Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights | |
---|---|
City | Omaha, Nebraska |
League | American Hockey League |
Founded | 1977 |
Operated | 2005–2007 |
Home arena | Omaha Civic Auditorium |
Colors |
Red, black, gold and silver |
Affiliates | Calgary Flames |
Franchise history | |
1977–1987 | Maine Mariners |
1987–1993 | Utica Devils |
1993–2003 | Saint John Flames |
2005–2007 | Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights |
2007–2009 | Quad City Flames |
2009–2014 | Abbotsford Heat |
2014–2015 | Adirondack Flames |
2015–present | |
Championships | |
Division Championships | One (2006–07) |
Red, black, gold and silver
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 2005–07. 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 1993–2003) 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 "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] [2] The Calgary Flames, and Quad City Mallards confirmed the move on May 24, 2007.
affiliates