Nashville South Stars

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Nashville South Stars
CityNashville
LeagueCentral Hockey League
Atlantic Coast Hockey League
Operated1981–1983
Home arenaNashville Municipal Auditorium
ColorsGreen, gold, black, white
AffiliateMinnesota North Stars
Franchise history
1981–1983 Nashville South Stars
1983–1990Virginia Lancers
1990–1992Roanoke Valley Rebels
1992–1993Roanoke Valley Rampage
1993–1994Huntsville Blast
1994–2001Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
2001–2002Macon Whoopee
2002–2003Lexington Men O' War
2005–presentUtah Grizzlies

The Nashville South Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League (CHL) for the 1981–82 season. They then played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) for the 1982–83 season and part of the 1983–84 season before the franchise relocated to become the Virginia Lancers.

It had been 10 years since Nashville's last hockey team, the Nashville Dixie Flyers, played as part of the Eastern Hockey League.[1]

The South Stars were founded by Larry Schmittou, who was a principal owner of the Nashville Sounds minor-league baseball team. The team played at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, where the hockey seating configuration was such that spectators seated more than a row back in the seats that were above and behind the goal lines could not see the nets.

The team was the top affiliate of the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and was coached by Gene Ubriaco,[2] who would later coach the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL.

The South Stars reached the CHL playoffs, but lost in the first round[3] to the Wichita Wind.

The Nashville South Stars played only for one season in the CHL[4] before joining the Atlantic Coast Hockey League for the 1982–83 season. The franchise would relocate to Vinton, Virginia during the next season in December 1983.[5]

Notable personnel[edit]

Season-by-season record[edit]

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

Central Hockey League
Season GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1981–82 78 41 35 4 86 313 319 2057 4th Lost Quarterfinals
Playoffs GP W L GF GA Finish
1981–82 3 0 3 55 11 Lost Quarterfinals

References[edit]