The Richmond Wildcats were a minor league professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond joined the Southern Hockey League as an expansion team in 1976, and replaced the void at the Richmond Coliseum, when the Richmond Robins ceased operations. The Wildcats were affiliated with the New York Rangers, and the St. Louis Blues, for the 1976–77 Southern Hockey League season. Forbes Kennedy was named the team's coach. The offence was led by Barry Scully with 44 points, Claude Periard with 30 goals, and Lorne Rombough with 28 goals.
The original face of the ownership group was Dwight Neal, who signed the team's letter of credit. However, Neal was out of the picture by September, a month before the season began. Three months into the season, new principal owner Steve Fox announced the team was on the verge of dissolving due to $30,000 in losses. The SHL was ready to cancel the franchise, but Kennedy and the players agreed to take the gate receipts until new owners came forward, even though it meant forgoing their insurance.
While the Wildcats made a good account of themselves during this stretch, they lost patience when a sale failed to materialize. After their January 4, 1977 game against the Tidewater Sharks, the players voted not to continue, and the franchise folded 38 games into the season.
Notable players Notable Wildcats players that also played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association:
Willie Brossart Andre Gill Bill Goldthorpe Greg Hickey Keith Kokkola Ralph MacSweyn Jim McCrimmon Lorne Rombough Danny Schock
Results Richmond won 21 games, compared to 16 losses and a tie, and earned the fifth most points in the league.
SeasonGPWLTPtsPctGFGAPIMStandingPlayoffs1976–773821161430.5661601446025th, SHLFolded
References
External links Bring Hockey Back to Richmond