East Coast Hockey League (1988-1996)
Tombstone
Born: 1988 – ECHL founding franchise
Move Announced: March 15, 1996 (Baton Rouge Kingfish)1ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Capitol City gets hockey”. The Advertiser (Lafayette, LA). March 16, 1996
First Game:
Final Game: March 24, 1996
Riley Cup Championships: None
Arena
Tullio Arena (5,477)
Marketing
Team Colors: Black, White & Silver
Ownership
Owners:
- ???? – 1996: Jim Clark, et al.
Background
The Erie Panthers were one of five founding members of the East Coast Hockey League in 1988. The club lasted for eight seasons in Erie, playing at Louis J. Tullio Arena.
In their early years, the Panthers were competitive. The team made the Riley Cup playoffs in each of their first five seasons. The Panthers fell behind in later years though, failing to make the playoffs during their final three seasons in town. Attendance dipped below 3,000 fans per game by the mid-1990’s.
Former NHL journeyman goaltender Peter Skudra played 12 games for the Panthers during their final season in Erie. Skudra is the most prominent former Panther to make it to the NHL.
Move To Baton Rouge
At the end of the 1995-96 season, the Panthers moved to Louisiana where they became known as the Baton Rouge Kingfish (1996-2004). A subsequent move in 2004 saw the franchise relocate to British Columbia as the Victoria Salmon Kings. The Salmon Kings went out of business in 2011.
After the Panthers left town in 1996, they were replaced by the Erie Otters of the major junior Ontario Hockey League. The Otters continue to play in Erie today.
Erie Panthers Shop
Downloads
10-19-1990 Panthers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones Pre-Season Roster
10-19-1990 Erie Panthers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones Pre-Season Roster
1991-92 Erie Panthers Corporate Sales Brochure
1995-96 Erie Panthers Corporate Sales Brochure
Links
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