List of defunct ECHL teams
Team Seasons Outcome
Carolina/Winston-Salem Thunderbirds 1988-92 Moved to Wheeling , WV
Cincinnati Cyclones 1990-92 Moved to Birmingham , AL
Virginia Lancers Roanoke Valley Rebels Roanoke Valley Rampage 1988-93 Moved to Huntsville , AL ( now Utah Grizzlies )
Louisville Icehawks 1990-94 Moved to Jacksonville , FL
Huntsville Blast 1993-94 Moved to Tallahassee , FL ( now Utah Grizzlies )
Greensboro Monarchs 1989-95 Ceased operations and replaced by the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL
Erie Panthers 1988-96 Moved to Baton Rouge , LA ( now defunct )
Nashville Knights 1989-96 Moved to Pensacola , FL and replaced by the Nashville Predators of the NHL
Knoxville Cherokees 1988-97 Moved to Florence , SC
Raleigh IceCaps 1991-98 Moved to Augusta , GA and replaced by the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL
Louisville RiverFrogs 1995-98 Moved to Miami , FL
Columbus Chill 1991-99 Moved to Reading , PA and replaced by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL
Chesapeake Icebreakers 1997-99 Moved to Jackson , MS
Miami Matadors 1998-99 Moved to Cincinnati , OH
Hampton Roads Admirals 1989-2000 Ceased operations and replaced by the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL from 2000-15 . The franchise was purchased in 2001 and became the Columbus Cottonmouths . A new ECHL Admirals team returned in 2015
Huntington Blizzard 1993-2000 Moved to Beaumont , TX ( now Manchester Monarchs )
Jacksonville Lizard Kings 1995-2000 Ceased operations
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks 1994-2001 Moved to Macon , GA ( now Utah Grizzlies )
Birmingham Bulls 1992-2001 Moved to Atlantic City , NJ ( now Adirondack Thunder )
Mobile Mysticks 1995-2002 Moved to Duluth , GA
Defunct and relocated teams prior to the ECHL 's absorption of the WCHL
This is a list of teams that once played in the ECHL but no longer exist. This includes franchises which have relocated to different cities. The years of operation only reflect the time in which the team was in the ECHL; it does not take into account any time in which the franchise operated in another league (such as the Central Hockey League, International Hockey League, United Hockey League or West Coast Hockey League).