Sunshine Hockey League

SUNSHINE HOCKEY LEAGUE

(1992 - 1995)

The Sunshine Hockey League was formed in 1992 as interest in hockey in the US South was on the rise; especially in Florida with the addition of Tampa Bay and Florida to the NHL. The league started out as a small 5-team league.

After the first season, the league lost the St. Petersburg Renegades who ceased operations. The league also struggled to find talent as other stronger leagues were also rapidly expanding.

In its third and last season, the league attracted the Fresno Falcons to play a portion of their schedule in the league. Fresno was a strong senior/semi pro team looking for competition. Finding it on the other side of the country is somewhat unusual. As it turns out, the arrangement lasted just one season as the Fresno Falcons found competition closer to home with the formation of the WCHL.

The league decided to change its name to the Southern Hockey League in 1995. The was in part to reflect the recent expansion outside of the state of Florida. The name change did little to improve the stability of the league.