Southern Hockey League (1973-77)

The Southern Hockey League was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that operated from 1973 to 1977. The SHL was one of two leagues along with the North American Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973. The league began with six franchises and ended with seven, then folded midseason, on January 31, 1977.

The league's playoff championship the Crockett Cup was named in honor of James Crockett, Sr. who was a long time sports and entertainment promoter in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the owner of the Charlotte Checkers, the Charlotte Orioles minor league baseball team, and was a professional wrestling promoter; running Jim Crockett Promotions, which eventually became Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.