Syracuse Crunch

{{Short description|American Hockey League team in Syracuse, New York}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team

| bg_color = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#1d427c 5px solid; border-bottom:#1d427c 5px solid;

| text_color = #000000

| team = Syracuse Crunch

| current = 2024–25 AHL season

| logo = Syracuse Crunch.svg

| logosize = 235px

| city = Syracuse, New York

| league = American Hockey League

| conference = Eastern

| division = North

| founded = 1992

| arena = Upstate Medical University Arena (Capacity: 5,800)

| colors = Blue, white, silver, black
{{color box|#1d427c}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|#aaa9ac}} {{color box|black}}

| owners = Howard Dolgon

| coach = Joel Bouchard

| GM = Vacant

| captain = Gabriel Dumont

| media = Syracuse Post-Standard
ESPN Radio 97.7 & 100.1
AHL.TV (Internet)
CW 6 (Televised home games)

| affiliates = Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

| name1 = Hamilton Canucks

| dates1 = 1992–1994

| name2 = Syracuse Crunch

| dates2 = 1994–present

|reg_season_titles =

|division_titles = 4 (2001–02, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2018–19)

|conf_titles = 2 (2012–13, 2016–17)

|calder_cups =

}}

The Syracuse Crunch are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). They play in Syracuse, New York, at the Upstate Medical University Arena. They are the primary development affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2012/06/14/lightning-to-affiliate-with-ahls.html |title=Lightning to affiliate with AHL's Syracuse Crunch|work=Tampa Bay Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=2012-06-14 |access-date=2013-12-25}}

History

=Vancouver and Pittsburgh affiliations (1994–2000)=

The franchise originated in 1992 as the Hamilton Canucks, which was an affiliate of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks played in Hamilton, Ontario, for two seasons, before relocating to upstate New York in 1994. They were then renamed the "Crunch" from a public vote that included five names. The Crunch played their first game in Syracuse on September 30, 1994, against the Albany River Rats to a 7–7 tie with Lonny Bohonos scoring the first Crunch goal. The Crunch recorded their first win in Syracuse on October 2, 1994, as they defeated the Hershey Bears 4–1. The Crunch finished their first season 29–42–9–0, fifth place in the division, and outside the playoffs. The Crunch made the playoffs in the following season after finishing 31–37–5–7 and made it to the 1996 conference finals before losing to the eventual Calder Cup champion Rochester Americans. The team led the league in sellouts in 1996–97 and 1997–98 seasons.{{cite book|author=Mancuso, Jim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8SqmtL7DHYoC&pg=PA109|title=Hockey in Syracuse|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2005|isbn=0738538981|page=109}} In 1997, the Crunch added a second NHL affiliate with the Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite news |last1=Cirino |first1=Alex |title=How the Syracuse Crunch's unorthodox dual affiliation saved the franchise |url=http://dailyorange.com/2021/09/syracuse-crunch-dual-affiliation/ |access-date=September 12, 2021 |website=The Daily Orange |date=September 1, 2021}}

The 1998–99 season was the Crunch's worst season in franchise history. The Crunch would finish the season with a league-worst record of 18–50–9–3. On November 25, 1998, the Crunch suffered their worst loss in team history to the Providence Bruins, with a 14–2 final score. They allowed an AHL record of 10 goals in the first period.{{cite web|author=Mark Divver|url=https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20161124/mark-divver-looking-back-at-night-p-bruins-set-ahl-record-with-10-goals-in-one-period|title=Mark Divver: Looking back at the night P-Bruins set AHL record with 10 goals in one period|publisher=Providence Journal Star|date=2016-11-24|access-date=2019-06-28}} Goalie Craig Hillier allowed seven goals before being pulled for Mike Valley, who also allowed seven. The Penguins' affiliation ended after this season when they launched the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.{{cite web |url=https://pittsburghhockey.net/penguins/farm-team-affiliations |title=Penguins Farm Team Affiliations |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=PittsburghHockey.net}}

On October 30, 1999, while playing against Rochester, goaltender Christian Bronsard scored the first and only Crunch goalie goal. Bronsard became the fourth goaltender in AHL history to score a goal.{{cite web|url=https://theahl.com/lagace-credited-with-goal-in-wolves-win |title=Lagace credited with goal in Wolves win |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=theahl.com}}

The Crunch qualified for the playoffs following the 1999–2000 season, their last season as Vancouver's AHL affiliate, but lost in the first round to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

=Columbus affiliation (2000–2010)=

The Crunch became the affiliate of the newly formed Columbus Blue Jackets following the 1999–2000 season. They made the playoffs in their first season under the Jackets, but lost in five games to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round. In the following 2001–02 season, the Crunch won their first division title in franchise history behind goaltender Jean-Francois Labbe. In addition to the division title, they also were regular season Western Conference champions, with a conference-leading 96 points. However, they were two points shy of tying the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the AHL lead, and three points shy of winning the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for top team in the regular season. After receiving a bye in the Conference Qualifiers round, the Crunch swept the Philadelphia Phantoms in three games, but lost to the eventual Calder Cup champion Chicago Wolves in the next round in seven games.

On March 17, 2002, the Crunch played against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. This game was infamously named the "St. Patrick's Day Massacre". The Crunch accumulated 124 penalty minutes, 80 of which were fighting-related, while the Penguins had 162 penalty minutes with 102 for fighting. The Crunch won the game 4–0.{{cite web|author=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins|url=http://www.wbspenguins.com/2017/03/17/2430/|title=BLOW BY BLOW – THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY MASSACRE|publisher=Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins|date=2017-03-17|access-date=2019-03-18}} The Crunch would miss the playoffs the following season, their second-worst season in franchise history, finishing 27–41–8–4.

In the 2004 Calder Cup playoffs, the Crunch became the twelfth team to blow a 3–1 series lead when they lost to the Rochester Americans in the first round. The Crunch were on home ice for game seven and forward Kent McDonnell missed an empty net when the Americans' goalie Ryan Miller was caught out of position. Rochester then recovered with an odd-man rush and Norm Milley beat Crunch goalie Karl Goehring to win the game in overtime.{{cite web|author=Lindsay Kramer |url=https://www.syracuse.com/crunch/2018/04/syracuse_crunch-rochester_amerks_rivarly_a_rarity_in_the_postseason.html|title=Last playoff showdown with Rochester Amerks is a painful memory for the Syracuse Crunch|publisher=syracuse.com|date=2018-04-18|access-date=2019-03-29}}

The 2005–06 season was the best season the Crunch had during the 80-game schedule format. They scored a team record of 272 goals, but they also allowed 251 goals, and ended the regular season second in their division, 13 points behind Grand Rapids. They also had 47 wins, which is tied with their 2018–19 season record, albeit in four fewer games with the 76-game schedule. Andy Delmore won the Eddie Shore Award, scoring 72 points in 66 games, while also making the AHL First All-Star team at the end of the season. Mark Hartigan also scored 75 points in 49 games, averaging over a point and a half per game. They then lost in the first round of the 2006 Calder Cup playoffs to the Manitoba Moose in six games.

During the 2007–08 season, the Crunch went on a 15-game winning streak at the end of the season from March 8 to April 13, 2008, to make the playoffs. The Crunch also went without losing a game in regulation for the final 23 games of the season, spanning from February 22 to April 13, 2008. They defeated the Manitoba Moose in six games, where five of them went to overtime. They advanced to the second round to face the Toronto Marlies, but blew another 3–1 series lead.

The Crunch played the first outdoor game in AHL history on February 20, 2010, against the Binghamton Senators. The Mirabito Outdoor Classic took place at the Grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The game set a then AHL attendance record of 21,508. Syracuse won the game 2–1, with goals scored by Alexandre Picard and David Liffiton. Goaltender Kevin Lalande made 36 saves en route to the Syracuse victory.

The Crunch missed the playoffs in their final two seasons as the affiliate of the Blue Jackets, as they switched their affiliation to the Springfield Falcons in 2010.{{cite web|author=Central New York |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2010/03/blue_jackets_all_but_packed_an.html |title=Blue Jackets all but packed and gone; Dolgon targets new parent club for Crunch |publisher=Syracuse.com |access-date=2013-12-25}}

=Anaheim affiliation (2010–2012)=

The Anaheim affiliation lasted two seasons, resulting in one playoff appearance in the 2011–12 season. They lost in the first round to the St. John's IceCaps in four games. The affiliation produced future NHL players such as Kyle Palmieri, Nick Bonino and Patrick Maroon.

=Tampa Bay affiliation (2012–present)=

=Early affiliation success and first finals appearance (2012–2015)=

The Crunch signed a multi-year affiliation deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning beginning with the 2012–13 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/tampa-bay-lightning-syracuse-crunch-announce-long-term-affiliation-extension/n-5401321 |title=Tampa Bay Lightning, Syracuse Crunch Announce Long-Term Affiliation Extension |website=OurSportsCentral.com |date=September 12, 2018}}{{cite web|author=Brett Carlsen |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/2013/06/10_things_to_know_if_youre_jum.html |title=10 things to know If you're jumping on the Syracuse Crunch bandwagon | syracuse.com |publisher=Blog.syracuse.com |date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2013}} Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, the Crunch were able to initially roster many future NHLers before the start of the NHL season, such as Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Radko Gudas, and Ondrej Palat. Head coach Jon Cooper was the first head coach during the Tampa Bay affiliation, but was promoted mid-season following the firing of Lightning head coach Guy Boucher. Rob Zettler was named as head coach, a role he would hold until the end of the 2015–16 season. This helped the affiliation to bring in immediate success, resulting in the team's first division championship in 11 years. The offense surged, scoring a league-leading 247 goals. At the end of the season, Tyler Johnson won the Les Cunningham Award, Willie Marshall Award, and the President's Award. He was the first MVP in Crunch history. He totaled 65 points, scoring 37 goals and assisted on 28 goals.

The team won seven consecutive games to open the playoffs, including two consecutive round sweeps of the Portland Pirates in the conference quarterfinals, and another sweep of the Springfield Falcons in the conference semifinals, before losing the opening game of the eastern conference finals to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Crunch were able to win the following four games, advancing to the 2013 Calder Cup finals, their first ever Calder Cup appearance. The Crunch faced off against the Grand Rapids Griffins, but lost to the Griffins in six games.{{cite web|author=Central New York |url=http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2013/06/syracuse_crunch.html |title=Calder Cup Finals: The 2012-'13 Syracuse Crunch won't soon be forgotten even in defeat |publisher=syracuse.com |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2013}}

The Crunch could not replicate the success of the previous season, finishing last place in the division, while missing the 2014 Calder Cup playoffs entirely. The Crunch were able to initially roster future NHLers, such as Nikita Kucherov, Brett Connolly, and Vladislav Namestnikov. The team also added Yanni Gourde and Jonathan Marchessault as late season additions.

On November 22, 2014, the Syracuse Crunch set a new United States indoor professional hockey attendance record with 30,715 fans at the Carrier Dome for the "Toyota Frozen Dome Classic".{{cite web|author=Lindsay Kramer |url=https://www.syracuse.com/crunch/2014/11/frozen_dome_classic_raises_bar_on_us_indoor_pro_hockey_record.html|title=Final attendance number for Frozen Dome Classic crushes previous U.S. indoor pro hockey record|publisher=syracuse.com|date=November 23, 2014 |access-date=December 23, 2019}} Syracuse defeated the Utica Comets 2–1.

=Ben Groulx era and second finals appearance (2016–2023)=

The Crunch won their second division title under the Tampa affiliation in the 2016–17 season. They advanced to their second Calder Cup appearance, again against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins took the series in six games and won the series 4–2. They also lost an AHL record eight road games during the playoffs.

On May 5, 2018, the Syracuse Crunch played their longest game in team history,{{cite tweet|user=LukasFavale |number=993138246656888839 |title=Last night was the longest Syracuse Crunch game in franchise history, lasting 95 minutes and 10 seconds. It was the third multiple-overtime game in team history. All three have come in the last two postseasons. #GoGetIt |date=May 6, 2018}} which the Crunch lost 2–1 in double overtime to the Toronto Marlies. The game lasted 95 minutes and 10 seconds. The Crunch previously played two double-overtime games, both in the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs. They played a double-overtime game in the first round against the St. John's IceCaps, resulting in a 4–3 double-overtime win. That game lasted 90 minutes and 37 seconds, their previous record. They also played another double-overtime game in the 2017 Calder Cup Finals, a 6–5 loss in double overtime to the Grand Rapids Griffins, lasting 87 minutes and 2 seconds.

The 2018–19 season was the best season the Crunch has had during the 76-game schedule format. The Crunch tied a team record in points with 102, and tied a franchise record in wins with 47. Edward Pasquale won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, Carter Verhaeghe won the John B. Sollenberger Trophy and Verhaeghe and Alex Barre-Boulet both won the Willie Marshall Award, as they both tied for the league lead in goals scored. The Crunch also achieved 900 franchise victories with a 6–2 win over the Utica Comets on March 30, 2019.{{cite tweet|user=SyracuseCrunch |number=1112172611428143104 |title=That’s how you celebrate 25 seasons of #SyrCrunch hockey. 👊|date=March 30, 2019}} The Crunch won their third division title in the Tampa affiliation, but were upset in four games by the Cleveland Monsters.

The Crunch played their first 62 games of the 2019–20 season, but the season was suspended on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|website=American Hockey League |url=https://theahl.com/ahl-suspends-play |title=AHL suspends play |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2020}} The season was ultimately cancelled on May 11, 2020. The start of the following season was also pushed back to February 5, 2021. The Crunch also gained a temporary second NHL affiliation in the Florida Panthers as their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, opted out of participating in the abbreviated season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.syracuse.com/crunch/2021/01/syracuse-crunch-will-have-dual-affiliation-in-2021.html |title=Syracuse Crunch will have dual affiliation in 2021 |website=The Post-Standard |date=January 6, 2021}}

Prior to the pandemic-related schedule changes, the Crunch were to face the Utica Comets in an outdoor game hosted by Utica at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, New York, on February 13, 2021,{{cite web|author=Ben Birnell |url=https://www.uticaod.com/sports/20200219/utica-comets-to-host-2021-ahl-outdoor-game |title=Utica Comets to host 2021 AHL outdoor game |publisher=uticaod.com |date=February 19, 2020 |access-date=February 19, 2020}} however, the game did not take place as scheduled.{{cite web |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/sports/2021/01/08/utica-comets-empire-state-classic-outdoor-event-postponed/6599891002/ |title=Utica Comets' Empire State Classic delayed until later in 2021 due to COVID-19 |website=Observer-Dispatch |date=January 8, 2021}}

=Syracuse Hockey Hall of Fame=

On November 5, 2024, the Crunch announced the creation of the Syracuse Hockey Hall of Fame.{{cite web|author=Syracuse Crunch|url=https://syracusecrunch.com/news/2024/11/5/syracuse-crunch-announce-syracuse-hockey-hall-of-fame-inaugural-class.aspx|title=Syracuse Crunch Announce Syracuse Hockey Hall of Fame Inaugural Class|publisher=Syracuse Crunch|date=2024-11-23|access-date=2024-11-23}} The inaugural class included Crunch owner Howard Dolgon, longtime Onondaga County Deputy County Executive Ed Kochian, Crunch general partner Alan Taylor, Syracuse Blazers forward Brian Elwell, and former Crunch forward Scott Walker. The inaugural class was inducted on November 23, 2024.

=Syracuse hockey history=

American Hockey League teams that played in Syracuse:

Syracuse Stars (1930–1936) in the Original IHL
Syracuse Stars (1936–1940) in the IAHL – The first team to win the Calder Cup in (1936–37)
Syracuse Warriors (1951–1954)
Syracuse Eagles (1974–75)
Syracuse Firebirds (1979–80)

Other hockey teams that played in Syracuse:

Syracuse Braves (1962–1963) (EPHL)
Syracuse Blazers (1967–1973) (EHL)
Syracuse Blazers (1973–1977) (NAHL)
Syracuse Condors (Granted a franchise by the NAHL for 1977–78 season, but the league folded and the team never played a game)
Syracuse Hornets (1980–1981) (EHL) – played only ten games (0-9-1)
Syracuse Jr. Crunch/Syracuse Stars (1996–2005) in the Metro Junior A Hockey League and Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League

Logos

Owner Howard Dolgon came up with the superhero mascot Crunchman for the team's debut in 1994. In 2000, as the Crunch became an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Crunchman was replaced with Al the Ice Gorilla. Al remained until 2012, when Dolgon found the new affiliation with Tampa Bay a good reason to return with Crunchman.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnycentral.com/sports/story.aspx?id=771932#.Ufs7yZK1EaA |title=Crunchman returns as the Syracuse Crunch go back to the future : Sports |publisher=CNYcentral.com |access-date=2013-12-25}}

Image:Syracuse Crunch 1994.png|Original Crunch logo
1994–2000

Image:Second Syracuse logo (2000-2010).jpg|Second Crunch logo
2000–2010 [http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/2163/Syracuse_Crunch/2000/Primary_Logo]

Image:Syracuse Crunch Logo.svg|Third Crunch logo
2010–2012

Image:Syracuse Crunch.svg|Current Crunch logo
2012–present

Image:Syracuse 5th anniversary.png|5th Anniversary logo
1998-99 [http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=2175]

Image:Crunch 10th Anniversary.jpg|10th Anniversary logo
2003-04 [http://syracusecrunch.com/press/index.cfm?&action=display&pr_id=579]

Image:Syracuse Crunch 25th Anniversary Season Logo.png|25th Anniversary logo
2018-19

Season-by-season results

colspan=12\|Regular season !colspan=6\|Playoffs
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%"
Season !Games !Won !Lost !Tied !OTL !SOL !Points !PCT !Goals for !Goals against !Standing (Division) !Year !Prelims !1st Round !Quarterfinals !Semifinals !Finals
1994–95	80	29	42	9	0	—	67	.419	288	325	5th, South	1995	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
1995–96	80	31	37	5	7	—	74	.463	257	307	5th, Central	1996	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	W, 3–1, BNG	W, 4–3, BAL	L, 1–4, ROC	—
1996–97	80	32	38	10	0	—	74	.463	241	265	4th, Empire State	1997	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 0–3, ROC	—	—	—
1997–98	80	35	32	11	2	—	83	.519	272	285	3rd, Empire State	1998	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 2–3, HAM	—	—	—
1998–99	80	18	50	9	3	—	48	.300	220	327	5th, Empire State	1999	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
1999–00	80	35	35	9	1	—	80	.500	290	294	2nd, Empire State	2000	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 1–3, HAM	—	—	—
2000–01	80	33	30	12	5	—	83	.519	235	254	3rd, Mid-Atlantic	2001	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 2–3, WBS	—	—	—
2001–02	80	39	23	13	5	—	96	.600	228	193	1st, Central	2002	BYE	W, 3–0, PHI	L, 3–4, CHI	—	—
2002–03	80	27	41	8	4	—	66	.413	201	256	4th, Central	2003	colspan="5"\|Did not qualify
2003–04	80	38	25	10	7	—	93	.581	239	235	2nd, North	2004	BYE	L, 3–4, ROC	—	—	—
2004–05	80	36	33	—	4	7	83	.519	215	230	5th, North	2005	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2005–06	80	47	25	—	5	3	102	.638	272	251	2nd, North	2006	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 2–4, MTB	—	—	—
2006–07	80	34	34	—	4	8	80	.500	250	248	5th, North	2007	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2007–08	80	46	26	—	2	6	100	.625	247	201	2nd, North	2008	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	W, 4–2, MTB	L, 3–4, TOR	—	—
2008–09	80	40	32	—	5	3	88	.550	214	226	5th, North	2009	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2009–10	80	34	39	—	4	3	75	.469	227	272	6th, East	2010	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2010–11	80	35	38	—	3	4	77	.481	221	250	6th, East	2011	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2011–12	76	37	29	—	5	5	84	.553	238	229	4th, East	2012	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 1–3, STJ	—	—	—
2012–13	76	43	22	—	6	5	97	.638	247	201	1st, East	2013	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	W, 3–0, POR	W, 4–0, SPR	W, 4–1, WBS	L, 2–4, GR
2013–14	76	31	32	—	4	9	75	.493	198	232	5th, East	2014	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2014–15	76	41	25	—	10	0	92	.605	218	219	2nd, Northeast	2015	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 0–3, WBS	—	—	—
2015–16	76	32	29	—	11	4	79	.520	213	240	6th, North	2016	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Did not qualify
2016–17	76	38	24	—	7	7	90	.592	232	227	1st, North	2017	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	W, 3–1, STJ	W, 4–3, TOR	W, 4–1, PRO	L, 2–4, GR
2017–18	76	46	22	—	3	5	100	.658	236	193	2nd, North	2018	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	W, 3–0, ROC	L, 0–4, TOR	—	—
2018–19	76	47	21	—	4	4	102	.671	264	187	1st, North	2019	colspan=; bgcolor=#000000\|—	L, 1–3, CLE	—	—	—
2019–20	62	30	23	—	4	5	69	.556	202	210	5th, North	2020	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21	32	19	10	—	3	0	41	.641	120	93	3rd, North	2021	bgcolor=#000000\|—	colspan="4"\|No playoffs were held
2021–22	76	41	26	—	7	2	91	.599	242	229	2nd, North	2022	BYE	L, 2–3, LAV	—	—	—
2022–23	72	35	26	—	7	4	81	.563	252	239	2nd, North	2023	BYE	L, 2–3, ROC	—	—	—
2023–24	72	39	24	—	4	5	87	.604	220	203	3rd, North	2024	BYE	W, 3–2, ROC	L, 0–3, CLE	—	—
2024–25	72	37	23	—	8	4	86	.597	206	187	3rd, North	2024	BYE	L, 0–3, ROC	—	—	—

Players and coaches

=Current roster=

Updated March 22, 2025.{{cite web |url=http://www.syracusecrunch.com/roster.aspx?path=mhockey |title=Syracuse Crunch - 2024-25 Syracuse Crunch Roster | publisher = Syracuse Crunch | access-date=2025-03-22}}{{cite web |url=http://theahl.com/stats/roster.php?step=&sub=&season_id=40&team_id=324 |website=American Hockey League | title = Syracuse Crunch Roster | access-date=2025-03-22}}{{cite web| url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/104/syracuse-crunch |title=Syracuse Crunch roster |publisher=Elite Prospects|access-date= March 21, 2025}}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Tristan | last = Allard | dab = | num = 14 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 2002 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 23 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = Renfrew, Ontario | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Anthony | last = Angello | dab = | num = 17 | pos = RW | nat = United States | s/g = R | birthyear = 1996 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 6 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Albany, New York | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Cam | last = Atkinson | dab = | num = 13 | pos = RW | nat = United States | s/g = R | birthyear = 1989 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 5 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Riverside, Connecticut | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Logan | last = Brown | dab = | num = 22 | pos = C | nat = United States | s/g = R | birthyear = 1998 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 5 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Raleigh, North Carolina | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa =}}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Declan | last = Carlile | dab = | num = 72 | pos = D | nat = United States | s/g = L | birthyear = 2000 | birthmonth = 5 | birthday = 18 | acq = 2022 | birthplace = Hartland, Michigan | contract = Lightning | inj = | cap = A | fa =}}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Max | last = Crozier | dab = | num = 24 | pos = D | nat = Canada | s/g = R | birthyear = 2000 | birthmonth = 4 | birthday = 19 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = North Vancouver, British Columbia | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = A | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Dylan | last = Duke | dab = | num = 25 | pos = C | nat = United States | s/g = L | birthyear = 2003 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 4 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Strongsville, Ohio | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Gabriel | last = Dumont | dab = Gabriel Dumont (ice hockey) | num = 40 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = R | birthyear = 1990 | birthmonth = 10 | birthday = 6 | acq = 2021 | birthplace = Dégelis, Quebec | contract = Crunch | inj = yes | cap = C | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Ryan | last = Fanti | dab = | num = 59 | pos = G | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 10 | birthday = 3 | acq = 2024 |birthplace = Thunder Bay, Ontario | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Jack | last = Finley | dab = | num = 62 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = R | birthyear = 2002 | birthmonth = 9 | birthday = 2 | acq = 2021 | birthplace = Kelowna, British Columbia | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Gabriel | last = Fortier | dab = | num = 9 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 2000 | birthmonth = 2 | birthday = 6 | acq = 2021 | birthplace = Lachine, Quebec | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = A | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Conor | last = Geekie | dab = | num = 28 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 2004 | birthmonth = 5 | birthday = 5 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Strathclair, Manitoba | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Maxim | last = Groshev | dab = Maxim Groshev (ice hockey) | num = 23 | pos = LW | nat = Russia | s/g = L | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 12 | birthday = 14 | acq = 2023 | birthplace =Agryz, Russia | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Niko | last = Huuhtanen | dab = | num = 88 | pos = RW | nat = Finland | s/g = R | birthyear = 2003 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 26 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Helsinki, Finland | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Spencer | last = Kersten | dab = | num = 41 | pos = RW | nat = Canada | s/g = R | birthyear = 2000 | birthmonth = 5 | birthday = 16 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Waterloo, Ontario | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Ryder | last = Korczak | dab = | num = 38 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = R | birthyear = 2002 | birthmonth = 9 | birthday = 23 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Yorkton, Saskatchewan | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Reece | last = Newkirk | dab = | num = 37 | pos = C | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 2001 | birthmonth = 2 | birthday = 20 | acq = 2025 | birthplace = Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Tobie | last = Paquette-Bisson | dab = | num = 4 | pos = D | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1997 | birthmonth = 2 | birthday = 1 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Rosemere, Quebec | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Derrick | last = Pouliot | dab = | num = 51 | pos = D | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1994 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 16 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Estevan, Saskatchewan | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Steven | last = Santini | dab = | num = 16 | pos = D | nat = United States | s/g = R | birthyear = 1995 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 7 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Mahopac, New York | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = A | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Roman | last = Schmidt | dab = Roman Schmidt (ice hockey) | num = 76 | pos = D | nat = United States | s/g = R | birthyear = 2003 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 27 | acq = 2023 | birthplace = Midland, Michigan | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Conor | last = Sheary | dab = | num = 73 | pos = LW | nat = United States | s/g = L | birthyear = 1992 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 8 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Melrose, Massachusetts | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Gabriel | last = Szturc | dab = | num = 95 | pos = C | nat = Czechia | s/g = L | birthyear = 2003 | birthmonth = 9 | birthday = 24 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Cesky Tesin, Czechia | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Joel | last = Teasdale | dab = Joël Teasdale | num = 42 | pos = LW | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 3 | birthday = 11 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Repentigny, Quebec | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Matt | last = Tomkins | dab = | num = 90 | pos = G | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1994 | birthmonth = 6 | birthday = 19 | acq = 2023 |birthplace = Edmonton, Alberta | contract = Lightning | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Daniel | last = Walcott | dab = | num = 85 | pos = LW | nat = Canada| s/g = L | birthyear = 1994 | birthmonth = 2 | birthday = 19 | acq = 2015 | birthplace = L'Île-Perrot, Quebec | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = A | fa = }}

{{Ice hockey team player

| first = Scott | last = Walford | dab = | num = 7 | pos = D | nat = Canada | s/g = L | birthyear = 1999 | birthmonth = 1 | birthday = 12 | acq = 2024 | birthplace = Coquitlam, British Columbia | contract = Crunch | inj = no | cap = | fa = }}

=Team captains=

Dane Jackson, 1994–1995
Mark Wotton, 1995–1999
Brian Bonin, 1999–2000
Mike Gaul, 2000–2001
Sean Pronger, 2001–2002
David Ling, 2002–2003
Darrel Scoville, 2003–2004
Jamie Pushor, 2004–2007
Zenon Konopka, 2007–2008
Dan Smith, 2008–2009
Derek MacKenzie, 2009–2010
Joe DiPenta, 2010–2011
Nate Guenin, 2011–2012
Mike Angelidis, 2012–2016
Luke Witkowski, 2016–2017, 2019–2021
Erik Condra, 2017–2018
Gabriel Dumont, 2018–2019, 2021–present

=Head coaches=

Jack McIlhargey: 1994–1999
Stan Smyl: 1999–2000
Gary Agnew: 2000–2006
Ross Yates: 2006–2010
Mark Holick: 2010–2012
Trent Yawney: 2012
Jon Cooper: 2012–2013
Rob Zettler: 2013–2016
Benoit Groulx: 2016–2023
Joel Bouchard: 2023–present

=Current coaching staff=

Joel Bouchard — Head coach
J. D. Forrest — Assistant coach
A. J. MacLean — Assistant coach
Maxime Vaillancourt — Goaltending coach
Jacob Wheeler — Video coach

=Honored numbers=

The Crunch raised a banner following a fan vote during the team's fifth season in honor of fan favorite #14 "Big Bad" John Badduke. It is not retired, as it would later be worn by former United States Olympian Darby Hendrickson, Serge Aubin, Richard Panik, Justin Courtnall, Brandon Alderson, Mike McNamee, Kevin Lynch, Devante Stephens and most recently, Brandon Crawley.

During the 2008–09 season, the team temporarily reserved, but not retired, #7 as a tribute to Paul Newman after his death. This honors Reg Dunlop, the player-coach for the fictional Charlestown Chiefs, which Newman played in the movie Slap Shot. The movie was filmed partially at Onondaga County War Memorial. Coincidentally, other scenes were filmed at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the home ice of the Crunch's former ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs. The banner was raised October 14 and was up for the entire season, but the number was not retired, as it was most recently worn by Crunch player Mathieu Joseph in the 2019–20 season.

On March 26, 2016, the Syracuse Crunch retired Dolph Schayes' number #4. Schayes played for the Syracuse Nationals and their successor, the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the first player in the National Basketball Association to score 15,000 points in his career.{{cite web |url=http://www.syracusecrunch.com/news/2016/2/23/Crunch_0223160317.aspx?path=mhockey |title=Syracuse Crunch to retire jersey of Hall of Famer and 12-time NBA All-Star Dolph Schayes March 26 |publisher=Syracuse Crunch |date=February 23, 2016}} This number is not officially retired, as the number was most recently worn by Trevor Carrick during the 2022–23 season.