Hampton Gulls

The Hampton Gulls were an 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, beginning in 1974.[1] When that league folded in 1977, the Hampton played one season in the American Hockey League.[2] The Gulls were a World Hockey Association farm team to the Cincinnati Stingers each season.[3][4] John Brophy was team's only head coach during its existence.[5] Hampton ceased operations on February 10, 1978, part way through its fourth season.[2]

Hampton Gulls
CityHampton, Virginia
LeagueSHL (1974–1977)
AHL (1977–78)
Operated1974–1978
Home arenaHampton Coliseum
ColorsBlack, white, gold
     
Head coachJohn Brophy
AffiliatesCincinnati Stingers
Minnesota Fighting Saints
Edmonton Oilers
Franchise history
1974Fayetteville Arsenal
1974–78Hampton Gulls
Championships
Regular season titlesOne (1976–77)

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.[6][7] Claude Chartre led the team in scoring with 112 points, and Lorne Rombough led with 56 goals.[8] Hampton finished the season in second place, and finished runners-up to the Charlotte Checkers in the playoff finals.[9][10]

Before the 1975–76 Southern Hockey League season, the team was purchased by Charles Wornom, a city councillor and future mayor of Hampton, Virginia, for $40,000.[11] 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.[12] Hampton repeated the second place finish in the regular season, and being runners-up to the Charlotte Checkers in the playoff finals.[13][14]

In the 1976–77 Southern Hockey League season, Hampton was affiliated with both the Cincinnati Stingers, and the Minnesota Fighting Saints.[3] The Gulls were in first place when the Southern Hockey League collapsed in January 1977.[6] Claude Chartre led the team in scoring with 58 points, and Pat Donnelly led with 23 goals.[15]

The Gulls joined the American Hockey League for the 1977–78 AHL season, and affiliated with the Edmonton Oilers in addition to Cincinnati.[4] Paul O'Neil led the team in scoring with 44 points, and Danny Arndt led with 20 goals.[16] Hampton played 46 games into the schedule, and were last in place when the franchise folded due to financial issues.[7]

Results

Season-by-season results:[1][2]

SeasonLeagueGamesWonLostTiedPointsWinning
Pct (%)		Goals
for		Goals
against		StandingPlayoffs
1974–75SHL7243281870.6043232622nd, SHLLost in finals
1975–76SHL72332316820.5692622342nd, SHLLost in finals
1976–77SHL5032162660.6601981521st, SHLLeague folded
1977–78AHL4615283330.3591421715th, SouthTeam folded
TOTALS24012395222680.558925819 

Notable players

Rod Langway played with the Hampton Gulls in the 1977–78 AHL season, and was later inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.[17]

Notable Gulls players that also played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association:[18][19]

References
  1. "Hampton Gulls hockey team [SHL] statistics and history". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  2. "Hampton Gulls hockey team [AHL] statistics and history". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  3. "Hampton Gulls Parent Team affiliate history". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  4. "Hampton Gulls Parent Team affiliate history". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  5. "John Brophy". Elite Prospects. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  6. Crossley, Drew (August 30, 2014). "Southern Hockey League 1973 Archives". Fun While It Lasted. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  7. Eckels, Chuck (May 25, 2017). "Hockey in Hampton Virginia". GameWorn.us. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  8. "Hampton Gulls 1974-75 roster and scoring statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  9. "1974-75 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  10. Mancuso, Jim (2005). Hockey in Charlotte. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 75–77. ISBN 0-7385-4230-X.
  11. Amin, Reema (February 27, 2017). "Former Hampton Mayor Charles Wornom remembered for his humor, easy-going attitude". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  12. "Hampton Gulls 1975-76 roster and scoring statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  13. "1975-76 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings". HockeyDB. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  14. "1975-76 SHL Playoffs Results". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  15. "Hampton Gulls 1976-77 roster and scoring statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  16. "Hampton Gulls 1977-78 roster and scoring statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  17. "Hampton Gulls -- Legends of Hockey -- The Legends". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  18. "Hampton Gulls [SHL] all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  19. "Hampton Gulls [AHL] all-time player list". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
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