Richmond Rifles Eastern Hockey League

Richmond Rifles

Eastern Hockey League (1979-1981)

Tombstone

Born: 1979 – The Cape Cod Freedoms relocate to Richmond, VA
Folded: Postseason 1981

First Game: October 25, 1979 (T 3-3 @ Hampton Aces)
Last Game: April 21, 1981 (L 4-1 vs. Erie Blades)

John Mitchell Cup Championships: None

Arena

Richmond Coliseum (9,674)
Opened: 1971

Marketing

Team Colors: Blue, Red & White

Ownership & Affiliation

Owner: Sandy Reiss

NHL Affiliates:

  • 1979-1981: New York Rangers
  • 1980-1981: Winnipeg Jets

 

Background

The Richmond Rifles were a low-level minor league hockey outfit that played for two seasons at the Richmond Coliseum between 1979 and 1981.  The team served as a farm club for both the New York Rangers (1979-1981) and Winnipeg Jets (1980-1981) of the NHL.

The Rifles franchise originated in Concord, New Hampshire in 1978 as the New Hampshire Freedoms, but team owner Sandy Reiss lasted only a month in the Granite State before hauling his club south to the Cape Cod Coliseum.  During the 1979 offseason, Reiss moved again, hoping the third time would be the charm in Richmond.

Richmond Rifles Pinback Button from the Eastern Hockey League

On The Ice

Canadian center Lawrie Nisker, was the club’s all-time leader in goals (85), assists (82), points (167) and penalty minutes (334). Only defenseman Rick Slawson played more games (127) for the Rifles over their two year existence that Nisker (119).

While a handful of Rifles had former Major League experience in the NHL or the WHA earlier in the 1970’s, only one Richmond player went on to earn any significant NHL time after playing in Richmond. Right win Jim Jackson played in 112 games over parts of four seasons with the Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres between 1982 and 1988.

The Rifles played for the championship of the Eastern Hockey League at the end of their second season in April 1981.  They lost to the Erie Blades in four games. Both the Richmond Rifles and the rest of the EHL would go out of business shortly thereafter.

 

Links

Eastern Hockey League Programs

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