The Icebreakers were an expansion team that was granted to Upper Marlboro, Maryland for the start of the 1997–98 ECHL season.

Chris Nilan would win the John Brophy Award as the league's top coach.

John Cardwell would score 40 goals while Brad Domonsky led the team with 244 penalty minutes.

Their first playoff win in team history took place on April 8, which evened the series at one game apiece.

Home games were played at a converted equestrian facility known as The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.