Pride Granted Voluntary Suspension

April 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release

FLORENCE, SC – The Pee Dee Pride announced today that the ECHL's Board of Governors approved the team's request for a voluntary suspension of operations. The request was granted earlier today on a conference call of the league's owners.

During the conference call, the Board of Governors also approved a Transfer of Home Territory for the membership, from Florence, SC to Myrtle Beach, SC. The team projects on playing in a new arena planned for the Myrtle Beach area in the 2006-2007 season.

Since moving to Florence from Knoxville, Tennessee prior to the 1997-98 season, the Pride have been one of the ECHL's best teams on the ice. In their eight seasons in Florence, the Pride had an all-time record of 312-206-52, a winning percentage of .593. The Pride's record on home ice in the eight seasons was 188-75-22, a winning percentage of .698.

Despite the on-ice success, the Pride's attendance has fallen dramatically over the years, from a high of 5,719 in the team's second season to an all-time low of 2,505 in 2003-04. The Pride's average attendance saw a slight increase this season to 2,660, an increase of 5.9%. Pee Dee's season-ticket base also fell over the years, from a high of 3,300 in year three, to just under 1,100 this season.

"On behalf of the Pride ownership, staff, and players, we would like to thank our corporate sponsors, season-ticket holders, and everyone else who has made Pride hockey possible in the Pee Dee," Pride Governor Fred DuBard said. "We would also like to thank the Florence Civic Center, the Florence Civic Center Commission, and Florence City and County Councils for all of their efforts, especially in the three seasons that Florence Hockey, LLC has owned the team."

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

ECHL Stories from April 12, 2005

• Lynx Finish Season With Two Points On Week - Augusta Lynx
• Columbia's Boulton Suspended One Game - ECHL
• Tailgate Party today - Alaska Aces
• ECHL Transactions - ECHL
• Pride Granted Voluntary Suspension - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
• Mississippi Announces Top Players In April - Mississippi Sea Wolves
• Phillips Named Reebok Hockey Plus/Minus Performer of the Year - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• Nailers Home Jerseys Available on EBay - Wheeling Nailers
• Board Approves Sale of Greenville Membership, Other Moves - ECHL
• Hill Kelly Dodge To Sponsor Ice Pilot Kid Giveaways - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• Brabham Cup Pucks Available To Purchase Beginning At Thursday's Home Game - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• 217 Brabham Cup t-shirts available for season ticket holders - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• Grrrowl purchased by Greenville Sports and Arena, LLC - Greenville Grrrowl
• Salmon Kings Season Wrap-up - Victoria Salmon Kings
• Penn Street to be proclaimed Kelly Cup Drive - Reading Royals
• ECHL Today - ECHL
• Pensacola's Phillips Is Reebok Hockey Plus-Minus Performer of Year - ECHL
• Bakersfield Finishes 04-05 Season with Back-to-Back Wins - Bakersfield Condors

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

• Pride Granted Voluntary Suspension
• Pee Dee Pride Weekly
• Pride's season ends with 5-2 loss
• Pride End Home Schedule With Bang
• Pee Dee Pride Weekly