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* no longer in the club
This current Peoria AHL franchise moved to the city in 2005 after a relocation of Worcester IceCats. It is the ninth oldest continuously operating minor-league pro hockey franchise in history.
The Peoria Rivermen franchise was born in 1982-83 in the old International Hockey League. The franchise was taken over by the Peoria Civic Center in 1984, which held a contest with the Peoria Journal Star newspaper to rename the team. Rivermen was the winner. The Peoria Rivermen operated in the 1984-85 season and won the IHL's Turner Cup. They were bought by Bruce Saurs in the summer of 1989, and he owned the club for 18 seasons. The franchise dropped down to the ECHL for the 1996-97 season, playing nine seasons there before moving to the American Hockey League for the 2005-06 season; the current franchise, however, follows the history of the Worcester IceCats. The Peoria franchise is the ninth oldest continuously operating minor-league pro hockey franchise in history. It was announced by Dave Checketts that the St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center and the Peoria Rivermen are 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 who intend to move the franchise to Abbotsford, B.C.. It is expected the St. Louis Blues will affiliate with the AHL's Chicago Wolves for the 2013-14 season, with Calgary Flames moving its AHL affiliate from Abbotsford, B.C. to Utica , NY in time for the 2013-14 season. The deal is subject to approval from the AHL.
On April 18, 2013, The AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to the Vancouver Canucks. Although rumours speculate the team will move to Abbotsford, neither the city nor the currently residing team (the Abbotsford Heat) have made any announcements regarding a move.
On May 13, 2013, The Vancouver Canucks confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials Monday morning that they will not bring back the Rivermen franchise. The AHL Peoria Rivermen will no longer play in Peoria.
Bloomington, Peoria join SPHL for 2013-2014 Season
The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced its Board of Governors has unanimously approved the Bloomington Blaze and Peoria Rivermen to join the league for the 2013-2014 season.
"We are excited to welcome Bloomington and Peoria into the league," added SPHL President Jim Combs. "The addition of two teams in the Midwest opens up a new range of opportunities for the SPHL."
The Rivermen were purchased at the end of March by the Vancouver Canucks, who intend to move the franchise to Abbotsford, B.C. and last week confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials that they will not bring back the Rivermen franchise.
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