2016–17 season and join the other AHL Pacific Division teams created in the previous season. On May 4, 2016, the Portland Pirates announced that it had signed a letter of intent with an outside buyer to sell and relocate the franchise for the 2016–17 season. It was reported that the team would be relocated to Springfield following the pending sale and relocation of the Falcons franchise. The AHL Board of Governors conditionally approved of the sale and relocation of the Falcons on May 10, pending approval of a deal through Tucson's city council. On May 17, the Coyotes and the Tucson city council came to terms on a lease agreement for the 2016–17 season to meet the conditions of the AHL approval. The Pirates' sale and relocation to Springfield was approved on May 23, to subsequently become the Springfield Thunderbirds. This market was previously home to: Springfield Indians (1926–1994) Season-by-season results Players Retired numbers #2: Eddie Shore #23: Rob Murray Note: Former AHL President Jack Butterfield and Vice-President Gordie Anziano, longtime Springfield residents, were honored with banners raised with the retired numbers. Team awards At the end of each season, the team awarded individual players with: The Jim Denver "Good Guy" Award The Al Lawrence Best Defensive Player Award The Florence Kurdziel "Unsung Hero" Award The Muriel Strauss Good Sportsmanship Award The Dick Casey True Grit Award The Ross Lowe Award as team MVP List of team captains Notable NHL alumni ist of Springfield Falcons alumni who played at least 100 games in Springfield and played 100 or more games in major leagues: AHL Hall of Famers List of Springfield Falcons alumni later inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame. Team records Single season Goals: John LeBlanc, 39 (1994–95) Goals by a Rookie: Daniel Briere, 36 (1997–98) Assists: Jean-Guy Trudel, 65 (2000–01) Points: Jean-Guy Trudel, 99 (2000–01) Penalty Minutes: Rob Murray, 373 (1994–95) Appearances by a Goalie: Devan Dubnyk, 62 (2008–09) GAA: Manny Legace 2.27 (1995–96) SV%: Curtis McElhinney, .923 (2012–13) Shutouts: Curtis McElhinney, 9 (2012–13) Career These are the top ten scorers in Falcons' history. ''Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Career Penalty Minutes: 1529 Rob Murray Career Goaltending Wins: 64 Manny Legace Career Shutouts: 9 Curtis McElhinney Career Games: 501 Rob Murray Career Goals: 94 Ryan Craig Career Shorthanded Goals: 5 Andrew Joudrey Single game Goals: 4