The Erie Panthers were a professional hockey team, and one of the founding members in the East Coast Hockey League. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 1988 to 1996, they were one of the most prolific teams in the ECHL. The Panthers were known for their ability to score goals quickly and often, as well as for the over-aggressive style of play that led to an abundance of fights. They currently hold records in 15 different categories in the ECHL and are in the top 5 of 38 different categories.
History
The Panthers were created by Henry Brabham, who was also an intricate part of the creation of the ECHL itself. Erie was chosen as a location due to the success of the former Erie Golden Blades. The Panthers enjoyed success earlier on in their existence with five straight playoff appearances. Though never winning the league championship, the team was named the regular season champs for the 1989–90 season. The next three years would bring about the end of the Panthers franchise with three straight losing seasons. In 1996 the team would be moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and renamed the Baton Rouge Kingfish. There the team's struggles continued, making the playoffs in only one of seven seasons in Baton Rouge. In 2004 the franchise again relocated, this time moving 4,400 miles northwest to Victoria, British Columbia. The franchise continued operation there as the Victoria Salmon Kings, garnering a Division Championship in the 2007–08 season. The franchise finally ceased operations following the 2010-11 ECHL season, making way for the WHL's Victoria Royals. This marked the end of a 23-year franchise run, the longest in the league behind the Wheeling Nailers and the Greenville Road Warriors, both of which continue to operate.
Jersey and Logos
The Panthers' jerseys were black, white, and grey. The Home jersey had a white background, while the away jersey had a black background. The original logo was that of a grey panther and a hockey stick. During the 1991–92 season the use of an alternate logo was added. This logo was the face of a growling panther in dark blue. The 1994–95 season saw the last logo change for the Panthers. This logo was a caricature of a panther, under the word "Erie". Also used during the 1994–95 season was a "20th Anniversary of Hockey in Erie" patch.
The home of the Erie Panthers was the newly constructed Civic Center, now known as the Erie Insurance Arena, located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. The five-year-old arena held roughly 5,500 fans and served as one of the loudest places to play in the ECHL for eight years. Despite being a fairly new building, the Tullio Arena lacked a proper sound dampening system with the playing surface being surrounded on all sides by uncovered concrete walls. This design allowed the already loud noise of the crowd to be amplified throughout the building.
Coaches
1989–95: Head coach: Ron Hansis Asst. Coach: Barry Smith 1995–96: Head coach: Barry Smith
Players
Over the course of the eight seasons in Erie, 225 players suited up for the Panthers, with sixty-eight of those having already been drafted in the NHL Entry Draft or NHL Supplemental Draft. Only three players have ever playing in the NHLafter playing for the Panthers. Former players typically took one of two paths after leaving the team. They either played out their career in European hockey leagues, or joined the Roller Hockey International league.
NHL alumni
Individual Awards
1989 Coach of the Year: Ron Hansis 1989 MVP Award: Daryl Harpe 1989 Leading Scorer: Daryl Harpe 1989 Defenseman of the Year: Kelly Szauter 1990 MVP Award: Bill McDougall 1990 Rookie of the Year: Bill McDougall 1990 Leading Scorer: Bill McDougall 1995 Rookie of the Year: Kevin McKinnon 1995 Leading Scorer: Scott Burfoot
The Erie Panthers are ranked in the Top 5 of 38 categories kept track of by the ECHL. Of those, they are ranked #1 in 15 categories. Below is only a partial list of these records. See Also:List of Erie Panthers League Records. Most penalty minutes #1: 2,425 - Cam Brown Most goals, both teams #1: 21 - Erie Panthers vs. Carolina Thunderbirds, Dec. 21, 1988 #2: 20 - Richmond Renegades vs. Erie Panthers, Dec. 23, 1990 #3: 19 - Erie Panthers vs. Knoxville Cherokees, Mar. 18, 1989 Highest goals-per-game average #1: 5.95 - Erie Panthers, 1989-90 #4: 5.45 - Erie Panthers, 1988-89 Fastest three goals #1: 21 seconds - Doug Stromback, Daryl Harpe and Hank Banas, Erie vs. Knoxville, Nov. 29, 1988 Most penalty minutes, both teams #1: 244 - Toledo Storm vs. Erie, Mar. 22, 1993
