Minor professional hockey leagues are the backbone of the NHL. These leagues over the years have served as training grounds for the NHL teams. Entertaining hockey in their own right and offering non NHL players a chance to earn a living.

Southern Hockey League (1973-77)

Southern Hockey League (1973-77) was a minor hockey league in the USA. The league ceased operations when it folded on January 31st, 1977. The Southern Hockey League was one of two leagues formed when the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations after the 1972-73 season. The other league was the North American Hockey League.

Southern Hockey League (1973-77) Franchises

Charlotte Checkers (1973-1977)
Greensboro Generals (1973-1977)
Macon Whoopee (1973-1974)
Roanoke Valley Rebels (1973-1976)
Suncoast Suns (1973-1974)
Winston-Salem Polar Bears (1973-1976)
Hampton Gulls (1974-1977)
Tidewater Sharks (1975-1977
Baltimore Clippers (1976-1977)
Richmond Wildcats (1976-1977)
Winston-Salem Polar Twins (1976-1977)

Southern Hockey League (1973-77) Champions

Year
Season Champion
Playoff Champion
1974
Roanoke Valley Rebels
Roanoke Valley Rebels
1975
Charlotte Checkers
Charlotte Checkers
1976
Charlotte Checkers
Charlotte Checkers
1977
League folded, no champions were declared.

Southern Hockey League (1973-77) Season

1974 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
PTs
               
Roanoke Valley Rebels
72
53
19
0
366
244
106
Charlotte Checkers
72
44
27
1
309
227
99
Greensboro Generals
71
33
37
1
285
310
67
Winston Salem Polar Bears
72
26
44
2
283
363
54
Macon Whoopees
62
22
38
2
244
290
46
Suncoast Suns
31
9
22
0
123
176
18
               
Macon Whoopees disbanded Jan. 15, 1974 and the Suncoast Suns disbanded Dec. 19, 1973.
               
1975 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
PTs
               
Charlotte Checkers
72
50
21
1
370
256
101
Hampton Gulls
72
43
28
1
323
262
87
Winston Salem Polar Bears
72
32
40
0
300
345
64
Roanoke Valley Rebels
72
29
41
2
296
304
60
Greensboro Generals
72
23
47
2
262
384
48
               
1976 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
PTs
               
Charlotte Checkers
72
42
20
10
302
206
94
Hampton Gulls
72
33
23
16
262
234
82
Winston Salem Polar Bears
72
30
29
13
252
253
73
Roanoke Valley Rebels
72
29
28
15
239
238
73
Tidewater Sharks
72
24
34
14
230
260
62
Greensboro Generals
72
18
42
12
221
317
48
               
1976 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
PTs
               
Hampton Gulls
50
32
16
2
198
152
66
Tidewater Sharks
41
26
13
2
158
131
54
Charlotte Checkers
50
22
25
3
180
186
47
Baltimore Clippers
47
21
24
2
182
169
44
Richmond Wildcats
38
21
16
1
160
144
43
Greensboro Generals
40
15
24
1
140
173
31
Winston Salem Polar Bears
42
11
30
1
130
193
23
               
Tidewater, Richmond, Greensboro disbanded Jan. 7, 1977 and the league disbanded Jan 31, 1977.