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{{Pro hockey team
{{Infobox ice hockey team
|bg_color = #0B213E
|bg_color = #0B213E
|text_color = white
|text_color = white
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| arena = [[Revolution Ice Centre]]
| arena = [[Revolution Ice Centre]]
| colors = Navy and white<br />{{color box|#0B213E}} {{color box|white}}
| colors = Navy and white<br />{{color box|#0B213E}} {{color box|white}}
| owner = Jody Cordaro
| owner =
| coach =
| coach =
| GM = Ray Welsh<ref name = "USPHL2021"/>
| GM = Ray Welsh<ref name = "USPHL2021"/>
<!---Franchise history--->
<!---Franchise history--->
| name1 ='''''Tier III franchise'''''
| name1 ='''''AJHL/EHL franchise'''''
| name2 = Binghamton Jr. Senators
| name2 = Binghamton Jr. Senators
| dates2 = 2005–2010
| dates2 = 2005–2010
| name3 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| name3 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| dates3 = 2010–2015<br>2017–2019
| dates3 = 2010–2015<br>2017–2019
| name6 = '''''Tier II franchise'''''
| name6 = '''''NAHL franchise'''''
| name7 = [[Dawson Creek Rage]]
| name7 = [[Dawson Creek Rage]]
| dates7 = 2010–2012
| dates7 = 2010–2012
| name8 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| name8 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| dates8 = 2015–2019
| dates8 = 2015–2020
| name9 = Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
| name9 = [[Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks]]
| dates9 = 2020–present
| dates9 = 2020–present
| name10 ='''''USPHL franchise'''
| name10 = '''''USPHL franchise'''''
| name11 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| name11 = Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
| dates11 = 2021–present
| dates11 = 2021–present
}}
}}


The '''Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights''' are a [[Junior ice hockey|junior]] [[ice hockey]] organization from [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]].<ref>[http://www.skatenepa.com/] {{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref> In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant [[Dawson Creek Rage]] franchise in the [[Junior ice hockey#Tier II|Tier II]] [[North American Hockey League]] (NAHL) and placed their [[Junior ice hockey#Tier III|Tier III]] franchise in the [[Eastern Hockey League (2013–)|Eastern Hockey League]] into dormancy. The organization has reactivated and deactivated their Tier III level teams at various times, but plans to launch teams in the [[United States Premier Hockey League]]'s Premier and Elite Divisions, non-[[USA Hockey]] sanctioned leagues that operate similar to the Tier III level. The organization also has several [[youth ice hockey]] teams in its development program.
The '''Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights''' are a [[Junior ice hockey|junior]] [[ice hockey]] organization from [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.skatenepa.com/ |title=Revolution Ice Centre, Scranton and Pittston, PA |access-date=2010-06-09 |archive-date=2010-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306123229/http://skatenepa.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant [[Dawson Creek Rage]] franchise in the [[Junior ice hockey#Tier II|Tier II]] [[North American Hockey League]] (NAHL) and placed their [[Junior ice hockey#Tier III|Tier III]] franchise in the [[Eastern Hockey League (2013–)|Eastern Hockey League]] into dormancy. The organization has reactivated and deactivated their Tier III level teams at various times, but plans to launch teams in the [[United States Premier Hockey League]]'s Premier and Elite Divisions, non-[[USA Hockey]] sanctioned leagues that operate similar to the Tier III level. The organization also has several [[youth ice hockey]] teams in its development program.


The players, ages 16–20, carry amateur status and hope to earn a spot on higher level of junior hockey teams in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], Canadian [[Junior ice hockey#Major Junior|Major Junior]] teams, [[college ice hockey|collegiate]] teams, and eventually professional teams.
The players, ages 16–20, carry amateur status and hope to earn a spot on higher level of junior hockey teams in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], Canadian [[Junior ice hockey#Major Junior|Major Junior]] teams, [[college ice hockey|collegiate]] teams, and eventually professional teams.


==History==
==History==
===AJHL/EHL (2010–2015)===
===AJHL/EHL years (2010–2015)===
From 2005 to 2010, the [[Junior ice hockey#Tier III|Tier III]] franchise was operated by an organization in [[Binghamton, New York]], as the '''Binghamton Jr. Senators''' at the [[Chenango Ice Rink]] in the [[Atlantic Junior Hockey League]] (AJHL). In 2010, the franchise was transferred to an organization to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights that had been operating as a youth organization formed in 2005. After relocating, the organization also began a team at the [[junior ice hockey#Tier III|Junior B]] level in the [[Metropolitan Junior Hockey League]] as well as youth hockey select teams at the Midget U18, Midget 16U, Bantam, Peewee, and Squirt and Mite levels. Along with Revolution Ice Centre in [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]], the Knights also practiced at Revolution Training Centre in [[Dunmore, Pennsylvania]]. The training center has two skating surfaces: one synthetic ice and the other is an 85 x 45 ice surface.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.jrknightshockey.com/ |title = Home Page|website=Jrknightshockey.com}}</ref>
From 2005 to 2010, the [[Junior ice hockey#Tier III|Tier III]] franchise was operated by an organization in [[Binghamton, New York]], as the '''Binghamton Jr. Senators''' at the [[Chenango Ice Rink]] in the [[Atlantic Junior Hockey League]] (AJHL). In 2010, the franchise was transferred to an organization to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights that had been operating as a youth organization formed in 2005. After relocating, the organization also began a team at the [[junior ice hockey#Tier III|Junior B]] level in the [[Metropolitan Junior Hockey League]] as well as youth hockey select teams at the Midget U18, Midget 16U, Bantam, Peewee, and Squirt and Mite levels. Along with Revolution Ice Centre in [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]], the Knights also practiced at Revolution Training Centre in [[Dunmore, Pennsylvania]]. The training center has two skating surfaces: one synthetic ice and the other is an 85 x 45 ice surface.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.jrknightshockey.com/ |title = Home Page|website=Jrknightshockey.com}}</ref>


The Knights won the AJHL Championship during the 2012–13 season in the best of three series against the [[Northern Cyclones]] and earned the AJHL President's Cup. The Knights lost the first game of the series 0–2 but came back to win the final two games. During the last game, the Cyclones had a 2–1 lead, but Knights forward Matt Cessna tied the game at 2–2 with 22 seconds remaining in the third period. With four minutes remaining in the first overtime, Cessna also scored the game-winner and was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoff championship series. The Knights' 2012–13 AJHL championship team featured team captain Jack Ceglarski (grandson of [[Len Ceglarski]]) and defenceman Oscar Nyquist (brother of [[Gustav Nyquist]]).<ref>[http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/] {{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/4518/wilkes-barre-scranton-knights/2012-2013|title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights |website=Eliteprospects.com|accessdate=25 February 2021}}</ref>
The Knights won the AJHL Championship during the 2012–13 season in the best of three series against the [[Northern Cyclones]] and earned the AJHL President's Cup. The Knights lost the first game of the series 0–2 but came back to win the final two games. During the last game, the Cyclones had a 2–1 lead, but Knights forward Matt Cessna tied the game at 2–2 with 22 seconds remaining in the third period. With four minutes remaining in the first overtime, Cessna also scored the game-winner and was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoff championship series. The Knights' 2012–13 AJHL championship team featured team captain Jack Ceglarski (grandson of [[Len Ceglarski]]) and defenceman Oscar Nyquist (brother of [[Gustav Nyquist]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/ |title=Knights Win AJHL Championship |access-date=2014-03-06 |archive-date=2014-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306190502/http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/4518/wilkes-barre-scranton-knights/2012-2013|title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights |website=Eliteprospects.com|accessdate=25 February 2021}}</ref>


In 2013, Tier III junior hockey leagues underwent a large reorganization and the AJHL re-branded as the [[Eastern Hockey League (2013–)|Eastern Hockey League]] (EHL).
In 2013, Tier III junior hockey leagues underwent a large reorganization and the AJHL re-branded as the [[Eastern Hockey League (2013–)|Eastern Hockey League]] (EHL).


===NAHL (2015–2020)===
===NAHL years (2015–2020)===
{{see also|Dawson Creek Rage}}
{{see also|Dawson Creek Rage}}
On May 1, 2015, it was announced that the Knights had purchased the dormant [[Dawson Creek Rage]] franchise in the [[North American Hockey League]] and began play as a Tier II team in the 2015–16 NAHL season<ref name="wbsknights">{{cite web | url=http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=14771 | title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights join NAHL in 2015-16 season | publisher=[[North American Hockey League]] | work=NAHL.com | date=May 1, 2015 | access-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> while also dropping their Tier III teams. The organization would re-add Tier III teams in the EHL in 2017. In 2019, the Tier III team left the EHL and joined the NAHL's Tier III league, the [[North American 3 Hockey League]] (NA3HL),<ref name = "2019changes">{{cite web |url=http://na3hl.com/news/story.cfm?id=26800 |title=NA3HL announces new markets for the 2019-20 season |publisher=NA3HL |date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> but were removed from the league prior to playing a game.
On May 1, 2015, it was announced that the Knights had purchased the dormant [[Dawson Creek Rage]] franchise in the [[North American Hockey League]] and began play as a Tier II team in the 2015–16 NAHL season<ref name="wbsknights">{{cite web | url=http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=14771 | title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights join NAHL in 2015-16 season | publisher=[[North American Hockey League]] | work=NAHL.com | date=May 1, 2015 | access-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> while also dropping their Tier III teams. The organization would re-add Tier III teams in the EHL in 2017. In 2019, the Tier III team left the EHL and joined the NAHL's Tier III league, the [[North American 3 Hockey League]] (NA3HL),<ref name = "2019changes">{{cite web |url=http://na3hl.com/news/story.cfm?id=26800 |title=NA3HL announces new markets for the 2019-20 season |publisher=NA3HL |date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> but were removed from the league prior to playing a game.
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===USPHL (2021–present)===
===USPHL (2021–present)===
In February 2021, the Knights announced they would be reactivating their junior teams in the Premier and Elite Divisions of the [[United States Premier Hockey League]].<ref name = "USPHL2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/1148197 |title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights To Join USPHL Premier, Elite Divisions For 2021-22 |website=USPHL |date=February 24, 2021}}</ref>
In February 2021, the Knights announced they would be reactivating their junior teams in the Premier and Elite Divisions of the [[United States Premier Hockey League]], an [[Junior ice hockey#Independent leagues (Canada and US)|independently sanctioned]] league, in the 2021–22 season.<ref name = "USPHL2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/1148197 |title=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights To Join USPHL Premier, Elite Divisions For 2021-22 |website=USPHL |date=February 24, 2021}}</ref> During their first season in the USPHL, they announced they would be adding a tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) team, the USPHL's equivalent of a Tier II league, for the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usphl.com/news_article/show/1207253 |title=WBS Knights To Join National Collegiate Development Conference In 2022-23 |website=USPHL |date=February 3, 2022}}</ref>


==Season-by-season records==
==Season-by-season records==
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|colspan="11"|'''''Eastern Hockey League (Tier III)'''''
|colspan="11"|'''''Eastern Hockey League (Tier III)'''''
|-
|-
| 2013–14 || 44 || 19 || 16 || 8 || 1 || 47 || 121 || 111 || 4th, Central Div.<br />8th of 17, EHL||<small>Won Round 1, 2–0 vs. [[Philadelphia Junior Flyers]]<br />Lost Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. [[Northern Cyclones]]</small>
| 2013–14 || 44 || 19 || 16 || 8 || 1 || 47 || 121 || 111 || 4th, Central Div.<br />8th of 17, EHL||<small>Won Round 1, 2–0 vs. [[Philadelphia Junior Flyers]]<br />Lost quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. [[Northern Cyclones]]</small>
|-
|-
| 2014–15 || 44 || 28 || 14 || 2 || 0 || 58 || 155 || 126 || 2nd, Central Div.<br />6th of 19, EHL||<small>Won Round 1, 2–1 vs. [[Boston Bandits]]<br />Lost Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. [[Northern Cyclones]]</small>
| 2014–15 || 44 || 28 || 14 || 2 || 0 || 58 || 155 || 126 || 2nd, Central Div.<br />6th of 19, EHL||<small>Won Round 1, 2–1 vs. [[Boston Bandits]]<br />Lost quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. [[Northern Cyclones]]</small>
|-
|-
| 2017–18 || 50 || 24 || 25 || 1 ||—|| 49 || 170 || 180 || <small>3rd of 4, Mid-Atlantic Div.<br>5th of 8, South Conf.<br />9th of 16, EHL</small>||<small>Lost First Round, 1–2 vs. [[New York Apple Core]]</small>
| 2017–18 || 50 || 24 || 25 || 1 ||—|| 49 || 170 || 180 || <small>3rd of 4, Mid-Atlantic Div.<br>5th of 8, South Conf.<br />9th of 16, EHL</small>||<small>Lost First Round, 1–2 vs. [[New York Apple Core]]</small>
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|colspan="11"|'''''NAHL (Tier II)'''''
|colspan="11"|'''''NAHL (Tier II)'''''
|-
|-
| 2015–16 || 60 || 22 || 28 || 10 || 54 || 150 || 232 ||<small>4th of 4, East Div.<br />20th of 22, NAHL</small>||<small>Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. [[Aston Rebels]]</small>
| 2015–16 || 60 || 22 || 28 || 10 || 54 || 150 || 232 ||<small>4th of 4, East Div.<br />20th of 22, NAHL</small>||<small>Lost div. semi-finals, 0–3 vs. [[Aston Rebels]]</small>
|-
|-
| 2016–17 || 60 || 30 || 25 || 5 || 65 || 193 || 190 ||<small>4th of 5, East Div.<br />12th of 24, NAHL</small>||<small>Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. [[Aston Rebels]]</small>
| 2016–17 || 60 || 30 || 25 || 5 || 65 || 193 || 190 ||<small>4th of 5, East Div.<br />12th of 24, NAHL</small>||<small>Lost div. semi-finals, 0–3 vs. [[Aston Rebels]]</small>
|-
|-
| 2017–18 || 60 || 30 || 24 || 6 || 66 || 175 || 196 ||<small>3rd of 5, East Div.<br />12th of 23, NAHL</small>||<small>Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. [[New Jersey Titans (NAHL)|New Jersey Titans]]<br>Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. [[Philadelphia Rebels]]<br>Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals, 0–2 vs. [[Shreveport Mudbugs]]</small>
| 2017–18 || 60 || 30 || 24 || 6 || 66 || 175 || 196 ||<small>3rd of 5, East Div.<br />12th of 23, NAHL</small>||<small>Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. [[New Jersey Titans (NAHL)|New Jersey Titans]]<br>Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. [[Philadelphia Rebels]]<br>Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals, 0–2 vs. [[Shreveport Mudbugs]]</small>
|-
|-
| 2018–19 || 60 || 26 || 29 || 5 || 57 || 153 || 175 ||<small>5th of 6, East Div.<br />18th of 24, NAHL</small>||''Did not qualify''
| 2018–19 || 60 || 26 || 29 || 5 || 57 || 153 || 175 ||<small>5th of 6, East Div.<br />18th of 24, NAHL</small>||''did not qualify''
|-
|-
| 2019–20 || 53 || 26 || 22 || 5 || 57 || 165 || 181 ||<small>3rd of 7, East Div.<br />14th of 26, NAHL</small>|| Season cancelled
| 2019–20 || 53 || 26 || 22 || 5 || 57 || 165 || 181 ||<small>3rd of 7, East Div.<br />14th of 26, NAHL</small>|| Season cancelled
|-bgcolor="#ffeeee"
|colspan="11"|'''''USPHL (Premier Div)'''''
|-
| 2021–22 || 44 || 39 || 3 || 2 || 80 || 228 || 89 ||<small>'''1st of 5, Atlantic Div.<br />1st of 64, Premier'''</small>||<small>Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. [[Buffalo Stampede]]<br>Won Div. Finals, 2-0 [[Utica Comets]]<br>Pool A 3-0-0 '''1st'''<br>''(W, 3-2 [[Islanders Hockey Club]])(W, 3-0 [[Florida Junior Blades]])(W, 3-1 [[Metro Jets]])<br>Won quarterfinal Gm, 2-1 [[Minnesota Blue Ox]]<br>Lost semifinal Gm, 1-8 [[Metro Jets]]''</small>
|-bgcolor="#ffeeee"
|colspan="11"|'''''USPHL (NCDC Div)'''''
|-
| 2022–23 || 50 || 17 || 28 || 8 || 39 || 138 || 190 ||<small>7th of 7, South Div.<br />13th of 14, NCDC</small>||<small>''Did not qualify for Post Season Play''</small>
|-
| 2023–24 || 52 || 20 || 25 || 7 || 47 || 127 || 177 ||<small>6th of 6, Atlantic Div.<br />15th of 18, NCDC</small>||<small>''Did not qualify for Post Season Play''</small>
|}
|}


==Alumni==
==Alumni==
The Knights/Jr. Senators franchise has produced a number of alumni playing in higher levels of [[junior ice hockey|junior hockey]], [[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]], [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]], [[American Collegiate Hockey Association|ACHA]] [[college ice hockey|college]] and [[professional sports|professional]] programs, including:<ref>[http://www.wbsknights.com/home/pages/alumni.php?last=a] {{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref>
The Knights/Jr. Senators franchise has produced a number of alumni playing in higher levels of [[junior ice hockey|junior hockey]], [[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]], [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]], [[American Collegiate Hockey Association|ACHA]] [[college ice hockey|college]] and [[professional sports|professional]] programs, including:<ref>[http://www.wbsknights.com/home/pages/alumni.php?last=a] {{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref>
* [[Jerry D'Amigo]] ''[[Toronto Maple Leafs]] [[2009 NHL Entry Draft]]'' - [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] ([[ECAC Hockey]])<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.rpiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3025 |title = Jerry d'Amigo - 2009-10 - Men's Hockey|website=Rpiathletics.com}}</ref>
* [[Jerry D'Amigo]] - ''[[Toronto Maple Leafs]] [[2009 NHL Entry Draft]]'' - [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] ([[ECAC Hockey]])<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.rpiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3025 |title = Jerry d'Amigo - 2009-10 - Men's Hockey|website=Rpiathletics.com}}</ref>
*[[Gianni Paolo]] – Actor most known for portraying [[Brayden Weston]] on the hit crime drama [[Power (TV series)|Power]], and [[Power Book II: Ghost]]; Also known for [[Ma (2019 film)|MA]], [[The Fosters (American TV series)|The Fosters]], [[The Mick (TV series)|The Mick]] and [[Chance (TV series)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6599998/|title=Gianni Paolo| publisher=[[IMDb]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [http://wbsknightsjunior.pointstreaksites.com/view/wbsknightsjunior/home-page-815 Official W-B/S Knights website]
* [http://wbsknightsjunior.pointstreaksites.com/view/wbsknightsjunior/home-page-815 Official W-B/S Knights website]
* [http://www.jrknightshockey.com/ Former W-B/S Knights website]
* [http://www.jrknightshockey.com/ Former W-B/S Knights website]
* [http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/ Championship Article]
* [http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/ Championship Article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306190502/http://wbsknights.com/feature/knights-win-ajhl-championship/ |date=2014-03-06 }}


{{NAHL}}
{{NAHL}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights}}
[[Category:Defunct ice hockey teams in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Amateur ice hockey teams in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Amateur ice hockey teams in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Sports in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Sports in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area]]

Latest revision as of 12:41, 10 April 2024

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
CityPittston, Pennsylvania
LeagueUnited States Premier Hockey League
Founded2005 (organization)
Home arenaRevolution Ice Centre
ColorsNavy and white
   
General managerRay Welsh[1]
Franchise history
AJHL/EHL franchise
2005–2010Binghamton Jr. Senators
2010–2015
2017–2019		Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
NAHL franchise
2010–2012Dawson Creek Rage
2015–2020Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
2020–presentDanbury Jr. Hat Tricks
USPHL franchise
2021–presentWilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights are a junior ice hockey organization from Pittston, Pennsylvania.[2] In 2015, the Knights' junior hockey organization purchased the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise in the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) and placed their Tier III franchise in the Eastern Hockey League into dormancy. The organization has reactivated and deactivated their Tier III level teams at various times, but plans to launch teams in the United States Premier Hockey League's Premier and Elite Divisions, non-USA Hockey sanctioned leagues that operate similar to the Tier III level. The organization also has several youth ice hockey teams in its development program.

The players, ages 16–20, carry amateur status and hope to earn a spot on higher level of junior hockey teams in the United States and Canada, Canadian Major Junior teams, collegiate teams, and eventually professional teams.

History

[edit]

AJHL/EHL years (2010–2015)

[edit]

From 2005 to 2010, the Tier III franchise was operated by an organization in Binghamton, New York, as the Binghamton Jr. Senators at the Chenango Ice Rink in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL). In 2010, the franchise was transferred to an organization to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights that had been operating as a youth organization formed in 2005. After relocating, the organization also began a team at the Junior B level in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League as well as youth hockey select teams at the Midget U18, Midget 16U, Bantam, Peewee, and Squirt and Mite levels. Along with Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston, Pennsylvania, the Knights also practiced at Revolution Training Centre in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. The training center has two skating surfaces: one synthetic ice and the other is an 85 x 45 ice surface.[3]

The Knights won the AJHL Championship during the 2012–13 season in the best of three series against the Northern Cyclones and earned the AJHL President's Cup. The Knights lost the first game of the series 0–2 but came back to win the final two games. During the last game, the Cyclones had a 2–1 lead, but Knights forward Matt Cessna tied the game at 2–2 with 22 seconds remaining in the third period. With four minutes remaining in the first overtime, Cessna also scored the game-winner and was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoff championship series. The Knights' 2012–13 AJHL championship team featured team captain Jack Ceglarski (grandson of Len Ceglarski) and defenceman Oscar Nyquist (brother of Gustav Nyquist).[4][5]

In 2013, Tier III junior hockey leagues underwent a large reorganization and the AJHL re-branded as the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

NAHL years (2015–2020)

[edit]
See also: Dawson Creek Rage

On May 1, 2015, it was announced that the Knights had purchased the dormant Dawson Creek Rage franchise in the North American Hockey League and began play as a Tier II team in the 2015–16 NAHL season[6] while also dropping their Tier III teams. The organization would re-add Tier III teams in the EHL in 2017. In 2019, the Tier III team left the EHL and joined the NAHL's Tier III league, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL),[7] but were removed from the league prior to playing a game.

On May 11, 2020, the Knights announced they had sold their franchise rights to an organization in Danbury, Connecticut, and became the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks.[8]

USPHL (2021–present)

[edit]

In February 2021, the Knights announced they would be reactivating their junior teams in the Premier and Elite Divisions of the United States Premier Hockey League, an independently sanctioned league, in the 2021–22 season.[1] During their first season in the USPHL, they announced they would be adding a tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) team, the USPHL's equivalent of a Tier II league, for the 2022–23 season.[9]

Season-by-season records

[edit]
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
Eastern Hockey League (Tier III)
2013–14 44 19 16 8 1 47 121 111 4th, Central Div.
8th of 17, EHL		 Won Round 1, 2–0 vs. Philadelphia Junior Flyers
Lost quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Northern Cyclones
2014–15 44 28 14 2 0 58 155 126 2nd, Central Div.
6th of 19, EHL		 Won Round 1, 2–1 vs. Boston Bandits
Lost quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Northern Cyclones
2017–18 50 24 25 1 — 49 170 180 3rd of 4, Mid-Atlantic Div.
5th of 8, South Conf.
9th of 16, EHL		 Lost First Round, 1–2 vs. New York Apple Core
2018–19 44 27 13 4 — 58 167 116 2nd of 3, North Div.
3rd of 8, Mid-Atlantic Conf.
6th of 18, EHL		 Won First Round, 2–0 vs. New York Apple Core
Won Second Round, 2–1 vs. New Jersey 87's
0–3–0 in Frozen Finals round-robin
(L, 0–4 vs. Avalanche; L, 2–7 vs. Wizards; L, 1–6 vs. Little Flyers)
Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
NAHL (Tier II)
2015–16 60 22 28 10 54 150 232 4th of 4, East Div.
20th of 22, NAHL		 Lost div. semi-finals, 0–3 vs. Aston Rebels
2016–17 60 30 25 5 65 193 190 4th of 5, East Div.
12th of 24, NAHL		 Lost div. semi-finals, 0–3 vs. Aston Rebels
2017–18 60 30 24 6 66 175 196 3rd of 5, East Div.
12th of 23, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. New Jersey Titans
Won Div. Finals, 3–0 vs. Philadelphia Rebels
Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Shreveport Mudbugs
2018–19 60 26 29 5 57 153 175 5th of 6, East Div.
18th of 24, NAHL		 did not qualify
2019–20 53 26 22 5 57 165 181 3rd of 7, East Div.
14th of 26, NAHL		 Season cancelled
USPHL (Premier Div)
2021–22 44 39 3 2 80 228 89 1st of 5, Atlantic Div.
1st of 64, Premier		 Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Buffalo Stampede
Won Div. Finals, 2-0 Utica Comets
Pool A 3-0-0 1st
(W, 3-2 Islanders Hockey Club)(W, 3-0 Florida Junior Blades)(W, 3-1 Metro Jets)
Won quarterfinal Gm, 2-1 Minnesota Blue Ox
Lost semifinal Gm, 1-8 Metro Jets
USPHL (NCDC Div)
2022–23 50 17 28 8 39 138 190 7th of 7, South Div.
13th of 14, NCDC		 Did not qualify for Post Season Play
2023–24 52 20 25 7 47 127 177 6th of 6, Atlantic Div.
15th of 18, NCDC		 Did not qualify for Post Season Play

Alumni

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The Knights/Jr. Senators franchise has produced a number of alumni playing in higher levels of junior hockey, NCAA Division I, Division III, ACHA college and professional programs, including:[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights To Join USPHL Premier, Elite Divisions For 2021-22". USPHL. February 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Revolution Ice Centre, Scranton and Pittston, PA". Archived from the original on 2010-03-06. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  3. ^ "Home Page". Jrknightshockey.com.
  4. ^ "Knights Win AJHL Championship". Archived from the original on 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  5. ^ "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights join NAHL in 2015-16 season". NAHL.com. North American Hockey League. May 1, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  7. ^ "NA3HL announces new markets for the 2019-20 season". NA3HL. April 17, 2019.
  8. ^ "NAHL announces relocation of WBS Knights to Danbury, Connecticut". NAHL. May 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "WBS Knights To Join National Collegiate Development Conference In 2022-23". USPHL. February 3, 2022.
  10. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Jerry d'Amigo - 2009-10 - Men's Hockey". Rpiathletics.com.
  12. ^ "Gianni Paolo". IMDb.
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