Indianapolis Ice
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the Indianapolis Ice were a fixture in Indiana's capital city. They began play in the IHL at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in 1988-89, filling the hole created by the Checkers' departure from the market.
The Ice started fast, winning 53 of 82 games on their way to a Turner Cup triumph in only their second campaign under Darryl Sutter's coaching. Due to the team's association with Chicago, a young Dominik Hasek played in Indianapolis. Many additional major leaguers started their careers in Indianapolis, including Tony Hrkac, Ethan Moreau, and Brian Noonan. In the late 1990s, the squad was also coached by Bruce Cassidy and another Sutter brother, Duane.
The Ice would drop to the CHL for the 1990-00 season in order to save money on payroll, since the IHL was becoming more unstable (it would fold in 2001). The Ice would have early success once more, winning the league in 2000. They would play in the CHL for 5 seasons before folding.
The Ice started fast, winning 53 of 82 games on their way to a Turner Cup triumph in only their second campaign under Darryl Sutter's coaching. Due to the team's association with Chicago, a young Dominik Hasek played in Indianapolis. Many additional major leaguers started their careers in Indianapolis, including Tony Hrkac, Ethan Moreau, and Brian Noonan. In the late 1990s, the squad was also coached by Bruce Cassidy and another Sutter brother, Duane.
The Ice would drop to the CHL for the 1990-00 season in order to save money on payroll, since the IHL was becoming more unstable (it would fold in 2001). The Ice would have early success once more, winning the league in 2000. They would play in the CHL for 5 seasons before folding.
