Hampton Gulls: Difference between revisions

| colors = Black, white, gold<br>{{colorboxcolor box|#000000}} {{colorboxcolor box|#FFFFFF}} {{colorboxcolor box|#FFD700}}

The '''Hampton Gulls''' were aan American minor league professional ice hockey team based in [[Hampton, Virginia]], from 1974 to 1978 at the [[Hampton Coliseum]]. The Gulls played three seasons in the [[Southern Hockey League (1973–1977)|Southern Hockey League]], beginning in 1974.<ref name="shl-history">{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls hockey team [SHL] statistics and history|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/hampton-gulls-6027.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> When that league folded in 1977, the Hampton played one season in the [[American Hockey League]].<ref name="ahl-history">{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls hockey team [AHL] statistics and history|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/hampton-gulls-6028.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> The Gulls were a [[World Hockey Association]] farm team to the [[Cincinnati Stingers]] each season.<ref name="shl-affiliate">{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls Parent Team affiliate history|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_affiliations_child.php?tmi=6027|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref><ref name="ahl-affiliate">{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls Parent Team affiliate history|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_affiliations_child.php?tmi=6028|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> [[John Brophy (ice hockey)|John Brophy]] was team's only head coach during its existence.<ref>{{cite web|title=John Brophy|url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=255388&lang=en|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=Elite Prospects}}</ref> Hampton ceased operations on February 10, 1978, part way through its fourth season.<ref name="ahl-history" />

The franchise originated as an expansion team for the [[1974–75 Southern Hockey League season]] in [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]]. The new team was named after the [[Fayetteville Arsenal]], and was scheduled to play at the Cumberland County Memorial Arena. In October 1974, owner Bill Raue moved the team before playing any games, when availability of home ice dates became a problem, and the Hampton Coliseum was available.<ref name="fun">{{cite web|last=Crossley|first=Drew|date=August 30, 2014|title=Southern Hockey League 1973 Archives|url=http://funwhileitlasted.net/category/southern-hockey-league-1973/|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=Fun While It Lasted}}</ref><ref name="gameworn">{{cite web|last=Eckels|first=Chuck|date=May 25, 2017|title=Hockey in Hampton Virginia|url=http://gameworn.us/hockey-in-hampton-virginia/|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=GameWorn.us}}</ref> [[Claude Chartre]] led the team in scoring with 112 points, and [[Lorne Rombough]] led with 56 goals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls 1974-75 roster and scoring statistics|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002381975.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> Hampton finished the season in second place, and finished runners-up to the [[Charlotte Checkers]] in the playoff finals.<ref name="shl-74-75">{{cite web|title=1974-75 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/shl19741975.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 31, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref><ref name="Mancuso">{{cite book|last=Mancuso|first=Jim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQALBnDckHUC&dq=Southern+Hockey+League+1973&pg=PA10|title=Hockey in Charlotte|date=2005|publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]]|isbn=0-7385-4230-X|location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=75–77|language=English}}</ref>

Before the [[1975–76 Southern Hockey League season]], the team was purchased by Charles Wornom, a city councillor and future [[List of mayors of Hampton, Virginia|mayor of Hampton, Virginia]], for $40,000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amin|first=Reema|date=February 27, 2017|title=Former Hampton Mayor Charles Wornom remembered for his humor, easy-going attitude|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|location=Newport News, Virginia|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/newport-news/dp-nws-hampton-obit-charles-wornom-20170227-story.html|access-date=February 5, 2018}}</ref> The season saw the Gulls sharing the greater [[Hampton Roads]] area with the [[Tidewater Sharks]], another SHL team in [[Norfolk, Virginia]]. [[Art Stratton]] led the team in scoring with 78 points, and Larry Billows led with 29 goals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls 1975-76 roster and scoring statistics|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002381976.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> Hampton repeated the second -place finish in the regular season, and being runners-up to the Charlotte Checkers in the playoff finals.<ref name="shl-75-76">{{cite web|title=1975-76 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/shl19741976.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 31, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1975-76 SHL Playoffs Results|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=shl1974&season=1976&leaguenm=SHL|url-status=live|access-date=February 3, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref>

In the [[1976–77 Southern Hockey League season]], Hampton was affiliated with both the Cincinnati Stingers, and the [[Minnesota Fighting Saints]].<ref name="shl-affiliate" /> The Gulls were in first place when the Southern Hockey League collapsed in January 1977.<ref name="fun" /> Claude Chartre led the team in scoring with 58 points, and [[Pat Donnelly (ice hockey, born 1953)|Pat Donnelly]] led with 23 goals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls 1976-77 roster and scoring statistics|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002381977.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref>

The Gulls joined the American Hockey League for the [[1977–78 AHL season]], and affiliated with the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in addition to Cincinnati.<ref name="ahl-affiliate" /> [[Paul O'Neil]] led the team in scoring with 44 points, and [[Danny Arndt]] led with 20 goals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls 1977-78 roster and scoring statistics|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0003411978.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref> Hampton played 46 games into the schedule, and were last in place when the franchise folded due to financial issues.<ref name="gameworn" />

[[Rod Langway]] played with the Hampton Gulls in the 1977–78 AHL season, and was later inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls -- Legends of Hockey -- The Legends|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsPlayersByTeam.jsp?team=Hampton+Gulls|url-status=live|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=Legends of Hockey|publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]]}}</ref>

Notable Gulls players that also played in the [[National Hockey League]] or [[World Hockey Association]]:<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls [SHL] all-time player list|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=6027|url-status=live|access-date=February 4, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hampton Gulls [AHL] all-time player list|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=6028|url-status=live|access-date=February 4, 2018|website=HockeyDB}}</ref>

*[[Randy Pierce (ice hockey)|Randy Pierce]]

{{reflistReflist}}

{{Southern Hockey League (1973–771973–1977)}}

[[Category:Ice hockey teamsclubs established in Virginia1974]]

[[Category:IceSports hockeyin clubs established inHampton, 1974Virginia]]