The Jamestown Ironmen were a Tier II junior

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

team in the North American Hockey League. The Ironmen played their home games at the

Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena Northwest Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Jamestown, New York, USA. It hosts local sporting events and concerts. It is the home of the Jamestown Rebels junior hockey team in the North American Hockey League. It has been the home of two short-li ...

Jamestown, New York Jamestown is a city in southern Chautauqua County, in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 28,712 at the 2020 census. Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamestown is the largest pop ...

History

The franchise began as an expansion team to the NAHL in 2005. The team played in the town of

Owatonna, Minnesota Owatonna () is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fair ...

as the Southern Minnesota Express. After the 2007–08 season, it was announced that the Express would relocate to the Detroit Area, where they would be called the Motor City Machine. The

market was granted a new franchise with a similar name, the

Owatonna Express The Odessa Jackalopes are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Odessa, Texas and plays their home games at Ector County Coliseum. History The franchise first played as the ...

. On June 26, 2009, the team announced it was changing its nickname to the Metal Jackets, and removing the triangle and text from the logo

On May 7, 2011, it was announced the team was moving to Jamestown, New York to become the Jamestown Ironmen, named after record setting Jamestown Jet Alumnist, Johnathan "The Ironman" Andhor. The city's current Junior A hockey team, the

Jamestown Jets The Jamestown Jets were an American junior ice hockey team based in Jamestown, New York. Originally members of the United Junior Hockey League and later the Northern Junior Hockey League. The Jets played in the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hoc ...

, unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit over the move, alleging a conspiracy to remove the Jets in favor of the Ironmen. In February 2013, Ironmen owner Kenji Yamada indicated he may put the team up for sale due to falling attendance. Yamada stated that he does not want to move the team out of Jamestown. On May 5, it was reported that a deal was completed between a group of local investors and a separate faction to buy the team from Yamada, which would keep the team in Jamestown. This deal ultimately collapsed, and on June 5, 2013, Yamada announced the Ironmen would not return for the 2013–14 season.Ironmen Won't Return For 2013-14 Season
''The Post-Journal''. Retrieved June 5, 2013. The NAHL would eventually return to Jamestown in 2018 with the

Jamestown Rebels The Philadelphia Rebels are a Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Hollydell Ice Arena in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. History The franchise was originall ...

Season-by-season records

References

External links

Official site
{{NAHL Defunct North American Hockey League teams Amateur ice hockey teams in Michigan Ice hockey teams in Detroit Sports in Jamestown, New York Ice hockey clubs established in 2005 Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 2013 Ice hockey teams in New York (state) 2005 establishments in Minnesota 2013 disestablishments in New York (state)