Roanoke Valley Vipers
The Roanoke Valley Vipers were a minor professional ice hockey team located in Roanoke, Virginia. They were a member of the United Hockey League and played in the Roanoke Civic Center.
The franchise was formed in 2002 as the Port Huron Beacons and played in McMorran Arena in Port Huron, Michigan, through the end of the 2004–05 season. The franchise was relocated to Roanoke for the 2005–06 season, filling the void left after the ECHL's Roanoke Express disbanded and to provide a travel partner near the Richmond RiverDogs. While professional ice hockey had been previously played and successful in the Virginian towns of Roanoke, Salem and Vinton since 1967,[1] the Vipers were unsuccessful on and off the ice with a losing record in their lone season in Virginia and an average attendance of about 1,000 fans in an arena with a capacity of over 9,000. Local fans complained about high ticket prices and a lower level of play than the ECHL.[citation needed] The midwestern focus of the UHL also made rivalries less intense than they had been with the southeastern and mid-Atlantic teams of the ECHL.[citation needed] The owners and their marketing plans were frequently criticized by local media.[citation needed]
The Vipers folded on May 15, 2006, shortly after the RiverDogs moved to Chicago and became the Chicago Hounds.[2]
Notable players
- David-Alexandre Beauregard
- Matt Elich
- Alexander Erofeev
References
- v
- t
- e
(1991–1997)
- Brantford Smoke
- Chatham Wheels
- Dayton Ice Bandits
- Detroit Falcons
- Flint Bulldogs
- Flint Generals
- London Wildcats
- Madison Monsters
- Michigan Falcons
- Muskegon Fury
- Port Huron Border Cats
- Quad City Mallards
- Saginaw Lumber Kings
- Saginaw Wheels
- St. Thomas Wildcats
- Thunder Bay Senators
- Thunder Bay Thunder Cats
- Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks
- Utica Blizzard
- Utica Bulldogs
(1997–2007)
- Adirondack Frostbite
- Adirondack IceHawks
- Asheville Smoke
- B.C. Icemen
- Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Brantford Smoke
- Chicago Hounds
- Columbus Stars
- Danbury Trashers
- Elmira Jackals
- Flint Generals
- Fort Wayne Komets
- Kalamazoo Wings
- Kansas City Outlaws
- Knoxville Speed
- Madison Kodiaks
- Madison Monsters
- Missouri River Otters
- Mohawk Valley Prowlers
- Motor City Mechanics
- Muskegon Fury
- New Haven Knights
- Ohio Gears
- Port Huron Beacons
- Port Huron Border Cats
- Port Huron Flags
- Quad City Mallards
- Richmond RiverDogs
- Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Rockford IceHogs
- Saginaw Gears
- Saginaw Lumber Kings
- Thunder Bay Thunder Cats
- Winston-Salem IceHawks
(2007–2010)
- Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Dayton Gems
- Evansville IceMen
- Flint Generals
- Fort Wayne Komets
- Kalamazoo Wings
- Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Port Huron Icehawks
- Quad City Mallards
- Related articles
- Colonial Cup
- Huber Trophy
- Other professional hockey leagues
This American ice hockey team-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e
This article about a sports team in Virginia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e