League History
In the league's inaugural season, 1998–1999, the SEHL played with 6 teams all but two in Florida: the Alabama Gunners (Pelham, AL), the Chicago Force (Chicago, IL), the Daytona Riptide (Daytona, FL), the Jacksonville Hammerheads (Jacksonville, FL), the Kissimmee Fury (Kissimmee, FL), and the Space Coast Blast (Cape Canaveral, FL). The Gunners were clearly the toast of the league going on an 13-game unbeaten streak but folded after 24 games. Because the Gunners were unable to finish the season, the door was left open for the Space Coast Blast to win the league championship.
The next season, 1999–2000, The Kissimmee Fury renamed themselves the Orlando Fury and the SEHL added the Pelham Prowlers (Pelham, AL) and the Tampa Bay Ice Pirates (Tampa, FL). Again, the sole Alabama team dominated the season. The Prowlers went an outstanding 34-5-1 during the regular season and swept the Orlando Fury in two games and the Space Coast Blast in three games to take the SEHL championship from the previous champion.
The league suspended operations during the 2000-2001 season and had every intention of returning with at least 9 teams in 2001-2002, but those plans never materialized and the league folded.
Read more about this topic: Southern Elite Hockey League
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