Baltimore Bandits

The Bandits were the third minor league hockey team to play in Baltimore. Their practice facility was in the suburban Columbia Ice Rink in Columbia, Maryland."FOR THE RECORD." The Washington Post, August 25, 1995. The Bandits started play in 1995 with their first game against the Carolina Monarchs, on October 6, 1995. The Bandits lost 3-1 at the Baltimore Arena with 7,293 in attendance.{{Cite web|last=Jackman|first=Phil|date=February 23, 1996|title=Rumors on move, but officials say Bandits are staying put; Change in ownership, bankruptcy also denied|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/bs-xpm-1996-02-23-1996054067-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=New York Daily News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921001657/https://www.nydailynews.com/bs-xpm-1996-02-23-1996054067-story.html |archive-date=2021-09-21 }}

The team's first owners were Bob Teck and Alan Gertner. During the first season, the team was plagued with rumors about the team being sold or folding. After continuing financial struggles that impacted the team in a range of ways including equipment availability, Teck and Gertner sold the Bandits to a group of local backers led by Michael A. Caggiano, the former owner of the Prince William Cannons. At the time of the deal, Teck and Gertner owed $500,000 to the Mighty Ducks and $100,000 to the AHL.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 29, 1996|title=Caggiano eager to kick-start Bandits Transfer announced; AHL approval awaited|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-02-29-1996060078-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622235441/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-02-29-1996060078-story.html |archive-date=2021-06-22 }} The AHL approved the purchase of the Bandits by Caggiano on March 13, 1996.{{Cite web|last=Jackman|first=Phil|date=March 14, 1996|title=Sale of Bandits to Caggiano OK'd|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-03-14-1996074166-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622233636/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-03-14-1996074166-story.html |archive-date=2021-06-22 }}

The Bandits finished the 1995-96 season with a 33-36 record. The team won their first AHL playoff series against the Hershey Bears, three games to two, with the final game a 4-3 overtime victory in Hershey. The second round ended in defeat for the Bandits to the Syracuse Crunch, four games to three, ending in a 4–3 loss in Baltimore. The average home attendance for the season was 3,601.{{Cite web|last=Jackman|first=Phil|date=May 18, 1996|title=Bandits rallied, put house in order New owner Caggiano key to establishing credibility|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-05-18-1996139055-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810114952/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-05-18-1996139055-story.html |archive-date=2020-08-10 }}

During the off-season, head coach Walt Kyle left the team to become an assistant coach with the Mighty Ducks. He was replaced by Moe Mantha, with the Baltimore Bandits making the announcement on July 24, 1996.{{Cite web|last=LaCanfora|first=Jason|date=July 25, 1996|title=Bandits tap Mantha as new head coach Ducks like his qualities as communicator, teacher|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-07-25-1996207088-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 6, 2018|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045911/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-07-25-1996207088-story.html |archive-date=2018-12-07 }}

The Bandits started the 1996-97 season with a 5–3 loss to the Hershey Bears.{{Cite web|title=Baltimore Bandits hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/baltimore-bandits-4761.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|website=HockeyDB|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117111605/http://www.hockeydb.com:80/stte/baltimore-bandits-4761.html |archive-date=2009-11-17 }} By the sixth game, they were playing .500 hockey at 2-2-2, but the off-ice news of the previous season continued. This time it centered around developing a new arena in order to enable the team to stay in the Baltimore area. On October 1, 1996, Caggiano put forth an initial plan for the County Coliseum, a $42 million 10,000 seat arena to be built just south of Baltimore in Lansdowne, Maryland.{{Cite web|last=Greene|first=Ronnie|last2=Respers|first2=Lisa|date=October 1, 1996|title=10,000-capacity coliseum envisioned for Balto. Co. Sports-entertainment facility proposed by hockey team owner|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-10-01-1996275057-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708055420/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-10-01-1996275057-story.html |archive-date=2021-07-08 }} Later that week, Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke announced plans for a $100 to $200 million arena near Camden Yards in the hopes of also attracting a National Basketball Association franchise.{{Cite web|last=Matthews|first=Robert Guy|date=October 4, 1996|title=City plans sports arena 20,000-seat center would be north of Camden Yards; 'Big project for Baltimore'; Complex would house ice hockey team, possibly NBA club|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-10-04-1996278002-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624071338/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-10-04-1996278002-story.html |archive-date=2021-06-24 }} Given the possibility of this proposed arena, Baltimore County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger declined Caggiano's request to help finance the County Coliseum.Greene, Ronnie. "Executive Won't Fund County Arena; Ruppersberger Fears Competition with City Facilities; Stand may Kill Project; Caggiano Remains Optimistic about Getting Financing." The Baltimore Sun, October 12, 1996, p. 1B. While Caggiano continued to try to find financing the Coliseum, attendance for Bandits games dropped to second to last in the AHL.{{Cite web|last=Jackman|first=Phil|date=January 24, 1997|title=Caggiano now pursuing ECHL franchise for area Upper Marlboro site eyed; future of Bandits uncertain|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-01-24-1997024140-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622172157/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-01-24-1997024140-story.html |archive-date=2021-06-22 }} Additionally, the team was in debt $3.7 million.{{Cite web|last=De Marco|first=Donna|date=April 14, 1997|title=Bandits bills piling up, as owner tries to sell|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/1997/04/14/story7.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|website=Baltimore Business Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416004704/http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/1997/04/14/story7.html |archive-date=2017-04-16 }} As the season ended, a group led by Cincinnati businessman Jerry Robinson purchased the team for $2 million. Caggiano estimates the Bandits lost $1 million during its time in Baltimore.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=May 2, 1997|title=Bandits, hockey leave town Cincinnati buyers sign with Anaheim; AHL approves deal|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-05-02-1997122105-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622171006/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-05-02-1997122105-story.html |archive-date=2021-06-22 }} He blames the failure of the team to take root on the lack of good infrastructure.{{Cite news|last=Wyno|first=Stephen|date=September 19, 2011|title=Hockey was on thin ice in Baltimore|language=en-US|work=The Washington Times|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/19/hockey-was-on-thin-ice-in-baltimore/|access-date=December 3, 2018}} Upon arrival in its new location, the Baltimore Bandits were renamed the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

The Bandits completed the season with a losing record of 30-37. The team's last game in Baltimore was a 4–2 loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms during the first round of the AHL playoffs in front of 1,031 attendees. The final Bandit goal was by Igor Nikulin at the 19:21 mark of the third period. Philadelphia swept the Bandits 3–0."Bandits Succumb in Baltimore Finale, 4–2; Phantoms Finish Sweep before 1,031 at Arena." The Baltimore Sun, April 24, 1997, p. 2D.

The logo of the Baltimore Bandits was a stylized raccoon developed by Disney Sports Enterprises. The Bandit was intended to resemble the Disney character Meeko from Pocahontas.{{Cite web|last=Ey|first=Craig S.|date=August 26, 1996|title=When is a racoon a bandit? When logo's at stake|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/1996/08/26/story7.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2018|website=Baltimore Business Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020928070937/http://www.bizjournals.com:80/baltimore/stories/1996/08/26/story7.html |archive-date=2002-09-28 }} The Bandit uniforms were purple, black, and silver.

;Regular season

;Playoffs

• Mike Bales
• Vyacheslav Butsayev
• Trevor Converse
• Doug Crossman
• Matt Cullen
• Alex Hicks
• Denny Lambert
• Dwayne Norris
• Sean Pronger
• David Sacco
• Ruslan Salei
• Dan Trebil
• Pavel Trnka
• Darren Van Impe

{{reflist}}

{{Rockford IceHogs}}

{{Defunct AHL}}

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Baltimore

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1995

Category:Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 1997

Category:1995 establishments in Maryland

Category:Defunct ice hockey teams in Maryland

Category:1997 disestablishments in Maryland

Category:Anaheim Ducks minor league affiliates