| Buffalo Wings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Amherst, New York |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Home arena | Marine Midland Arena (1997) Buffalo State Ice Arena (2008-present) |
| Colors | Black, jade, dark blue, silver, white |
| Franchise history | |
| 1994–1995 | Phoenix Cobras |
| 1996 | Empire State Cobras |
| 1997–present | Buffalo Wings |
The Buffalo Wings are an inline hockey team, playing in Major League Roller Hockey and formerly in Roller Hockey International, that is based in the city of Buffalo, New York.
History
The Buffalo Wings franchise was originally the Phoenix Cobras from 1994 to 1995, and the Empire State Cobras in 1996.
The 1996 Cobras consisted of former Buffalo Stampede players who joined the team after their franchise folded following the 1995 Roller Hockey International season.
Relocated from Glen Falls, New York and renamed as the Buffalo Wings, the team played the 1997 season at the Marine Midland Arena. The arrival of the Wings marked the return of professional roller hockey to Buffalo, having been the home of the short-lived Buffalo Stampede, which played at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium from 1994 to 1995. From 1998 to 1999, the team played at the Buffalo State Sports Arena at Buffalo State College.
Following the demise of Roller Hockey International, the organization continues to exist to this day as a youth hockey development organization. The professional team has been revived at least once (in 2004) in the Professional Inline Hockey Association.
The Wings were announced as one of the six teams participating in the 2008 Major League Roller Hockey Pro Tour.
Records
- 1994 - Phoenix Cobras - 13-11 - (Roller Hockey International / Home: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
- 1995 - Phoenix Cobras - 11-09 - (Roller Hockey International / Home: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
- 1996 - Empire State Cobras - 16-07 - (Roller Hockey International / Home: Glens Falls Civic Center)
- 1997 - Buffalo Wings - 06-18 - (Roller Hockey International / Home: Marine Midland Arena)
- 1998 - Buffalo Wings - 11-08 - (Major League Roller Hockey / Home: Buffalo State Sports Arena)
- 1999 - Buffalo Wings - 13-13 - (Roller Hockey International / Home: Buffalo State Sports Arena)
Playoff records
- 1994 - Lost to Calgary Rad'z in Quarterfinal
- 1995 - Lost to San Jose Rhinos in Quarterfinal
- 1996 - Lost to Orlando Jackals in Quarterfinal
- 1998 - Defeated Port Huron North Americans 19–8 in Quarterfinal; Lost to Columbus Hawks in Semifinal
- 1999 - Defeated Minnesota Blue Ox in Quarterfinal (8–3 in one game playoff); Lost to St. Louis Vipers in Semifinal by a score of 11-7
References
- ^ Doyle, Fletcher. "Roller Hockey League Lands at Arena with Buffalo Wings", The Buffalo News, January 10, 1997. Accessed January 26, 2017. "The Empire State Cobras, searching for a new home after one financially disastrous Roller Hockey International season in Glens Falls, have landed in Marine Midland Arena as the Buffalo Wings."
- ^ Pavlock, Carl (2020-03-18). "Obscure hockey merchandise: Phoenix Cobras Roller Hockey Jersey". Five For Howling. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
- Hughes, Mike. "No Ice Required Pro Roller Hockey, The Fast-Paced Hot Weather Sport", The Buffalo News, May 20, 1997. Accessed January 26, 2017. "Buffalo has always been known as a hockey town, and now fans can sit in the air-conditioned comfort of Marine Midland Arena to get their fill of the game during the summer. A few years back, Buffalo had a roller hockey team called the Buffalo Stampede, but it wasn't around for very long. "
- Staff. "Wings Shift to Buffalo State Arena", The Buffalo News, May 5, 1998. Accessed January 26, 2017. "The Buffalo Wings will play in a new league and in a new home arena for the 1998 season. The Buffalo State College Sports Arena will be the Wings' home court for their first season in Major League Roller Hockey, the team announced Monday."
- Northrop, Milt. "It's on to Columbus and the division finals for the Buffalo Wings after Saturday night's 19-8 romp over the Port Huron North Americans in their Major League Roller Hockey divisional playoff game before about 1,500 at Buffalo State College.", The Buffalo News, August 16, 1998. Accessed January 26, 2017. "It's on to Columbus and the division finals for the Buffalo Wings after Saturday night's 19-8 romp over the Port Huron North Americans in their Major League Roller Hockey divisional playoff game before about 1,500 at Buffalo State College."
- Staff. "WINGS MAKE SURE THIS WON'T BE YEAR OF THE (BLUE) OX", The Buffalo News, August 19, 1999. Accessed January 26, 2017. "The Wings resisted that urge, remaining composed in the face of an all-out assault by the Minnesota Blue Ox. Buffalo's cool approach paid off with an 8-3 win over Minnesota in the RHI playoff opener before a sparse crowd at the Arrowhead Pond."
- Staff. "Wings are Grounded by Vipers", The Buffalo News, August 20, 1999. Accessed January 26, 2017. "The Wings, decimated by injuries to their defensemen, lost to the St. Louis Vipers, 11-7, in Thursday night's conference final in the Roller Hockey International playoffs at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim."