Nashville Knights
The Nashville Knights began play in the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in 1989-90, six years after the Nashville South Stars moved to Virginia. They were an instant success, drawing over 6,000 people on numerous evenings and setting a league attendance record of 8,805 in 1990. They weren't quite as good on the ice at first, finishing below .500 and missing the playoffs in their first few seasons.
By year four, the club had improved and was managed by veteran big league enforcer Nick Fotiu. In 1992-93, they finished with 36 victories in 64 games and qualified for the playoffs. The Knights defeated Dayton in the playoffs before falling to the eventual champions, Toledo. Trevor Jobe, a minor league journeyman, led the squad with an astounding 85-76-161 stat line in only 64 games that season. Jobe's goal and point totals are still a league records. The next season was less successful since Jobe left for Slovakia and the Knights changed coaches at the conclusion of the 1993-94 season.
Under new coach Mark Kumpel, the team's last two years would have some similarities. In 1994-95, they won 32 games and advanced to the third round of the playoffs before being eliminated. However, they had their greatest season (42 wins) in 1995-96, thanks to future major leaguer Glen Metropolit. They were only two points away from the division title. However, they would be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. With fan support dwindling in later years, the club relocated to Florida in 1996.
By year four, the club had improved and was managed by veteran big league enforcer Nick Fotiu. In 1992-93, they finished with 36 victories in 64 games and qualified for the playoffs. The Knights defeated Dayton in the playoffs before falling to the eventual champions, Toledo. Trevor Jobe, a minor league journeyman, led the squad with an astounding 85-76-161 stat line in only 64 games that season. Jobe's goal and point totals are still a league records. The next season was less successful since Jobe left for Slovakia and the Knights changed coaches at the conclusion of the 1993-94 season.
Under new coach Mark Kumpel, the team's last two years would have some similarities. In 1994-95, they won 32 games and advanced to the third round of the playoffs before being eliminated. However, they had their greatest season (42 wins) in 1995-96, thanks to future major leaguer Glen Metropolit. They were only two points away from the division title. However, they would be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. With fan support dwindling in later years, the club relocated to Florida in 1996.
