Phoenix Polar Bears
| Phoenix Polar Bears | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Chandler, Arizona |
| League | WSHL |
| Division | Western |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Home arena | Desert Schools Coyotes Center |
| Colors |
Black, purple, silver |
| Owner(s) | Harry Mahood |
| General manager | Harry Mahood |
| Head coach | Harry Mahood |
| Franchise history | |
| 1999-2011 | Phoenix Polar Bears |
| 2011-Present | Phoenix Knights |
| Championships | |
| Playoff championships | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 (WSHL Thorne Cup) 2003 (USA Hockey Tier III National Championship) |
Black, purple, silver
The Phoenix Polar Bears was a USA Hockey-sanctioned Junior A Tier III ice hockey team based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Their host facility was the Desert Schools Coytotes Center in Chandler, Arizona. The Polar Bears was a member of the Western States Hockey League but vacated their membership in the league when the WSHL moved away from USA Hockey sanctioning in 2011.
The Phoenix Polar Bears were formed as an expansion team by Harry Mahood for the Western States Hockey League in 1999. Until 2009, Harry Mahood operated as the owner, general manager, and head coach of the Polar Bears and became one of the most successful franchises in the WSHL under his tenure. In 2011 the Polar Bears left the WSHL when the league dropped their USA Hockey membership and joined the United Hockey Union. After folding, the franchise was sold and their WSHL membership license was transferred to Arizona Hockey Club, Inc. to create the Phoenix Knights junior hockey team.
In 2003 the team won the USA Hockey National Championship, beating the St. Louis Jr Blues 1-0. In 2003 they ended with a 'perfect season' of 47-0. In 2002 and 2004 the team won a silver medal at the USA Hockey National Tournament. In 2004 the Polar Bears received the National Fair Play Award at the National Tournament. Under Harry Mahood, the Phoenix Polar Bears recorded 575 wins, 7 WSHL Thorne Cup Championships, 9 consecutive National Tournament appearance, 3 undefeated seasons in WSHL play, one nationally undefeated season in 2003, 2004 National Fair Play award and graduated over 170 players to all levels of NHL, NCAA, CIAU, Minor Pro, Major Junior and ACHA hockey. Concurrently the Phoenix Polar Bears raised several hundred thousands of dollars for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, American Heart Association, Phoenix Thunderbirds, Child Find, American Red Cross and various other community programs and charities.
Among the many alumni to play college and advanced levels of junior and major junior hockey, including:
...
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