History of Colorado Eagles in Timeline

The Colorado Eagles are a professional minor league ice hockey team located in Loveland, Colorado. They compete in the Pacific Division of the American Hockey League (AHL).

2003: Tori Holt Commentator

From 2003 to 06, Tori Holt was the commentator for the Colorado Eagles on the radio.

2003: Franchise Founding

In 2003, the Colorado Eagles franchise was founded by former Montreal Canadiens player Ralph Backstrom.

November 5, 2004: First TV Broadcast

On November 5, 2004, the Colorado Eagles' first TV broadcast on Altitude Sports and Entertainment was against the New Mexico Scorpions.

2004: Play-by-Play Commentators

From 2004-06, the Colorado Eagles' Play-by-Play Commentators were Mike Haynes and Doug McLeod with Peter McNab as the Color commentator.

2004: CHL Championship

In 2004, the Colorado Eagles won the Central Hockey League (CHL) Championship in their second season.

2005: Ray Miron President's Cup Win

In 2005, Altitude broadcast the Ray Miron President's Cup Game 5 where the Colorado Eagles won their first Presidents Cup.

2005: Division Title

In 2005, the Colorado Eagles won their division but lost in the second round of the playoffs.

2006: Tori Holt Commentator

From 2006 to 2009, Tori Holt was the commentator for the Colorado Eagles with Kevin McGlue as the Color Commentator.

2006: Playoff Loss

In 2006, after winning their division, the Colorado Eagles were defeated in the second round of the playoffs by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

2007: Chris Stewart Retired

After the 2007-08 season, coach Chris Stewart retired as head coach of the Colorado Eagles.

2007: Ray Miron President's Cup Win Broadcast

In 2007, Altitude broadcast the Ray Miron President's Cup Game 6 where the Colorado Eagles won their second Presidents Cup.

2007: Sportscenter Appearance

In 2007, the Colorado Eagles made a Sportscenter appearance when Greg Pankewicz scored an incredible goal in Game 7 of the second round of the 2007 President's Cup Playoffs.

2008: Hosted CHL All-Star Game

During the 2008–09 season, the Colorado Eagles hosted the 2009 CHL All-Star Game.

January 14, 2009: CHL All-Star Game

On January 14, 2009, the Colorado Eagles hosted the 2009 CHL All-Star Game at the Budweiser Events Center, defeating the CHL All-Stars 8-4.

2009: Kevin McClelland not retained

Following the 2009-10 season, Kevin McClelland was not retained as head coach of the Colorado Eagles.

2009: Broadcast CHL All-Star Game

In 2009, Altitude broadcast the CHL All-Star Game, hosted at Blue Arena by the Colorado Eagles.

2009: Commentators

Until 2009, Tori Holt served as the commentator for the Colorado Eagles on the radio.

May 29, 2011: KEVN-TV Report on ECHL Move

On May 29, 2011, KEVN-TV reported that the Colorado Eagles were moving to the ECHL for the 2011-12 season.

June 2011: Joined ECHL

In June 2011, the Colorado Eagles transitioned from the Central Hockey League (CHL) to the ECHL.

August 2011: Assigned to Western Conference's Mountain Division

In August 2011, the Colorado Eagles were assigned to the Western Conference's Mountain Division as part of the league realignment for the 2011–12 ECHL season.

2011: Rumored transfer to ECHL

During the 2011 Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs, rumors circulated that the Colorado Eagles would transfer to the ECHL following the playoffs.

2012: Affiliation with Winnipeg Jets

In 2012, the Colorado Eagles served as the second-tier affiliate of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and the American Hockey League's St. John's IceCaps.

2013: Broadcast ECHL All-Star Game

In 2013, Altitude broadcast the ECHL All-Star Game, hosted at Blue Arena by the Colorado Eagles.

2014: Affiliation with Calgary Flames

In 2014, the Colorado Eagles served as the second-tier affiliate of the Calgary Flames and the Adirondack Flames.

2015: Parted ways with Altitude

In 2015, Altitude and the Colorado Eagles parted ways, with the last broadcast being in the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

July 2016: Chris Stewart Retires Again

In July 2016, Chris Stewart retired as coach for the second time but remained with the organization as general manager. Aaron Schneekloth replaced him as head coach.

October 10, 2017: Announcement of AHL Promotion

On October 10, 2017, the Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Eagles officially announced that the club would be promoted to the AHL in 2018.

2017: Kelly Cup Champions

In 2017, the Colorado Eagles won the Kelly Cup as the 2017 playoffs champions, in their first season affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche.

2018: Discussions for AHL Expansion

In 2018, discussions were held between the owners and managers of the Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Avalanche regarding becoming an AHL expansion team for the 2018–19 season.

2018: Back-to-Back Kelly Cups

In 2018, during their last season in the ECHL, the Colorado Eagles finished with back-to-back Kelly Cups, winning the 2018 playoff championship.

2018: Joined American Hockey League

In 2018, the Colorado Eagles joined the American Hockey League (AHL) as an expansion team and affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

2019: Kelly Cup Sent to Newfoundland Growlers

In 2019, after retaining the Kelly Cup trophy after leaving the ECHL, the Colorado Eagles sent it to the 2019 ECHL champion Newfoundland Growlers before opening night of the 2019–20 ECHL season.

2022: Executive Committee Restructure

In 2022, prior to the 2022–23 season, the Avalanche announced a restructure of their executive committee with Kevin McDonald hired and introduced as the incoming Eagles General Manager.