2002-03 East Coast Hockey League Preseason Team Capsules
Published on October 7, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release
ARKANSAS RIVERBLADES
Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Arena (Capacity): ALLTEL Arena (16,377)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Chris Cichocki, 3rd Season (65-55-24)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 31-31-10
Points: 72
Southwest Division Finish: 7th
Overall ECHL Finish: 23rd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.63 (25th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.86 (8th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.3% (9th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 80.8% (22nd)
ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BULLIES
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Arena (Capacity): Historic Boardwalk Hall (10,500)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Mike Haviland, 2nd Season (42-22-8)
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Northern Conference Finals to Dayton (3 games to 1)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 31-31-10
Points: 92
Northeast Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: T 4th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.24 (9th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.90 (T 12th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 16.9% (21st)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.3% (12th)
AUGUSTA LYNX
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center (6,604)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Jim Burton, 3rd Season (58-39-14)
NHL Affiliate: Phoenix Coyotes
AHL Affiliate: Springfield Falcon
2001-02 In Review
Record: 36-26-10
Points: 82
Southeast Division Finish: T 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 12th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.03 (14th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.11 (18th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 16.7% (22nd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 80.2% (24th)
BATON ROUGE KINGFISH
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Arena (Capacity): Centroplex (8,579)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Cam Brown (First Season)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 29-35-8
Points: 66
Southwest Division Finish: 8th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 25th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.60 (T 27th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.39 (27th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 31.8% (17th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 37.8% (29th)
CHARLOTTE CHECKERS
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Cricket Arena (9,605)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Don MacAdam, 4th Season (86-66-27)
NHL Affiliate: New York Rangers
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost In Northeast Division Semifinals to Atlantic City (3 games to 2)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 41-20-11
Points: 93
Northeast Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: 3rd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.56 (2nd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.88 (T 9th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.7% (16th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 84.6% (5th)
CINCINNATI CYCLONES
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): U.S. Bank Arena (12,056)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Malcolm Cameron. 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Northwest Division Semifinals to Dayton (3 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 36-30-6
Points: 78
Northwest Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: 17th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.92 (19th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.88 (T 9th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 15.2% (26th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.3% (18th)
COLUMBIA INFERNO
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Carolina Coliseum (6,231)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Scott White, 2nd Season (36-22-14)
NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks
AHL Affiliate: Manitoba Moose
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southeast Division Semifinals to Pee Dee (3 games to 2)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 36-22-14
Points: 86
Southeast Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: 10th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.93 (T 17th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.74 (5th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.6% (17th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 84.3% (6th)
COLUMBUS COTTONMOUTHS
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Columbus Civic Center (7,500)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Bruce Garber, 2nd Season (24-37-11)
NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens
AHL Affiliate: Hamilton Bulldogs
2001-02 In Review
Record: 24-37-11
Points: 59
Southeast Division Finish: 8th
Overall ECHL Finish: 28th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.74 (22nd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.36 (T 25th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.5% (8th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 80.6% (23rd)
DAYTON BOMBERS
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): Nutter Center (9,950)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Greg Ireland, 5th Season (151-96-37)
NHL Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets
AHL Affiliate: Syracuse Crunch
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Kelly Cup Finals to Greenville (4 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 40-20-12
Points: 92
Northwest Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: T 4th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.08 (12th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.72 (4th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.3% (19th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 86.6% (1st)
FLORIDA EVERBLADES
Location: Estero, Florida
Arena (Capacity): TECO Arena (7,181)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Gerry Fleming, 2nd Season (37-27-8)
NHL Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes
AHL Affiliate: Lowell Lock Monsters
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southeast Division Semifinals to Greenville (3 games to 2)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 37-27-8
Points: 82
Southeast Division Finish: T 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 12th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.88 (20th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.07 (16th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 14.9% (27th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.1% (21st)
GREENSBORO GENERALS
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Greensboro Coliseum (22,000)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Rick Adduono, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs
AHL Affiliate: St. John¹s Maple Leafs, Rocherster Americans
2001-02 In Review
Record: 23-41-8
Points: 54
Northeast Division Finish: 7th
Overall ECHL Finish: 29th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.61 (26th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.86 (29th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 15.4% (25th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 79.8% (25th)
GREENVILLE GRRROWL
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): BI-LO Center (14,108)
Division: Southeast
Coach: John Marks, 5th Season (149-107-28)
NHL Affiliate: Atlanta Thrashers
AHL Affiliate: Chicago Wolves
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Defeated Dayton in Kelly Cup Finals (4 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 43-23-6
Points: 92
Southeast Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: T 4th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.21 (10th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.75 (6th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 18.3% (12th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 85.1% (4th)
JACKSON BANDITS
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Arena (Capacity): Mississippi Coliseum (6,886)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Derek Clancey, 4th Season (105-85-24)
NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks
AHL Affiliate: Norfolk Admirals
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southwest Division Finals to Mississippi (3 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 34-29-9
Points: 77
Southwest Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: 18th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.60 (T 27th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.81 (7th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.8% (15th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.4% (17th)
JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Arena (Capacity): Cambria County War Memorial (4,039)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Toby O'Brien, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames
AHL Affiliate: Saint John Flames
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs Lost in Northwest Division Finals to Dayton (3 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 39-31-2
Points: 80
Northwest Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: 16th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.06 (13th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.22 (T 22nd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.8% (7th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.2% (20th)
LEXINGTON MEN O' WAR
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Arena (Capacity): Rupp Arena (7,500)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Jim Wiley, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Dallas Stars
AHL Affiliate: Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Utah Grizzlies
History: Relocation from Macon, Georgia
LOUISIANA ICEGATORS
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Arena (Capacity): Cajundome (11,473)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Dave Farrish, 3rd Season (98-36-10)
NHL Affiliate: Minnesota Wild
AHL Affiliate: Houston Aeros
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southwest Division Semifinals to Jackson (3 games to 2)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 56-12-4
Points: 116
Southwest Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: 1st
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.63 (1st)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.17 (1st)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 20.0% (5th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 86.4% (2nd)
MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES
Location: Biloxi, Mississippi
Arena (Capacity): Mississippi Coast Coliseum (9,150)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Bob Woods, 2nd Season (41-26-5)
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southern Conference Finals to Greenville (3 games to 1)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 41-26-5
Points: 87
Southwest Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: 9th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.49 (3rd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.22 (T 22nd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.7% (1st)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 78.8% (27th)
PEE DEE PRIDE
Location: Florence, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Florence City-County Civic Center (7,426)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Davis Payne, 3rd Season (64-41-11)
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs Lost in Southeast Division Finals to Greenville (3 games to 1)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 41-25-6
Points: 88
Southeast Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: 8th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.28 (7th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.03 (15th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 20.1% (4th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.3% (13th)
PENSACOLA ICE PILOTS
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Arena (Capacity): Pensacola Civic Center (8,150)
Division: Southwest
Coach: Todd Gordon, 2nd Season (38-28-6)
NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning
AHL Affiliate: Springfield Falcons
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southwest Division Semifinals to Mississippi (3 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 38-28-6
Points: 82
Southwest Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: T 12th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.43 (4th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.36 (T 25th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.3% (20th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 75.0% (29th)
PEORIA RIVERMEN
Location: Peoria, Illinois
Arena (Capacity): Peoria Civic Center (9,894)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Jason Christie, 3rd Season (86-40-18)
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
AHL Affiliate: Worcester IceCats
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs Lost in Northwest Division Semifinals to Johnstown (3 games to 2)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 41-23-8
Points: 90
Northwest Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: 7th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.86 (21st)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.49 (3rd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.5% (18th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 83.8% (8th)
READING ROYALS
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Arena (Capacity): Sovereign Center (7,200)
Division: Northeast
Coach: David Lohrei, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings
AHL Affiliate: Manchester Monarchs
2001-02 In Review
Record: 27-36-9
Points: 63
Northeast Division Finish: 6th
Overall ECHL Finish: 27th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.53 (29th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.99 (14th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 14.3% (29th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 85.2% (3rd)
RICHMOND RENEGADES
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Richmond Coliseum (11,088)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Gord Dineen, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks
AHL Affiliate: Portland Pirates and Cleveland Barons
2001-02 In Review
Record: 32-30-10
Points: 74
Northeast Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: 21st
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.65 (24th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.13 (T 19th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 18.3% (11th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.7% (16th)
ROANOKE EXPRESS
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Roanoke Civic Center (8,672)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Perry Florio, 3rd Season (73-56-15)
NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks
AHL Affiliate: Norfolk Admirals
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Northeast Division Semifinals to Trenton (3 games to 1)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 35-26-11
Points: 81
Northeast Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: 15th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.36 (5th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.10 (17th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.9% (6th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 83.6% (10th)
SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): North Charleston Coliseum (10,529)
Division: Southeast
Coach: Jason Fitzsimmons, 1st Season
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Southeast Division Wild Card Game to Florida
2001-02 In Review
Record: 39-26-7
Points: 85
Southeast Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: 11th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.26 (8th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.13 (T 19th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.4% (2nd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 83.6% (9th)
TOLEDO STORM
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): Toledo Sports Arena (5,361)
Division: Northwest
Coach: Claude Noel, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators
2001-02 In Review
Record: 28-34-10
Points: 66
Northwest Division Finish: 6th
Overall ECHL Finish: 26th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.13 (11th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.68 (28th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 16.6% (23rd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 79.5% (26th)
TRENTON TITANS
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Arena (Capacity): Sovereign Bank Arena (7,605)
Division: Northeast
Coach: Bill Armstrong, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers
AHL Affiliate: Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Philadelphia Phantoms
2002 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Northeast Division Finals to Atlantic City (3 games to 0)
2001-02 In Review
Record: 46-16-10
Points: 102
Northeast Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: 2nd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.31 (6th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.47 (2nd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 18.0% (14th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.2% (14th)
WHEELING NAILERS
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Wheeling Civic Center (5,406)
Division: Northwest
Coach: John Brophy, 2nd Season (36-32-4)
(452-282-76 All Time in 12 ECHL Seasons)
NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
2001-02 In Review
Record: 36-32-4
Points: 76
Northwest Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: 20th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.96 (16th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.89 (11th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 15.4% (24th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.2% (19th)
ECHL Stories from October 7, 2002
- Pelikovsky signs, roster cut to 25 - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Assigned Chouinard From Canadiens - Utah Grizzlies
- Ice Dogs Reduce Roster to 19 - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Condors Trim Roster to 21 Players - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Chiefs Release Seven; add Five - Johnstown Chiefs
- Bombers Introduce Family Section - Dayton Bombers
- Grizz Report for Week of October 7-13 - Utah Grizzlies
- 2002-03 East Coast Hockey League Preseason Team Capsules - ECHL
- Royals Monday Report - Reading Royals
- Everblades Release Four More - Florida Everblades
- 15th Anniversary Season Opens Friday - ECHL
- Proud Papa Goneau skates with IceGators for first time - Louisiana IceGators
- Fan Appreciation Weekend kicks off Wednesday - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Grizzlies Assigned Two Players - Utah Grizzlies
- Kingfish shave roster - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Mississippi Releases Two From Training Camp - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- IceGators' home opener postponed - Louisiana IceGators
- The Icehouse Grrrowl Hour Live from Wild Wing Cafe - Greenville Grrrowl
- Lynx Add Three - Augusta Lynx
- Men O' War Prepare for Opening Weekend - Burlington
- Royals Roundtable Premiers on Comcast CN8 - Reading Royals
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