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.
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]
| Year | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | PTS | Finish | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 35 | 31 | 3 | 11 | 206 | 221 | 84 | 6th, West | Out of playoffs | ||
| 80 | 49 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 214 | 189 | 104 | 1st, West | Lost 1st round, 4–2, Iowa Stars |
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 goals: 52, Carsen Germyn
Career assists: 63, Carsen Germyn
Career points: 115, Carsen Germyn
Career penalty minutes: 505, Brandon Prust
Career shutouts: 10, Curtis McElhinney
Career games: 156, Warren Peters