Magic City Hockey

Welcome to Magic City Hockey, a look at the history of professional hockey in Birmingham, Alabama.  This history, which spans nearly three decades, includes at least seven teams and leagues, as well as thousands of fans.  First coming to Alabama in 1976, professional hockey has a strong and loyal fan base in the greater Birmingham area and beyond.  That steadfast fervor began immediately upon hockey's arrival, when the WHA Bulls' first-ever game was played before a sold-out Coliseum crowd of 16,850.  After the demise of the World Hockey Association, that enthusiasm continued, however it would soon be unrequited, as minor league hockey struggled and eventually went away. 

The passion for hockey would again emerge with the arrival of the young East Coast Hockey League in 1992, as the new Bulls would soon be setting league attendance records.  After only five years in the league, six of the ECHL's all-time top ten crowds were in Birmingham.  Unfortunately, those Bulls would meet the same fate as the NBA's Charlotte Hornets: George Shinn.  Shinn bought and moved the Bulls to Atlantic City after the 2000-01 season.  The latest chapter in Magic City hockey was written by the Alabama Slammers of what is now known as the Southern Professional Hockey League, who played the 2003-04 season in Pelham.  Unfortunately, financial concerns surrounding the team forced the city of Pelham to not renew its lease with the Slammers.  Today, fans await for the return of professional hockey to the metro.