Columbia Inferno
| Columbia Inferno | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Columbia, South Carolina |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | American Conference |
| Division | South Division |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Operated | 2001–2008 |
| Home arena | Carolina Coliseum |
| Colors | Red, yellow, black, white |
| Owner(s) | Ezra B. Riber, MD |
| Franchise history | |
| 2001–2008 | Columbia Inferno |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | none |
| Division Championships | 3 (2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05) |
| Conference Championships | 1 (2002–03) |
| Kelly Cups | none |
The Columbia Inferno was an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. Beginning in 2008, the team went on voluntary suspension awaiting construction of a new arena in suburban Lexington County, South Carolina, however, the ECHL dropped Columbia as a "future market" in June 2014. They played their home games at the Carolina Coliseum.
The Inferno first took the ice in 2001 as an expansion team after a group of physicians dubbed the "Hockey Docs" sought to purchase a team. While officially unaffiliated in their first season, the Inferno soon reached a working relationship with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League that turned into a formal affiliation the following season and later with Manitoba's National Hockey League affiliate, the Vancouver Canucks. On July 10, 2006, the team announced the end of their affiliation with the Moose and Canucks and announced a new affiliation with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) two days later.
The Inferno was originally slated to move across the street to the Colonial Life Arena after the 2007–08 ECHL season, but legal issues with the arena's funding prevented the move. The team was voluntarily suspended for the 2008–09 season as the team was told that it could not be guaranteed a lease with the Carolina Coliseum in time to meet league requirements. The voluntary suspension was extended during subsequent seasons and, according to Joe Babik, the Director of Communications for the ECHL, included the 2012–13 season.
However, as of the 2013–14 season the team had not returned since its 2008 suspension. A March 2014 article in the Charleston-based The Post and Courier indicated team owner Ezra Riber was no longer required by the league to pay ECHL franchise fees. Acknowledging his long term personal and financial commitment to the league, the BOG voted that he cease paying dues while affirming their interest in Dr. Riber bringing hockey back to Columbia. The team was not included in the June 2014 ECHL realignment for the 2014–15 season. Columbia was removed as a "future market" by the ECHL shortly thereafter.
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