1973–74 Southern Hockey League season

The 1973–74 Southern Hockey League season was the first season of the Southern Hockey League. The league was formed when the Eastern Hockey League split in two; the southern teams became the Southern Hockey League, and the northern teams became the North American Hockey League. Four of the six founding members of the SHL came from the EHL, including the Charlotte Checkers, Greensboro Generals, Roanoke Valley Rebels, and the Suncoast Suns. Two expansion teams were added to complete the league, including the Macon Whoopees, and the Winston-Salem Polar Twins.[1]

Southern Hockey League
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The original six teams in 1973–74.
Teams from the EHL Expansion teams

Six teams began the season, but two did not complete the schedule due to financial trouble. The Suncoast Suns folded on December 19, 1973.[2] The Macon Whoopees forfeited a game against Charlotte on January 17, 1974 when players refused to play because of not being paid. The team eventually folded on February 15, 1974.[1] The remaining four teams made the playoffs, with the Roanoke Valley Rebels finishing as James Crockett Cup champions.

Standings

Final standings of the regular season.[2]

GP W L T GF GA Pts
Roanoke Valley Rebels7253190366244106
Charlotte Checkers724427130922786
Greensboro Generals713337128531067
Winston-Salem Polar Twins722644228336354
Macon Whoopees622238224429046
Suncoast Suns31922012317618

WHA/NHL affiliations

Southern Hockey League franchises were primarily affiliated with World Hockey Association teams, however some also had agreements with National Hockey League teams. Summary of WHA/NHL affiliation agreements:

SHL teamWHA parent clubsNHL parent clubs
Charlotte Checkers[3]noneBuffalo Sabres
Greensboro Generals[4]Los Angeles Sharksnone
Macon Whoopees[5]Houston Aeros
Cleveland Crusaders		none
Roanoke Valley Rebels[6]Vancouver Blazersnone
Suncoast Suns[7]Minnesota Fighting Saints
New England Whalers		none
Winston-Salem Polar Twins[8]Edmonton Oilers
New York Golden Blades/Jersey Knights		none

Scoring leaders

Top 10 SHL points scoring leaders.[9]

RankPlayerTeamGoalsAssistsPoints
1Garry SwainCharlotte346498
2Claude PicheRoanoke Valley445094
3Camille LaPierreRoanoke Valley484391
4Wayne ChryslerCharlotte286189
5Howie HeggedalGreensboro513586
6Guy BurrowesCharlotte295281
6Howie ColborneWinston-Salem334881
6Michel BoudreauRoanoke Valley334881
9Kirk BowmanGreensboro235578
9Brian CarlinWinston-Salem364278

Playoffs

James Crockett Cup playoffs.[10]

Semifinals Final
      
1 Roanoke Valley Rebels 4
4 Winston-Salem Polar Twins 3
1 Roanoke Valley Rebels 4
2 Charlotte Checkers 3
2 Charlotte Checkers 4
3 Greensboro Generals 2

References
  1. "Southern Hockey League [1973-1977] history and statistics". hockeydb.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  2. "1973-74 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings". hockeydb.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  3. "Charlotte Checkers Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  4. "Greensboro Generals Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  5. "Macon Whoopees Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  6. "Roanoke Valley Rebels Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  7. "Suncoast Suns Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  8. "Winston-Salem Polar Twins Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  9. "SHL 1973–74 League Leaders". hockeydb.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  10. Mancuso, Jim (2005). Hockey in Charlotte. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 75–77. ISBN 0-7385-4230-X.
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