History of the Polar Bears
1999-2000 In the summer of 1999 Northwestern Hockey Sports Camp USA acquired an expansion Junior Hockey franchise to play in the Western States Hockey League. Glenn & Danette Miller became the teams first official team sponsors. The Polar Bears first captain is 16 year old Josh Joles from Phoenix, AZ The Polar Bears were originally known as the Peoria Polar Bears as they began their play at Polar Ice Peoria in the fall of 1999. The next season the Polar Bears changed their name to the Phoenix Polar Bears.
2000-2001 In the season 2000-2001 the Polar Bears re – organized themselves as a 501 c 3 non profit organization. Jim Livanavage as Team President and joined the Polar Bears in January 2001 and was instrumental in helping the Polar Bears organizing their business affairs to become a full time non profit Junior Hockey operation. The Polar Bears missed going to the National Tournament by one goal, suffering a WSHL series game 3 loss to the New Mexico Ice Breakers. This loss would be the catalyst of great things to come.
2001-2002 In 2002-03 the Polar Bears completed their second undefeated season in the WSHL and captured their second WSHL league title which earned the Polar Bears the right to attend the National Tournament once again in Blaine, MN The Polar Bears went undefeated in the entire tournament winning the National Championship with a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Jr. Blues. The National Championship was extra special because it was the first National Hockey Championship ever won by an Arizona based team and 8 Arizona natives led the way Evan Johnson, Ryan Walsh, Ed Trebian, Ryan Walsh, Max Mobley, Ryan Anderson, Adam Ysasi and Nick Karastamatis. Ryan Anderson recorded 3 shut outs in goal for the Polar Bears and Ed Trebian scored the lone goal in the National Tournament Final. In a salute to the National Championship win the Polar Bears were honored with a mural at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario this season the Polar Bears also played an affiliate 12 game JR. A schedule in the AWHL earning a record of 4-7-1. The Polar Bears earned a dramatic win against the Wichita Falls Rustlers Jr. A team 4-3 in front of 7000 fans in Wichita Falls, TX. It is recognized as the game that allowed the team to really truly believe they could be National Champions.
2003-2004 In 2003-04 Mr. Glenn Miller became the President of Business Operations leading the Polar Bears to then next level of community and National prominence. With only 4 returning players from the the National Championship team in 2003-04, the Polar Bears earned a record of 37-1in the WSHL and captured their third WSHL league title which earned the Polar Bears the right to attend the National Tournament once again in Syracuse, NY The Polar Bears went 2-1 in the round and narrowly missed going to the crossover play off by one goal. The Polar Bears were awarded the National Fair Play Award for outstanding play and sportsmanship.
2004-2005 Arguably the most talented team in Phoenix Polar Bear history with local sensations like Max Mobley, Curtis Kelner, Keith Patterson and Alex Brownlee; the Polar Bears went undefeated in WSHL league play with a 36-0 record, won their fourth consecutive league title and the right to attend the National Tournament in Blaine, MN The Polar Bears played the MN Ice Hawks in game one of the National Tournament and the teams battled to a dramatic 2-2 overtime tie. The game has been considered the greatest single game in the history of the National Tournament. The Polar Bears graduated a record 19 players to all levels of Junior A, Major Junior, ACHA, NCAA 3, NCAA 1 and Pro hockey from this team.
2005-2006 In the spring of 2005 Mr. Brad Berman became the President of the Board of Directors of the 501 C 3 Corporation and Polar Ice became a Diamond Level Sponsor. After graduating 19 players the Polar Bears were forced to fully reload the team. The Polar Bears won the regular season title but lost in the league final 3-0 in a one game winner take all game in the WSHL Final Four Tournament. Unfortunately, in the league final the team was without 8 regulars who were forced to sit out the final game because of injuries sustained in the semi finals against an undisciplined San Antonio team. The Polar Bears though did earn the WSHL second seed at the National Tournament in Philadelphia, PA The Polar Bears went 2-1 in the round robin defeating the Queen city Cutthroats 8-3, Boston Jr. Bruins 10-1 but losing to the eventual national champion St. Louis Jr. Blues 6-2 in the opening game of the tournament. The Polar Bears missed the crossover playoff by 1 goal.