Atlantic Coast Hockey League
Encyclopedia
- ACHL redirects here. For the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, see Judicial functions of the House of LordsJudicial functions of the House of LordsThe House of Lords, in addition to having a legislative function, historically also had a judicial function. It functioned as a court of first instance for the trials of peers, for impeachment cases, and as a court of last resort within the United Kingdom. In the latter case the House's...
. For the 2002 league that carried this name, see Atlantic Coast Hockey League (2002)Atlantic Coast Hockey League (2002)The Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a professional minor league ice hockey league based in the United States. The second league to bear the name Atlantic Coast Hockey League, it operated for only one season, 2002–2003, before its franchises split into two new leagues.-History:The 2002 incarnation...
.
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. The league was founded by Bill Coffey
Bill Coffey
Bill Coffey is a businessman and minor league sports entrepreneur. He is one of the founders of the ECHL . Founded in 1988, the ECHL is a minor professional ice hockey league that serves as a development league for the NHL...
.
Beginning in 1988 the league merged with the All-American Hockey League
All-American Hockey League
The All-American Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization formed in 1972 with teams based in the Upper Midwest and Great lakes regions of the United States as the Continental Hockey League. In 1986 the league folded and the Danville, Dayton, Troy went on to form the All-American Hockey...
to create the East Coast Hockey League (today the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
). The Bob Paine Trophy was awarded to the team who won the league playoff championship.
According to a 1985 Montreal Gazette article, rookies were paid "$150 a week plus $35 for a victory" and veterans were paid "as much as $300 a week". League regulations also said that half the roster (eight out of fifteen players) must be rookie Americans.
Formation
The ACHL's roots can be traced back to the former Eastern Hockey LeagueEastern Hockey League
-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
of the late 1970s and early 1980s. With a meeting of several EHL owners, the league decided to fold on July 19, 1981 and reorganize as the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. Teams that were previous members of the Eastern Hockey League were interested in rejoining the league. The former Utica Mohawks would come back as the Mohawk Valley Stars
Mohawk Valley Comets (ACHL)
The Mohawk Valley Comets were a professional ice hockey team based in Utica, New York. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1985 until the league suspended operations until 1987.-History:...
. Because of the Mohawk Valley team being the most northern, the league was interested in inviting a sixth team to bridge the gap . Johnstown previously had an Eastern League team affiliated with the Red Wings and were the intended sixth team but due to the owner being ill, they were removed from the list. Richmond expressed interest, but due to questions about the financial stability of the league, they also dropped out. The Boston Bruins, along with several investors, were approached about putting a team in nearby Cape Cod. After an investor dropped out, Cape Cod Coliseum and WWWF owner Vince McMahon Sr. purchased the rights to the franchise for $15,000.
Inaugural Season
The ACHL would open with seven teams:- Salem Raiders
- Winston-Salem Thunderbirds
- Mohawk Valley Stars
- Baltimore Skipjacks
- Cape Cod Buccanners
- Fitchburg Trappers
- Schenectady Chiefs.
From the opening night of the season, McMahon was not happy with how the league was run. Schenectady and Fitchburg were owned by the same person. Fitchburg was placed under a league suspension and would fold after 6 games. Schenectady would fold after 9 games. In January 1982, McMahon would try to borrow $15,000 from the league, citing "slow cash flow". When the league denied his loan, McMahon folded his franchise. With the league now down to 4 teams, the league decided to end the season early and set the playoffs by geographical area to save on expenses. Coincidentally, the matchups did end up having the first and fourth place teams meet, along with the second vs third place teams. The Salem Raiders would defeat the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds, and the Mohawk Valley Stars would defeat the Baltimore Skipjacks. The Raiders and Stars would play in the league final, with the Mohawk Valley Stars defeating the Raiders for the Bob Paine Trophy
Bob Paine Trophy
The Bob Paine Trophy was awarded to the play-off champion of the now-defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League. The Paine Trophy was awarded to teams since the ACHL's inaugural season of 1981–82 until the ACHL's final season of 1986–87. The trophy is named after Bob Paine, an executive with several...
.
On July 24, 1987, Commissioner Ray Miron announced that the league would be suspending operations for the 1987-88 season. Miron said that the league could not operate with three teams: Erie, Virginia, and Carolina. The Troy Slapshots had folded earlier in the previous season, and the Mohawk Valley Comets franchise in Utica, NY had moved up to the American Hockey League. Erie would cease operations, but the Lancers and Thunderbirds would transfer to the All-American Hockey League.
ACHL to ECHL
One team from the current ECHLECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
has roots tracing back to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League: Wheeling Nailers
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
- 1981-82: Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (ACHL)
- 1982-87: Carolina Thunderbirds (ACHL)
- 1987-88: Carolina Thunderbirds (AAHLAll-American Hockey LeagueThe All-American Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization formed in 1972 with teams based in the Upper Midwest and Great lakes regions of the United States as the Continental Hockey League. In 1986 the league folded and the Danville, Dayton, Troy went on to form the All-American Hockey...
) - 1988-89: Carolina Thunderbirds (ECHLECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
) - 1989-92: Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (ECHL)
- 1992-95: Wheeling Thunderbirds (ECHL)
- 1995–present: Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
Teams
- Salem RaidersSalem RaidersThe Salem Raiders were a former professional hockey team that played in the Eastern Hockey League during the 1979-80 season, and transferred to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League during the 1981-82 season....
(1981–1982) - Mohawk Valley Stars (1981–1985)
- Baltimore SkipjacksBaltimore SkipjacksThe Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:...
(1981–1982) - Cape Cod BuccaneersCape Cod BuccaneersThe Cape Cod Buccaneers were a professional ice hockey team based in Cape Cod, MA. They were an inaugural member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and were owned by WWE CEO Vince McMahon.-History:...
(1981–1982) - Winston-Salem/Carolina ThunderbirdsWheeling NailersThe Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
(1981–82, 1982–87) - Schenectady ChiefsSchenectady ChiefsThe Schenectady Chiefs were a professional ice hockey team in Schenectady, New York. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1981 to 1982.They played their home games in the Schenectady Civic Center...
(1981–1982) - Fitchburg TrappersFitchburg TrappersThe Fitchburg Trappers are a defunct minor league professional ice hockey team based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts that played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League during the 1981-82 season....
(1981–1982) - Erie Golden BladesErie Golden BladesThe Erie Golden Blades were a minor league hockey team that played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. Their home ice was the Erie County Field House. The Erie County Field House was located in Erie, Pennsylvania and held 4200 people. The team was owned by Steve Stroud from 1983-87The Golden...
(1982–1987) - Virginia RaidersVirginia RaidersThe Virginia Raiders are a defunct minor league professional ice hockey team based in Salem, Virginia that played in theAtlantic Coast Hockey League during the 1982-83 season....
(1982–1983) - Hampton Roads GullsHampton Roads GullsThe Hampton Roads Gulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Hampton, VA. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League in the 1982-83 season.-Season-by-season results:-Notable players:...
(1982–1983) - Nashville South StarsNashville South StarsThe Nashville South Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League for the 1981-82 season. They then played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League for the 1982-83 season and part of the 1983-84 season before the franchise relocated to become the Virginia Lancers.It had been...
(1982–1983) - Virginia LancersVirginia LancersThe Virginia Lancers were a minor league hockey team that played in several leagues from 1983 until 1990. Their home ice was the Vinton Sports Complex, which held 3400 people.-Atlantic Coast Hockey League :...
(1983–1987) - Pinebridge BucksPinebridge BucksThe Pinebridge Bucks were a professional ice hockey team in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1983 to 1985. Its colors were forest green, gold and maroon....
(1983–1985) - Birmingham BullsBirmingham BullsThe Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being...
(1983–1984) - Mohawk Valley CometsMohawk Valley Comets (ACHL)The Mohawk Valley Comets were a professional ice hockey team based in Utica, New York. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1985 until the league suspended operations until 1987.-History:...
(1985–1987) - New York Slapshots (1985–1986)
- Troy SlapshotsTroy SlapshotsThe Troy Slapshots were a professional ice hockey team based in Troy, NY. They were a member of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League in the 1985-86 season.-History:...
(1986–1987), folded after 6 games
Unnamed team
In December 1985, Recreational Ice of North Carolina (RINC) was granted an ACHL franchise. RINC General Manager Bob Ohrablo had planned to put the franchise in Asheville, North Carolina. The team was to play in a newly built arena, the 3200-seat Asheville Ice Garden. The arena was to be completed in October 1986 and the team was supposed to start play during the 1986-87 season.A name the team contest was to be held in February 1986, with the winner to be announced in March. It is unknown if a winner was ever announced.
ACHL All-Stars
- 1981-82: Jim StewartJim Stewart (ice hockey)James M. Stewart, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the Boston Bruins during the 1979–80 NHL season.-External links:...
, G, Baltimore (1st team) - 1982-83: Ron CarterRon Carter (ice hockey)Ronald Carter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger.Carter played junior hockey for the Sherbrooke Castors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1978 NHL Entry Draft...
, RW, Nashville/Virginia (2nd team) - 1983-84: Pierre HamelPierre HamelPierre "Lucky Pierre" Hamel is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played 62 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets.-External links:*...
, G, Carolina (1st team); Darrell MayDarrell May (ice hockey)Darrell Gerald May is a retired professional ice hockey player who played six games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 5th round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.- References :...
, G, Erie (2nd team); Paul O'Neil, C, Virginia (2nd team); Frank Perkins, Head Coach, Pinebridge (1st team); Barry TabobondungBarry TabobondungBarry Tabobondung was an Ojibwa Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and left winger. He was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft...
, D/LW, Erie (2nd team) - 1984-85: Ray LeBlancRay LeBlancRaymond J. LeBlanc is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender. He is best known as the goaltender for the United States team at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France...
, G, Pinebridge (1st team); Paul Mancini, LW, Erie (1st team); Barry TabobondungBarry TabobondungBarry Tabobondung was an Ojibwa Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and left winger. He was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft...
, D/LW, Erie (1st team) - 1985-86: Jim Cowell, Erie (2nd team); John Hill, Virginia (2nd team); Paul Mancini, LW, Erie (1st team)
- 1986-87: Pete DeArmas, RW, Virginia (1st team); Jeff EatoughJeff EatoughJeffrey Eatough is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the fourth round, 80th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He played just one game in the National Hockey League, with the Sabres as an 18-year-old during the 1981–82 season...
, RW, Mohawk Valley (2nd team)
ACHL MVP
- 1981-82: Dave MacQueenDave MacQueen-Playing career:Prior to becoming a coach, MacQueen played seven years of professional hockey , bouncing between the EHL, IHL, CHL, and the ACHL...
, Salem Raiders - 1982-83: Rory Cava, Carolina Thunderbirds
- 1983-84: Paul O'Neil, Virginia Lancers
- 1984-85: Barry TabobondungBarry TabobondungBarry Tabobondung was an Ojibwa Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and left winger. He was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft...
, Erie Golden Blades - 1985-86: Joe Curran, Carolina Thunderbirds
- 1986-87: Pete DeArmas, Virginia Lancers
ACHL Rookie Of The Year
- 1984-85: Todd Bjorkstrand, Pinebridge Bucks; Kurt Rugenius, Mohawk Valley Stars (tie)
- 1985-86: Bobby Williams, New York Slapshots
- 1986-87: Scott Knutson, Carolina Thunderbirds; Scott Curwin, Virginia Lancers
Regular Season Champions
- 1981-1982: Salem RaidersSalem RaidersThe Salem Raiders were a former professional hockey team that played in the Eastern Hockey League during the 1979-80 season, and transferred to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League during the 1981-82 season....
- 1982-1983: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1983-1984: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1984-1985: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1985-1986: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1986-1987: Virginia LancersVirginia LancersThe Virginia Lancers were a minor league hockey team that played in several leagues from 1983 until 1990. Their home ice was the Vinton Sports Complex, which held 3400 people.-Atlantic Coast Hockey League :...
Bob Paine Trophy winners
- 1981-1982: Mohawk Valley Stars
- 1982-1983: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1983-1984: Erie Golden BladesErie Golden BladesThe Erie Golden Blades were a minor league hockey team that played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. Their home ice was the Erie County Field House. The Erie County Field House was located in Erie, Pennsylvania and held 4200 people. The team was owned by Steve Stroud from 1983-87The Golden...
- 1984-1985: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1985-1986: Carolina ThunderbirdsCarolina ThunderbirdsThe Carolina Thunderbirds were a professional ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989...
- 1986-1987: Virginia LancersVirginia LancersThe Virginia Lancers were a minor league hockey team that played in several leagues from 1983 until 1990. Their home ice was the Vinton Sports Complex, which held 3400 people.-Atlantic Coast Hockey League :...
Seasons
- 1981-82 ACHL season1981-82 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com...
- 1982-83 ACHL season1982-83 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com...
- 1983-84 ACHL season1983-84 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com...
- 1984-85 ACHL season1984-85 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com...
- 1985-86 ACHL season1985-86 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :-External Links :* on hockeydb.com...
- 1986-87 ACHL season1986-87 ACHL season-Regular season:- Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com...