Maine Nordiques (junior hockey)

This article is about the junior team known as the Maine Nordiques. For the former professional team with the same name, see Maine Nordiques. For the former NHL team, see Quebec Nordiques.

Maine Nordiques
CityLewiston, Maine
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
DivisionEast
Founded2019
Home arenaThe Colisée[1]
ColorsLight blue, red, white
     
Owner(s)Darryl Antonacci
General managerEric Soltys[2]
Head coachNick Sherlick
Franchise history
2019–presentMaine Nordiques

The Maine Nordiques are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's East Division. The Nordiques play their home games at world renowned Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.

History

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On February 28, 2019, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced that they had approved the membership application submitted by ISS Kings Youth Hockey Club, LLC for a team in Lewiston, Maine, owned by Darryl Antonacci and that the team would start play in the 2019–20 season as a member of the East Division.[3][4] The team shares the Androscoggin Bank Colisée and a development program with the Tier III Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques that has a team in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The organization is named after the former professional team, the Maine Nordiques. Antonacci promoted his head coach from the ISS Kings youth team, Nolan Howe, son of Hall of Fame player Mark Howe, as the NAHL team's first head coach.[5]

In March 2020, team owner Antonacci agreed to purchase the Androscoggin Bank Colisée and the Tier III Nordiques from the arena owner Jim Cain.[6] As part of the turnover, Antonacci folded the Tier III junior team and replaced it with Tier 1 youth teams.[7] Both leagues cancelled their 2019–20 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Nolan Howe was fired and replaced by associate head coach Matt Pinchevsky 16 games into the 2021–22 season.[9]

Season-by-season records

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Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2019–20 54 20 32 2 42 190 230 7th of 7, East Div.
21st of 26, NAHL		 Postseason cancelled
2020–21 56 35 19 2 72 169 163 2nd of 6, East Div.
5th of 23, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. New Jersey Titans
Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. Maryland Black Bears
Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
2021–22 60 22 27 11 55 200 243 6th of 7, East Div.
23rd of 29, NAHL		 did not qualify for post season play
2022–23 60 33 24 3 69 208 188 3rd of 7, East Div.
11th of 29, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–0 vs. New Jersey Titans,
lost Div. Finals 1–3 vs. Maryland Black Bears
2023–24 60 37 17 6 80 236 178 2nd of 9 East Div.
9th of 32 NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Rochester Jr. Americans,
Lost Div. Finals, 2–3 vs. Maryland Black Bears

References

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  1. ^ "MAINE NORDIQUES". TheColisee.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "NAHL Coaching Staff". Maine Nordiques. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "NAHL team in Lewiston, Maine approved for the 2019-20 season". NAHL. February 28, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  4. ^ Fournier, Nathan (February 28, 2019). "Maine Nordiques, an NAHL Tier II team, coming to Lewiston". Sun Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Fournier, Nathan (March 25, 2019). "Maine Nordiques name Howe as first Head Coach". Sun Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Androscoggin Bank Colisee to be sold to owner of Maine Nordiques". WGME-TV. March 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Nordiques owner wants more high-end hockey, year-round events at the Colisee". Sun Journal. March 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "NAHL announces cancelation of entire 2019-20 season due to COVID-19". NAHL. March 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Matt Pinchevsky replaces Nolan Howe as Maine Nordiques head coach". Sun Journal. November 9, 2021.
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