San Diego Gulls

The San Diego Gulls are a minor league hockey team that plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL, and plays its home games at the IPayOne Center.

Related Topics:
Hockey - ECHL - IPayOne Center

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The team was founded in 1966 as part of the Western Hockey League, during which time Willie O'Ree, first black athlete to play in the NHL was an All-Star for the Gulls. His jersey is retired at the San Diego Sports Arena, and hangs proudly from the rafters today. The Gulls played WHL hockey until 1974. In 1990, the Gulls were founded again as part of the International Hockey League, and later moved to Long Beach in 1995 to become the Ice Dogs. A new San Diego Gulls team was founded again in the brand-new West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) in 1995, where the Gulls won five of the league's eight championships (the Taylor Cup). Later the Ice Dogs joined the WCHL. In 2003 the West Coast Hockey League became the Pacific Division of the ECHL, formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League.

Related Topics:
Western Hockey League - Willie O'Ree - Black - Athlete - NHL - San Diego Sports Arena - WHL - International Hockey League - Long Beach - Ice Dogs - West Coast Hockey League - WCHL - ECHL - East Coast Hockey League

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Throughout their WCHL stint and through their first year of ECHL play, the Gulls were coached by St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) alumnus Steve Martinson. The team is currently coached by Martin St. Amour, who was a star for the Gulls in their WCHL years.

Related Topics:
WCHL - ECHL - St. Cloud State University - Martin St. Amour

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