Columbia Inferno

Columbia Inferno
City Columbia, South Carolina
League ECHL
Conference American Conference
Division South Division
Founded 2001
Operated 2001–2008
Home arena Carolina Coliseum
Colors Red, yellow, black, white
                   
Owner(s) Ezra B. Riber, MD
Franchise history
2001–2008 Columbia Inferno
Championships
Regular season titles none
Division Championships 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05
Conference Championships 2002–03
Kelly Cups none

The Columbia Inferno were an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. Since 2008 the team was on voluntary suspension awaiting construction of a new arena in suburban Lexington County, South Carolina, but the ECHL dropped them as a "future market" in June 2014.[1] They played their home games at the Carolina Coliseum.

The Inferno first took the ice in 2001 as an expansion team after a group of physicians dubbed the "Hockey Docs" sought to purchase a team. While officially unaffiliated in their first season, the Inferno soon reached a working relationship with the Manitoba Moose that turned into a formal affiliation the following season. On July 10, 2006, the team announced the end of their affiliation with the affiliate of Manitoba Moose (AHL) and Vancouver Canucks (NHL) (1). On July 12, 2006, the team announced a new affiliation with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL).

Demise

The Inferno were originally slated to move across the street to the Colonial Life Arena after the 2007–08 ECHL season, but legal issues with the arena's funding prevented the move. The team was voluntarily suspended for the 2008–09 season as the team was told that it could not be guaranteed a lease with the Carolina Coliseum in time to meet league requirements. The voluntary suspension was extended during subsequent seasons and, according to Joe Babik, the Director of Communications for the ECHL, includes the 2012–13 season.[2]

However, as of the 2013–14 season the team had not returned since its 2008 suspension. A March 2014 article in the Charleston-based The Post and Courier indicated team owner Ezra Riber was no longer required by the league to pay ECHL franchise fees.[3] Acknowledging his long term personal and financial commitment to the league, the BOG voted that he cease paying dues while affirming their interest in Dr. Riber bringing hockey back to Columbia. The team was not included in the June 2014 ECHL realignment for the 2014–15 season.[4] Columbia was removed as a "future market" by the ECHL shortly thereafter.[1]

History of the Columbia Inferno

Coaching history

Coach Tenure W L OTL Current status
Scott White 2001–2005 165 87 36 Director of Hockey Operations, Dallas Stars/General Manager, Texas Stars
Ted Dent 2005–2006 25 39 8 Head Coach, Rockford IceHogs
Troy Mann 2006–2008 62 62 20 Head Coach, Hershey Bears

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2001–02 72 36 22 14 -- 86 211 197 1618 3rd in Southeast Div SF, (Pride)
2002–03 7247 23 2 -- 96 265 202 1158 1st in Southeast Final, 1-4 (Boardwalk Bullies)
2003–04 7244 20 -- 8 96 275 217 1855 1st in South Div SF, 1-3 (Stingrays)
2004–05 7238 22 --12 88 199 186 1333 1st in East Conf QF, 2-3 (Checkers)
2005–06 7225 39 -- 8 58 209 290 1596 7th in South Out of Playoffs
2006-07 7229 34 -- 9 67 214 247 1316 7th in South Out of Playoffs
2007-08 7233 28 --11 77 212 217 1171 5th in South Conf SF, 2-3 (Stingrays)

Current roster

Team captains

NHL alumni

Notable players

Miscellaneous

Team highs

In the 2002-03 season, the Columbia Inferno were the Southern Conference champions.

Infamous moments

During the 2002–03 season, the Columbia Inferno played the rival South Carolina Stingrays at home. There was a fight in the second period involving every player from both teams. During this fight over 110 penalty minutes were awarded to both teams combined

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Future Markets", ECHL. (accessed 24 June 2014).
  2. ↑ Babik, Joe. "Columbia Inferno Facebook Fan Page". Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Miller, Andrew. "Southern fried hockey: the rise, fall and rise again of minor league hockey in the South", The Post and Courier, March 2, 2014. (accessed 26 June 2014)
  4. ↑ "Annual ECHL Board of Governors Meeting concludes", ECHL, June 24, 2014. (accessed 24 June 2014)

External links