Greensboro Gargoyles Enter into Affiliation Agreement with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes

GREENSBORO, NC – The Greensboro Gargoyles announced today that the team has entered into an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves.  Tuesday evening’s announcement came at a press conference held at First Horizon Coliseum.  

“We couldn’t think of two better teams to help us usher in this Inaugural season of Gargoyles Hockey to the City of Greensboro,” said Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann. “With the proximity and an abundance of local support for the Hurricanes, along with a successful AHL club in the Chicago Wolves, this partnership makes perfect sense.  We look forward to working with both teams to develop players and bring a winning culture here to Greensboro.” 

The Hurricanes came to North Carolina in 1997, and the team played their first two seasons in Greensboro while an arena was being completed in Raleigh.  The Hurricanes have won six division titles and made their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2002, eventually falling to the Detroit Red Wings.  However, during the 2005-06 season, the Hurricanes blew past the Edmonton Oilers to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Title.  Notable Hurricanes players include Glen Wesley, Ron Francis, Eric Staal, Rod Brind’Amour, Justin Williams and Sebastian Aho just to name a few. The Hurricanes are currently competing in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals. 

The AHL’s Chicago Wolves play in Rosemont, Illinois and have enjoyed much success since their inception in 1994.  The Wolves began operations in the now defunct International Hockey League (IHL), winning Turner Cup Championships in 1998 and 2000.  The team moved to the AHL in 2001 and won three Calder Cup Titles in 2002, 2008 and 2022.   In total between the two leagues, the Wolves have won five league championships, 14 division titles, three conference titles and one regular season title.  Notable alumni include Darren Haydar, Brett Sterling, Jason Krog, Chad Larose, Steve Maltais and Jordan Binnington. 

“We’re thrilled to affiliate with the Gargoyles, and reconnect with our franchise’s history in Greensboro,” said Carolina Hurricanes Associate General Manager Darren Yorke. “We look forward to working closely with the Gargoyles staff to develop players who could someday make an impact here in Raleigh.”

The Greensboro Gargoyles are set to begin play this October at the First Horizon Coliseum, which is the same venue the Hurricanes played home games for their first two seasons.  

"As the former home of the Carolina Hurricanes, tonight's announcement further adds to the growing excitement and anticipation surrounding the Gargoyles and the return of hockey to First Horizon Coliseum," said First Horizon Coliseum General Manager Scott Johnson. "We can't wait for the puck to drop this fall and begin a new era of Gargoyles hockey in Greensboro."

The Gargoyles will compete in the Premier AA-Hockey League, the ECHL.  Full and partial ticket plans are currently on sale!  Visit www.gargoyleshockey.com   

The Gargoyles are owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, a nationally recognized successful operator of sports teams. In addition, to the Gargoyles, Zawyer Sports also currently operates the Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, 32 Degrees Marketing, Community First Igloo, Charlotte Checkers, and Gastonia Ghost Peppers.. Zawyer Sports consults on operations for the Tahoe Knight Monsters and Ghost Pirates Ice. Zawyer is also excited about the growth and development of the UPshot League, a professional women’s basketball league set to begin play in May of 2026.