The Sound Tigers joined the AHL in 2001. The franchise's lease at the Arena runs until the end of the 2021 season. The team has generally been successful, recording only two losing seasons through the 2009 season, highlighted by a division championship and reaching the Calder Cup Finals, in which they lost to the Chicago Wolves four games to one, during their first season. The franchise's first coach was Steve Stirling, and the team is currently coached by Brent Thompson.