Greenville Grrrowl

The Greenville Grrrowl were an ECHL hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. They played their home games at the BI-LO Center. In the 2001–02 season, they won the Kelly Cup.[1]

Greenville Grrrowl
Founded1998
Home iceBI-LO Center
Based inGreenville, South Carolina
ColorsBlack, gold, purple, silver
LeagueECHL
Head coachJohn Marks

The Grrrowl's initial season was 1998–99, with former Chicago Blackhawks defensive star John Marks as their coach. He remained their only coach from 1998 to 2006.[2] They were an affiliate of the AHL Norfolk Admirals,[3] and an affiliate of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers.[1]

The team announced that it was folding on June 2, 2006, after running a US$1,000,000 deficit during 2005 that left the team unable to attract new investors.[4] They began losing money after attendance slid from 7,000 per game in their first season to just 2,100 in 2004-05.[1] On June 15 the BI-LO Center announced they were willing to pay $350,000 to keep the team afloat, hoping to entice developers to save the team.[5] Despite the offer, the Greenville Grrrowl ceased operations on July 10, 2006 when the team failed to find new sources of financing.[1] According to Grrrowl president Ed Rubinstein, the team only plans to refund "some percentage" of money already paid by season ticket holders.[1]

Hockey returned to Greenville after a four-year absence when the Johnstown Chiefs relocated and became the Greenville Road Warriors in 2010.

Playoffs
  • 1998–99: Did not qualify.
  • 1999–00: Defeated Mobile 3-2 in first round; defeated Augusta 3-1 in quarterfinals; lost to Louisiana 4-2 in semifinals.
  • 2000–01: Did not qualify.
  • 2001–02: Defeated Florida 3-2 in first round; defeated Pee Dee 3-1 in quarterfinals; defeated Mississippi 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Dayton 4-0 to win championship.
  • 2002–03: Defeated Florida 1-0 in first round; lost to Columbia 3-0 in second round.
  • 2003–04: Did not qualify.
  • 2004–05: Defeated Pensacola 3-1 in first round; lost to Florida 3-0 in quarterfinals.
  • 2005–06: Defeated Augusta 2-0 in first round; lost to Florida 3-1 in second round.

Retired numbers
  • 36 – Nick Vitucci retired in 2004. Nick played in 14 ECHL seasons, his last three with the Greenville Grrrowl. He later became the head coach for the Toledo Walleye.[6]

References
  1. Dykes, Davis (2006-07-12). "Grrrowl fold; arena expected to lose money without team". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  2. Grrrowl.com, Head Coach: John Marks
  3. ChicagoBlackhawks.com, Hawks, Admirals Announce Affiliation w/ Toledo After Greenville Grrrowl Folds Archived 2006-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Szobody, Ben; Dykes, Davis (2006-05-23). "Grrrowl not paying some bills, president says". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  5. Szobody, Ben (2006-06-15). "Bi-Lo Center may pitch in for Grrrowl". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  6. toledowalleye.com, http://www.toledowalleye.com/team/coachingstaff/
Preceded by
South Carolina Stingrays		 Kelly Cup Champions
2001-02		 Succeeded by
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies


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