Winston-Salem Polar Twins (SHL)

The Winston-Salem Polar Twins were a minor league professional ice hockey team, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The team was a founding member of the Southern Hockey League in 1973, and played home games at the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum.[1][2] The initial owners of the team were a group of 15 investors, led by Ed Timmerman and Eldridge Hanes.[1] In the 1973–74 season, Winstom-Salem finished fourth place, and lost in the first round of the playoffs under player-coach Don Carter.[3] In 1974, Forbes Kennedy was brought in to coach, and improved results two years in a row, despite losing in the first round of the playoffs both seasons.[3] In December 1975, the Polar Twins were sold to Jim Crockett Jr.[1] Player-coach Ron Anderson took over in the fourth season, and the team was in last place in January.[3] On January 7, 1977, during the team's fourth season, Crockett announced he was folding the team.[1][2]

Winston-Salem Polar Twins
CityWinston-Salem, North Carolina
LeagueSouthern Hockey League
Operated1973–77
Home arenaWinston-Salem Memorial Coliseum
ColorsWhite, silver, black
     
AffiliatesWHA (1973–74)
NHL (1974–77)

Major league affiliations

The Polar Twins were affiliated with the World Hockey Association in the 1973–74 season, and with the National Hockey League from 1974 to 1977.[4]

YearsAffiliations
1973–74Edmonton Oilers, New York Golden Blades, Jersey Knights
1974–75New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings
1975–76New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues
1976–77New York Rangers

Notable players

Notable Polar Twins players that also played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association:[5]

Results

Season-by-season results:[3]

SeasonGPWLTPtsPctGFGAPIMStandingPlayoffs
1973–747226442540.37528336312734th, SHLLost in round 1
1974–757232400640.44430034518313rd, SHLLost in round 1
1975–7672302913730.50725225111273rd, SHLLost in round 1
1976–774211301230.2741301935857th, SHLfolded
TOTALS25899143162140.41596511524816  

Franchise leaders

All-time and season leaders:[6]

All-time regular season
  • Games played: Bill Morris, 186
  • Goals scored: Ken Gassoff, 83
  • Assists: Ken Gassoff, 135
  • Points: Ken Gassoff, 218
  • Penalty minutes: Brian Molvik, 318
Single-season records
  • Goals scored: Bernie Blanchette, 39 (1973–74)
  • Assists: John Campbell, 59 (1975–76)
  • Points: John Campbell, 92 (1975–76)
  • Penalty minutes: Ron Fogal, 248 (1974–75)
Postseason records
  • Goals scored: Bill Morris, 6 (1974)
  • Assists: Bill Morris, 8 (1974)
  • Points: Bill Morris, 14 (1974)
  • Penalty minutes: Greg Holst, 42 (1975)

References
  1. Crossley, Drew (2014-08-30). "Southern Hockey League 1973 Archives". Fun While It Lasted. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  2. "Southern Hockey League [1973-1977] history and statistics". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  3. "Winston-Salem Polar Twins hockey team [SHL] statistics and history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  4. "Winston-Salem Polar Twins Parent Team affiliate history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  5. "Winston-Salem Polar Twins [SHL] all-time player list". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  6. "Winston Salem Polar Twins Stats". statscrew.com. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
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