The Helena Bighorns were a Tier II junior ice hockey team that played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
History In 2001, the Helena Bighorns were founded as an expansion franchise in the America West Hockey League. After its second season, the AWHL merged with the North American Hockey League and the Bighorns were one of eight teams that were transferred. The team saw a modest amount of success over the next three years, however, in 2006, the Bighorns ran into problems. That offseason, the team nearest rivals, the Billings Bulls and the Bozeman IceDogs, announced that they would be withdrawing from the league to join the Northern Pacific Hockey League. Helena attempted to make the same move, however, they were blocked by the existence of the Queen City Cutthroats, a NorPac team already in Helena, Montana. with the team unable to continue in the NAHL, the Bighorns folded that summer.
After the original Bighorns dissolved, the Queen City Cutthroats assumed their identity. The team changed their name and colors to match, becoming the new Helena Bighorns.
Season-by-season records Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish PlayoffsAWHL 2001–02 56 27 24 5 59 218 197 7th of 9, AWHLMissing information 2002–03 56 29 26 1 59 247 207 4th of 7, North6th of 11, AWHLMissing informationNAHL 2003–04 56 28 22 6 62 205 191 t-4th of 7, Westt-12th of 21, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 1–3 (Billings Bulls) 2004–05 56 33 19 4 70 203 168 3rd of 6, West8th of 19, NAHLLost Div. Semifinal series, 0–3 (Billings Bulls) 2005–06 56 17 35 6 40 186 246 5th of 5, West18th of 20, NAHLDid not qualify
References
External links Hockey DB Elite Prospects