Two previous teams known as the Peoria Rivermen had existed prior to the AHL franchise's arrival in 2005: an
IHL franchise that played from 1982 through 1996 before being sold and relocated to
San Antonio; and an
ECHL team that immediately replaced the IHL team. In 2005, the ECHL team folded to allow the
Worcester IceCats to relocate to Peoria and take the Rivermen name. In 2011,
Dave Checketts announced that the
St. Louis Blues,
Scottrade Center, and the Peoria Rivermen were all for sale. On May 10, 2012, Tom Stillman purchased the Peoria Rivermen franchise. On August 30, the Rivermen signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the
Evansville IceMen, an expansion team in the
ECHL, cutting ties with the
Alaska Aces, who they were affiliated with since the Rivermen joined the AHL. On March 29, 2013, the Rivermen were purchased by the
Vancouver Canucks. On April 18, 2013, the AHL approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen to the
Vancouver Canucks. On May 13, 2013, the Vancouver Canucks confirmed with Peoria Civic Center officials that they would not bring back the Rivermen franchise and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen would no longer play in Peoria. The AHL announced on June 14, 2013, that the franchise was being relocated to
Utica, New York, as the
Utica Comets for the
2013–14 AHL season. A
Southern Professional Hockey League franchise replaced the AHL incarnation of the Rivermen in 2013 and took
the team's name. ==Season-by-season results==