First,
a geography note. The Capital District encompasses the Capital area
of New York State: Albany, Troy and Schenectady.
The
Troy Uncle Sam's Trojans played in the 1952-53 season. Their logo was
similar to the “legendary” Uncle Sam picture that was used in
World War 2. You remember the old “Uncle Sam wants YOU” with the
finger pointing towards the viewer? Similar picture for the hockey
team that year.
The
Schenectady Chiefs came into the Atlantic Coast Hockey League in
1981, but were terminated on November 15, 1981 with a 4 win, 5 loss
record because of financial troubles and a lack of attendance. The
Troy Slapshots didn't fare much better when they joined the ACHL for
the 1986-87 season, and lasted 6 games before they were forced to
merge with another club in the league.
When
the AHL's Capital District Islanders came along to Troy in 1990,
there was finally some success. The NHL's New York Islanders placed
their top farm team in Troy, and from 1990-1993, Troy was the home of
many players on their way up to or down from the professional ranks.
Jamie
McLennan would become the team's top goalie, and also have a long NHL
career with several teams. He can now be seen on the NHL Network.
Brad Dalgarno and Tom Kurvers are two examples of players that
started in Troy, and would eventually move to the NHL. Many of the
players pictured had very short stints with Capital District,
possibly for injury rehab or similar circumstances; it does not say.
Greg Parks was the Capital District all-time leader in points, Brent
Grieve the all-time leader in goals, and Richard Kromm the leader in
assists.
On
a personal note, I found several players that I remembered watching
play for or against my home town Portland Winterhawks. It is a lot
of fun seeing these players in professional uniforms after I've seen
them as teenagers with my home town team.
After
the Islanders withdrew their affiliation from Troy in 1993, the
team's owner established a relationship with the New Jersey Devils
and moved to Albany, New York. Thus, the River Rats were born. In
their second season in the AHL, the River Rats won the 1994-95 Calder
Cup, the championship trophy of the AHL. There are many names that
would eventually move on to the NHL.
Well-laid
out, with loads of wonderful pictures, this is a well-created history
of a hockey-rich region that I knew very little about before this
book.
Special
thanks to Arcadia Publishing for making this book available for
reviewing purposes.
Link
to Arcadia Publishing:
http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738544670/Hockey-in-the-Capital-District
Link
to Powells City of Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780738544670-0
Link
to Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hockey-in-the-capital-district-new-york-jim-mancuso/1100095098?ean=9780738544670
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