Huntington Blizzard™

The Huntington Blizzard™ started play in 1993-94 in Huntington, WV, at the Huntington Civic Center (now Mountain Health Arena). The team sported a unique purple and blue color scheme and was the first pro hockey team in Huntington since the IHL's Huntington Hornets left town in 1957.  

The Blizzard had a tough first year, winning only 14 of 68 games. Year two saw an improvement, with a 28-37 record that would earn them a trip to the playoffs. Attendance was decent as well, as the team averaged around 4,000 fans per game each of the first two seasons. It would take until their fifth season to finish with a winning record, 34-29, which would earn them their second playoff appearance. Unfortunately both of those playoff trips would end in the first round. 

The Blizzard's best season was also unfortunately their last in West Virginia as attendance slowly dropped throughout their time in Huntington. In their seventh season, 1999-00, the team went 35-25 and would advance to the second round of the playoffs. After that, the Blizzard would go on hiatus and eventually move to Texas.