Louisville RiverFrogs

East Coast Hockey League (1995-1998)

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Louisville Riverfrogs
Logo T-Shirt

C’mon … it’s not THAT bad…

In February 1997 The Hockey News ranked the logos of all 55 clubs in the American, International and East Coast Hockey Leagues. The newspaper rated the RiverFrogs’ 55th – dead last – in their survey. 

 

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Background

The Louisville RiverFrogs were a mid-tier minor league hockey club that played for three seasons at Louisville’s Broadbent Arena during the mid/late 1990’s. The ownership group of the Louisville’s popular Redbirds minor league baseball team purchased the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) franchise for a $1 million expansion fee in March 1995. The Redbirds’ baseball front office staff handled the day-to-day operation of the hockey team as well.

The RiverFrogs were Louisville’s second go round with the ECHL, following on the heels of the recently departed Louisville IceHawks (1990-1994). The ‘Hawks and the ‘Frogs shared some DNA. Both teams played at Broadbent Arena. Former Pittsburgh Penguin Warren Young was the head coach of both franchises. Minor league lifer Sheldon Gorski was the all-time leading scorer for both the IceHawks and the RiverFrogs.

After operating without NHL affiliation during their 1995-96 debut season, the RiverFrogs formed an affiliation with the San Jose Sharks in 1996.

Displacement by the AHL & Aftermath

In March 1998, midway through the ‘Frogs third season of play, the NHL’s Florida Panthers announced they would establish a new top farm club at Louisville’s Freedom Hall for the 1998-99 season. As part of the announcement, the RiverFrogs ownership group simultaneously sold their ECHL franchise to a Miami-based group who would move the team to South Florida immediately after the season.

The franchise shifts proved unhappy for both teams. The RiverFrogs became the Miami Matadors and lasted only one season in Florida before folding in 1999. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers’ farm club that displaced the ‘Frogs, the Louisville Panthers of the American Hockey League, played only two seasons at Freedom Hall before going out of business as well.

Trivia

Only three RiverFrogs players ever skated in the NHL and all were goaltenders. Phillippe DeRouville and David Goverde each had a cup of coffee in the NHL before playing in Louisville. Dieter Kochan (Louisville ’97-’98) was the only Frog to advance to the NHL after playing in Louisville.

The team’s mascot was named Rowdy the Rockin’ RiverFrog.

Louisville RiverFrogs Shop

Links

ECHL Media Guides

East Coast Hockey League / ECHL Programs

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