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. Facing declining attendance, the franchise moved to Louisiana in 1996 and became the Baton Rouge Kingfish.
The Tallahassee Tiger Sharks were a mid-level minor league hockey club that played seven seasons in the East Coast Hockey League from 1994 to 2001. The team was affiliated with the New York Islanders of the NHL. The most impactful player to spend time in Tallahassee was Michael Ryder, who played five games for the Tiger Sharks during the team’s final season. Ryder broke into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in 2003 and recorded 30-goal seasons with Montreal and the Dallas Stars. He won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
East Coast Hockey League (1992-1996) Born: 1992 – The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds relocate to Wheeling Re-Branded: 1996 (Wheeling Nailers) First Game: October 18, 1992 (W 9-3
There are thousands of teams on Fun While It Lasted, but only one – that we know of – named in tribute to former Doors lead singer Jim Morrison. That would be the now-defunct Jacksonville Lizards Kings of the East Coast Hockey League.
East Coast Hockey League (1989-1995) American Hockey League (1995-1997) Born: 1989 – ECHL expansion franchise Folded: June 1997 (Beast of New Haven) First Game: Last Game: April 15,
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