List of defunct ECHL teams

This is a list of teams that once played in the ECHL but no longer exist. This includes franchises which have relocated to different cities. The years of operation only reflect the time in which the team was in the ECHL; it does not take into account any time in which the franchise operated in another league (such as the Central Hockey League, International Hockey League, United Hockey League or West Coast Hockey League).

Defunct and relocated teams before the ECHL's absorption of the WCHL

Team Seasons Outcome
Carolina/Winston-Salem Thunderbirds 1988–92 Moved to Wheeling, WV
Cincinnati Cyclones 1990–92 Moved to Birmingham, AL
Virginia Lancers
Roanoke Valley Rebels
Roanoke Valley Rampage 		1988–93 Moved to Huntsville, AL (now Utah Grizzlies).
Louisville IceHawks 1990–94 Moved to Jacksonville, FL.
Huntsville Blast 1993–94 Moved to Tallahassee, FL (now Utah Grizzlies).
Greensboro Monarchs 1989–95 Ceased operations and replaced by the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL.
Erie Panthers 1988–96 Moved to Baton Rouge, LA (now defunct).
Nashville Knights 1989–96 Moved to Pensacola, FL and replaced by the Nashville Predators of the NHL.
Knoxville Cherokees 1988–97 Moved to Florence, SC.
Raleigh IceCaps 1991–98 Moved to Augusta, GA and replaced by the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL.
Louisville RiverFrogs 1995–98 Moved to Miami, FL.
Columbus Chill 1991–99 Moved to Reading, PA and replaced by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.
Chesapeake Icebreakers 1997–99 Moved to Jackson, MS.
Miami Matadors 1998–99 Moved to Cincinnati, OH.
Hampton Roads Admirals 1989–2000 Ceased operations and replaced by the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL from 2000-15. The franchise was purchased in 2001 and became the Columbus Cottonmouths. A new Admirals team returned in the ECHL in 2015.
Huntington Blizzard 1993–2000 Moved to Beaumont, TX (now Manchester Monarchs).
Jacksonville Lizard Kings 1995–2000 Ceased operations.
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks 1994–2001 Moved to Macon, GA (now Utah Grizzlies)
Birmingham Bulls 1992–2001 Moved to Atlantic City, NJ (now Adirondack Thunder).
Mobile Mysticks 1995–2002 Moved to Duluth, GA.
New Orleans Brass 1997–2002 Ceased operations.
Macon Whoopee 2001–02 Moved to Lexington, KY (now Utah Grizzlies).
Richmond Renegades 1990–2003 Ceased operations.
Baton Rouge Kingfish 1996–2003 Moved to Victoria, BC (now defunct).
Arkansas RiverBlades 1999–2003 Ceased operations.
Jackson Bandits 1999–2003 Ceased operations.
Lexington Men O' War 2002–03 Moved to West Valley City, UT

Defunct and relocated teams after the ECHL's absorption of the WCHL

Team Seasons Outcome
Roanoke Express 1993–2004 Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL.
Greensboro Generals 1999–2004 Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL.
Columbus Cottonmouths 2001–04 Ceased operations and replaced by the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL.
Louisiana IceGators 1995–2005 Franchise rights revoked by the ECHL.
Peoria Rivermen 1996–2005 Ceased operations and replaced by the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL.
Pee Dee Pride 1996-–2005 Returned franchise rights to the ECHL after a failed attempt to move to Myrtle Beach, SC from 2005–08.
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies 2001–05 Moved to Stockton, CA
Greenville Grrrowl 1998–2006 Franchise revoked by the ECHL.
San Diego Gulls 2003–06 Franchise revoked by the ECHL.
Long Beach Ice Dogs 2003–07 Franchise revoked by the ECHL.
Toledo Storm 2003–07 Suspended operations after the 2006–07 ECHL season. Returned in 2009 as the Toledo Walleye.
Pensacola Ice Pilots 1996–2008 Franchise revoked by the ECHL. Replaced by the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL.
Augusta Lynx 1998–2008 Ceased operations on December 2, 2008, becoming the first team in ECHL history to fold during the season. Replaced by the SPHL's Augusta Riverhawks.
Fresno Falcons 2003–08 Ceased operations on December 22, 2008, becoming the second team in ECHL history to fold during the season.
Columbia Inferno 2001–08 Ceased operations following the 2007–08 ECHL season.
Texas Wildcatters 2003–08 Moved to Ontario, CA
Dayton Bombers 1991–2009 Relinquished membership to the ECHL following a failed drive for season tickets and managing partnership to resume play for the 2010–11 season. Replaced by the Dayton Gems of the IHL.
Mississippi Sea Wolves 1996–2009 Ceased operations and replaced by the Mississippi Surge of the SPHL.
Phoenix RoadRunners 2005–09 Ceased operations.
Johnstown Chiefs 1988–2010 Moved to Greenville, SC. Last remaining member of the five founding teams of the East Coast Hockey League to relocate.
Charlotte Checkers 1993–2010 Ceased operations and replaced by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.
Victoria Salmon Kings 2004–11 Ceased operations following the 2010–11 ECHL season. Concluded a franchise history that began with the Erie Panthers, one of the ECHL charter teams. Replaced in market by the WHL's Victoria Royals.
Chicago Express 2011–12 Ceased operations following the 2011–12 ECHL season.
Trenton Titans 1999–2013 Ceased operations following the 2012–13 ECHL season.
San Francisco Bulls 2012–14 Ceased operations on January 27, 2014, becoming the third team in ECHL history to fold during the season.
Las Vegas Wranglers 2003–14 Ceased operations following the 2013–14 ECHL season.
Bakersfield Condors 2003–15 Moved to Norfolk, VA and replaced by the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
Ontario Reign 2008–15 Moved to Manchester, NH and replaced by the Ontario Reign of the AHL.
Stockton Thunder 2005–15 Moved to Glens Falls, NY and replaced by the Stockton Heat of the AHL.
Evansville IceMen 2012–16 Suspended operations following the 2015–16 ECHL season. Relocation to Owensboro, Kentucky is approved by the ECHL pending a complete renovation of the team's potential home, the Owensboro Sports Center. Replaced by the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL.
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