Charlotte Checkers (1956–1977)

File:TheEHLBaltimoreClippersLogo200sq2.gif

The Baltimore Clippers began play in the Eastern Hockey League during the 1954–55 season, with Andy Brown as coach.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/baltimore-clippers-9780.html|title=Baltimore Clippers Statistics and History [1954-1955 EHL]|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} Herve Lalonde led the team, scoring 22 goals, and 50 assists, winning the John Carlin Trophy, as the league's top scorer.{{cite web |url=http://www.theehl.com/page/awards.htm|title=EHL All Star Teams and Awards|last=Telaar|first=Tom|date=2014|website=TheEHL.com |access-date=2018-02-09}} In the playoffs, Baltimore defeated the Clinton Comets 3 games to 1 in the first round, but lost the finals in four straight games to the Washington Lions.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1955&leaguenm=EHL|title=1954-55 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} On January 23, 1956, midway through the Clippers' second season, their home arena, Carlin's Iceland, burned down.{{cite book|last=Mancuso|first=Jim|title=Hockey in Charlotte|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|date=2005 |location=Charleston, South Carolina|pages=9–10, 75–77|language=English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQALBnDckHUC&dq=Southern+Hockey+League+1973&pg=PA10|isbn=0-7385-4230-X}}{{cite web|url=https://clture.org/hockey-charlotte-checkers/|title=Hockey Has a Checkered History in the Queen City|last=Gilligan|first=Matt|date=2016-09-15|website=CLTure|access-date=2018-02-09}}

Without an arena, the Clippers searched for a temporary home to finish the season. Local businessmen in Charlotte offered the one-year-old Charlotte Coliseum as a temporary site.{{cite web|url=http://gocheckers.com/team/history|title=History - Charlotte Checkers Hockey|website=Gocheckers.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} The Baltimore Clippers played six of their remaining 12 games in Charlotte, using the name Rebels.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/baltimore-clippers---charlotte-rebels-4767.html|title=Baltimore Clippers / Charlotte Rebels hockey team statistics|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} The first professional hockey game in Charlotte was played on January 30, 1956, attended by 10,363 fans, with approximately 3,000 more unable to find a ticket. The Rebels lost the game 6–2, to the New Haven Blades. The six games played in Charlotte by the Rebels drew more than 40,000 fans. By comparison, the Clippers typically drew 2,000 fans per game in Baltimore. The combined record of the Clippers and Rebels was 47 points for fifth place, missing the playoffs.

File:TheEHLCharlotteClippersLogo200w.gif

Buoyed by the Rebels' strong attendance figures in Charlotte, owner Charles Rock chose to move the team there full-time for the following season as the Charlotte Clippers. In the 1956–57 season, the Clippers earned 101 points, to finish first place, and win the Walker Cup as regular season champions.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/charlotte-clippers-5178.html|title=Charlotte Clippers hockey team statistics and history|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} The season included a winning streak of 21 games before the playoffs, and the team earning the nickname, "Dixie Dandies." Al O'Hearn lead the league in scoring with 46 goals, 71 assists, and 117 points, to win the John Carlin Trophy. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated the New Haven Blades in six games in the first round, and defeated the Philadelphia Ramblers in seven games, to win the Atlantic City Boardwalk Trophy as playoff champions.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1957&leaguenm=EHL|title=1956-57 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-12}}

In the 1957–58 season, Charlotte repeated first place in the regular season with 77 points, and a second Walker Cup. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated the New Haven Blades in seven games in the first round, but lost in the finals to the Washington Presidents in seven games.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1958&leaguenm=EHL|title=1957-58 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-12}}

In the 1958–59 season, Charlotte dropped to sixth place, and missed the playoffs. The team also ran into financial troubles, which led to the Charlotte Coliseum Authority taking over the team in 1959. A citizen's group raised $25,000 from stockholders, to keep the team on the ice.

In the 1959–60 season, coach Andy Brown moved on, and the EHL split into northern and southern divisions. Evel Knievel tried out with the Clippers in 1959, but decided that a traveling team was not for him.{{cite web|url=http://theehl.blogspot.ca/2011/02/proof-evel-knievel-tried-out-withthe.html?m=1|title=Proof: Evel Knievel Tried Out With The Charlotte Clippers|last=Telaar|first=Tom|date=2011-02-21|website=The EHL|access-date=2018-02-09}}{{Cite book | title=Numbelievable! | page=142 | first1=Michael X. | last1=Ferraro | first2=John | last2=Veneziano | publisher=Triumph Books | place=Chicago | year=2007 | isbn=978-1-57243-990-0}} Pete Horeck led the team as a player-coach, the Clippers finished second place in the south, won the first round playoff series in three games versus the Greensboro Generals, and lost to the Johnstown Jets in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1960&leaguenm=EHL|title=1959-60 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-12}}

File:CharlotteCheckersProgramLogoLate60s.jpg

The team was renamed the Charlotte Checkers, resulting from a name-the-team contest. Gordon Tottle became the player-coach, and despite the new name, Charlotte finished fourth place and missed the playoffs in the 1960–61 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/charlotte-checkers-5175.html|title=Charlotte Checkers Statistics and History [EHL]|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} Joe Crozier was named coach in the 1961–62 season, but the team still finished fourth place and missed the playoffs. He returned for the 1962–63 season, and the Checkers placed third in the southern division. In the playoffs, Charlotte upset the second place Knoxville Knights in five games, then lost in five games to the Greensboro Generals in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1963&leaguenm=EHL|title=1962-63 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-12}} Turk Broda took over the coaching duties for the 1963–64 season, and led the team to a fourth-place finish in the south, and a first round playoff loss to Greensboro in three games.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1964&leaguenm=EHL|title=1963-64 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}}

Fred Creighton was brought in to coach for the 1964–65 season, beginning eight years at the helm of the Checkers. He improved the team to third place in the south, but the team still lost in the first round to the Nashville Dixie Flyers in three games.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1965&leaguenm=EHL|title=1964-65 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} Creighton improved the team to 42 wins in the 1965–66 season, and second place in the south. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated Greensboro in five games in the first round, then lost in four games straight to Nashville in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1966&leaguenm=EHL|title=1965-66 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} Charlotte repeated a second-place finish in the 1966–67 season, then defeated Greensboro in three games in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Nashville in five games in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1967&leaguenm=EHL|title=1966-67 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} The Checkers won 42 games, and earned 93 points in the 1967–68 season, and finished second place in the south. Charlotte defeated Nashville in four games in the first round of the playoffs, and defeated Greensboro in six games in the second round. In the finals, the Checkers were swept in four games by the Clinton Comets.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1968&leaguenm=EHL|title=1967-68 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}}

File:TheEHLCharlotteCheckersLogo68-71.jpg

Charlotte dropped to third place in the 1968–69 season, after many players moved up to higher leagues. The rebuilding effort was made easier by this being first season of an affiliation with the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_affiliations_child.php?tmi=5175|title=Charlotte Checkers [EHL] Parent Team affiliate history|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} In the playoffs, Charlotte lost in three games to Nashville.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1969&leaguenm=EHL|title=1968-69 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} The Checkers repeated a third-place finish in the 1969–70 season. Center Tom Trevelyan was named EHL Rookie of the Year for the south division. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated the Salem Rebels in five games in the first round, then lost to Greensboro in six games in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1970&leaguenm=EHL|title=1969-70 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} Creighton led Charlotte to its best results in the 1970–71 season, with 55 wins, and 117 points to finish first overall in the EHL, and win the Walker Cup. Goaltender John Voss led the league in goals against average, and won the George L. Davis Jr. Trophy. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated Nashville, then Greensboro both in four games, to reach the finals. The Checkers won the Atlantic City Boardwalk Trophy in five games over the New Haven Blades.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1971&leaguenm=EHL|title=1970-71 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}}

In the 1971–72 season, Charlotte switched affiliations to the Buffalo Sabres. Defenceman Don Brennan was voted the EHL Rookie of the Year for the south division, and goaltender Gaye Cooley led the league in goals against average to win the George L. Davis Jr. Trophy. The Checkers repeated the first-place finish and the Walker Cup in the regular season, with 47 wins and 102 points. In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated the St. Petersburg Suns in six games in the first round, and Greensboro in five games in the second round. Creighton and the Checkers won a second consecutive Atlantic City Boardwalk Trophy, defeating the Syracuse Blazers in four games in the finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ehl1934&season=1972&leaguenm=EHL|title=1971-72 EHL Playoff Results|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-13}} Creighton and many players moved on after the two championships, and Charlotte struggled in the 1972–73 season. Jack Wells was named player-coach, and the team finished fourth place in the south, missing the playoffs.

The four teams in the EHL's Southern Division, including the Checkers, broke away to form the Southern Hockey League (SHL) in 1973.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/229.html|title=Southern Hockey League [1973-1977] history and statistics|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-01-31}} In the new league, Patrick J. Kelly took over coaching duties in all four seasons. Garry Swain led the SHL in scoring with 98 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=shl1974&sid=1974&leaguenm=SHL|title=SHL 1973–74 League Leaders|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-03}} Charlotte finished second place in the 1973–74 season, then defeated Greensboro in six games in the first round of the playoffs, but lost the finals in seven games to the Roanoke Valley Rebels.

In the 1974–75 season, Charlotte began secondary affiliations with World Hockey Association teams, and the California Golden Seals, in addition to the existing agreement with Buffalo.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_affiliations_child.php?tmi=5176|title=Charlotte Checkers [SHL] Parent Team affiliate history|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-09}} Steve Hull led the SHL in scoring with 114 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=shl1974&sid=1975&leaguenm=SHL|title=SHL 1974–75 League Leaders|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-03}} The Checkers finished first place in the regular season with 101 points, defeated Roanoke in four games in the first round of the playoffs, and defeated the Hampton Gulls in six games in the finals, to win the Crockett Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/shl19741975.html|title=1974-75 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-01-31}}

In the 1975–76 season, Charlotte repeated first place in the regular season with 94 points.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/shl19741976.html|title=1975-76 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-01-31}} Yvon Dupuis led the SHL with 52 goals scored.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=shl1974&sid=1976&leaguenm=SHL|title=SHL 1975–76 League Leaders|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-03}} In the playoffs, Charlotte defeated Roanoke in six games in the first round, and then won a second consecutive Crockett Cup in five games over Hampton.

The 1976–77 season was cut short when the SHL folded due to financial issues. The final Checkers game was played on January 30, 1977 against the revived Baltimore Clippers. Charlotte was in third place at that time, and folded along with the league.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/shl19741977.html|title=1976-77 Southern Hockey League [SHL] standings|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-01-31}}

The Charlotte Checkers were affiliated with National Hockey League teams from 1968 to 1977, and several World Hockey Association teams from 1974 to 1977.

Coaches from 1954 to 1977.

:† denotes a player/coach

Top scorers from 1956 to 1977.

List of notable players for the Baltimore Clippers/Charlotte Rebels (1954–1956), Charlotte Clippers (1956–1960) and Charlotte Checkers (1960–1977){{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=4767|title=Baltimore Clippers / Charlotte Rebels all-time player list|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-12}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=5178|title=Charlotte Clippers all-time player list|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=5175|title=Charlotte Checkers [EHL] all-time player list|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=5176|title=Charlotte Checkers [SHL] all-time player list|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-07}}

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Doug Adam
• Red Armstrong
• Michel Belhumeur
• Gilles Bilodeau
• Yvon Bilodeau
• Les Binkley
• Bob Blanchet
• Dan Brady
• Gary Bromley
• Ross Brooks
• John Brophy
• Cummy Burton
• Alain Caron
• Jacques Caron
• Tony Cassolato
• Gaye Cooley
• Michel Cormier
• Normand Cournoyer
• Paul Crowley
• Bob D'Alvise
• Norm Defelice
• André Deschamps
• Bob Dobek
• Rick Foley
• Gerard Gibbons
• Dave Gilmour
• Bob Girard
• Dave Given
• Frank Golembrosky
• John Gould
• Bob Graham
• Rich Hart
• Paul Heaver
• Gordon Henry
• Greg Hickey
• Ken Hicks
• André Hinse
• Mike Hobin
• Pete Horeck
• Steve Hull
• Ed Humphreys
• Ron Hutchinson
• Bill Johansen
• Rick Jodzio
• Mike Keeler
• Jean Landry
• Jack LeClair
• Jack Martin
• Terry Martin
• Gerry McNamara
• Jim McNulty
• Gord McRae
• Perry Miller
• Wayne Morrin
• Bob Mowat
• John Muckler
• Randy Murray
• Tim O'Connell
• Dan Olesevich
• Jean-Luc Phaneuf
• Gregg Pilling
• Tom Polanic
• Tim Regan
• Bob Richer
• Lorne Rombough
• Michel Rouleau
• Blaine Rydman
• Bob Sauvé
• Wayne Schaab
• Derek Smith
• Chuck Stuart
• Daniel Sullivan
• Garry Swain
• Dave Tataryn
• Gord Titcomb
• Gordon Tottle
• Tom Trevelyan
• Willie Trognitz
• John Van Horlick
• Gilles Villemure
• John Voss
• Clare Wakshinski
• Bob Whidden
• Hal Willis
• Lynn Zimmerman

{{Div col end}}

Combined season-by-season record for:

• Baltimore Clippers (1954–55)
• Baltimore Clippers / Charlotte Rebels (1955–56)
• Charlotte Clippers (1956–1960)
• Charlotte Checkers (1960–1977){{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/charlotte-checkers-5176.html|title=Charlotte Checkers Statistics and History [SHL]|website=hockeydb.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.theehl.com/ The Eastern Hockey League (1954–1973)]
• [https://www.flickr.com/photos/possum187/sets/72157604115564006/ Checkers History album on Flickr]

{{Southern Hockey League (1973–1977)}}

{{North Carolina Sports}}

{{Charlotte, North Carolina}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Charlotte Checkers (1956-1977)}}

Category:1960 establishments in North Carolina

Category:1977 disestablishments in North Carolina

Category:Charlotte Checkers

Category:Defunct ice hockey teams in North Carolina

Category:Eastern Hockey League teams

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1960

Category:Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 1977

Category:Southern Hockey League (1973–1977) teams