The Tucson Gila Monsters: An Embarrassing Attempt at Pro Hockey in Tucson
The Tucson Gila Monsters were a hockey team that played in the West Coast Hockey League coached by Marty Raymond, and owned by Stephen Mandel from 1997-1999. They failed for many reason but one of the main reasons for their failure was because of the Arizona Icecats (now called the Arizona Wildcats) of the University of Arizona, who played in the same arena as the Gila Monsters, which was the Tucson Convention Center, and also already had a following in the area. They also had financial trouble, one of their investors dropped out before the season began and the Gila Monsters only sold 15 season tickets all time. In the 1997-1998 season they had an average attendance of 1,655. The lowest in the league. They went 16-43-0-5 in their inaugural 1997-1998 season and folded 21 games into the 1998-1999 season. Going 7-11-0-3. Even if one of the investors didn't drop out. It probably wouldn't have mattered, and whatever the investors that stayed put in the team, it certianly wasn't enough. Judging by their website which used domainsarefree.com. They were so cheap they couldn't afford to buy a domain.
One year later in the year 2000 another team was proposed in the same city called the Tucson Scorch, who were also to play in the Tucson Convention center. They were to play their inagural season in the 2000-2001 West Coast Hockey League Season. They had merch sales, a roster, a coach, an owner, and even a radio deal so you could listen to their games. Until somehow their owner forgot to pay the league and they pulled the plug on the Scorch last minute.
So remember kids, whatever you do. Do not start a professional hockey team in Tucson because your going to fall flat on your face and have your team be on funwhileitlasted.net
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Professional Hockey in Tacoma: Sucsessful yet Unsucessful.
Hockey in Tacoma started out with the Tacoma Tigers in 1930 when the Victora Tigers stadium burnt down after the 1929-1930 Pacific Coast Hockey League season. They became a travel team before being bought and moved to Tacoma. Under the coaching of former Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Vancouver Millionaires player, Mickey MacKay. They only played 10 games in Tacoma. Going 2-7-1, they were unable to get the funding for a new stadium. So they folded on new year's day 1931.
In 1946 a new team came to Tacoma called the Tacoma Rockets, who in their first season was coached by Toronto Maple Leafs player Dave Downie, after playing in seattle for some time with the Seattle Sea Hawks, the Seattle Stars and Seattle Ironmen. They went 16-42-2 and was replaced by former New York Rangers player Muzz Patrick for the rest of their existence; he also played 8 games for the team in 1950. With Patrick they had an all time record of 202-168-58 and never got past the second round of playoffs. In their final season from 1952-1953 the Pacific Coast Hockey League was renamed to the Western Hockey League when it absorbed three teams from the Western Canada Senior Hockey League. They folded after the season. They played their final season in the Tacoma Ice Place after playing in the Tacoma Arena
Almost 38 years later in 1991 the Tacoma Rockets of the Western Hockey League started their first season under the coaching of Edmonton Oil Kings and Saginaw Gears player Marcel Comeau. Who coached the team in all 4 of their seasons before moving to Kelowna. Where he coached there for one season. The Kelowna Rockets still play in the Western Hockey League currently. They had an all time record of 145-153-12 and never made it past the semi final round in the playoffs. They played in the Tacoma Dome for their time in Tacoma
The last professional hockey team in Tacoma, the Tacoma Sabercats played in the West Coast Hockey League from 1997-2002. They played all of their season in the Tacoma Dome. Under the coaching of former Kelowna Buckaroos and University of Michigan player John Olver from 1997-2000. Under his coaching, they got into the Taylor Cup three times and beat the San Diego Gulls 4-2. Having an overall record of 139-49-0-20 After the 1999-2000 season. They were coached by former St Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks player Robert Dirk. Having an all time record of 61-71-0-12. They failed to get past the second round of the playoffs. But dispite having a loyal following with over 1,500 season ticket holders. They folded after a round 2 playoff loss to the idaho Steelhead
So remember kids. Just because you were an NHL star, does not mean you'll be a good coach.
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The San Diego Gulls: A Successful Team With a Short Lifespan.
The San Diego Gulls of the WCHL (not to be confused with the AHL team of the same name) formed in 1995 when the WCHL was formed. Where they won the Taylor Cup 3 times in a row before losing 4-2. They made it to the taylor cup 4 times in a row from 1995 to 1998 before winning 2 more between 1999 and 2003. During their time in the West Coast Hockey League they won the Taylor Cup 5 times. Which is the most in the league by 4. Had an all time record 385-125-0-33. Won five division championships, and on top of that won 5 season titles. So when the West Coast Hockey League folded in 2003, they moved to the ECHL, where they played for 3 years.
When the Gulls joined the ECHL in 2003, they were coached by a different person named Martin St. Amour. They had an all time record of 118-52-8-8. Never got past the second round of the playoffs. Where they folded after losing to the Fresno Falcons 0-4 in the second round.
So remember kids, just because a team was successful in the past with a coach. Does not mean they will be as successful with a different coach.
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