Cleveland Monsters Starting Lineup Figures

The Cleveland Monsters are a professional ice hockey team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are a member of the American Hockey League (AHL) and serve as the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The team was established in 2007 and has been a significant part of the hockey community in Ohio.

Here are some key points about the Cleveland Monsters:

History: The team was originally known as the “Cleveland Barons” when they were established in 2007. The name paid homage to the previous Cleveland Barons team that competed in the AHL from 1937 to 1973. In 2015, the team was purchased by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the franchise was relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where they became the AHL affiliate of the Blue Jackets. In turn, the Lake Erie Monsters, an AHL team from Cleveland, were moved to Columbus’ former location and rebranded as the “Cleveland Monsters.”

Championship Win: The Cleveland Monsters had a historic season in 2016 when they won the Calder Cup, which is awarded to the AHL’s playoff champion. They defeated the Hershey Bears in the finals to secure the first Calder Cup in franchise history.

Home Arena: The Cleveland Monsters play their home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, located in downtown Cleveland. The arena is also the home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

Development Team: AHL teams like the Cleveland Monsters play a crucial role in the development of young players for their NHL parent teams. Many NHL players spend time in the AHL to further develop their skills and gain experience before making the jump to the top league.

As the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Cleveland Monsters provide an opportunity for the Blue Jackets’ prospects to grow and prepare for the NHL while also entertaining local hockey fans in the Cleveland area.