| Suncoast Suns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| League | EHL (1971–1973) SHL (1973) |
| Operated | 1971–1973 |
| Home arena | Bayfront Center |
| Colors | Green, white, orange, yellow |
| Affiliates | Los Angeles Kings (1972–73) Minnesota Fighting Saints (1973) New England Whalers (1973) |
TheSuncoast Suns was a minor league professional ice hockey team based inSt. Petersburg, Florida, and played home games at theBayfront Center. The Suns began in theEastern Hockey League in 1971, and was a founding member of theSouthern Hockey League in 1973.[1] The Suns ceased operations in December 1973, partway through its third season.
The Suns franchise was started by a group of businessmen who wanted a team in theRaleigh, North Carolina area, but chose St. Petersburg instead due to a suitable arena.[2][3] The name Suncoast Suns was selected by a panel of judges in July 1971 includingJack Russell andAl Lopez because it represented the Tampa Bay area.[4]
The Suns became the first permanent professional hockey team in theFlorida Suncoast area.Lloyd Hinchberger was the team's coach in the first two seasons.[5] ActorJames Garner later owned a part interest in the team.[2]
The team debuted on October 14, 1971 against theGreensboro Generals.[6] In the 1971–72 season, the Suns won 27 games in the regular season, finished fourth place in the southern division, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to theCharlotte Checkers in six games.[3][7] TheCharlotte Observer named team captainGregg Pilling as the player of the year, and Hinchberger as coach of the year. Goaltender Billy Yeo was named a first team all-star.[3][8]
The Suns affiliated with theLos Angeles Kings for the 1972–73 season.[9] The Suns won 30 games in the regular season, finished third place in the southern division, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to theRoanoke Valley Rebels in five games.[10]
In May 1973, the Suns and other southern division teams withdrew from the Eastern Hockey League and founded the Southern Hockey League, due to travel costs of going to northern arenas, and other regulations such as dressing only 14 players for games.[11] Team ownership changed to a local group led by Steve Kirby and Charles Mackey, who hired Paul Caron was hired as general manager, andLarry Kish as the club's new coach.[2] The Suns affiliated with theMinnesota Fighting Saints and theNew England Whalers for the1973–74 Southern Hockey League season.[12] The Suns were experiencing financial issues, declining attendance, and some of the team's owners preferred to lure theJersey Knights to town instead of the SHL team.[3] The Suns ceased operations 31 games into the 72-game schedule, and folded on December 19, 1973.[11]
Notable Suns players that also played in theNational Hockey League orWorld Hockey Association:[13][14]
Season-by-season results:[5][1]
| Season | Lge | GP | W | L | T | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | PIM | Standing | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–72 | EHL | 73 | 27 | 34 | 12 | 66 | 0.452 | 248 | 291 | 1161 | 4th, Southern | Lost in round 1 |
| 1972–73 | EHL | 76 | 30 | 37 | 9 | 69 | 0.454 | 301 | 365 | 1272 | 3rd, Southern | Lost in round 1 |
| 1973–74 | SHL | 31 | 9 | 22 | 0 | 18 | 0.290 | 123 | 176 | 502 | 6th, SHL | Folded |
| TOTALS | 180 | 66 | 93 | 21 | 153 | 0.425 | 672 | 832 | 2935 | |||