TheGreenville Grrrowlwas anECHLhockey team located inGreenville, South Carolina.They played their home games at theBI-LO Center.In the 2001–02 season, they won theKelly Cup.[1]
| Greenville Grrrowl | |
 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Home ice | BI-LO Center |
| Based in | Greenville, South Carolina |
| Colors | Black, gold, purple, silver |
| League | ECHL |
| Head coach | John Marks |
The Grrrowl's initial season was 1998–99, with formerChicago Blackhawksdefensive starJohn Marksas their coach. He remained their only coach from 1998 to 2006.[2]They were an affiliate of theAHLNorfolk Admirals,[3]and an affiliate of theNHLChicago Blackhawks and theEdmonton Oilers.[1]
The team announced that it was folding on June 2, 2006, after running aUS$1,000,000 deficit during 2005 that left the team unable to attract new investors.[4]They began losing money after attendance slid from 7,000 per game in their first season to just 2,100 in 2004-05.[1]On June 15, theBI-LO Centerannounced they were willing to pay $350,000 to keep the team afloat, hoping to entice developers to save the team.[5]Despite the offer, the Grrrowl ceased operations on July 10, 2006 when the team failed to find new sources of financing.[1]According to Grrrowl president Ed Rubinstein, the team only plans to refund "some percentage" of money already paid by season ticket holders.[1]
Hockey returned to Greenville after a four-year absence when theJohnstown Chiefsrelocated and became theGreenville Road Warriorsin 2010.
Playoffs
edit- 1998–99: Did not qualify.
- 1999–00: DefeatedMobile3-2 in first round; defeatedAugusta3-1 in quarterfinals; lost toLouisiana4-2 in semifinals.
- 2000–01: Did not qualify.
- 2001–02: DefeatedFlorida3-2 in first round; defeatedPee Dee3-1 in quarterfinals; defeatedMississippi3-1 in semifinals; defeatedDayton4-0 to win championship.
- 2002–03: DefeatedFlorida1-0 in first round; lost toColumbia3-0 in second round.
- 2003–04: Did not qualify.
- 2004–05: DefeatedPensacola3-1 in first round; lost toFlorida3-0 in quarterfinals.
- 2005–06: DefeatedAugusta2-0 in first round; lost toFlorida3-1 in second round.
Retired numbers
edit- 36–Nick Vitucciretired in 2004. Nick played in 14 ECHL seasons, his last three with the Greenville Grrrowl. He later became the head coach for theToledo Walleye.[6]
Notable NHL alumni
editList of Greenville Grrrowl alumni who played more than 25 games in Greenville and 25 or more games in theNational Hockey League.
References
edit- ^abcdeDykes, Davis (July 12, 2006)."Grrrowl fold; arena expected to lose money without team".The Greenville News.RetrievedSeptember 3,2006.[dead link]
- ^"Greenville Grrrowl Hockey: John Marks".Greenville Grrrowl.Archived fromthe originalon March 10, 2007.RetrievedMarch 10,2007.
- ^"Hawks, Admirals Announce Affiliation w/ Toledo".Chicago Blackhawks.August 14, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon August 20, 2006.RetrievedAugust 20,2006.
- ^Szobody, Ben; Dykes, Davis (May 23, 2006)."Grrrowl not paying some bills, president says".The Greenville News.RetrievedSeptember 3,2006.[dead link]
- ^Szobody, Ben (June 15, 2006)."Bi-Lo Center may pitch in for Grrrowl".The Greenville News.RetrievedSeptember 3,2006.[dead link]
- ^"Toledo Walleye - Coaching Staff".Toledo Walleye.Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2011.RetrievedJuly 17,2011.
External links
edit
 | This American ice hockey team-related article is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This article about a sports team in South Carolina is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |