Trenton Titans
| Company type | Professional ice hockey team |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ice hockey |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Trenton, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Eastern United States |
| Owner | Delaware Valley Sports Group LLC (final owner) |
| Parent | ECHL |
The Trenton Titans were a professional ice hockey team competing in the ECHL, specifically within the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, their home venue was the Sun National Bank Center. Established in 1999, the franchise was owned by Delaware Valley Sports Group LLC and functioned as the ECHL affiliate for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms.
Throughout their fourteen seasons, the Titans achieved the league’s top regular-season record once (in 2002) and earned playoff berths in eight seasons. Their most notable accomplishment came in 2005 when they captured the Kelly Cup championship.
Between 2006 and 2011, ownership shifted to the New Jersey Devils. During the 2006–07 season, the team kept the Titans name and maintained its affiliation with the Flyers. Subsequently, from 2007 through 2011, they were renamed the Trenton Devils and affiliated with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Following a change in ownership in 2011, the franchise returned to using the Titans name and renewed its affiliation with the Flyers for the 2011–12 season.
On April 23, 2013, the ECHL officially announced that the Trenton Titans would cease operations, rendering all players unrestricted free agents immediately.
Trenton Titans (1999–2007)
In 1996, Trenton was granted an expansion franchise by the ECHL, which began play in 1999 under the name Trenton Titans. From 1999 until 2007, they maintained affiliations with both the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms, while intermittently partnering with the New York Islanders (NHL) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) between 1999 and 2006.
Following the 2004–05 ECHL season, the Titans secured their only Kelly Cup title by defeating the Florida Everblades four games to two. Finals MVP honors went to Leon Hayward, with Rick Kowalsky serving as team captain. After this championship run, head coach Mike Havilland accepted a position with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, while assistant coach Ted Dent moved to lead the Columbia Inferno.
Intrastate rivalry
Prior to relocating to become the Stockton Thunder in 2005, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies stood as major rivals to Trenton. The two New Jersey ECHL teams competed annually for the Garden State Cup, awarded to whoever won their regular season series:
- 2001–02: Trenton triumphs, 6-4
- 2002–03: Atlantic City prevails, 6-4
- 2003–04: Trenton victorious, 6-4
- 2004–05: Trenton wins series, 5-3-2
In 2006, ownership transferred to the New Jersey Devils, who made Trenton their ECHL affiliate for the 2006–07 season, while preserving a one-year affiliation with Philadelphia Flyers.
Trenton Devils (2007–2011)
When taken over by New Jersey Devils ownership in 2007, the franchise rebranded as the Trenton Devils. This change alienated a significant portion of local fans loyal to Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Coupled with subpar on-ice results, attendance numbers dropped considerably, positioning Trenton near league attendance lows. An exception occurred on February 21, 2009, when former Titan and Kelly Cup winner Scott Bertoli had his No. 19 jersey retired before an audience of 6,013 spectators.
On July 6, 2011, citing a necessity to reorganize player development and following three missed playoff appearances over four years alongside persistently low attendance figures, New Jersey Devils suspended operations of their ECHL affiliate in Trenton. The franchise reportedly incurred losses amounting to $1.5 million during the 2010–11 ECHL season.
The league actively pursued new ownership options for this franchise, with interest expressed by NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers regarding affiliation and promotional prospects—though not direct ownership. Prior to suspension, the ECHL had registered trademarks for both Trenton Titans’ name and logo with U.S. authorities. Soon after operations halted, local supporters initiated efforts aimed at reviving the team under its original Titans branding.
Trenton Titans (2011–2013)
Under the leadership of John and Eileen Martinson, Blue Line Sports LLC reinstated the team using the original Titans name and renewed its affiliation with the Philadelphia Flyers. On March 28, 2012, ownership transitioned from Blue Line Sports LLC to Delaware Valley Sports Group LLC, which included Jim O'Connor, Jim Cook, Tim Curran, and General Manager Richard Lisk.
Scott Bertoli, recognized as the franchise's all-time leading scorer and the only player to have his number 19 retired, was appointed as senior adviser for hockey operations. Richard Lisk resumed his role as president and CEO, having previously held the general manager position from 2001 to 2005.
On August 1, 2011, Vince Williams—who had experience as a Titans defenseman and assistant coach during the Trenton Devils period—was promoted to head coach. NHL veteran and original Titan Todd Fedoruk joined the coaching staff as assistant coach in November 2011. Later, in August 2012, Joe Trotta, formerly a video coach with the Anaheim Ducks, was added as an assistant coach. Additionally, in September 2012, the Titans established an affiliation with the Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League, marking one of the earliest ECHL partnerships with a lower-tier minor league club.
Despite these strategic moves, financial challenges remained unresolved. Consequently, on April 23, 2013, the Titans declared that they would suspend operations for the 2013–14 season.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 70 | 37 | 29 | 4 | — | — | 78 | 233 | 199 | 1461 | 4th Northeast Division | Lost in conference finals |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 50 | 18 | 4 | — | — | 104 | 236 | 164 | 1284 | 1st Northeast Division | Lost in Kelly Cup finals |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 46 | 16 | 10 | — | — | 102 | 238 | 178 | 1822 | 1st Northeast Division | Lost in divisional finals |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 38 | 24 | 10 | — | — | 86 | 229 | 207 | 1860 | 4th Northeast Division | Lost in divisional semifinals |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 37 | 28 | 7 | — | — | 81 | 222 | 193 | 1569 | 6th North Division | Out of playoffs |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 42 | 21 | 9 | — | — | 93 | 213 | 197 | 1441 | 2nd East Division | Won Kelly Cup |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 31 | 36 | 5 | — | — | 67 | 166 | 214 | 1318 | 5th East Division | Lost in divisional quarterfinals |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 36 | 31 | — | 1 | 4 | 77 | 250 | 242 | 1400 | 4th North Division | Lost in divisional semifinals |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 29 | 36 | — | 3 | 4 | 65 | 183 | 220 | 1260 | 6th North Division | Out of playoffs |
| 2008–09 | 72 | 40 | 25 | — | 2 | 5 | 87 | 236 | 206 | 1146 | 2nd North Division | Lost in divisional semifinals |
| 2009–10 | 72 | 33 | 30 | — | 4 | 5 | 75 | 244 | 252 | 1465 | 3rd East Division | Out of playoffs |
| 2010–11 | 72 | 27 | 37 | — | 2 | 6 | 62 | 218 | 257 | 1255 | 3rd Atlantic Division | Out of playoffs |
| 2011–12 | 72 | 21 | 41 | — | 4 | 6 | 52 | 211 | 271 | 959 | 4th Atlantic Division | Out of playoffs |
| 2012–13 | 72 | 32 | 32 | — | 0 | 4 | 72 | 226 | 247 | 1171 | 4th Atlantic Division | Out of playoffs |
Postseason Performance
| Season | Preliminary Round | First Round | Second Round | Conference Championships |
Kelly Cup Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | — | Victory, 3–0, Richmond Renegades | Victory, 3–2, Hampton Roads Admirals | Defeat, 2–4, Peoria Rivermen | — |
| 2000–01 | =—= | =Victory,=3-1, Johnstown Chiefs | =Victory,=3-0, Toledo Storm | =Victory,=4-3, Peoria | =Defeat,=1-4, South Carolina Stingrays |
| 2001–02 | =—= | =Victory,=3-1, Roanoke Express | =Defeat,=0-3, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies | =—= | =— |
| 2002–03 | =—= | =Defeat,=0-3, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies | =—= | =—= | =— |
| 2003–04 colspan=5 | Did not qualify for playoffs | |||||
| 2004–05 | =—= | =Victory,=3-0, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies | =Victory,=3-1, Reading Royals | =Victory,=4-3, Alaska Aces | =Victory,=4-2, Florida Everblades |
| 2005–06 | =Defeat,=0-2 Johnstown Chiefs | =—= | =—= | =—= | =— |
| 2006–07 | =Victory,=2-0 Johnstown Chiefs | =Defeat,=0-3 Dayton Bombers | =—= | =—= | =— |
| 2007–08 colspan=5 | Did not advance to playoffs | |||||
| 2008–09 | =—= | =Defeat,=3-4 Elmira Jackals | =—= | =—= | =— |
| 2009–10 colspan=5 | Missed playoffs | |||||
| 2010–11 colspan=5 | Did not qualify for postseason | |||||
| 2011–12 colspan=5 | Missed playoffs | |||||
| 2012–13 colspan=5 | Did not reach postseason |
Single Season
- Most Points: 79 - Scott Bertoli, (2006–07)
- Highest Goal Total: 36 - Mike Pandolfo, (2006–07)
- Most Assists: 53 - Ryan Gunderson, (2008–09)
- Penalty Minutes Leader: 305 - Graham Belak, (2001–02)
- Most Goaltender Appearances: 48 - Scott Stirling, (2000–01)
- Longest Goaltender Minutes Played: 2,722 - Andrew Allen, (2004–05)
- Goaltender Wins Leader: 32 - Scott Stirling, (2000–01)
- Most Shutouts Recorded: 5 - Scott Stirling, (2000–01)
Single Game
- Highest Points in a Game: 7 - David Hoogsteen vs. Toledo (March 24, 2000)
- Most Goals in a Game: 5 - Mathieu Brunelle vs. Augusta (January 31, 2004)
- Top Assists in a Game: 5 - Colin Pepperall vs. Dayton (January 19, 2008) and David Hoogsteen vs. Toledo (March 24, 2000)
- Maximum Penalty Minutes in a Game: 33 - Todd Fedoruk vs. Roanoke (February 19, 2000)
General Managers
- Brian McKenna: 1999 to 2002
- Richard Lisk: 2002 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2013
- Jeffrey Mandel: 2004 to 2005
- Jim Leahy: 2005 to 2011
Head Coaches
- Bruce Cassidy: Tenure from 1999 to 2000
- Troy Ward: Tenure from 2000 to 2001
- Peter Horachek: Tenure from 2001 to 2002
- Bill Armstrong: Tenure from 2002 to 2004
- Mike Haviland: Tenure from 2004 to 2005
- Doug McKay: Tenure from 2005 to 2006
- Rick Kowalsky: Tenure from 2006 to 2010
- Kevin Dean: Tenure from 2010 to 2011
- Vince Williams: Tenure from 2011 to 2013
Retired Numbers
19: Scott Bertoli (Number retired on February 21, 2009; ceremony renewed on October 22, 2011)
Media
Local newspapers such as The Trenton Times and The Trentonian covered the Titans extensively. During the Devils period, Mike Ashmore from the Hunterdon County Democrat managed a dedicated team blog. Initially, radio broadcasts were aired on WHWH, WBCB-AM, and WTSR. In 2008, coverage transitioned solely to an online platform with announcer Paul Roper, who also provided commentary for the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game. Additionally, local station WRRC (107.7 FM The Bronc) delivered live game broadcasts featuring Daryle Dobos as the play-by-play commentator.