History of Cleveland Monsters in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 24, 2026

The Cleveland Monsters are a professional ice hockey team based in Cleveland and affiliated with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. As members of the American Hockey League (AHL), they play their home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. They won the Calder Cup in 2016, marking their first championship. Notably, the Cleveland Monsters have boasted consistently high attendance figures, leading the AHL in average attendance during the 2019-20 season and all seasons since 2022-23.

1928: First Documented Pierogi Sale

In 1928, Cleveland had the first documented pierogi sale in North America.

1964: Cleveland Barons Last Calder Cup

In 1964, the Cleveland Barons won their last Calder Cup.

February 1996: Cleveland Lumberjacks Game Attendance

In February 1996, a Cleveland Lumberjacks game against the Minnesota Moose had an attendance of 19,941.

2005: Philadelphia Phantoms Calder Cup Finals Victory

In the 2005 Calder Cup Finals, the Philadelphia Phantoms had a game four victory with an attendance of 20,103 over the Chicago Wolves.

May 16, 2006: Purchase of Utah Grizzlies

On May 16, 2006, the dormant Utah Grizzlies AHL franchise was purchased by a Cleveland ownership group led by Dan Gilbert.

December 17, 2006: Colorado Avalanche Announced as NHL Parent Club

On December 17, 2006, the Colorado Avalanche was announced as the franchise's first NHL parent club with a five-year agreement.

January 25, 2007: Official Announcement as Lake Erie Monsters

On January 25, 2007, the franchise was officially announced as the Lake Erie Monsters.

October 6, 2007: Inaugural Season Loss

On October 6, 2007, the Lake Erie Monsters opened their inaugural 2007–08 campaign with a loss at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

2010: Qualified for Calder Cup Playoffs

At the end of the 2010-11 season, the Monsters qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in team history.

April 17, 2015: Agreement to become AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets

On April 17, 2015, the Monsters announced the signing of a multi-year agreement to become the AHL affiliate for the Columbus Blue Jackets, which took effect in the 2015–16 season.

2015: Franchise Record in Points

In the 2015–16 season, the Monsters finished by setting a franchise record in points (97) and qualified for the playoffs for the second time in team history.

April 23, 2016: Defeat of Rockford IceHogs

On April 23, 2016, the Monsters defeated their first round opponent, the Rockford IceHogs, 5–3, ending a three-game sweep of their opponent in a best-of-five series.

June 11, 2016: Calder Cup Win

On June 11, 2016, the Monsters won the franchise's first Calder Cup in a four-game sweep of the Hershey Bears, with Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring the Cup-winning goal in overtime.

August 9, 2016: Name Change to Cleveland Monsters

On August 9, 2016, the Lake Erie Monsters changed their name to the Cleveland Monsters.

2016: Calder Cup Championship

In 2016, the Cleveland Monsters won their first Calder Cup championship.

2017: Failed to Qualify for Playoffs

In the 2016–17 season, the Cleveland Monsters failed to qualify for the playoffs.

2018: Last Place in Western Conference

In the 2017–18 season, the Cleveland Monsters earned last place in the Western Conference and failed to make the playoffs.

2019: High Attendance Average

In 2019, the Cleveland Monsters had one of the highest attendance averages in the AHL.

2019: Affiliation Extension

In 2019, the multi-season affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets was extended.

2019: COVID-19 Pandemic Curtails Season

The Cleveland Monsters' 2019–20 season was curtailed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Season End

The Cleveland Monsters ended the 2019-20 season in last place in their division with a record of 24–31.

2022: High Attendance Average

Since the 2022-23 season, the Cleveland Monsters have maintained one of the highest attendance averages in the AHL.

March 2023: Unveiling of "The Modelo Experience"

In March 2023, the Cleveland Monsters unveiled "The Modelo Experience", offering fans a ride on a custom-made "fanboni" called the Modelo Fan Cruiser built by Cleveland Power and Performance.

2025: Renamed as Cleveland Pierogis for a Weekend

In 2025, the Cleveland Monsters renamed themselves Cleveland Pierogis for a weekend, playing back-to-back games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, wearing a shirt with a skating Pierogi in the colors of the flag of Poland.