]

This marked Cleveland's first AHL title since the Barons won their last Calder Cup in 1964, and 10th overall for a Cleveland-based AHL team.[17] The Monsters won Game 4 before a sellout crowd of 19,665 people at Quicken Loans Arena — the second largest crowd for a professional hockey game in Ohio behind the 19,941 in a Cleveland Lumberjacks game against the Minnesota Moose in February 1996, and the second largest in Calder Cup playoff history behind the 20,103 Philadelphia Phantoms game four victory in the 2005 Calder Cup Finals over the Chicago Wolves.[19]

On August 9, 2016, the Lake Erie Monsters changed their name to the Cleveland Monsters.[20] The team's Calder Cup winning head coach, Jared Bednar, was then hired by the Colorado Avalanche on August 25.[21] Under their new name and coach John Madden, the Monsters failed to qualify for the playoffs in the 2016–17 season.[22] [23] [24] In the 2017–18 season, the Monsters earned last place in the Western Conference and failed to make the playoffs.[25] The team returned to the playoffs following the 2018–19 season as the fourth seed in the North Division where they upset the division champion Syracuse Crunch before being swept by the Toronto Marlies in the division finals.[26] [27] Head coach John Madden then left the team and was replaced by Mike Eaves.[28] [29]

The Monsters 2019–20 season was curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] The team ended the season in last place in their division with a record of 24–31.[31] [32] Owing to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the 2020–21 season was delayed and shortened with no playoffs held in their division.[33] They ended the season in second place within their division.[34]

Cleveland hockey history

The following teams have previously played in Cleveland. The Monsters recognize and honor past Cleveland teams with commemorative banners at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse:[35]

Season-by-season results

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonGamesWonLostOTLSOLPointsPCTGoals
for		Goals
against		StandingYear1st
round		2nd
round		3rd
round		Finals
80 26 41 6 7 65 .406 209 276 6th, North Did not qualify
80 34 38 3 5 76 .475 199 218 6th, North Did not qualify
80 34 37 1 8 77 .481 234 257 6th, North Did not qualify
80 44 28 3 5 96 .600 223 206 2nd, North ———
76 37 29 3 7 84 .553 189 210 3rd, North Did not qualify
76 35 31 3 7 80 .526 211 220 3rd, North Did not qualify
76 32 33 1 10 75 .492 200 235 4th, North Did not qualify
76 35 29 8 4 82 .539 211 240 4th, Midwest Did not qualify
76 43 22 6 5 97 .638 211 188 2nd, Central W, 4–0, ONTW, 4–0, HER
76 39 29 4 4 86 .566 195 198 5th, Central Did not qualify
76 25 41 7 3 60 .395 190 258 7th, Central Did not qualify
76 37 29 8 2 84 .553 232 234 4th, North — —
62 24 31 5 2 55 .444 159 192 8th, North 2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
29 16 10 1 2 35 .603 101 86 2nd, Central 2021 No playoffs were held
76 28 35 8 5 69 .454 207 262 7th, North Did not qualify
72 33 32 5 2 73 .507 220 254 6th, North Did not qualify
2023–247240245388.6112332381st, North2024W, 3–1, BELW, 3–0, SYRL, 3–4, HER–

Players

Current roster

Updated December 1, 2024.[37]

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Team captains

Retired numbers

right|thumb|200px|Monsters retired numbers and championship banners hanging from the rafters of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouseNo Monsters player has had his number retired. However, the team has retired the numbers of players who have played on past Cleveland franchises to honor the city's hockey history.[38]

Cleveland Monsters retired numbers
width=40px No.width=130px Playerwidth=40px Positionwidth=150px Team
1
9 Barons
15
27 Lumberjacks

Notable alumni

The following players have played both 100 games with the Monsters and 100 games in the National Hockey League:

Team records

Single season
  • Goals: 33, Zac Dalpe (2018–19)
  • Assists: 50, T.J. Hensick (2009–10)
  • Points: 71 Trey Fix-Wolansky (2022–23)
  • Penalty minutes: 215, Daniel Maggio (2014–15)
  • Wins: 28, Jet Greaves (2023-24)
  • GAA: 2.11, Cedrick Desjardins (2011–12)
  • SV%: .932, Cedrick Desjardins (2011–12)
  • Shutouts: 8, Tyler Weiman (2008–09)
    Playoffs[39] [40]
  • Goals: 10, Oliver Bjorkstrand (2016)
  • Assists: 10, Ryan Craig (2016)
  • Points: 16 (tie), Oliver Bjorkstrand and Lukas Sedlak (2016)
  • Penalty minutes: 26, Kerby Rychel (2016)
  • Wins: 9, Anton Forsberg (2016)
  • GAA: 1.34, Anton Forsberg (2016)
  • SV%: .949, Anton Forsberg (2016)
  • Shutouts: 2, Anton Forsberg (2016)
    Career
  • Career goals: Trey Fix-Wolansky, 69
  • Career assists: Andrew Agozzino, 98
  • Career points: Trey Fix-Wolansky, 165
  • Career penalty minutes: Brett Gallant, 663
  • Career goaltending wins: Calvin Pickard, 60
  • Career shutouts: Tyler Weiman, 13
  • Career games: Justin Scott, 336
    Firsts and team records

    Media

    Radio

    WARF AM 1350 serves as the radio outlet for the team. Play-by-play announcer Tony Brown calls games on-site.[41]

    TV

    Over 20 Monsters games will be televised on Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), which is carried on sister stations WTCL-LD channel 22 in Cleveland, and WOHZ-CD channel 22 in Canton, with several of those games also simulcast on sister station WUAB channel 43. The broadcast team consists of play-by-play broadcaster Tony Brown and former Cleveland Lumberjacks player and current Monsters vice president Jock Callander as analyst. All televised games are also simulcast on the radio.[42]

    Mascot and entertainment

    The Monsters' official mascot is a seagull character named "Sullivan C. Goal" (aka "Sully").[43] Also featured are the "Monsters Hockey Girls" cheerleaders.[44] In March 2023 the Monsters unveiled "The Modelo Experience" which allows fans the opportunity to take ride on a custom made "fanboni" built by Cleveland Power and Performance.[45]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Blue Jackets Name Chris Clark Monsters' General Manager . Cleveland Monsters . June 18, 2019 . June 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190622194451/http://clevelandmonsters.com/team/news/blue-jackets-name-chris-clark-monsters-general-manager-mike-eaves-named-sixth-head-coach . June 22, 2019 . dead .
    2. Web site: May 17, 2006. Minor league hockey will return to Cleveland. live. October 1, 2021. Newspapers.com. Dayton Daily News. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001163216/http://www.newspapers.com/image/410863578/ . 2021-10-01 .
    3. Web site: Schudel. Jeff. January 7, 2015. Lake Erie Monsters: AHL says it isn't leaving Cleveland. October 1, 2021. The News-Herald. en-US.
    4. Web site: December 18, 2006. Pro Hockey. live. October 1, 2021. Newspapers.com. The Cincinnati Enquirer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001163216/http://www.newspapers.com/image/102856498/ . 2021-10-01 .
    5. Web site: Famous sea monsters. live. April 5, 2013. SeaMonster.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20010719105506/http://www.seamonster.org:80/ . 2001-07-19 .
    6. Web site: May 7, 2007. Lake Erie Monsters name Sacco new coach. live. October 6, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809211051/https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2007/05/_the_lake_erie_monsters.html . 2020-08-09 .
    7. Web site: September 9, 2007. Oliver lands GM gig in Cleveland. live. October 6, 2021. Newspapers.com. The Morning Star. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006154756/http://www.newspapers.com/image/326938923/ . 2021-10-06 .
    8. Web site: October 10, 2007. Wall ready to climb. live. October 6, 2021. Newspapers.com. Houston Today. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006154756/http://www.newspapers.com/image/325472668/ . 2021-10-06 .
    9. Web site: October 7, 2008. East Division Opponents. live. October 6, 2021. Newspapers.com. Times Leader. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006163954/http://www.newspapers.com/image/429765836/ . 2021-10-06 .
    10. Web site: Manoloff. Dennis. April 27, 2011. Lake Erie Monsters eliminated by Manitoba Moose. live. October 6, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006163954/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2011/04/lake_erie_monsters_eliminated.html . 2021-10-06 .
    11. Web site: April 17, 2015. Blue Jackets now have a Monster partnership. live. October 7, 2021. Fox Sports. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20150421231730/http://www.foxsports.com:80/ohio/story/columbus-blue-jackets-lake-erie-monsters-nhl-ahl-041715 . 2015-04-21 .
    12. Web site: August 20, 2019. Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Affiliation Partnership. live. August 20, 2019. OurSports Central. https://web.archive.org/web/20190820180411/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/columbus-blue-jackets-cleveland-monsters-announce-multi-year-extension-of-affiliation-partnership/n-5541261 . 2019-08-20 .
    13. Web site: August 20, 2019. Blue Jackets, Monsters extend affiliation agreement. live. August 20, 2019. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20190820173001/https://theahl.com/blue-jackets-monsters-extend-affiliation-agreement . 2019-08-20 .
    14. Web site: TheAHL.com The American Hockey League. live. October 7, 2021. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007200805/https://theahl.com/stats/standings?standingstype=division&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=51&sortkey=rank&league=4 . 2021-10-07 .
    15. Web site: April 21, 2016. Monsters open playoffs with victory over Rockford. live. October 7, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007200803/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2016/04/lake_erie_monsters_beat_rockfo.html . 2021-10-07 .
    16. Web site: April 24, 2016. Monsters clinch first ever playoff series win. live. October 7, 2021. WOIO. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20160425105721/http://www.cleveland19.com/story/31800980/monsters-clinch-first-ever-playoff-series-win . 2016-04-25 .
    17. Web site: June 11, 2016. Lake Erie Monsters win Calder Cup Finals in overtime. live. October 7, 2021. WJW. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809213750/https://fox8.com/sports/lake-erie-monsters-win-calder-cup-finals-in-overtime/ . 2020-08-09 .
    18. Web site: Wright. Branson. June 12, 2016. Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in OT. live. October 7, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806232346/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2016/06/lake_erie_monsters_and_hershey.html . 2020-08-06 .
    19. Web site: June 11, 2016. Record full house at the Q for Lake Erie Monsters' Calder Cup bid. live. March 22, 2020. The Plain Dealer. https://web.archive.org/web/20200322012026/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2016/06/record_full_house_at_the_q_for.html . 2020-03-22 .
    20. Web site: August 9, 2016. Lake Erie Monsters change name, get new uniforms. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816192603/http://www.kltv.com/story/32719721/lake-erie-monsters-change-name-get-new-uniforms. August 16, 2016. August 9, 2016. KLTV.
    21. Web site: Sadowski. Rick. August 25, 2016. Jared Bednar hired as Avalanche coach. live. August 26, 2016. NHL.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20160915132356/https://www.nhl.com/news/jared-bednar-hired-as-colorado-coach/c-281418488 . 2016-09-15 .
    22. Web site: August 29, 2016. Blue Jackets name John Madden new Monsters coach. live. October 7, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108100138/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2016/08/columbus_blue_jackets_name_joh.html . 2020-11-08 .
    23. Web site: Wright. Branson. April 17, 2015. Monsters lose but still remain in playoff hunt. live. October 7, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007204729/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2017/04/cleveland_monsters_fall_in_fin.html . 2021-10-07 .
    24. Web site: April 21, 2017. Around The League. live. October 7, 2021. Newspapers.com. The Citizens' Voice. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007204730/http://www.newspapers.com/image/527615002/ . 2021-10-07 .
    25. Web site: TheAHL.com The American Hockey League. live. October 7, 2021. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007210403/https://theahl.com/stats/standings?standingstype=conference&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=57&sortkey=rank&league=4 . 2021-10-07 .
    26. Web site: April 25, 2019. Monsters oust Crunch with Game 4 shutout. live. October 7, 2021. American Hockey League. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426044428/https://theahl.com/monsters-oust-crunch-with-game-4-shutout . 2019-04-26 .
    27. Web site: Isley. Ryan. May 8, 2019. Cleveland Monsters swept out of AHL playoffs by Toronto Marlies, 6-2 in Game 4. live. October 7, 2021. The Plain Dealer. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811190327/https://www.cleveland.com/monsters/2019/05/cleveland-monsters-swept-out-of-ahl-playoffs-by-toronto-marlies-6-2-in-game-4.html . 2020-08-11 .
    28. Web site: June 19, 2019. Eaves to coach AHL team. live. October 7, 2021. Newspapers.com. Wisconsin State Journal. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211007200805/http://www.newspapers.com/image/575581713/ . 2021-10-07 .
    29. Web site: Florjancic. Matthew. May 29, 2019. John Madden will not return as Monsters head coach. October 7, 2021. WKYC. en-US.
    30. Web site: Kaplan. Emily. May 11, 2020. AHL cancels rest of season due to coronavirus. live. October 8, 2021. ESPN. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200511185406/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29160950/ahl-cancels-remainder-season-due-coronavirus-pandemic . 2020-05-11 .
    31. Web site: Justice. Camryn. May 11, 2020. Cleveland Monsters' season ends as AHL cancels remaining 2020 games, playoffs. live. October 8, 2021. WEWS. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200531025420/https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/cleveland-monsters-season-ends-as-ahl-cancels-remaining-2020-games-playoffs . 2020-05-31 .
    32. Web site: TheAHL.com The American Hockey League. live. October 8, 2021. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20210419204432/https://theahl.com/stats/standings?standingstype=division&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=65&sortkey=rank&league=4 . 2021-04-19 .
    33. Web site: Taft. Jay. May 6, 2021. AHL makes it official: No playoff hockey for Rockford IceHogs this year. October 8, 2021. Rockford Register Star. en-US.
    34. Web site: TheAHL.com The American Hockey League. live. October 8, 2021. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117060039/https://theahl.com/stats/standings?standingstype=division&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=68&sortkey=rank&league=4 . 2021-01-17 .
    35. Web site: Cleveland Monsters hockey banners. live. Stadium Journey. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516144920/http://stadiumjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_4238.jpg . 2021-05-16 .
    36. Web site: February 3, 2013. Cleveland hockey history. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150429055214/http://www.lakeeriemonsters.com/team/history. April 29, 2015. February 3, 2013. Lake Erie Monsters.
    37. Web site: Cleveland Monsters – Team roster. live. December 1, 2024. Elite Prospects. eliteprospects.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20081218221102/http://www.eliteprospects.com:80/team.php?team=2243 . 2008-12-18 .
    38. Web site: Baker. Paul. March 9, 2018. Quicken Loans Arena hockey banners. live. March 9, 2018. Stadium Journey. https://web.archive.org/web/20111125131153/http://www.stadiumjourney.com:80/stadiums/quicken-loans-arena-s1004/ . 2011-11-25 .
    39. Web site: TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League. live. March 22, 2020. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122170443/https://theahl.com/stats/player-stats/373/53?playertype=skater&position=skaters&rookie=no&sort=points&statstype=standard&page=1&league=4 . 2021-11-22 .
    40. Web site: TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League. live. March 22, 2020. American Hockey League. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122170443/https://theahl.com/stats/player-stats/373/53?playertype=goalie&rookie=no&sort=points&statstype=standard&page=1&league=4&qualified=qualified . 2021-11-22 .
    41. Web site: October 20, 2020. Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extension of Radio Broadcast Agreement. live. October 20, 2020. Cleveland Monsters. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026173212/https://www.clevelandmonsters.com/news/detail/monsters-announce-multi-year-extension-of-radio-broadcast-agreement . 2020-10-26 .
    42. Web site: [clevelandmonsters.com/news/detail/cleveland-monsters-announce-first-rock-entertainment-sports-network-game-telecast-and-return-of-monsters-ot-studio-show Cleveland Monsters Announce First Rock Entertainment Sports Network Game Telecast And Return Of Monsters OT Studio Show ]. Cleveland Monsters.com . Cleveland Monsters . October 17, 2024.
    43. Web site: Sully, the Monsters official Mascot. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106203719/http://www.lakeeriemonsters.com/fans/game-entertainment/sully. November 6, 2014. October 2, 2013. Lake Erie Monsters.
    44. Web site: Monsters Hockey Girls. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031124441/http://www.lakeeriemonsters.com/fans/game-entertainment/mhg. October 31, 2014. October 2, 2013. Lake Erie Monsters.
    45. Web site: Monsters introduce a new, unique fan experience: The Modelo Fanboni | Cleveland Monsters .

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