[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 25TH SEASON OF THE SYRACUSE CRUNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Syracuse 
Crunch's 25th season playing in Syracuse. The Crunch compete in the 
American Hockey League, which is the top developmental league for the 
National Hockey League, and play their home games at the historic 
Oncenter War Memorial Arena on South State Street. Since relocating to 
Syracuse in 1994, the Crunch have served as the primary affiliate for 
five different National Hockey League franchises.
  The Syracuse Crunch traces its franchise roots back to 1992, when 
they were originally the Hamilton Canucks based in Hamilton, Ontario. 
After two seasons in Hamilton, the Canucks were relocated to Syracuse 
and renamed the Crunch by a public vote. The Crunch were immediately 
popular in their new city and led the league in sellouts during two of 
their first four seasons in Syracuse. In addition, the team was 
successful upon relocation to Syracuse and reached the playoffs three 
consecutive years after failing to qualify in their inaugural season.
  During the 2010s, the Crunch established themselves as an iconic 
American Hockey League franchise. The team won two conference 
championships during the 2012-2013 and 2016-2017 campaigns and reached 
the Calder Cup Finals. The Crunch fell short in both appearances, 
losing to the Grand Rapids Griffins on both occasions. Additionally, 
they participated in the league's first ever outdoor game at the 
Grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds in 2010. The Crunch won 
the contest over the Binghamton Senators by a score of 2-1 and set a 
league record for single-game attendance with 21,508 spectators. Four 
years later, the Crunch rewrote the history books again when they 
played the Utica Comets at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The attendance 
of 30,715 fans for their 2-1 win over Utica was the largest crowd for 
an indoor hockey game in the United States.
  The Crunch have been the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning 
since 2012. They have developed several star players for the Lightning, 
including Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov and Yanni Gourde. They 
also have developed geographic rivalries with several other upstate New 
York teams located in Rochester, Binghamton and Utica, which has 
contributed to the popularity of hockey in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating 
the Syracuse Crunch's rich history in Central New York. The Crunch have 
long contributed to the identity of Syracuse and culture of hockey in 
the area. As a co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, I am 
grateful for their presence in Syracuse.

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