Southern Hockey League (1973–1977)
| Founded | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Ceased | 1977 |
| Replaced by | Eastern Hockey League |
| Commissioner | Tedd Munchak (1974–75) Jack Riley (1975–77) |
| No. of teams | 5 to 7 |
| Country | United States |
| Most titles | Charlotte Checkers (2) |
The Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The league was formed when the Eastern Hockey League split in two; the southern teams became the Southern Hockey League, and the northern teams became the North American Hockey League. It was the first professional hockey league to operate wholly within the Southern United States, and followed the establishment of the Atlanta Flames in the National Hockey League; and also the Richmond Robins and the Tidewater Wings in the American Hockey League. The Southern Hockey League was a feeder league for the recently started World Hockey Association. Tedd Munchak was appointed the league's first commissioner, and was owner of the Greensboro Generals. The championship trophy of the league was named the James Crockett Cup, after local figure Jim Crockett Sr. The league disbanded during its fourth season, when four of its seven teams folded due to financial issues.