The San Diego Gulls were a minor league ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Division of the ECHL, and played its home games at the IPayOne Center (aka San Diego Sports Arena). After the NHL lockout in 2004, the Gulls became the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. As of June 29, 2006, the Gulls folded and released their players as free agents in 2006 following years of unprofitable seasons. [1]
The team was founded in 1966 as part of the Western Hockey League (minor pro), during which time Willie O'Ree, the first black athlete to play in the NHL, was an All-Star for the Gulls. His jersey is retired at the iPayOne Center, and hangs proudly from the rafters today. The Gulls played in the WHL until 1974. In 1990, the Gulls were founded again as part of the International Hockey League, and later moved to Long Beach in 1995 to become the Ice Dogs. A new San Diego Gulls team was founded again in the brand-new West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) in 1995, where the Gulls won five of the league's eight championships (the Taylor Cup). Later the Ice Dogs joined the WCHL. In 2003 the West Coast Hockey League became the Pacific Division of the ECHL, formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League.
Throughout their WCHL stint and through their first year of ECHL play, the Gulls were coached by St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) alumnus Steve Martinson. Martinson left the Gulls and went on to coach the Rockford IceHogs of the UHL. Martin St. Amour, who was a star for the Gulls in their WCHL years replaced Martinson as head coach prior to the 2004-05 season. St. Amour stepped down in the middle of the 2005-06 season and was replaced by former Gulls players Jamie Black and B.J. MacPherson as co-coaches.
The team's cheerleaders were known as the San Diego Gull Girls. The team had two mascots: Sandy Gull and Baby Gull, both were huge fan favorites.
Per Gulls website [2]:
GULLS TO FORMALLY CEASE OPERATIONS FRIDAY - [ 06-29-2006 ] SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Gulls announced Thursday that they will formally cease operations as of Friday (June 30). Ongoing negotiations to sell the club did not materialize in a timeframe sufficient to operate for the 2006-07 season.