IHL San Diego Gulls Inaugural Program

Hallelujah, in 1990-91 hockey returned to San Diego after a 12 year absence. San Diego had always been a good hockey market but geography played a big part in the absence. All their regional rival cities faced the same circumstances—no league to play in. In 1984 the Salt Lake Golden Eagles convinced the International Hockey League (IHL) owners to branch out of their upper midwest footprint. Soon after, a western division emerged as the Phoenix Roadrunners returned in 1989 and San Diego Gulls debuted the following year.

San Diego Fans were ready as 9,045 flocked to the first game (including yours truly). That 1990-91 team featured Ron Duguay and Larry Floyd and was decent on ice for an expansion team. The team played five seasons in the IHL, including spectacular teams before imploding from the top (ownership) and moving the team to Los Angeles (like the Clippers and Chargers).

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1990-91 San Diego Gulls Related Links

– Ron Duguay shootout stopped by Scott Sharples, Salt Lake Golden Eagles