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Team and League History

January 3, 1991
Art Clarkson, former owner of the Southern League's Birmingham Barons baseball club, says he has his sights set on bringing hockey back to Birmingham.

Clarkson's desire is to bring an East Coast Hockey League franchise to the city. "We've talked, but that's about all. It's not something I'm really pushing. I think it's a sweet little deal that I'd like to be involved in. But if it doesn't work, then I'll walk away without a problem."

The ECHL began play three years ago and is currently run by commissioner Pat Kelly, who was a head coach during the first year of the World Hockey Association's Birmingham Bulls in 1976. "I remember some big crowds a the Civic Center for Bobby Hull and the Winnipeg Jets, and some not so big crowds for the other teams."

The league was founded by Henry Brabham and Bill Coffey. The ECHL has been one of the most successful leagues in professional sports over the last four years, growing from five teams in their inaugural season in 1988-89 to fifteen teams last season.

Clarkson is impressed by what he's seen of the new league. "I like the league. They are trying to do it the right way. The franchise fee is low ($100,000), and the season would not conflict with baseball. That's one reason I didn't want to become involved with the (World Football League's Birmingham Fire) football team here. It would bump heads with the baseball team." The ECHL plays a 64-game schedule that ends by the middle of April.

"I think we could make a go of it in Birmingham. I think there's a market for it. I just hope we get a chance to give it a shot," Clarkson said.

If Clarkson is successful, there will be no name the team contest, however. Clarkson says the team would be named the Birmingham Bulls.

January 25, 1991
Clarkson announces that he has officially submitted a franchise application to the ECHL. "Getting hockey on the ice depends on three things. One, getting the franchise. Two, working out an agreement with the Civic Center. Three, establishing working agreements with at least two National Hockey League teams. I'm optimistic about all three. I have talked with other leagues, but I want in the East Coast League."

Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center director Jack Boggan confirmed that he has spoken with Clarkson. "We're in the process of attempting to negotiate a contract with Art. We'd be delighted to have hockey back, and the East Coast Hockey League is a stable minor league. I haven't heard anything else from the league that came in here last year (the Global Hockey League). They haven't bothered to follow up on anything with us since the league decided not to operate this season."

March 9, 1991
Clarkson says his bid for an ECHL franchise has been met with some resistance because Birmingham is too far away from the rest of the league teams for some of the owners. "Basically, I'd say the chance for hockey in Birmingham for 1991-92 is really remote. That doesn't mean we won't pursue it. Our bid wasn't voted down, just put on the shelf. Everything was in order with our bid, but the opposition is to location. The response locally has been unbelievable. I know hockey can be - will be - successful in Birmingham. I've set April 1st as the drop-dead date for getting a franchise for next year."

February 2, 1992
Henry Brabham, owner of the ECHL's Roanoke Valley Rebels, says he is negotiating the sale of his club with two different parties, both of whom want to move the franchise to Birmingham.

Brabham cited poor attendance and increasing costs in the fast-growing ECHL as the prime reasons. The Rebels ranked second to last in total attendance.

He has received offers from former Greensboro Monarchs owner Bill Coffey and current Nashville Knights owner Godfrey Wood. Wood is representing a group headed by Cincinnati Cyclones owners Ron Fuller, Doug Kyrchhofer, and Bob Polk.

The amount of both bids is believed to be around $250,000. Brabham says that both offers will be taken to the ECHL's board this week for a vote.

July 2, 1992
It is announced that Birmingham will be fielding a team in the East Coast Hockey League for the 1992-93 season. The Cincinnati Cyclones, the ECHL's most successful team last year, will be relocating to Birmingham.

	Head coach Bruce Garber

The group that owns the Cyclones was granted a new franchise in the International Hockey League, a step up in play for the city. They also retained the rights to an ECHL franchise. Clarkson was instrumental in persuading the group to bring their ECHL franchise to Birmingham.

Clarkson's official title is team consultant, but will also be the primary minority owner. The ownership group is comprised of Doug Kirchhofer, Bob Polk, and brothers Ron and Robert Fuller. Ron Fuller is best known as the former professional wrestler known as the Tennessee Stud.

At the press conference, Clarkson announced that the team will be known as the Birmingham Bulls. "The name Bulls is familiar to hockey fans. We thought it a good name to keep."

Polk, who will be the team's president and general manager, said getting a head coach is a top priority. "I hope to have a coach in eight to ten days. We're talking to three or four NHL teams about working agreements. If we receive a working agreement, that club's general manager will have some say so about the coach he wants to develop the three or four players sent to us."

League play begins in October with 32 home games and 32 road games.

August 13, 1992
Bruce Garber is named the Bulls first head coach. "I'm excited about being the person to come here and help spread the word about hockey. I can't wait to get started. I'm psyched."

The 35-year old Garber's coaching career started in 1981 when he became an assistant coach at Providence College. In 1984, he became a sales manager for hockey equipment manufacturer CCM. During that time, he also worked as an assistant coach at the Community College of Rhode Island. After coaching as an assistant there for two years, he was promoted to head coach in 1986, where he remained for six years.

Garber came highly recommended. "In my five years in the East Coast Hockey League, I have never had two presidents of National Hockey League teams cold call me and recommend a coach, until Bruce," Polk said.

August 19, 1992
Polk announces the Bulls have signed a working agreement with the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

Lou Lamoriello, president and general manger of the Devils said, "We had a great deal of success utilizing Cincinnati as our East Coast Hockey League connection last year. Birmingham's facilities and head coach are both top-notch, and I expect better things yet to come."

October 1992

			1992-93                               East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Bulls		Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers		Erie Panthers		Greensboro Monarchs
	Hampton Roads Admirals		Johnstown Chiefs		Knoxville Cherokees		Louisville IceHawks		Nashville Knights
	Raleigh IceCaps		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Valley Rampage		Toledo Storm		Wheeling Thunderbirds

1992-93 East Coast Hockey League
Southwest Division	Southeast Division
Birmingham Bulls	Greensboro Monarchs
Columbus Chill	Hampton Roads Admirals
Dayton Bombers	Johnstown Chiefs
Erie Panthers	Raleigh IceCaps
Knoxville Cherokees	Richmond Renegades
Louisville IceHawks	Roanoke Valley Rampage
Nashville Knights	Wheeling Thunderbirds
Toledo Storm

October 16, 1992

	Head coach Phil Roberto

In their first regular season game, the Birmingham Bulls beat the defending champions Hampton Roads Admirals and also break an ECHL record. After the Bulls tied the game 6-6 with 20 seconds remaining in regulation play, the Bulls and the Admirals played a scoreless overtime period. During the resulting sudden-death shootout, the two teams combined for a record 21 shots to decide the game.

??? 1993
Phil Roberto is named the head coach. Roberto is a former player of the WHA's Birmingham Bulls.

Roberto's coaching career started last year as an assistant coach with the Bulls.





October 1993

			1993-94                           East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers		Erie Panthers
	Greensboro Monarchs		Hampton Roads Admirals		Huntington Blizzard		Huntsville Blast		Johnstown Chiefs
	Knoxville Cherokees		Louisville IceHawks		Nashville Knights		Raleigh IceCaps		Richmond Renegades
	Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays		Toledo Storm		Wheeling Thunderbirds

1993-94 East Coast Hockey League
West Division	North Division	Southeast Division
Birmingham Bulls	Columbus Chill	Charlotte Checkers
Huntington Blizzard	Dayton Bombers	Greensboro Monarchs
Huntsville Blast	Erie Panthers	Hampton Roads Admirals
Knoxville Cherokees	Johnstown Chiefs	Raleigh IceCaps
Louisville IceHawks	Toledo Storm	Richmond Renegades
Nashville Knights	Wheeling Thunderbirds	Roanoke Express
		South Carolina Stingrays

??? 1994
The Bulls will now be affiliated with the NHL's Florida Panthers.












October 1994

			1994-95                             East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers		Erie Panthers
	Greensboro Monarchs		Hampton Roads Admirals		Huntington Blizzard		Johnstown Chiefs		Knoxville Cherokees
	Nashville Knights		Raleigh IceCaps		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays
	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks		Toledo Storm		Wheeling Thunderbirds

1994-95 East Coast Hockey League
North Division	South Division	East Division
Columbus Chill	Birmingham Bulls	Charlotte Checkers
Dayton Bombers	Huntington Blizzard	Greensboro Monarchs
Erie Panthers	Knoxville Cherokees	Hampton Roads Admirals
Johnstown Chiefs	Nashville Knights	Raleigh IceCaps
Toledo Storm	South Carolina Stingrays	Richmond Renegades
Wheeling Thunderbirds	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks	Roanoke Express

??? 1995

	Head coach Jerome Bechard

Jerome Bechard named head coach.

	Head coach Dennis Desrosiers

Dennis Desrosiers named head coach.















The East Coast Hockey League updates their logo.













???? 1995
The Bulls are now affiliated with the St. Louis Blues.











October 1995

			1995-96                               East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers		Erie Panthers
	Hampton Roads Admirals		Huntington Blizzard		Jacksonville Lizard Kings		Johnstown Chiefs		Knoxville Cherokees
	Louisiana IceGators		Louisville RiverFrogs		Mobile Mysticks		Nashville Knights		Raleigh IceCaps
	Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks		Toledo Storm
	Wheeling Thunderbirds

1995-96 East Coast Hockey League
North Division	South Division	East Division
Columbus Chill	Birmingham Bulls	Charlotte Checkers
Dayton Bombers	Jacksonville Lizard Kings	Hampton Roads Admirals
Erie Panthers	Knoxville Cherokees	Raleigh IceCaps
Huntington Blizzard	Louisiana IceGators	Richmond Renegades
Johnstown Chiefs	Mobile Mysticks	Roanoke Express
Louisville RiverFrogs	Nashville Knights	South Carolina Stingrays
Toledo Storm	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
Wheeling Thunderbirds

October 1996

			1996-97                               East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Baton Rouge Kingfish		Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers
	Hampton Roads Admirals		Huntington Blizzard		Jacksonville Lizard Kings		Johnstown Chiefs		Knoxville Cherokees
	Louisiana IceGators		Louisville RiverFrogs		Mississippi Sea Wolves		Mobile Mysticks		Pensacola Ice Pilots
	Peoria Rivermen		Raleigh IceCaps		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays
	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks		Toledo Storm		Wheeling Nailers

1996-97 East Coast Hockey League
North Division	South Division	East Division
Columbus Chill	Baton Rouge Kingfish	Charlotte Checkers
Dayton Bombers	Birmingham Bulls	Hampton Roads Admirals
Huntington Blizzard	Jacksonville Lizard Kings	Knoxville Cherokees
Johnstown Chiefs	Louisiana IceGators	Raleigh IceCaps
Louisville RiverFrogs	Mississippi Sea Wolves	Richmond Renegades
Peoria Rivermen	Mobile Mysticks	Roanoke Express
Toledo Storm	Pensacola Ice Pilots	South Carolina Stingrays
Wheeling Nailers	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks

October 1997

			1997-98                             East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Baton Rouge Kingfish		Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Chesapeake Icebreakers		Columbus Chill
	Dayton Bombers		Hampton Roads Admirals		Huntington Blizzard		Jacksonville Lizard Kings		Johnstown Chiefs
	Louisiana IceGators		Louisville RiverFrogs		Mississippi Sea Wolves		Mobile Mysticks		New Orleans Brass
	Pee Dee Pride		Pensacola Ice Pilots		Peoria Rivermen		Raleigh IceCaps		Richmond Renegades
	Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks		Toledo Storm		Wheeling Nailers

1997-98 East Coast Hockey League
Northern Conference		Southern Conference
Northwest Division	Northeast Division	Southwest Division	Southeast Division
Columbus Chill	Chesapeake Icebreakers	Baton Rouge Kingfish	Charlotte Checkers
Dayton Bombers	Hampton Roads Admirals	Birmingham Bulls	Jacksonville Lizard Kings
Huntington Blizzard	Johnstown Chiefs	Louisiana IceGators	Pee Dee Pride
Louisville RiverFrogs	Richmond Renegades	Mississippi Sea Wolves	Raleigh IceCaps
Peoria Rivermen	Roanoke Express	Mobile Mysticks	South Carolina Stingrays
Toledo Storm	Wheeling Nailers	New Orleans Brass	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
		Pensacola Ice Pilots

??? 1998
Clarkson sells the Bulls to the Berkman Group for around $2.3 million.

January 2, 1998

	Center Jamey Hicks

In Pensacola against the Ice Pilots, Birmingham Bulls center Jamey Hicks scores hockey's only shorthanded, natural hat trick ever. This feat has never been done before in any league, at any level.











October 1998

			1998-99                             East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Augusta Lynx		Baton Rouge Kingfish		Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers		Chesapeake Icebreakers
	Columbus Chill		Dayton Bombers		Florida Everblades		Greenville Grrrowl		Hampton Roads Admirals
	Huntington Blizzard		Jacksonville Lizard Kings		Johnstown Chiefs		Louisiana IceGators		Miami Matadors
	Mississippi Sea Wolves		Mobile Mysticks		New Orleans Brass		Pee Dee Pride		Pensacola Ice Pilots
	Peoria Rivermen		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
	Toledo Storm		Wheeling Nailers

1998-99 East Coast Hockey League
Northern Conference		Southern Conference
Northwest Division	Northeast Division	Southwest Division	Southeast Division
Columbus Chill	Chesapeake Icebreakers	Baton Rouge Kingfish	Augusta Lynx
Dayton Bombers	Hampton Roads Admirals	Birmingham Bulls	Charlotte Checkers
Huntington Blizzard	Johnstown Chiefs	Louisiana IceGators	Florida Everblades
Peoria Rivermen	Richmond Renegades	Mississippi Sea Wolves	Greenville Grrrowl
Toledo Storm	Roanoke Express	Mobile Mysticks	Jacksonville Lizard Kings
Wheeling Nailers		New Orleans Brass	Miami Matadors
		Pensacola Ice Pilots	Pee Dee Pride
		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks	South Carolina Stingrays

???, ???
The Bulls had to postpone their season opener because the ice had not properly frozen. Just before the game was to start, Bulls officials wanted the Bulls logo at center ice. However, the ice did not properly set and holes developed in the ice that ran down to the arena floor.

October 1999

			1999-00                             East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Arkansas RiverBlades		Augusta Lynx		Baton Rouge Kingfish		Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers
	Dayton Bombers		Florida Everblades		Greensboro Generals		Greenville Grrrowl		Hampton Roads Admirals
	Huntington Blizzard		Jackson Bandits		Jacksonville Lizard Kings		Johnstown Chiefs		Louisiana IceGators
	Mississippi Sea Wolves		Mobile Mysticks		New Orleans Brass		Pee Dee Pride		Pensacola Ice Pilots
	Peoria Rivermen		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express		South Carolina Stingrays		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
	Toledo Storm		Trenton Titans		Wheeling Nailers

1999-00 East Coast Hockey League
Northern Conference		Southern Conference
Northwest Division	Northeast Division	Southwest Division	Southeast Division
Dayton Bombers	Charlotte Checkers	Arkansas RiverBlades	Augusta Lynx
Huntington Blizzard	Greensboro Generals	Baton Rouge Kingfish	Florida Everblades
Johnstown Chiefs	Hampton Roads Admirals	Birmingham Bulls	Greenville Grrrowl
Peoria Rivermen	Richmond Renegades	Jackson Bandits	Jacksonville Lizard Kings
Toledo Storm	Roanoke Express	Louisiana IceGators	Pee Dee Pride
Wheeling Nailers	Trenton Titans	Mississippi Sea Wolves	South Carolina Stingrays
		Mobile Mysticks	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
		New Orleans Brass
		Pensacola Ice Pilots

March 1, 2000
The ECHL is forcing the Bulls to forfeit three games due to playing an ineligible player. Defenseman Dereck Gosselin was picked up from Mobile last week and ECHL rules prohibit a player from competing for more than one team within the same ownership group during the same season. Gosselin played for the Jacksonville Lizard Kings earlier in the year before playing with the Mobile Mystics. The Jacksonville and Birmingham franchises are both owned by the Berkman Group. Gosselin, who was since put on waivers, has been picked up by the Arkansas RiverBlades.

Felix said, "As soon as I was contacted, although having a difference of opinion, I said I understand your position and we'll put him on waivers immediately. It's not like we're trying to cover it up. The rule as I understood it was we could not trade with a related team, that since the guy had gone from Jacksonville to Mobile - since it's not a direct trade or involvement - that it wouldn't be a problem." When asked about the game forfeitures, Felix said, "Do I think it's fair? No. Is it according to the rules? The answer is yes."

April 2, 2000
It is announced that the ownership of the Bulls has decided not to renew the contract of head coach Dennis Desrosiers. Desrosiers was hired in 1995 by the former owner of the Bulls, Art Clarkson, and his contract expired at the end of this season. Desrosiers said he decided after Christmas that he didn't want to return next season and informed Felix during a meeting in February. "I don't like the way they run their business. They can run their business any way they want to, but I don't have to be a part of it," Desrosiers said.

The Bulls finished the season 29-37-4 and missed the playoffs for the first time in the past four seasons. The Bulls lost 18 of their final 20 games, including three forfeited victories for using an ineligible player. Desrosiers said the team's ownership structure also makes it too difficult to sign players. Felix's ownership group also owns the Jacksonville Lizard Kings and Pensacola Ice Pilots.

Desrosiers said the team's front office "made moves that killed this team," and questioned the value of the team's scouts, including Josh Felix, son of Bulls president Charles Felix. Josh Felix is listed in the Bulls' program as director of scouting, and Joe Bucchino as director of hockey operations. Josh Felix recently completed college in North Carolina, and Bucchino lives in New Hampshire and did not attend a Bulls game this season. "Where's the qualifications? Where are these people and what are they doing?" Desrosiers asked. Felix defended the team's front office, and said Bucchino, who handles personnel for all three teams, does most of his advance scouting of junior players from home. Felix said his son Josh often scouted games in North Carolina while attending school. Felix said Josh's position recently was changed to director of sports operations.

"You need to be a good hockey team to sell hockey tickets. There just isn't any respect (from the owners) for the players or for the game," Desrosiers said.

Felix disagreed and blamed Desrosiers for the team's slide. "My commitment to winning is very, very strong. We were in first or second place in January and February. To take that team and have it finish the way it did is pretty amazing."

April 4, 2000
Reports are surfacing that the Bulls paid nearly $4,000 per week extra to players during their 1997 season, the last year that Art Clarkson was the team's owner. According to documents, extra payments ranged from $50 to $400 per player per week. One document, addressed to an agent and dated 07/29/1997, says the Bulls agree to pay two players $20,000 for the season. The document, signed by head coach Dennis Desrosiers, states "The payment has to show $350 per week for the salary cap. The remaining payment scheduled can be worked out."

Desrosiers said, "I have no clue what you're talking about. And even if I did, what difference does it make? What do I care? What's that got to do with anything? Let me tell you something, Art Clarkson never got fined for cheating. They (the current Bulls owners) got fined for cheating in Pensacola. So what are they talking about? Are they trying to see if Art Clarkson was cheating? He's not in the league."

Clarkson states, "I have never, ever been caught or investigated for any violation of anything in the ECHL. I had a clean, 100% record for six years. That's a fact. You can verify that with the ECHL office."

April 22, 2000

	Head coach Mike Zruna

The Bulls announce Mike Zruna as their new head coach. Zruna had served for three years under former Bulls head coach Dennis Desrosiers before leaving last year to become the head coach of the Western Professional Hockey League's Alexandria (LA) Warthogs. The Alexandria job was his first as a head coach. The Warthogs have since suspended operation, which left Zruna without a job.

According to Felix, Zruna's close ties to Desrosiers didn't hamper his chances at becoming the Bulls head coach. "He had his own way of coaching and bringing up young players. It's a break from how Dennis handled the team to Mike. It's not a continuing philosophy."

August 12, 2000
It is reported that the Birmingham Bulls management are in the process of trading center Jamey Hicks to the Arkansas Riverblades. Hicks, a team captain and fan favorite, is perhaps the best player in the history of the franchise. A perennial ECHL All-Star, Hicks holds several team records and was the league's MVP in 1997. He also led the league in assists twice and led the league in scoring in 1997. The Bulls are looking for two players, cash, and future considerations from the Riverblades.

Hicks says he met with Bulls management yesterday seeking a multi-year contract. Instead, he was offered a 30-week contract. "I'm very disappointed. My family and I wanted more than a 6-month deal, and when it became apparent that was the route they were looking at, I had to look at other options. At this point in my career (the Bulls' offer) is not good enough for my family. My production has not gone down. I wanted more security. My wife and I love Birmingham and we don't want to leave. I would have been willing to sign for the same contract I had last year. I know I could make more money somewhere else, but we consider Birmingham our home. We're leaving a lot of friends."

Before their meeting, Hicks said he had spoken with Felix only once in the past three months. "I thought I would have gotten a phone call," Hicks said.

Felix confirmed the Bulls were accepting trade offers, but didn't know who the offers were coming from. "I have no idea. Mike Zruna is handling all of that." Zruna declined to comment.

Felix went on to say, "We made an offer based on what the league requires us to do, which included a 7.5% annual raise. The reason Jamey was not offered a multi-year contract is because it is our policy with all of our teams not to offer more than the one-year, standard ECHL contract. I think Jamey is a good player, but not one player is going to make the team. On the ice, it is based on producing a winning team, not just a winning player. The sports business is always changing, that is what our league is all about."

September 28, 2000
Hicks has agreed to a contract with the Bulls for the 2000-01 season. "This is where I feel comfortable and this is where I belong."

Hicks said the Arkansas offer was attractive because the team would have offered him year-round, long-term stability, and he would have had input as to the club's direction, just as he does with the Bulls. "When I'm in Birmingham, I don't have final say on anything. But my input is taken whether it's off the ice in marketing or on the ice in personnel. (Arkansas) wanted Jamey Hicks off the ice before they wanted him on the ice. That sounded really attractive."

October 2000

			2000-01                             East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Arkansas RiverBlades		Augusta Lynx		Baton Rouge Kingfish		Birmingham Bulls		Charlotte Checkers
	Dayton Bombers		Florida Everblades		Greensboro Generals		Greenville Grrrowl		Jackson Bandits
	Johnstown Chiefs		Louisiana IceGators		Mississippi Sea Wolves		Mobile Mysticks		New Orleans Brass
	Pee Dee Pride		Pensacola Ice Pilots		Peoria Rivermen		Richmond Renegades		Roanoke Express
	South Carolina Stingrays		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks		Toledo Storm		Trenton Titans		Wheeling Nailers

2000-01 East Coast Hockey League
Northern Conference		Southern Conference
Northwest Division	Northeast Division	Southwest Division	Southeast Division
Dayton Bombers	Charlotte Checkers	Arkansas RiverBlades	Augusta Lynx
Johnstown Chiefs	Greensboro Generals	Baton Rouge Kingfish	Florida Everblades
Peoria Rivermen	Richmond Renegades	Birmingham Bulls	Greenville Grrrowl
Toledo Storm	Roanoke Express	Jackson Bandits	Pee Dee Pride
Wheeling Nailers	Trenton Titans	Louisiana IceGators	South Carolina Stingrays
		Mississippi Sea Wolves	Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
		Mobile Mysticks
		New Orleans Brass
		Pensacola Ice Pilots

October 12, 2000

	Co-owner David Berkman		Co-owner Bruce Burge		Co-owner Charles Felix

Felix says this season won't be a make-or-break season, but he did admit that if more fans don't show up this year, the Bulls could be forced to move. The Bulls have failed to make a profit in the two years the investment group he is a part of has owned the team.

"The Bulls are planning to be here (next year). There's no reason why we wouldn't be here. The way the projections look and the way things are going right now, I see us here for at least a few more years," Felix said.

More than likely, this would mean three years, which is the remaining length of the team's contract with the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Felix refused to commit to anything beyond that timeframe, but said that if the Bulls continue to attract corporate sponsors and ticket sales continue at their present pace, they might make a profit this season.

Zruna added, "As far as I know, the attendance has dropped. But we need to have a good team. We need to make the playoffs. We need to put people in the seats and play an entertaining brand of hockey, and we have to win games. The players' jobs and my job is to come out here and win hockey games and be consistent. Hopefully that translates to butts in the seats."

October 20, 2000
The Bulls postpone their home opener against the Jackson Bandits. The Bandits' chartered bus broke down outside of Jackson around 2:00 PM and they couldn't secure other transportation to Birmingham in time to play at 7:30 PM in Birmingham. However, the Bulls were not notified of the Bandits' problems until around 3:00 PM. Zruna is angry at the Bandits for not letting them know of their problems sooner. "This is totally bush league. I've never seen anything like this, especially in the ECHL. Did their bus break down? Why are they not calling us until three? I don't know, but to me there are some pieces to the puzzle that aren't really fitting well here."

November 19, 2000
Zruna delivers a stern lecture to his players after their tenth loss against three wins by saying if the Bulls did not fire him he promised to make major changes in the player roster. "If I'm still here this week, there's going to be some forwards gone. That's all there is to it. You can't just sit around and wait. We're 3-10-1. We're the worst team in the league. Ken Hitchcock (NHL's Dallas Stars head coach) and some coaches were talking that if you win 60% of the one-on-one battles on the boards, you're going to win 60% to 70% percent of your hockey games. It's not that hard. We're losing the one-on-one battles. Where's the intensity? Where's the will to want to win? I just told them, 'Maybe it starts with me.' I said, 'Maybe if I come in here tomorrow and I get fired, these guys can go on and have a good season.' Unless I'm an idiot, that's a pretty good team in there."

Addressing the growing concerns of the team's future in Birmingham, Zruna said, "It's a business. These guys (the owners) say you have to win games, put people in the building and they're going to be here next year, they're going to still have a franchise or blah, blah, blah. Who knows what the party line is now? We're 3-10-1... we're dead last in the league. It's nothing to be proud of."

Felix said there will be no removal of Zruna at this time.

December 13, 2000
At a press conference announcing the sale of the af2's Birmingham Steeldogs, Bulls co-owner Charles Felix dismissed rumors that the Bulls were not returning for a 2001-02 season next year. "Our majority owner (David Berkman) sees a little growth in attendance and expects another increase after the first of the year. Minor league hockey is going through some rough times, and it's been a little bumpy for everyone. The ultimate decision won't be made by myself, it'll be made by David. Right now, the announcement is that we're staying."

The sale will also give Berkman more time and energy to devote to his hockey teams in Pensacola and Birmingham. "David can direct his passion now toward the Bulls without having to have the concern or decision making relating to the 2 teams here. He can really focus on the hockey team. And his passion is for hockey," Felix said.

There is speculation that the Birmingham Steeldogs new owner, Steven Umberger, has an option to also buy the Bulls at a later date. However, he currently has no intentions of doing so. "I don't know anything about hockey and I really want to do one thing right and that's get the best af2 team on the field. David loves hockey and I'm passionate about football, so at this point, no."

March 30, 2001
Rumors continue to swirl that the Bulls will be sold or will relocate before next season. The Bulls have yet to sign a lease renewal with the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. A lease was to be signed before now, but Felix had requested a week's extension to build a larger season ticket base for next year. Sources say only 600 season tickets have been sold at this point. Overall attendance is running roughly 50% of last year.

According to ECHL president Rick Adams, Bulls ownership asked for a one-year voluntary suspension of operations at a February meeting. The league denied the request because they want to keep a franchise active in Birmingham. "It's not a solution. The Birmingham (club) will continue to operate. It's not a proper long-term solution." When told about Adams' comments, Felix responded, "I wouldn't say we discussed (suspension). We talked about a lot of other cities' situations, and how the league could help cities for next season."

While majority owner David Berkman has met with former owner Art Clarkson several times lately, Clarkson indicates he is more of an advisor to Berkman than a serious threat to purchase the Bulls. The current ownership group still owes $575,000, 25% of the sale price, to Clarkson's group. Felix said the team is being paid for by installments. "The chances of me getting back into it are really a long shot. I don't want to see hockey leave Birmingham. That would be terrible," Clarkson said.

Much of the reason for declining corporate support and sponsorship lies directly with the differences between Clarkson's group and Berkman's group. Bob Sulfstede, co-owner of an upscale clothier, used to award players who scored hat tricks or had a plus-5 game with thousand-dollar suits. Sulfstede-Phillips is still a sponsor, giving a suit to the monthly MVP, but has curtailed its involvement significantly. Sulfstede said things have changed since the Berkman Group hit town, "They're not as close and friendly. A lot of old sponsors have declined." As a business owner, Sulfstede said the new owners might be wise to take a look at Clarkson's philosophies. "If you don't want to look at what other people have done and been successful with, then you don't want to be successful."

April 1, 2001
After their last game of the season, the future of the Bulls continues to be cloudy. The team was visited by Clarkson after the game. "Everything is speculation right now. Just like everybody else, I want hockey back here but in what form it will be I can't tell you."

Regardless of the outcome, the Bulls will probably lose the services of fan favorite Jamey Hicks. "We can't control anything that's going to happen. Both of my kids were born here and this is a special place for me. I'd love for Art to take it over. This is always his franchise whether he owns it or not. I'll be somewhere else next season, but I have a special feeling for this place. I'm going back to my wife and kids in Canada. I'm going to start fresh somewhere else."

In one of the more touching moments, immediately after the game Hicks skated to center ice, kissed his hand and then placed it on the Bulls logo.

April 13, 2001
It is reported that George Shinn, co-owner of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Hornets, has made inquiries into purchasing the Bulls. If Shinn is successful, he will move the club to Atlantic City, NJ where he owns an arena. Shinn already partially owns one ECHL team, the Charlotte Checkers.

"I've talked to (Shinn). But we haven't agreed to anything. There's no letter of intent to sell," Felix said.

The franchise has also allowed the deadline to renew their lease of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena to pass. "We've received an extension and we're working together with (BJCC general manager) Frank Poe," Felix said.

If Shinn's bid fails, the Central Hockey League is on record stating that it would strongly consider placing a franchise here for the 2001-02 season.

CHL commissioner Thomas Berry said, "From the WHA (World Hockey Association) days through the ECHL days, (Birmingham has) had a storied career of success... and difficulties. It is a large enough market, and the facility is quite large. It lends itself to the possibility of being a very good market again. We've had inquiries from several different groups who have expressed an interest in hockey being played there. But we have told all of them that until (the Bulls) decide they are leaving, we're not going to interfere in their business. From a geographical standpoint, it would certainly be amenable to following through to see if the groups that have contacted us would be willing to spend the money necessary to snap them out of their doldrums down there."

Berry said the league's deadline for adding a new team is May.

Birmingham has previously had two franchises in the "old" Central Hockey League, the Birmingham Bulls in 1979-80 and 1980-81 and the Birmingham South Stars in 1982-83. The old CHL folded before the 1984-85 season and was reborn before the 1992-93 season. The 12-team CHL is rumored to be merging with the 13-team Western Professional Hockey League at some point in the future.

Of his interest in the CHL, Clarkson said, "I've talked to a lot of people. I'm an interested spectator. Until someone comes up with the right deal, I'm just looking. I'd hate to see hockey die in Birmingham. It can succeed with the right ownership and management."

Poe said that if a new team become reality, they'd have to move fast to keep hockey here next year. "If thirty days from now, someone comes to me and says he wants to put a team in here, I'd say it'd be tough to find good (weekend) dates by then."

April 17, 2001
Felix announces that a potential new, unidentified owner has entered the negotiations. "We're looking at a partnership. It could be a part-owner, or he could (buy) the whole thing."

ECHL commissioner Rick Adams said he would not stand in the way of the Berkman Group moving the Bulls to another city. "Our desire continues to be to play hockey in Birmingham. We've worked hard with that ownership group to continue that. Ultimately, I can't control whether they come and ask for a relocation. They are in the (first draft of) the schedule, and we are moving forward. In a day, a week, a month, whether that changes, they are beyond the scope of something I can control."

April 18, 2001
Poe tells Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex board members that he has informed Felix that the BJCC could not extend the deadline to sign a renewal lease for the arena for the 2001-02 season. "I told Charles if a new deal can be worked out, great. But if not, we're taking bookings that will be in the hockey season period for other events. I don't know if those dates would cut into the Bulls games or not, but there is a good chance some could."

Most concert promoters want to schedule dates months in advance and Poe says he has no other choice but to protect the BJCC's financial future by booking the events in what has normally reserved for the Bulls. "We make more from two good concerts than we did from the entire Bulls hockey season this year."

Poe said he has extended the lease deadlines several times to accommodate Felix, but could not do so again. "I wanted to give him every opportunity to make this work. The lease that we had been working to extend into next year is null and void. I'm willing to work with a new owner. I realize hockey has some great fans in Birmingham."

Clarkson still denies he has any part of the ongoing negotiations. "Unless I get a deal where they give me 65% of concessions, 50% of parking, naming rights to the building that I can sell for $20-$30 million dollars, I'm not interested," Clarkson jokingly said.

April 19, 2001
Felix confirms that the Bulls could fold as soon as next week unless a local partner is found. "If none of the two suitors come through, the Bulls are done."

May 14, 2001
Felix announces at a press conference that George Shinn has signed a letter of intent to purchase the Bulls. If the ECHL's Board of Governors vote their approval, Shinn will move the franchise, which will remain in the ECHL, to Atlantic City, NJ. According to Felix, Shinn showed no interest in keeping the franchise in Birmingham. The franchise will have a new nickname and logo.

The team will play in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, which has been the home of the Miss America Pageant since 1940 and is currently undergoing a $90 million renovation. The city authority has reportedly guaranteed Shinn $1.6 million in season ticket sales for the next three years.

Shinn currently co-owns numerous sports franchises, including the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Hornets, the Women's National Basketball Association's Charlotte Sting and the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers. In 1985, Shinn tried unsuccessfully to buy the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions after owner Marvin Warner pulled out.

ECHL commissioner Rick Adams wanted the franchise to remain in Birmingham. "It's a very disappointing day in the ECHL. It was not a market that we were interested in leaving. But ownership there was not prepared to operate, and they were not able to find an investor willing to operate in Birmingham."

However, Felix and others agree that minor-league hockey could return to Birmingham. "We want to bring hockey back into this market, working hopefully with some strong local ownership. But we also will be open to interest from other leagues for opportunities to bring hockey back to Birmingham and will not be passive in our pursuit," Poe said.

Former Bulls owner Clarkson agreed by saying, "I don't think it's dead. If the situation's right, I'll get involved. If not, I won't get involved. I still think Birmingham is an excellent hockey community. The six years I was involved proved it. It's a sad day. I hate to see it go, hate to see it happen."

Many fans felt the Berkman Group lacked the ability to run a hockey team successfully and point to the group's history as proof. Over the last few years, the group has folded or moved franchises in Atlanta, Nashville, Quebec City, and now Birmingham. Their Jacksonville franchise sits dormant awaiting the construction of a new facility. One outspoken critic is former Bulls coach Dennis Desrosiers, who is now coaching the United Hockey League's Kalamazoo K-Wings. "It's pretty obvious what happened. When (Clarkson) left, that was pretty much the end. I had my two most miserable years in hockey under those guys. Art was a great businessman and a great promoter, who had great fans. You'd think it'd continue to be good. I don't think (the Berman Group) can blame the fans, players or the city. I think they better look in the mirror. Whatever Art did, that group didn't do because Art had done it. I don't know how many times in that office I heard disparaging comments about the way Art ran things. In the the back of my mind I thought, 'They should take a page out of what Art did.'."

Felix said the main reason for the Berkman Group selling the Bulls is a $1 million dollar loss over the last three years. "This is not an easy thing to do. But the financial partners of this team made the decision to sell. I tried to pull the old rabbit out of the hat, but I couldn't do it. To remove a team is a very, very tough thing to do. But (the move is) economically driven. It's a business."

Epilogue
The Boardwalk Bullies found success on the ice in Atlantic City, winning the Kelly Cup in just their third season. Despite winning a league championship, the fan base never materialized as ownership had hoped.

After four years in Atlantic City the team was sold and moved to Stockton, California in 2005 and became the Stockton Thunder.

In May of 2003, the East Coast Hockey League decides to change its name to the initials ECHL to better reflect their goal of becoming a nationwide hockey league. Also, a new version of the league logo begins to be used.

In January, 2015 the Stockton Thunder franchise was purchased by the NHL's Calgary Flames and moved to Glens Falls, NY to become the Adirondack Thunder.

Champions of the East Coast Hockey League/ECHL
Year	Team	Year	Team
1988-89	Carolina Thunderbirds	2008-09	South Carolina Stingrays (3rd)
1989-90	Greensboro Monarchs	2009-10	Cincinnati Cyclones (2nd)
1990-91	Hampton Roads Admirals	2010-11	Alaska Aces (2nd)
1991-92	Hampton Roads Admirals (2nd)	2011-12	Florida Everblades
1992-93	Toledo Storm	2012-13	Reading Royals
1993-94	Toledo Storm (2nd)	2013-14	Alaska Aces (3rd)
1994-95	Richmond Renegades	2014-15	Allen Americans
1995-96	Charlotte Checkers	2015-16	Allen Americans (2nd)
1996-97	South Carolina Stingrays	2016-17	Colorado Eagles
1997-98	Hampton Roads Admirals (3rd)	2017-18	Colorado Eagles (2nd)
1998-99	Mississippi Sea Wolves	2018-19	Newfoundland Growlers
1999-00	Peoria Rivermen	2019-20	Season cut short: COVID-19
2000-01	South Carolina Stingrays (2nd)	2020-21	Fort Wayne Komets
2001-02	Greenville Grrrowl	2021-22	Florida Everblades (2nd)
2002-03	Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies	2022-23	Florida Everblades (3rd)
2003-04	Idaho Steelheads	2023-24	???
2004-05	Trenton Titans
2005-06	Alaska Aces
2006-07	Idaho Steelheads (2nd)
2007-08	Cincinnati Cyclones

	Years local team participated

			Teams of the                            East Coast Hockey League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Adirondack Thunder 2015-16 to 2024-25		Alaska Aces 2003-04 to 2016-17		Allen Americans 2014-15 to 2023-24		Arkansas RiverBlades 1999-00 to 2002-03		Atlanta Gladiators 2015-16 to 2024-25
	Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 2001-02 to 2004-05		Augusta Lynx 1998-99 to 2008-09		Bakersfield Condors 2003-04 to 2014-15		Baton Rouge Kingfish 1996-97 to 2002-03		Birmingham Bulls 1992-93 to 2000-01
	Brampton Beast 2014-15 to 2019-20		Carolina Thunderbirds 1988-89		Charlotte Checkers 1993-94 to 2009-10		Chesapeake Icebreakers 1997-98 to 1998-99		Chicago Express 2011-12
	Cincinnati Cyclones (I) 1990-91 to 1991-92		Cincinnati Cyclones (II) 2001-02 to 2003-04		Cincinnati Cyclones (III) 2006-07 to 2023-24		Colorado Eagles 2011-12 to 2017-18		Columbia Inferno 2001-02 to 2007-08
	Columbus Chill 1991-92 to 1998-99		Columbus Cottonmouths 2001-02 to 2003-04		Dayton Bombers 1991-92 to 2008-09		Elmira Jackals 2007-08 to 2016-17		Erie Panthers 1988-89 to 1995-96
	Evansville Icemen 2012-13 to 2015-16		Florida Everblades 1998-99 to 2024-25		Fort Wayne Komets 2012-13 to 2023-24		Fresno Falcons 2003-04 to 2008-09		Greensboro Generals 1999-00 to 2003-04
	Greensboro Monarchs 1989-90 to 1994-95		Greenville Grrrowl 1998-99 to 2005-06		Greenville Road Warriors 2010-11 to 2014-15		Greenville Swamp Rabbits 2015-16 to 2024-25		Gwinnett Gladiators 2003-04 to 2014-15
	Hampton Roads Admirals 1989-90 to 1999-00		Huntington Blizzard 1993-94 to 1999-00		Huntsville Blast 1993-94		Idaho Steelheads 2003-04 to 2023-24		Indy Fuel 2014-15 to 2023-24
	Iowa Heartlanders 2021-22 to 2023-24		Jackson Bandits 1999-00 to 2002-03		Jacksonville IceMen 2017-18 to 2024-25		Jacksonville Lizard Kings 1995-96 to 1999-00		Johnstown Chiefs 1988-89 to 2009-10
	Kalamazoo Wings 2009-10 to 2023-24		Kansas City Mavericks 2023-24		Knoxville Cherokees 1988-89 to 1996-97		Las Vegas Wranglers 2003-04 to 2013-14		Lexington Men O' War 2002-03
	Long Beach Ice Dogs 2003-04 to 2006-07		Louisiana IceGators 1995-96 to 2004-05		Louisville Icehawks 1990-91 to 1993-94		Louisville Riverfrogs 1995-96 to 1997-98		Macon Whoopee 2001-02
	Maine Mariners 2018-19 to 2024-25		Manchester Monarchs 2015-16 to 2018-19		Miami Matadors 1998-99		Mississippi Sea Wolves 1996-97 to 2008-09		Missouri Mavericks 2014-15 to 2022-23
	Mobile Mysticks 1995-96 to 2001-02		Nashville Knights 1989-90 to 1995-96		New Orleans Brass 1997-98 to 2001-02		Newfoundland Growlers 2018-19 to 2023-24		Norfolk Admirals 2015-16 to 2024-25
	Ontario Reign 2008-09 to 2014-15		Orlando Solar Bears 2012-13 to 2024-25		Pee Dee Pride 1997-98 to 2004-05		Pensacola Ice Pilots 1996-97 to 2007-08		Peoria Rivermen 1996-97 to 2004-05
	Phoenix RoadRunners 2005-06 to 2008-09		Quad City Mallards 2014-15 to 2017-18		Raleigh Icecaps 1991-92 to 1997-98		Rapid City Rush 2014-15 to 2023-24		Reading Royals 2001-02 to 2024-25
	Richmond Renegades 1990-91 to 2002-03		Roanoke Express 1993-94 to 2003-04		Roanoke Valley Rampage 1992-93		Roanoke Valley Rebels 1990-91 to 1991-92		San Diego Gulls 2003-04 to 2005-06
	San Francisco Bulls 2012-13 to 2013-14		Savannah Ghost Pirates 2022-23 to 2024-25		South Carolina Stingrays 1993-94 to 2024-25		Stockton Thunder 2005-06 to 2014-15		Tallahassee Tiger Sharks 1994-95 to 2000-01
	Texas Wildcatters 2003-04 to 2007-08		Toledo Storm 1991-92 to 2006-07		Toledo Walleye 2009-10 to 2023-24		Trenton Devils 2007-08 to 2010-11		Trenton Titans 1999-00 to 2006-07 2011-12 to 2012-13
	Trois-Rivieres Lions 2021-22 to 2024-25		Tulsa Oilers 2014-15 to 2023-24		Utah Grizzlies 2005-06 to 2023-24		Victoria Salmon Kings 2004-05 to 2010-11		Virginia Lancers 1988-89 to 1989-90
	Wheeling Nailers 1996-97 to 2024-25		Wheeling Thunderbirds 1992-93 to 1995-96		Wichita Thunder 2014-15 to 2023-24		Winston-Salem Thunderbirds 1989-90 to 1991-92		Worcester Railers 2017-18 to 2024-25

Stockton Thunder logo 2005-06 to 2014-15   Adirondack Thunder logo 2015-16 to 2017-18   Adirondack Thunder logo 2018-19 to present

East Coast Hockey League logo 2003-04 to 2015-16   ECHL logo 2016-17 to present

Contact Gene Crowley
Last update: January 07, 2025