the stampede were placed in the western division and played their inaugural game at home against the cedar rapids roughriders on september 24, 1999, to a sold-out crowd of 4,660 fans, including an estimated 2,000 season ticket holders. the team completed its inaugural season 37–17–4, the highest for a first-year expansion, and qualified for a clark cup playoff match-up against the twin cities vulcans. the team was led by forward rick gorman, who finished the season scoring 68 points, 25 goals and 43 assists. motzko was named general manager of the year and gorman was named to the all-ushl first team. the following season the team found similar success as it qualified for back-to-back playoff appearances with a 40–14–2 record. the stampede beat the roughriders in the first round before losing to eventual clark cup champions, the omaha lancers. following the season, coach motzko left the stampede to pursue an assistant coach role at the university of minnesota.