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| Greenville Grrrowl | |
 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Home ice | BI-LO Center |
| Based in | Greenville, South Carolina |
| Colors | Black, gold, purple, silver |
| League | ECHL |
| Head coach | John Marks |
The Greenville Grrrowl was an ECHL hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. They played their home games at the BI-LO Center. In the 2001–02 season, they won the Kelly Cup.[1]
The Grrrowl's initial season was 1998–99, with former Chicago Blackhawks defensive star John Marks as their coach. He remained their only coach from 1998 to 2006.[2] They were an affiliate of the AHL Norfolk Admirals,[3] and an affiliate of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers.[1]
The team announced that it was folding on June 2, 2006, after running a US$1,000,000 deficit during 2005 that left the team unable to attract new investors.[4] They began losing money after attendance slid from 7,000 per game in their first season to just 2,100 in 2004-05.[1] On June 15, the BI-LO Center announced they were willing to pay $350,000 to keep the team afloat, hoping to entice developers to save the team.[5] Despite the offer, the Grrrowl ceased operations on July 10, 2006 when the team failed to find new sources of financing.[1] According to Grrrowl president Ed Rubinstein, the team only plans to refund "some percentage" of money already paid by season ticket holders.[1]
Hockey returned to Greenville after a four-year absence when the Johnstown Chiefs relocated and became the Greenville Road Warriors in 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Dykes, Davis (July 12, 2006). "Grrrowl fold; arena expected to lose money without team". The Greenville News. Retrieved September 3, 2006. [dead link]
- ^ "Greenville Grrrowl Hockey: John Marks". Greenville Grrrowl. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- ^ "Hawks, Admirals Announce Affiliation w/ Toledo". Chicago Blackhawks. August 14, 2006. Archived from the original on August 20, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2006.
- ^ Szobody, Ben; Dykes, Davis (May 23, 2006). "Grrrowl not paying some bills, president says". The Greenville News. Retrieved September 3, 2006. [dead link]
- ^ Szobody, Ben (June 15, 2006). "Bi-Lo Center may pitch in for Grrrowl". The Greenville News. Retrieved September 3, 2006. [dead link]