2003 ECHL Preseason Team Capsules
October 13, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release
Alaska Aces
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Arena (Capacity): Sullivan Arena (6,251)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Davis Payne, 1st Season
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 21-46-5
Points (WCHL): 47
Overall WCHL Finish: 6th
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 2.92 (5th)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 4.54 (6th)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 17.4% (4th)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 77.5% (6th)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Arena (Capacity): Historic Boardwalk Hall (6,597)
Division: Northern
Coach: Mike Haviland, 3rd Season (83-41-20)
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Kelly Cup Champions - Defeated Columbia (4 games to 2)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 41-19-12
Points: 94
Northeast Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: 4th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.72 (1st)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.11 (11th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.7% (16th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.1% (10th)
Augusta Lynx
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Richmond County Civic Center (6,604)
Division: Central
Coach: Stan Drulia, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Florida Panthers
AHL Affiliate: San Antonio Rampage
2002-03 In Review
Record: 27-39-6
Points: 60
Southeast Division Finish: 6th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.82 (22nd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.56 (22nd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 12.6% (27th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.6% (17th)
Bakersfield Condors
Location: Bakersfield, California
Arena (Capacity): Bakersfield Centennial Garden (9,000)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Paul Kelly (73-57-14, WCHL)
2003 Taylor Cup Playoffs: Lost Taylor Cup Semifinals to San Diego (4 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 41-22-9
Points (WCHL): 91
Overall WCHL Finish: 3rd
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 3.51 (2nd)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 2.58 (T 2nd)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 16.4% (5th)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 85.9% (2nd)
Charlotte Checkers
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Cricket Arena (9,634)
Division: Southern
Coach: Don MacAdam, 5th Season (86-66-27)
NHL Affiliate: New York Rangers
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
2002-03 In Review
Record: 41-28-3
Points: 85
Northeast Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 12th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.64 (4th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.25 (13th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.8% (15th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.0% (12th)
Cincinnati Cyclones
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): U.S. Bank Arena (6,955)
Division: Northern
Coach: Chris Cichocki, 1st Season
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Northern Conference Finals to Atlantic City (4 games to 3)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 36-29-7
Points: 79
Northwest Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: 16th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.57 (6th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.28 (T 14th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 22.4% (2nd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.6% (16th)
Columbia Inferno
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Carolina Coliseum (6,231)
Division: Southern
Coach: Scott White, 3rd Season (83-45-16)
NHL Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks
AHL Affiliate: Manitoba Moose
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Kelly Cup Finals to Atlantic City (4 games to 2)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 47-23-2
Points: 96
Southeast Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: 3rd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.68 (T 2nd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.81 (4th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.9% (3rd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 86.1% (1st)
Columbus Cottonmouths
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Columbus Civic Center (7,500)
Division: Central
Coach: Brian Curran, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Edmonton Oilers
AHL Affiliate: Toronto Roadrunners
2002-03 In Review
Record: 25-39-8
Points: 58
Southeast Division Finish: 7th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 25th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.74 (23rd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.75 (26th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.4% (18th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 78.6% (26th)
Dayton Bombers
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): Nutter Center (9,950)
Division: Northern
Coach: Jamie Ling, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets
AHL Affiliate: Syracuse Crunch
2002-03 In Review
Record: 24-38-10
Points: 58
Northwest Division Finish: 7th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 25th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.65 (25th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.43 (21st)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 13.5% (25th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.4% (19th)
Florence Pride
Location: Florence, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Florence City-County Civic Center (7,426)
Division: Southern
Coach: Perry Florio, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks
AHL Affiliate: Norfolk Admirals
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southeast Division Finals to South Carolina (3 games to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 40-26-6
Points: 86
Southeast Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: T 10th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.39 (11th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.96 (10th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.0% (20th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 83.0% (8th)
Florida Everblades
Location: Estero, Florida
Arena (Capacity): TECO Arena (7,080)
Division: Southern
Coach: Gerry Fleming, 3rd Season (72-50-22)
NHL Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes
AHL Affiliate: Lowell Lock Monsters
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southeast Division Wild Card Game to Greenville (1 game to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 35-23-14
Points: 84
Southeast Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 14th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.32 (14th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.38 (T 19th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.0% (19th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 79.0% (23rd)
Fresno Falcons
Location: Fresno, California
Arena (Capacity): Save Mart Center (13,800)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Blaine Moore (139-119-30, WCHL)
NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks
AHL Affiliate: Cleveland Barons
2003 Taylor Cup Playoffs: Lost Taylor Cup Finals to San Diego (4 games to 3)
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 35-28-9
Points (WCHL): 79
Overall WCHL Finish: 4th
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 3.38 (4th)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 3.26 (4th)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 19.2% (2nd)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 82.9% (4th)
Greensboro Generals
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Arena (Capacity): Greensboro Coliseum (8,570)
Division: Southern
Coach: Rick Adduono, 2nd Season (42-21-9)
NHL Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs
AHL Affiliate: St. John's Maple Leafs
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Northeast Division Finals to Atlantic City (3 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 42-21-9 Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.26 (16th)
Points: 93 Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.93 (T 7th)
Northeast Division Finish: 2nd Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.5% (10th)
Overall ECHL Finish: 5th Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 85.2% (2nd)
Greenville Grrrowl
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): BI-LO Center (7,479)
Division: Southern
Coach: John Marks, 6th Season (177-143-36)
NHL Affiliate: Independent
AHL Affiliate: Chicago Wolves
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southeast Division Semifinals to Columbia (3 games to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 28-36-8
Points: 64
Southeast Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: 22nd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.01 (19th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.64 (24th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 15.4% (22nd)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 79.5% (21st)
Gwinnett Gladiators
Location: Duluth, Georgia
Arena (Capacity): Gwinnett Civic and Culture Center (11,355)
Division: Central
Coach: Jeff Pyle, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Atlanta Thrashers
AHL Affiliate: Chicago Wolves
History: Relocation from Mobile, Alabama
Idaho Steelheads
Location: Boise, Idaho
Arena (Capacity): Bank of America Centre (5,006)
Division: Pacific
Coach: John Olver (146-54-16, WCHL)
NHL Affiliate: Dallas Stars
AHL Affiliate: Utah Grizzlies
2003 Taylor Cup Playoffs: Lost Taylor Cup Semifinals to Fresno (4 games to 2)
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 52-16-4
Points (WCHL): 108
Overall WCHL Finish: 1st
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 3.71 (1st)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 2.58 (T-2nd)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 23.0% (1st)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 84.2% (3rd)
Johnstown Chiefs
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Arena (Capacity): Cambria County War Memorial (4,001)
Division: Northern
Coach: Toby O'Brien, 2nd Season (28-33-11)
NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks
AHL Affiliate: Cleveland Barons
2002-03 In Review
Record: 28-33-11
Points: 67
Northwest Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: 21st
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.97 (20th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.38 (T 19th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 18.9% (12th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 78.7% (24th)
Las Vegas Wranglers
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Arena (Capacity): Orleans Arena (7,773)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Glen Gulutzan (First Season)
NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames
History: Expansion team in 2003-04
Long Beach Ice Dogs
Location: Long Beach, California
Arena (Capacity): Long Beach Arena (6,176)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Kevin Kaminski (22-46-4, WCHL)
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 22-46-4
Points (WCHL): 48
Overall WCHL Finish: 5th
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 2.47 (6th)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 3.89 (5th)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 10.2% (6th)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 77.7% (5th)
Louisiana IceGators
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Arena (Capacity): Cajundome (11,473)
Division: Central
Coach: Dave Farrish, 4th Season (138-56-22)
NHL Affiliate: Minnesota Wild
AHL Affiliate: Houston Aeros
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southwest Division Finals to Mississippi (3 games to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 40-20-12
Points: 92
Southwest Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: T 6th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.46 (8th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.92 (6th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.9% (9th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.0 (11th)
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Location: Biloxi, Mississippi
Arena (Capacity): Mississippi Coast Coliseum (9,150)
Division: Central
Coach: Bob Woods, 3rd Season (85-50-9)
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southern Conference Finals to Columbia (4 games to 2)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 44-24-4
Points: 92
Southwest Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: T 6th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.47 (7th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.93 (T 7th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 19.5% (11th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.5% (18th)
Pensacola Ice Piolts
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Arena (Capacity): Pensacola Civic Center (8,150)
Division: Central
Coach: Todd Gordon, 3rd Season (71-58-15)
NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning
AHL Affiliate: Springfield Falcons
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southwest Division Semifinals to Mississippi (3 games to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 33-30-9
Points: 75
Southwest Division Finish: 5th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 18th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.17 (18th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.35 (18th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 17.4% (17th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.7% (14th)
Peoria Riverman
Location: Peoria, Illinois
Arena (Capacity): Peoria Civic Center (9,919)
Division: Northern
Coach: Jason Christie, 4th Season (134-57-25)
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
AHL Affiliate: Worcester IceCats
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Northwest Division Semifinals to Cincinnati (3 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 48-17-7
Points: 103
Northwest Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: 2nd
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.35 (12th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.51 (1st)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 18.8% (13th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 84.0% (5th)
Reading Royals
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Arena (Capacity): Sovereign Center (7,215)
Division: Northern
Coach: Derek Clancey, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings
AHL Affiliate: Manchester Monarchs
2002-03 In Review
Record: 32-35-5
Points: 69
Northeast Division Finish: 7th
Overall ECHL Finish: 20th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.63 (5th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 4.21 (27th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.2% (6th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 79.4% (22nd)
Roanoke Express
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Roanoke Civic Center (8,642)
Division: Southern
Coach: Tony MacAulay, 2nd Season (15-7-4)
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Northeast Division Semifinals to Greensboro (3 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 42-24-6
Points: 90
Northeast Division Finish: 3rd
Overall ECHL Finish: 9th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.68 (2nd)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.32 (T 16th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.6% (5th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.9% (13th)
San Diego Gulls
Location: San Diego, California
Arena (Capacity): San Diego Sports Arena (12,920)
Division: Pacific
Coach: Steve Martinson (385-115-33, WCHL)
NHL Affiliate: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
AHL Affiliate: Hershey Bears
2003 Taylor Cup Playoffs: Taylor Cup Champions, Defeated Fresno (4 games to 3)
2002-03 In Review
Record (WCHL): 45-22-5
Points (WCHL): 95
Overall WCHL Finish: 2nd
Goals Per Game (WCHL Rank): 3.40 (3rd)
Goals-Against Average (WCHL Rank): 2.53 (1st)
Power Play (WCHL Rank): 18.3% (3rd)
Penalty Killing (WCHL Rank): 86.4% (1st)
South Carolina Stingrays
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Arena (Capacity): North Charleston Coliseum (10,529)
Division: Southern
Coach: Jason Fitzsimmons, 2nd Season (42-22-8)
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Southeast Division Semifinals to Pee Dee (3 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 42-22-8
Points: 92
Southeast Division Finish: 2nd
Overall ECHL Finish: T 6th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.44 (9th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.13 (12th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 21.9% (4th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 82.2% (9th)
Texas Wildcatters
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Arena (Capacity): Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex (6,500)
Division: Central
Coach: Robert Dirk, 1st Season
History: Relocation from Huntington, West Virginia
Toledo Storm
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Arena (Capacity): Toledo Sports Arena (5,361)
Division: Northern
Coach: Steve Harrison, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators
AHL Affiliate: Grand Rapids Griffins and Milwaukee Admirals
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost Northwest Division Finals to Cincinnati (3 games to 1)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 47-15-10
Points: 104
Northwest Division Finish: 1st
Overall ECHL Finish: 1st
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.43 (10th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.72 (3rd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 20.3% (7th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 84.0% (4th)
Trenton Titans
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Arena (Capacity): Sovereign Bank Arena (7,605)
Division: Northern
Coach: Bill Armstrong, 2nd Season (38-24-10)
NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers
AHL Affiliate: Binghamton Senators, Springfield Falcons and Philadelphia Phantoms
2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs: Lost in Northeast Division Semifinals to Atlantic City (3 games to 0)
2002-03 In Review
Record: 38-24-10
Points: 86
Northeast Division Finish: 4th
Overall ECHL Finish: T 10th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 3.18 (17th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 2.88 (5th)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 20.1% (8th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 81.7% (15th)
Wheeling Nailers
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Arena (Capacity): Wheeling Civic Center (5,406)
Division: Northern
Coach: Pat Bingham, 1st Season
NHL Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL Affiliate: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
2002-03 In Review
Record: 28-41-3
Points: 59
Northwest Division Finish: 6th
Overall ECHL Finish: 24th
Goals Per Game (ECHL Rank): 2.68 (24th)
Goals-Against Average (ECHL Rank): 3.63 (23rd)
Power Play (ECHL Rank): 14.4% (24th)
Penalty Killing (ECHL Rank): 78.6% (25th)
ECHL Stories from October 13, 2003
- Single Game Tickets Now on Sale - Fresno Falcons
- Bombers to Hold Opening Night Extravaganza - Dayton Bombers
- Bombers Receive Connolly from Syracuse - Dayton Bombers
- Going Camping - Kalamazoo Wings
- Royal Review - Reading Royals
- Opening Night Right Around the Corner - Bakersfield Condors
- Ice Dogs Set to Begin 2003-04 ECHL Season - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Steelheads Season Opener Just Days Away - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators Weekly - Atlanta Gladiators
- Game On - Bakersfield Condors
- Grizzlies Weekly - Utah Grizzlies
- Toledo Storm Reaquire the rights to Moore - Toledo Walleye
- Lynx Play Pre-Season Pair - Augusta Lynx
- Storm Tracks - Toledo Walleye
- Aces Already ECHL Power - At the Gate - Alaska Aces
- Florida Goes 1-1 in Preseason - Florida Everblades
- 2003 ECHL Preseason Team Capsules - ECHL
- ECHL Opening Weekend Approaches - ECHL
- Gulls Begin First Season in ECHL Saturday - San Diego Gulls
- Komet Camp Opens - Fort Wayne Komets
- Wranglers Start Season Friday at Idaho - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Reading Assigned Goaltender; Deal Defenseman - Reading Royals
- IceGators release LaBrosse, Collins - Louisiana IceGators
- Opening Night one of many activities in busy week - Louisiana IceGators
- Royals Weekly - Reading Royals
- Colorado Eagles Cut Five - Colorado Eagles
- Bullies String Together Undefeated Pre-Season, Prepare For Opening Night - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Titans Open 2003-04 Season This Friday - Trenton Devils
- Cyclones Finish Pre-Season at 1-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- 4,600 Tickets Already Sold for Opening Night - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots Release Two Players - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Lynx Back On The Air At Cadillac's - Augusta Lynx
- Nailers Week In Review - Wheeling Nailers
- Get Ready to Party with the Pack - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Express Set to Open 2003-04 Season - Roanoke Express
- Express Set 2003-04 Roster - Roanoke Express
- Pride Weekly - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Ice Pilots Looking for Locker Room Assistants - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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