Tri-City Americans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tri-City Americans
City	Kennewick, Washington
League	Western Hockey League
Conference	Western
Division	U.S.
Founded	1966
Home arena	Toyota Center
Colors	Navy blue, red, silver, white
General manager	Bob Tory
Head coach	Jody Hull
Championships	Conference championships 1 (2009–10)
Website chl.ca/whl-americans
Franchise history
1966–1967	Calgary Buffaloes
1967–1977	Calgary Centennials
1977–1982	Billings Bighorns
1982–1983	Nanaimo Islanders
1983–1988	New Westminster Bruins
1988–present	Tri-City Americans

The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team from Kennewick, Washington. They play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team started in 1966 as the Calgary Buffaloes. After moving several times, they found their home in Kennewick in 1988.

The Americans play their home games at the Toyota Center. This arena was built just for them! The team has won one Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for being the best in the regular season. They also played in one league playoff final, but they have not yet won a championship.

Team History: From Buffaloes to Americans

How the Team Started and Moved Around

The Americans team was one of the first teams in the Western Hockey League. They began in 1966 as the Calgary Buffaloes. After just one season, they changed their name to the "Centennials."

In 1977, the team moved to Montana and became the Billings Bighorns. This was part of a new trend of American teams joining the league. They moved again in 1982 to Nanaimo, British Columbia, playing as the Nanaimo Islanders for one year. Then, they moved to New Westminster, BC, and were known as the New Westminster Bruins.

Finding a Home in Tri-Cities

In 1987, the team's owner, Ron Dixon, suggested moving the team to the Tri-Cities area. He said they would move if local people helped pay for a new arena. The idea was accepted, and the team moved to Kennewick in the fall of 1988. This is when they became the Tri-City Americans.

Many thought this move was risky because the Tri-Cities area did not have much hockey history. But it worked out! Within a few years, almost 4,000 people bought season tickets to watch the team play.

Early Challenges and Big Stars

The team's new home, the Tri-Cities Coliseum, was not ready when their first season in Washington began. This meant the team had to practice in Walla Walla. They also played their first seventeen games away from home. Their very first game was a 4–2 loss against the Chiefs in Spokane.

The Americans finally played their first game in their new arena on November 20, 1988. They beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4–3 in overtime. About 6,000 fans watched this exciting game.

The team quickly became strong with star players like Stu Barnes and goalie Olaf Kolzig. They were often contenders for the playoffs. For their first two seasons in Kennewick, the team still wore the old New West Bruins' black and gold colors. In 1990, they finally got new uniforms in their red, white, and blue colors.

Success in the 2000s

The team faced some tough times in the early 2000s. In 2004, they were almost moved to Chilliwack, British Columbia. But a group of owners, including former players Kolzig and Barnes, bought the team. This kept the Americans in Kennewick. In 2021, Stu Barnes became the team's head coach.

The Americans had their best period between 2007–08 and 2011–12. During these five seasons, they won the U.S. Division four times. In the 2007–08 season, they won the regular season title. They had 52 wins and 108 points, led by goalie Chet Pickard and coach Don Nachbaur. They made it to the conference final but lost to Spokane in a very close seven-game series. Five of those games went into overtime!

On New Year's Eve 2008, the Americans set a new attendance record. Over 6,042 fans came to watch them play the Chiefs. In the 2009–10 season, the Americans won their third straight division title. They also reached the championship series for the first time ever. They played against the Calgary Hitmen but lost the series in five games.

Jody Hull became the head coach for the team for the 2025–26 WHL season.

Team Achievements

• Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (Regular Season Champions): 2007–08
• Conference Championships: 2009–10
• Regular Season Division Titles (4): 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12

WHL Championship Final Appearance

• 2009–10: Lost, 1–4 against the Calgary Hitmen

Famous Players: NHL Alumni

Many players from the Tri-City Americans have gone on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Scott Gomez was the first former American to win the Stanley Cup.

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Americans have honored special players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team can wear that number again. Todd Klassen was honored in 1993 after he passed away. The team also gives out the Todd Klassen Humanitarian of the Year Award every year.

Team Awards

CHL Awards

WHL Awards