Charlotte Checkers (1993–2010)

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

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League ECHL 1993–2010 Charlotte Checkers Arena Spectrum Center		Operated 1993–2010 Owner Michael Kahn Founded 1993

City Charlotte, North Carolina Home arena Time Warner Cable Arena Colors Powder blue, navy blue, red, white Location Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Color Powder blue, navy blue, red, white

The Charlotte Checkers were an American ice hockey team in Charlotte, North Carolina, and played in the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League).

Franchise history

Following a 17-year break from ice hockey, the Checkers returned in 1993 and made the playoffs ten times, including winning the ECHL Championship in 1996.

The Checkers franchise was founded in 1993 and played from then until 2005 in Bojangles' Coliseum. In 2005, they moved to Time Warner Cable Arena. The team set their all-time attendance record of 12,398 on February 21, 2009 in a 5-2 win against the Florida Everblades. Their previous record was 11,237 in a loss against the Texas Wildcatters in February 2007.

On January 21, 2010, it was reported that negotiations were underway for the owner of the Checkers to buy the Albany River Rats, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. On February 10, the sale of the River Rats to the Checkers owner was confirmed, with the Rats taking on the Checkers identity starting with the 2010-11 season. As a result of this, the Checkers' ECHL membership was relinquished to the League at the end of the 2009-10 ECHL season, ending the franchise's ECHL history.

Season-by-season record

Records as of 2009-10 season.

Notes: There were no conferences in the ECHL prior to the 1997-98 season. Games tied at end of regulation went directly to shootout from 1995–2000

Playoffs

1993–94: Lost to Greensboro 2-1 in first round.

1994–95: Lost to Greensboro 3-0 in first round.

1995–96: Defeated Roanoke 3-0 in first round; defeated South Carolina 3-2 in quarterfinals; defeated Tallahassee 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Jacksonville 4-0 to win championship.

1996–97: Lost to South Carolina 3-0 in first round.

1997–98: Defeated Birmingham 3-1 in first round; lost to Pensacola 3-0 in quarterfinals.

1998–99: Did not qualify.

1999–00: Did not qualify.

2000–01: Lost to Dayton 3-2 in first round.

2001–02: Lost to Atlantic City 3-2 in first round.

2002–03: Did not qualify.

2003–04: Did not qualify.

2004–05: Defeated Columbia 3-2 in first round; defeated Gwinnett 3-1 in quarterfinals; lost to Florida 4-2 in semifinals.

2005–06: Lost to South Carolina 2-1 in first round.

2006–07: Lost to Florida 3-0 in first round.

2007–08: Lost to Gwinnett 3-0 in first round.

2008–09: Lost to South Carolina 4-2 in first round.

2009–10: Defeated Toledo 3-1 in first round; lost to Cincinnati 4-2 in quarterfinals.

Single season

Goals: 48 Sergei Berdnikov (1993-94)Assists: 61 Matt Robbins (1994-95), Scott King (2000-01), Kevin Hilton (2000-01)Points: 101 Scott King (2000-01)Penalty Minutes: 352 Eric Boulton (1996-97)GAA: 2.43 Scott Meyer (2003-04)SV%: .923 Scott Meyer (2003-04), Jeff Jakaitis (2008-09),Wins: 32 Nick Vitucci (1995-96)Shutouts: 3 Scott Meyer(2003-04), Alex Westlund(2006-07)

Goaltending records need a minimum 25 games played by the goaltender