Atlantic City Seagulls (EHL)

The Atlantic City Seagulls was an American professional ice hockey team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The team shared the same name with an earlier franchise that had moved to Philadelphia in 1942.[1]

For the earlier team of the same name, see Atlantic City Seagulls (TSHL).
Atlantic City Seagulls
CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
LeagueEastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL)
Operated1947–1952
Home arenaBoardwalk Hall
ColorsRed, white, teal
     
Championships
Playoff championships1951

History

After the original Seagulls franchise relocated because of World War II, the Boardwalk Hall remained without a tenant until 1947. A new Atlantic City Seagulls (sometimes spelled 'Sea Gulls') joined the Eastern Amateur Hockey League. The team, coached by Mel Harwood, finished third out of four teams but then was forced to suspend play when the entire league went dormant in 1948.[2] When the EAHL returned in 1949, so did the Seagulls. Now led by Herb Foster, who had played on the original squad, Atlantic City hoped to recapture the magic that the former franchise had possessed. Foster led the team to a league championship in 1951 and the Seagulls advanced to the national senior championship. Ultimately, they fell to the Toledo Mercurys 3–4 in the semifinals.

While the franchise had modest success on the ice, the falling tourism in Atlantic City after the war harmed the team in the ticket office. By 1952 the Seagulls were no longer able to support themselves and the team dissolved.[3]

Notable players, coaches and owners
  • Herb Foster; played for the Seagulls in its first two seasons and coached for the final three.
  • Stan Smrke; played during the inaugural season before becoming the first Yugoslavian-born player in NHL history.
  • Val Delory; suited up for the team but did not play in any games before being traded to the New York Rovers.
  • Dick Bittner; played in three games during the inaugural season.
  • Len Speck; played the early part of his long minor league career with the Seagulls.
  • Gordie Haworth; played seven games for Atlantic City in 1950.
  • George Hayes; led the Seagulls in scoring in 1951.
  • Gordon Buttrey; played in the team's final two seasons.
  • Lorne Anderson; the team's primary goaltender in 1951.
  • Ross Johnstone; finished his career with the Seagulls in 1952.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

EHL SeasonGPWLTPtsGFGAFinishCoachPlayoffs
1947–484817256401671963rdMel HarwoodNone
1948–49league suspended play
1949–504714312301221933rd in EastHerb FosterLost East Round-Robin
1950–51542324753231218T–3rdHerb FosterWon Championship
1951–526526363552552312nd in SouthernHerb FosterMissed playoffs

References
  1. "Atlantic City Sea Gulls Statistics and History". Hockey DB. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  2. Fischler, Stan (2013). We Are the Rangers: The Oral History of the New York Rangers. Triumph Books. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-60078-867-3.
  3. "Atlantic City Seagulls history". Vintage Hockey. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
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