| Carolina Thunderbirds | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City: | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| League: | Atlantic Coast Hockey League (1982-1987), All-American Hockey League (1987-1988) East Coast Hockey League (1988-1989 |
| Founded: | 1985 |
| Home Arena: | Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum |
| Franchise history | |
| 1981-1982: | Winston-Salem Thunderbirds |
| 1982-1989: | Carolina Thunderbirds |
| 1989-1992: | Winston-Salem Thunderbirds |
| 1992-1996: | Wheeling Thunderbirds |
| 1996-present: | Wheeling Nailers |
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Winston-Salem Thunderbirds(T-birds)
Carolina Thunderbirds circa 1982-83
The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds were an ice hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The Thunderbirds played their home games at the old Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum before the arena was demolished in 1989. The team played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League from 1982 to 1987, the All-American Hockey League during 1987-88 and finally moved to the East Coast Hockey League in 1988. The franchise used the name Carolina Thunderbirds prior to the 1989-90 season. The franchise was noted for its heated, often violent rivalry with the neighboring Greensboro Monarchs. The team moved to Wheeling, West Virginia in 1992, playing as the
Wheeling Thunderbirds
. In 1995 the team changed its name to the Wheeling Nailers.
Wheeling Nailers
Season-by-season record[]
Atlantic Coast Hockey League[]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OL | SL | Pts | GF | GA | Place | Playoffs |
| 1981-82 | 50 | 14 | 33 | 3 | - | - | 31 | 184 | 265 | 5th | Lost Semifinals |
| 1982-83 | 66 | 51 | 10 | 7 | - | - | 111 | 376 | 208 | 1st | Won Championship |
| 1983-84 | 72 | 43 | 24 | 5 | - | - | 92 | 381 | 300 | 1st | Lost Final |
| 1984-85 | 64 | 53 | 10 | 1 | - | - | 107 | 374 | 220 | 1st | Won Championship |
| 1985-86 | 63 | 49 | 14 | 0 | - | - | 104 | 397 | 227 | 1st | Won Championship |
| 1986-87 | 56 | 23 | 31 | 2 | - | - | 48 | 252 | 278 | 4th | Lost Semifinals |
All-American Hockey League[]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OL | SL | Pts | GF | GA | Place | Playoffs |
| 1987-88 | 49 | 34 | 15 | - | 0 | - | 68 | 355 | 182 | 2nd |
East Coast Hockey League[]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OL | SL | Pts | GF | GA | Place | Playoffs |
| 1988-89 | 60 | 27 | 32 | - | 1 | - | 55 | 266 | 329 | 4th | Won Championship |
| 1989-90 | 60 | 38 | 16 | - | 6 | - | 82 | 312 | 257 | T-1st | Lost Final |
| 1990-91 | 64 | 20 | 41 | - | 3 | - | 43 | 228 | 323 | 6th West | Did not qualify |
| 1991-92 | 64 | 36 | 24 | - | 4 | - | 76 | 270 | 245 | 3rd East | Lost First Round |
For a continuation of this franchise please see Wheeling Nailers
Head coaches[]
- Rick Dudley 1981-86
- Brendon Watson 1988-89
Championships[]
- East Coast Hockey League play-off champions (Riley Cup), 1989
- Atlantic Coast Hockey League play-off champions, 1983 and 1985
- Atlantic Coast Hockey League regular season champions, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85 & 1985-86
- All-American Hockey League play-off champions, 1988
See also[]
| Preceded by Inaugural |
ECHL Riley Cup Champions 1988-89 |
Succeeded by Greensboro Monarchs |