Atlantic Coast Hockey League

For the other league of the same name, see the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (2002).
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. Beginning in 1988 the league merged with the All-American Hockey League to create the East Coast Hockey League (today the ECHL). The Wheeling Nailers of the current ECHL is derived from this league, as are the Victoria Salmon Kings. Jim Riggs (Commissioner) was the commissioner.
==1981-87 Teams==
Team 	Location 	Arena 	Tenure 	Notes
Baltimore Skipjacks 	Baltimore, Maryland 	Baltimore Civic Center 	1981-1982	city gets American Hockey League team
Cape Cod Buccaneers 	South Yarmouth, Massachusetts	Cape Cod Coliseum 	1981-1982	folded February 1, 1982
Fitchburg Trappers 	Fitchburg, Massachusetts 	Wallace Civic Center 	1981-1981	folded early November 1981
Mohawk Valley Stars 	Utica, New York 	Utica Memorial Auditorium 	1981-1985	renamed Mohawk Valley Comets
Salem Raiders 	Salem, Virginia 	Salem Roanoke County Civic Center 	1981-1982	renamed Virginia Raiders
Schenectady Chiefs 	Schenectady, New York 	Schenectady Civic Center 	1981-1981	folded Noivember 11, 1981
Winston-Salem Thunderbirds	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum 	1981-1982	renamed Carolina Thunderbirds
Carolina Thunderbirds 	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum 	1982-1987	join All-American Hockey League
Erie Golden Blades 	Erie, Pennsylvania 	Erie County Field House 	1982-1987	folded
Hampton Roads Gulls 	Hampton, Virginia 	Hampton Coliseum 	1982-1983	Folded February 2, 1983
Nashville South Stars 	Nashville, Tennessee 	Nashville Municipal Auditorium 	1982-1983	relocated to Vinton, Virginia as Virginia Lancers early in 1983-84 season
Virginia Raiders 	Salem, Virginia 	Salem Roanoke County Civic Center 	1982-1983	folded after 1982-83 season
Hampton Jets 	Hampton, Virginia 	Hampton Coliseum 	1982 	replacement team for Gulls, folded within 24 hours due to a lack of players willing to play for team
Birmingham Bulls (ACHL) 	Birmingham, Alabama 	Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center 	1983-1983	Suspended operations October 29, 1983
Pinebridge Bucks 	Spruce Pine, North Carolina 	Pinebridge Coliseum 	1983-1985	folded
Virginia Lancers 	Vinton, Virginia 	LancerLot 	1984-1987	join All-American Hockey League
Mohawk Valley Comets 	Utica, New York 	Utica Memorial Auditorium 	1985-1987	city gets American Hockey League team; Utica Devils
New York Slapshots 	Staten Island, New York 	Phil Esposito Sports Complex (never built, played season on road)	1985-1986	relocated to Troy, New York when arena fell through
Troy Slapshots 	Troy, New York 	Houston Field House 	1986-1986	folded November 17, 1986
===Regular Season Champions===
*1981-1982: Salem Raiders
*1982-1983: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1983-1984: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1984-1985: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1985-1986: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1986-1987: Virginia Lancers
===Bob Paine Trophy winners===
*1981-1982: Mohawk Valley Stars
*1982-1983: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1983-1984: Erie Golden Blades
*1984-1985: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1985-1986: Carolina Thunderbirds
*1986-1987: Virginia Lancers
==Seasons==
*1981-82 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
*1982-83 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
*1983-84 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
*1984-85 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
*1985-86 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
*1986-87 Atlantic Coast Hockey League season
Category:Defunct ice hockey leagues