The Columbia Inferno are an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. They play their home games at the Carolina Coliseum. The Inferno first took the ice in 2001 as an expansion team after a group of physicians dubbed the "Hockey Docs" sought to purchase a team. While officially unaffiliated in their first season, the Inferno soon reached a working relationship with the Manitoba Moose that turned into a formal affiliation the following season. On July 10, 2006, the team announced the end of their affiliation with the affiliate of Manitoba Moose (AHL) and Vancouver Canucks (NHL). On July 12, 2006, the team announced a new affiliation with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL). The team has been granted voluntary suspension for the 2008–09 season as the team was told that it could not be guaranteed a lease with the Carolina Coliseum in time to meet league requirements, but plans on returning to action in the 2009–10 season.
Official Columbia Inferno Website: http://www.columbiainferno.com/
History of the Columbia Inferno[]
Coaching History[]
Coach | Tenure | W | L | T | Current Status |
Scott White | 2001–2005 | 165 | 87 | 36 | Director of Hockey Operations, Iowa Stars |
Ted Dent | 2005–2006 | 25 | 39 | 8 | |
Troy Mann | 2006– | -- | -- | -- |
Season-by-Season Record[]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
2001–02 | 72 | 36 | 22 | 14 | -- | 86 | 211 | 197 | 1618 | 3rd in Southeast | Div SF, (Pride) |
2002–03 | 72 | 47 | 23 | 2 | -- | 96 | 265 | 202 | 1158 | 1st in Southeast | Final, 1-4 (Boardwalk Bullies) |
2003–04 | 72 | 44 | 20 | 8 | -- | 96 | 275 | 217 | 1855 | 1st in South | Div SF, 1-3 (Stingrays) |
2004–05 | 72 | 38 | 22 | 12 | -- | 88 | 199 | 186 | 1333 | 1st in East | Conf QF, 2-3 (Checkers) |
2005–06 | 72 | 25 | 39 | 8 | -- | 58 | 209 | 290 | 1596 | 7th in South | Out of Playoffs |
Team Captains[]
- 2006-2007
- C - Chris Thompson
- C - Brad Ralph
- A - Mike Vellinga
- A - Tyson Marsh
- A - Jeff Miles
- A - Brad Ralph
- 2005-2006
- C - Jay Legault
- A - Leon Hayward
- A - Derek Eastman
- C - Jay Legault
- 2004-2005
- C - Trevor Demmans
- A - Brad Ralph
- A - Matt Ulwelling
- A - Kevin Hopke
- C - Trevor Demmans
- 2003-2004
- C - Barrie Moore
- A - Dennis Vial
- A - Sean Owens
- C - Barrie Moore
- 2002-2003
- C - Barrie Moore
- A - Dennis Vial
- A - Corey Hessler
- C - Barrie Moore
NHL Alumni[]
- Dennis Vial
- Alex Auld
- Eric Boulton
- Alexandre Burrows
- Fedor Federov
- Robert McVicar
Infamous Moments[]
During the 2002–03 season, the Columbia Inferno played the South Carolina Stingrays (their biggest rival) at home. There was a fight in the second period involving every player from both teams.