Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)

Phoenix Roadrunners
CityPhoenix, Arizona, United States
LeagueInternational Hockey League
Founded1979
Folded1997
Home arenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Franchise history
1979–1987Indianapolis Checkers
1987–1988Colorado Rangers
1988–1989Denver Rangers
1989–1997Phoenix Roadrunners

The Phoenix Roadrunners were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. The team was housed at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team played in the IHL from 1989 to 1997. The IHL Roadrunners were named for a World Hockey Association team of the same name. The IHL Roadrunners used a similar skating cartoon bird logo as the WHA team with different colors, without the outline of the state of Arizona.

In 1996, the original Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix, becoming the Arizona Coyotes. After one year competing with the Coyotes for fans, the Roadrunners folded at the end of the 1996-97 season. Coincidentally, the Coyote's AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, share the name and similar logo to the displaced IHL team.