Sports stats



Kelly Cup, Namesake coming to Florence

March 2, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC – The Florence Pride, proud members of the ECHL, announced today that the Kelly Cup will make an appearance at the Florence Civic Center on Sunday, March 7, when the Pride host the Charlotte Checkers at 2:30 p.m.

The Kelly Cup will appear in 10 ECHL cities over a 44-day span leading up to the 2004 Kelly Cup Playoffs, which begin on April 5. The Kelly Cup tour offers fans the opportunity to view the ECHL championship trophy, which has been awarded since the 1996-97 season. The ECHL retired its first championship trophy, the Riley Cup, following the 1995-96 season. Standing 19 3/8 inches and weighing 25 3/8 pounds, the Kelly Cup features the names of players, coaches and support staff from the last seven ECHL champions. Accompanying the Kelly Cup will be a special display that highlights the intensity and excitement of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Kelly Cup is named in recognition of Patrick J. Kelly, who is one of the founding fathers of the ECHL. Kelly served as Commissioner of the ECHL for the first eight seasons before being named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title which he continues to hold. Kelly celebrated his 50th season in hockey in 2002-03, having begun his career with the St. Catherine Teepees of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1952.

He played professionally for the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, the Troy Bruins of the International Hockey League, and the Greensboro Generals of the Eastern Hockey League. Kelly coached in the Eastern Hockey League from 1965-73 and was head coach and general manager of Charlotte in the Southern Hockey League from 1973-76. He coached the Colorado Rockies in the NHL in 1977-78 and is the only coach to lead the Rockies to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following coaching stops in the American Hockey League, he went to Peoria in the International Hockey League where he led the Rivermen to the Turner Cup in his first season in 1984-85.

"Pat Kelly is a wonderful individual who all ECHL fans should take the time to meet," Pride Senior Vice President Jack Capuano said. "He is looking forward to being in Florence on Sunday and meeting as many people as he can."

Mr. Kelly will be available for pictures and autographs with the Kelly Cup on the concourse from 1:45-2:15, during the second intermission and following the game.

The Pride are home for three games this week. Thursday, the Columbus Cottonmouths come to town for a 7:00 faceoff. On Friday, the Pride host the Greensboro Generals at 7:30 p.m. on "Mac and Cheese Night." Fans are encouraged to visit either Piggly Wiggly or Harris Teeter and purchase a box of macaroni and cheese to bring to the game. The boxes can be used as noisemakers during the game, and following the game, personnel from the Manna House will be on hand to collect the boxes. Sunday, when the Pride hosts Charlotte, is also another Sunday Kids' Day. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for just $2.50, and kids' meals are available for an additional $2.50.

Tickets for all Pride home games are available at the Florence Civic Center Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (843) 679-9333 or www.ticketmaster.com.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from March 2, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central