| Hampton Gulls | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Hampton, Virginia |
| League | SHL (1974–1977) AHL (1977–78) |
| Operated | 1974–1978 |
| Home arena | Hampton Coliseum |
| Colors | Black, white, gold |
| Head coach | John Brophy |
| Affiliates | Cincinnati Stingers Minnesota Fighting Saints Edmonton Oilers |
| Franchise history | |
| 1974 | Fayetteville Arsenal |
| 1974–78 | Hampton Gulls |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | One (1976–77) |
TheHampton Gulls were an American minor league professional ice hockey team based inHampton, Virginia, from 1974 to 1978 at theHampton Coliseum. The Gulls played three seasons in theSouthern Hockey League, beginning in 1974.[1] When that league folded in 1977, the Hampton played one season in theAmerican Hockey League.[2] The Gulls were aWorld Hockey Association farm team to theCincinnati Stingers each season.[3][4]John Brophy was the team's only head coach during its existence.[5] Hampton ceased operations on February 10, 1978, part way through its fourth season.[2]
The franchise originated as an expansion team for the1974–75 Southern Hockey League season inFayetteville, North Carolina. The new team was named after theFayetteville Arsenal, and was scheduled to play at the Cumberland County Memorial Arena. In October 1974, owner Bill Raue moved the team before playing any games, when availability of home ice dates became a problem, and the Hampton Coliseum was available.[6][7]Claude Chartre led the team in scoring with 112 points, andLorne Rombough led with 56 goals.[8] Hampton finished the season in second place, and finished runners-up to theCharlotte Checkers in the playoff finals.[9][10]
Before the1975–76 Southern Hockey League season, the team was purchased by Charles Wornom, a city councillor and futuremayor of Hampton, Virginia, for $40,000.[11] The season saw the Gulls sharing the greaterHampton Roads area with theTidewater Sharks, another SHL team inNorfolk, Virginia.Art Stratton led the team in scoring with 78 points, and Larry Billows led with 29 goals.[12] Hampton repeated the second-place finish in the regular season, and being runners-up to the Charlotte Checkers in the playoff finals.[13][14]
In the1976–77 Southern Hockey League season, Hampton was affiliated with both the Cincinnati Stingers, and theMinnesota Fighting Saints.[3] The Gulls were in first place when the Southern Hockey League collapsed in January 1977.[6] Claude Chartre led the team in scoring with 58 points, andPat Donnelly led with 23 goals.[15]
The Gulls joined the American Hockey League for the1977–78 AHL season, and affiliated with theEdmonton Oilers in addition to Cincinnati.[4]Paul O'Neil led the team in scoring with 44 points, andDanny Arndt led with 20 goals.[16] Hampton played 46 games into the schedule, and were last in place when the franchise folded due to financial issues.[7]
Season-by-season results:[1][2]
| Season | League | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Winning Pct (%) | Goals for | Goals against | Standing | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–75 | SHL | 72 | 43 | 28 | 1 | 87 | 0.604 | 323 | 262 | 2nd, SHL | Lost in finals |
| 1975–76 | SHL | 72 | 33 | 23 | 16 | 82 | 0.569 | 262 | 234 | 2nd, SHL | Lost in finals |
| 1976–77 | SHL | 50 | 32 | 16 | 2 | 66 | 0.660 | 198 | 152 | 1st, SHL | League folded |
| 1977–78 | AHL | 46 | 15 | 28 | 3 | 33 | 0.359 | 142 | 171 | 5th, South | Team folded |
| TOTALS | 240 | 123 | 95 | 22 | 268 | 0.558 | 925 | 819 | |||
Rod Langway played with the Hampton Gulls in the 1977–78 AHL season, and was later inducted into theHockey Hall of Fame.[17]
Notable Gulls players that also played in theNational Hockey League orWorld Hockey Association:[18][19]