Southern Hockey League (1973-77)

The Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973. The league began with six franchises and ended with seven, then folded midseason, on January 31, 1977.
The league's playoff championship the Crockett Cup was named in honor of James Crockett, Sr. who was a long time sports and entertainment promoter in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the owner of the Charlotte Checkers, the Charlotte Orioles minor league baseball team, and was a professional wrestling promoter; running Jim Crockett Promotions, which eventually became Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.
==Teams==
Team name 	City 	Arena 	Seasons 	Fate
Charlotte Checkers 	Charlotte, North Carolina 	Charlotte Coliseum 	1973–1977	Fold with league January 1977
Greensboro Generals 	Greensboro, North Carolina 	Greensboro Coliseum 	1973–1977	folded January 7, 1977
Macon Whoopees 	Macon, Georgia 	Macon Coliseum 	1973–1974	February 15, 1974
Roanoke Valley Rebels 	Roanoke, Virginia 	Roanoke Civic Center 	1973–1976	folded after 1975-76 season
Suncoast Suns 	St. Petersburg, Florida 	Bayfront Arena 	1973–1973	folded December 19, 1973
Winston-Salem Polar Twins	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum 	1973–1977	Folded January 7, 1977
Fayetteville Arsenal 	Fayetteville, North Carolina 	Cumberland County Memorial Arena	1974-1974	become Hampton Gulls when could not secure playing dates at arena in Fayetteville
Hampton Gulls 	Hampton, Virginia 	Hampton Coliseum 	1974–1977	Fold with league January 1977
Tidewater Sharks 	Norfolk, Virginia 	Norfolk Scope 	1975–1977	Folded January 7, 1977
Baltimore Clippers 	Baltimore, Maryland 	Baltimore Arena 	1976–1977	Fold with league January 1977
Richmond Wildcats 	Richmond, Virginia 	Richmond Coliseum 	1976–1977	Folded January 3, 1977
Season 	Regular Season Champion 	James Crockett Cup Playoff Champion
1973-74	Roanoke Valley Rebels 	Roanoke Valley Rebels
1974-75	Charlotte Checkers 	Charlotte Checkers
1975-76	Charlotte Checkers 	Charlotte Checkers
1976-77	Hampton Gulls(best record when league folds)	None(League folds January 1977)
==References==
* League history & standings
Category:Ice hockey leagues
Category:Defunct ice hockey leagues