Amarillo Gorillas

Amarillo Gorillas
City Amarillo, Texas
League Central Hockey League
Western Professional Hockey League
Founded 1996 (In the WPHL)
Operated 1996–2010
Home arena Amarillo Civic Center
Colors Black, Red, White
Owner(s) Randy Sanders
General manager Robert Simmons
Head coach Brian Pellerin
Media KPUR (1440 AM)
Affiliates Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Franchise history
1996–2001 Amarillo Rattlers (WPHL)
2001-2002 Amarillo Rattlers (CHL)
2002–2010 Amarillo Gorillas (CHL)

The Amarillo Gorillas were a minor league hockey team based in Amarillo, Texas.[1] The team was most recently affiliated with the now defunct Central Hockey League (CHL) from 2001–10. The Gorillas began play in 1996 as the Amarillo Rattlers in the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) until the WPHL was bought by the CHL in 2001. They would continue to use the Rattlers name until an ownership change in 2002. As the Rattlers, the team frequently finished at the bottom of the WPHL and CHL divisions, but made the playoffs four straight years after becoming the Gorillas until the 2006-2007 season. The Gorillas played in the Amarillo Civic Center. The team's most recent head coach was Brian Pellerin.

On May 19, 2010, the Gorillas announced they had ceased operations.[2][3] However, hockey would remain in Amarillo, as the North American Hockey League, a Junior A league affiliated with USA Hockey, named the Amarillo Bulls started play in the 2010-2011 season.[4][3]

Season records

Western Professional Hockey League

Season W L OTL/SOL Pts Playoffs
1996-97 17 39 8 42 No Playoffs
1997-98 25 32 12 62 No Playoffs
1998-99 31 38 8 70 No Playoffs
1999-00 21 41 8 50 No Playoffs
2000-01 27 35 8 62 No Playoffs

Central Hockey League

Season W L OTL/SOL Pts Playoffs
2001–02 19 39 6 44 No Playoffs
2002–03 39 23 2 80 Lost in Quarterfinals
2003–04 37 24 3 77 Lost in Semifinals
2004–05 31 20 9 71 Lost in Semifinals
2005–06 35 26 3 73 Lost in Quarterfinals
2006–07 32 28 4 68 Lost in Quarterfinals
2007–08 22 32 10 54 No Playoffs
2008–09 19 42 3 41 No Playoffs
2009–10 21 34 9 51 No Playoffs

References

  1. "Amarillo Gorillas". Bush League Factor. February 25, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  2. "Amarillo Gorillas Cease Operations for the 2010-2011 Season". Amarillo Gorillas. May 19, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Henry, Dave (May 19, 2010). "No more Gorillas in our midst: Home team on outs; Developmental squad replacing it". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  4. "NAHL approves Amarillo, Texas membership". North American Hockey League. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.