The original Helena Bighorns were members of the former
Tier II America West Hockey League from 2001 to 2003 after replacing the departed Helena Gold Rush that had operated last in the 1999–2000 season (formerly known as the Helena Ice Pirates from 1994 to 1999). In 2003, the AWHL merged with the larger Tier II
North American Hockey League and the Bighorns played in the NAHL until 2006. In 2004, the Tier III
Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac) expanded into Helena with the
Queen City Cutthroats and were immediately successful, winning the Cascade Cup in their first year. In 2006, the NAHL Bighorns withdrew from the NAHL and the NorPac franchise would take the name of the formerly higher level team beginning with the 2006–07 season.
NorPac years (2004–11) The Helena Bighorns/Queen City Cutthroats won six straight
NorPac America West Division Championships between 2005 and 2010. They also won the
NorPac Cascade Cup six times, 2005, 2006 and four straight from 2008 to 2011.
American West years (2011–14) The Helena Bighorns have won three straight
American West Hockey League Championships in the 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2013–14 AWHL seasons prior to the league merging with the
North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) in 2014.
North American 3 Hockey League (2014–present) For many years, the team and the arena were owned by
Oren Koules, president of
Evolution Entertainment and former part-owner of the
Tampa Bay Lightning (
NHL). However, in 2017, he was looking to sell off the team or cease operations. In May 2017, he sold the team to local businessman Randy Rose. Koules remained the owner of Helena Ice Arena. In 2021, the team was sold to a local ownership group Treasure State Sports Group LTD, composed of Jedidiah Snyder and Michael Greene. ==Season-by-season records==