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The Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973. The league began with six franchises and ended with seven, then folded midseason, on January 31, 1977.

The league's playoff championship the Crockett Cup was named in honor of James Crockett, Sr. who was a long time sports and entertainment promoter in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the owner of the Charlotte Checkers, the Charlotte Orioles minor league baseball team, and was a professional wrestling promoter; running Jim Crockett Promotions, which eventually became Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.

Teams[]

Team name City Arena Seasons Fate
Charlotte Checkers Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte Coliseum 1973–1977 Fold with league January 1977
Greensboro Generals Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro Coliseum 1973–1977 folded January 7, 1977
Macon Whoopees Macon, Georgia Macon Coliseum 1973–1974 February 15, 1974
Roanoke Valley Rebels Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke Civic Center 1973–1976 folded after 1975-76 season
Suncoast Suns St. Petersburg, Florida Bayfront Arena 1973–1973 folded December 19, 1973
Winston-Salem Polar Twins Winston-Salem, North Carolina Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum 1973–1977 Folded January 7, 1977
Fayetteville Arsenal Fayetteville, North Carolina Cumberland County Memorial Arena 1974-1974 become Hampton Gulls when could not secure playing dates at arena in Fayetteville
Hampton Gulls Hampton, Virginia Hampton Coliseum 1974–1977 Fold with league January 1977
Tidewater Sharks Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk Scope 1975–1977 Folded January 7, 1977
Baltimore Clippers Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Arena 1976–1977 Fold with league January 1977
Richmond Wildcats Richmond, Virginia Richmond Coliseum 1976–1977 Folded January 3, 1977


Season Regular Season Champion James Crockett Cup Playoff Champion
1973-74 Roanoke Valley Rebels Roanoke Valley Rebels
1974-75 Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers
1975-76 Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers
1976-77 Hampton Gulls
(best record when league folds)
None
(League folds January 1977)

References[]

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