Amarillo Gorillas

The Amarillo Gorillas were a minor league hockey team based in Amarillo, Texas.[1] The team was most recently affiliated with the now defunct Central Hockey League (CHL) from 2001–10. The Gorillas began play in 1996 as the Amarillo Rattlers in the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) until the WPHL was bought by the CHL in 2001. They would continue to use the Rattlers name until an ownership change in 2002, composed of local businessmen Bill Tolliver, Gary Thach, Joe Gammesfelter, Daryl Felsberg, Kevin Moon, Jay Hedrick, and Shaughn Ogrady. As the Rattlers, the team frequently finished at the bottom of the WPHL and CHL divisions, but made the playoffs four straight years after becoming the Gorillas until the 2006–2007 season. The Gorillas played in the Amarillo Civic Center. The team's most recent head coach was Brian Pellerin.

Amarillo Gorillas
CityAmarillo, Texas
LeagueCentral Hockey League
Western Professional Hockey League
Founded1996 (In the WPHL)
Home arenaAmarillo Civic Center
ColorsBlack, Red, White
Owner(s)Randy Sanders
General managerRobert Simmons
Head coachBrian Pellerin
MediaKPUR (1440 AM)
AffiliatesCarolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Franchise history
1996–2002Amarillo Rattlers
2002–2010Amarillo Gorillas

On May 19, 2010, the Gorillas announced they had ceased operations.[2][3] However, hockey would remain in Amarillo, as the North American Hockey League, a Junior A league affiliated with USA Hockey, named the Amarillo Bulls started play in the 2010–2011 season.[4][3]

Season records

Western Professional Hockey League
SeasonWLOTL/SOLPtsPlayoffs
1996–971739842No Playoffs
1997–9825321262No Playoffs
1998–993138870No Playoffs
1999-002141850No Playoffs
2000–012735862No Playoffs

Central Hockey League
SeasonWLOTL/SOLPtsPlayoffs
2001–021939644No Playoffs
2002–033923280Lost in Quarterfinals
2003–043724377Lost in Semifinals
2004–053120971Lost in Semifinals
2005–063526373Lost in Quarterfinals
2006–073228468Lost in Quarterfinals
2007–0822321054No Playoffs
2008–091942341No Playoffs
2009–102134951No Playoffs

References
  1. "Amarillo Gorillas". Bush League Factor. February 25, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  2. "Amarillo Gorillas Cease Operations for the 2010–2011 Season". Amarillo Gorillas. May 19, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  3. Henry, Dave (May 19, 2010). "No more Gorillas in our midst: Home team on outs; Developmental squad replacing it". Amarillo Globe-News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  4. "NAHL approves Amarillo, Texas membership". North American Hockey League. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
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