Wikipedia - Tri-City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at Toyota Center.
History
The Tri-City Americans franchise is an original franchise of the WHL. They began in 1966 as the Calgary Buffaloes before being renamed the "Centennials" after one season. The franchise was also known as the "Billings Bighorns" from 1977 to 1982 before relocating to Nanaimo, British Columbia, as the Nanaimo Islanders. After one season, they moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, to become the second incarnation of the New Westminster Bruins. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1988.[]
At their annual New Year's Eve game against the Spokane Chiefs on December 31, 2008, the Americans set a record for attendance at a hockey game in the Toyota Center, with 6,042 attendees. The Americans surpassed this number on March 13, 2010, in a game against Spokane, with an attendance of 6,053.
The Americans won the Western Conference championship for the first time, in the 2010 playoffs, defeating the Chilliwack Bruins, Kelowna Rockets, and Vancouver Giants in successive series before dropping the league championship to the Calgary Hitmen in five games.
The team's colors are navy blue, red, and white, and their logo features a bald eagle with a hockey stick in its talons. The Americans have a strong following in the Tri-Cities area, with fans known for their passionate support of the team.
Over the years, the Americans have had many successful seasons, including winning the WHL championship in 2010. The team has also produced many NHL players, including Carey Price, Brian Boucher, and Olaf Kolzig.
The Americans are known for their fast-paced, physical style of play, and their roster is typically made up of talented young players looking to develop their skills and move on to the next level. With a dedicated fan base and a history of success, the Tri-City Americans are a beloved fixture of the Pacific Northwest hockey scene.