Alabama Slammers (hockey): Difference between revisions
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{{about|the hockey team|the women's football team|Alabama Slammers}} | {{about|the hockey team|the women's football team|Alabama Slammers}} | ||
The '''Alabama Slammers''' were a [[List of professional sports teams from Birmingham#Hockey|professional ice hockey]] team which was a member of the World Hockey Association 2 and played their home games at the [[Pelham Civic Complex]]. The Slammers, like the other five teams in the league, were purchased or founded by real estate mogul David Waronker | The '''Alabama Slammers''' were a [[List of professional sports teams from Birmingham#Hockey|professional ice hockey]] team which was a member of the World Hockey Association 2 (WHA2) and played their home games at the [[Pelham Civic Complex]]. The Slammers, like the other five teams in the league, were purchased or founded by real estate mogul David Waronker. They were coached to a 34-26 record by former NHL center [[Garry Unger]], but defeated by the Macon Trax in the semifinal round of the WHA2 playoffs. The league folded after one season. Half the remaining teams moved to the Southern Professional Hockey League, but the Slammers and two others folded. | ||
The league | == History == | ||
The World Hockey Association 2 was founded in [[2003]] as a minor league farm system for the proposed revival of the World Hockey Association (WHA). While the WHA2 was established, the WHA never got off the ground. | |||
In May 2003, the WHA2 announced [[Birmingham]] had been granted a franchise, however [[Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center]] officials stated they would not sign a lease until the WHA2 settled disputes with the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) over Waronker pulling four teams from that league to join the WHA2. The two leagues announced an agreement later in the month. Shortly thereafter, Taylor Hall, president of Alabama Professional Hockey, announced an agreement for Birmingham's WHA2 team to play at the 3,500-seat [[Pelham Civic Complex]] arena. On [[June 10]], Hall introduces Garry Unger as the team's head coach. On [[July 29]], the team's name was announced as the Alabama Slammers. | |||
The WHA2 season began in November. The Slammers got off to a rocky start, losing their first four games, although two were close, one being lost in overtime and the other in a shootout. The Slammers then won the next four games. Ultimately, they went on to a 34-24 record in the regular season, which was second in the league. Sadly, they lost their first two playoff games in April [[2004]] to the Macon Trax, eliminating them. | |||
After the conclusion of the season, the WHA2 announced it was folding and the teams would be joining the reincarnated Eastern Hockey League. (This league ultimately became part of the Southern Professional Hockey League.) The WHA2 board of governors cited a lack of support, direction, leadership, and proven ability to see the WHA materialize into a major professional hockey league. | |||
Over the spring and summer, the Slammers attempted to renew their lease at the Pelham Civic Complex, but the city refused until their debts from the first season were paid. The Slammers, attempting to bring in new investors, said they had to have the lease extension before they had the money to pay the debts. This catch-22 situation continued until the team could no longer pay its employees, including coach Unger. Finally, on [[August 3]], the team announced it was suspending operations. | |||
== 2003–04 roster == | == 2003–04 roster == | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alabama_Slammers&oldid=369993700 Alabama Slammers]. (June 24, 2010). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed August 19, 2010. | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alabama_Slammers&oldid=369993700 Alabama Slammers]. (June 24, 2010). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed August 19, 2010. | ||
* Crowley, Gene. (April 2, 2008). "[http://www.birminghamprosports.com/alabamaslammers2history.htm Alabama Slammers Team & League History]." Accessed August 20, 2010. | |||
[[Category:Hockey]] | [[Category:Hockey]] | ||
[[Category:Professional teams]] | [[Category:Professional teams]] | ||
[[Category:Pelham]] | [[Category:Pelham]] |
Revision as of 13:11, 20 August 2010
Alabama Slammers | |
Sport | Hockey |
---|---|
League | World Hockey Association 2 |
Active | 2003–2004 |
Home arena | Pelham Civic Complex |
Record | 34-26 |
Coach | Garry Unger |
General manager | N/A |
Website | defunct |
- This article is about the hockey team. For the women's football team, see Alabama Slammers.
The Alabama Slammers were a professional ice hockey team which was a member of the World Hockey Association 2 (WHA2) and played their home games at the Pelham Civic Complex. The Slammers, like the other five teams in the league, were purchased or founded by real estate mogul David Waronker. They were coached to a 34-26 record by former NHL center Garry Unger, but defeated by the Macon Trax in the semifinal round of the WHA2 playoffs. The league folded after one season. Half the remaining teams moved to the Southern Professional Hockey League, but the Slammers and two others folded.
History
The World Hockey Association 2 was founded in 2003 as a minor league farm system for the proposed revival of the World Hockey Association (WHA). While the WHA2 was established, the WHA never got off the ground.
In May 2003, the WHA2 announced Birmingham had been granted a franchise, however Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center officials stated they would not sign a lease until the WHA2 settled disputes with the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) over Waronker pulling four teams from that league to join the WHA2. The two leagues announced an agreement later in the month. Shortly thereafter, Taylor Hall, president of Alabama Professional Hockey, announced an agreement for Birmingham's WHA2 team to play at the 3,500-seat Pelham Civic Complex arena. On June 10, Hall introduces Garry Unger as the team's head coach. On July 29, the team's name was announced as the Alabama Slammers.
The WHA2 season began in November. The Slammers got off to a rocky start, losing their first four games, although two were close, one being lost in overtime and the other in a shootout. The Slammers then won the next four games. Ultimately, they went on to a 34-24 record in the regular season, which was second in the league. Sadly, they lost their first two playoff games in April 2004 to the Macon Trax, eliminating them.
After the conclusion of the season, the WHA2 announced it was folding and the teams would be joining the reincarnated Eastern Hockey League. (This league ultimately became part of the Southern Professional Hockey League.) The WHA2 board of governors cited a lack of support, direction, leadership, and proven ability to see the WHA materialize into a major professional hockey league.
Over the spring and summer, the Slammers attempted to renew their lease at the Pelham Civic Complex, but the city refused until their debts from the first season were paid. The Slammers, attempting to bring in new investors, said they had to have the lease extension before they had the money to pay the debts. This catch-22 situation continued until the team could no longer pay its employees, including coach Unger. Finally, on August 3, the team announced it was suspending operations.
2003–04 roster
- #30 Jamie Ronayne
- #34 Jeff Kilgore
- #17 Bobby Quinnell
- #18 Jorin Welsh
- #29 Mark Loeding
- #7 Stephane Desjardins
- #2 Tom Wilson
- #9 Tony Patterson
- #3 Doug Mann
- #15 Hugo Belanger
- #27 Chad Peck
- #16 Jeff Coulter
- #8 Justin Schabes
- #61 Mike Craigen
- #24 Ryan Prentice
- #11 Jeff Mead
- #19 Doug Lawrence
- #44 Everett Caldwell
- #22 Jaroslav Kresec
- #91 Jason Renard
- #15 Jeff Cheeseman
2003–04 record (34-26)
Regular season (34-24)
- November 7: Lost 5-2 vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- November 8: Lost 2-1 (in overtime) vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- November 21: Lost 5-3 vs. Orlando Seals.
- November 22: Lost 8-7 (in shootout) at Macon Trax.
- November 23: Win 5-4 at Lakeland Loggerheads.
- November 26: Win 4-2 at Lakeland Loggerheads.
- November 28: Win 5-4 (in overtime) vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- November 29: Win 3-1 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- December 5: Lost 4-3 vs. Orlando Seals.
- December 6: Win 2-1 (in shootout) vs. Orlando Seals.
- December 12: Lost 6-4 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- December 13: Lost 4-3 (in shootout) at Miami Manatees.
- December 14: Win 4-3 (in overtime) at Miami Manatees.
- December 18: Lost 3-2 at Orlando Seals.
- December 19: Win 6-4 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- December 20: Lost 6-4 vs. Macon Trax.
- December 26: Win 9-3 vs. Macon Trax.
- December 27: Win 4-3 (in shootout) vs. Macon Trax.
- December 31: Lost 6-4 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- January 2: Win 5-3 vs. Miami Manatees.
- January 3: Win 3-0 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- January 8: Win 4-1 at Orlando Seals.
- January 9: Win 4-2 vs. Miami Manatees.
- January 10: Lost 7-3 vs. Miami Manatees.
- January 11: Lost 4-3 at Macon Trax.
- January 15: Win 2-0 vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- January 16: Lost 3-1 at Miami Manatees.
- January 17: Win 5-3 at Orlando Seals.
- January 18: Win 5-3 at Macon Trax.
- January 23: Lost 5-1 at Miami Manatees.
- January 24: Win 5-2 at Lakeland Loggerheads.
- January 29: Lost 3-4 at Lakeland Loggerheads.
- January 30: Lost 7-3 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- January 31: Win 2-1 at Macon Trax.
- February 6: Lost 3-2 vs. Macon Trax.
- February 7: Win 3-2 vs. Macon Trax.
- February 12: Win 5-3 vs. Macon Trax.
- February 13: Win 3-1 vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- February 14: Lost 3-1 vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- February 19: Win 7-6 (in overtime) at Orlando Seals.
- February 21: Lost 4-3 vs. Macon Trax.
- February 24: Lost 4-3 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- February 26: Win 5-2 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- February 28: Win 6-5 (in overtime) at Miami Manatees.
- February 29: Win 3-2 (in shootout) at Macon Trax.
- March 4: Win 4-1 vs. Jacksonville Barracudas.
- March 5: Win 7-4 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- March 12: Win 5-1 vs. Orlando Seals.
- March 13: Win 9-5 vs. Lakeland Loggerheads.
- March 14: Lost 4-2 at Orlando Seals.
- March 19: Win 4-3 at Lakeland Loggerheads.
- March 20: Win 3-1 vs. Orlando Seals.
- March 21: Lost 8-1 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- March 26: Lost 4-3 (in overtime) at Macon Trax.
- March 31: Win 3-1 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
- April 2: Win 9-1 vs. Miami Manatees.
- April 3: Win 8-4 vs. Miami Manatees.
- April 4: Lost 6-2 at Jacksonville Barracudas.
Playoffs (0-2)
External links
References
- Alabama Slammers. (June 24, 2010). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed August 19, 2010.
- Crowley, Gene. (April 2, 2008). "Alabama Slammers Team & League History." Accessed August 20, 2010.