Amarillo Gorillas
| Amarillo Gorillas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Amarillo, Texas |
| League | Central Hockey League Western Professional Hockey League |
| Founded | 1996 (In the WPHL) |
| 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) |
| Affiliate | Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1996–2002 | Amarillo Rattlers |
| 2002–2010 | Amarillo Gorillas |
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, composed of local businessmen Bill Tolliver, Gary Thach, Joe Gammesfelter, Daryl Felsberg, Kevin Moon, Jay Hedrick, and Shaughn Ogrady. 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
- ^ "Amarillo Gorillas". Bush League Factor. February 25, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Amarillo Gorillas Cease Operations for the 2010–2011 Season". Amarillo Gorillas. May 19, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Henry, Dave (May 19, 2010). "No more Gorillas in our midst: Home team on outs; Developmental squad replacing it". Amarillo Globe-News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "NAHL approves Amarillo, Texas membership". North American Hockey League. May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.