Philadelphia Growl
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Growl were a professional inline hockey
Inline hockey
Inline hockey, often referred to as roller hockey in the United States, is a sport similar to ice hockey but played with inline skates. Like its parent sport, skaters on two teams use hockey sticks to direct a disk-shaped puck into the opponent's goal; however, various details of the game, such as...

 team based in Voorhees
Voorhees Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 28,126 people, 10,489 households, and 7,069 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,424.0 people per square mile . There were 11,084 housing units at an average density of 955.2 per square mile...

, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

. They were members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (PIHA)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the Professional Inline Hockey Association used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....

 of the Professional Inline Hockey Association
Professional Inline Hockey Association
The Professional Inline Hockey Association, often abbreviated to the PIHA, is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey league of 16 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States. Headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the PIHA...

 (PIHA). The team was founded in 2003 as one of four original expansion franchises of the Professional Inline Hockey Association. The Growl were the first of these expansion teams to win the Founders Cup
Founders Cup (PIHA)
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of the Professional Inline Hockey Association , the major professional inline hockey league in the United States. It is similar to the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup...

 in 2005 and again in 2006. The Growl did not win the Cup since.

The Growl's has an all-time winning percentage of .708 (as of the end of the 2008 season
2008 PIHA season
The 2008 PIHA season is the 7th season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association. It began on December 1, 2007, and will run through April 27, 2008...

) is one of the best in the PIHA.

The Growl originally played their home games in Feasterville, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 at the Sportsplex from 2002 until 2006, and then in Voorhees, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

 at the Flyers Skate Zone from 2006 to the present.

Franchise history

The Philadelphia Growl were founded as an expansion franchise of the Professional Inline Hockey Association
Professional Inline Hockey Association
The Professional Inline Hockey Association, often abbreviated to the PIHA, is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey league of 16 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States. Headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the PIHA...

 (PIHA) in 2003. The organization was started by seven players of the defunct Nexed Generation, Anthony Flynn, Mike Sanchez, Angelo Citino, Dan Lenza, Mason Teitelman, Jason Suppin, & Harry Garber.

2003

Beginning play in 2003, the Growl made their debut on April 12, 2003, losing 16-4 on the road to the Harrisburg Lunatics
Harrisburg Lunatics
The Harrisburg Lunatics are a professional inline hockey team based in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, and competing in the PIHA. Harrisburg is one of two teams that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA, the other is the Pennsylvania Typhoon...

. The Growl made their home debut a week later at The Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

 losing 10-8 to the West Chester Shockwave. They won their first game 8 days later, defeating the Shockwave on the road, 10-8. The team principal owner Anthony Flynn was named the Growl's first captain and Brian Fischer was the Growl's premier player as well as the league's top scorer their first season with a total of 55 goals. With all teams grouped into one division, the Growl finished in 5th place. They would go on to upset the 4th place Philadelphia Beast and would go on to lose the next round to the eventual champion York Typhoon in 2 straight games.

2004

In year two, Anthony Flynn became the team's principal owner and stepped down as a player to manage the organization. His first act was to nameMike Sanchez as the team's new captain. While the team continued to struggle in their sophomore season, Flynn made the first of many big moves to come in signing premier forward John Pinheiro to their roster. Although the Growl finished one game under .500 in 2004, they did upset the second place Reading Nasty Boyz in the first round of the playoffs, before once again losing to the York Typhoon in the league semi-finalsfor the second consecutive year.

2005–2006

The off-season leading up to the 2005 season would change the landscape of the Professional Inline Hockey League forever. For the first three seasons the PIHA was dominated by the Yoder's and the York Typhoon. It was at this time that Owner/GM Anthony Flynn completely dismantled his team and rebuilt around returning goalie Jason Kalish and sniper John Pinheiro. During the offseason he brought in Bobby Beauchamp & JD Davidson both from the defunct Team Breakaway. Also inked that summer was Ron Tracy and Sean Sullivan who headlined the team's top forward spots for the next few years. Finally the league's leading scorer from the season before Jim Vivona joined the team along with Meaty Aksalic and Keith Diprima. It was during the 2005
2005 PIHA season
-PIHA awards:...

 season that the Growl shed the mediocre expansion team label and became a force in the league and proved that the expansion teams could challenge the three-time defending champions' York Typhoon
York Typhoon
The York Typhoon were a professional inline hockey team based in York, Pennsylvania, and competed in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. They are now known as the Pennsylvania Typhoon. York is one of two franchises that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA,...

's dynasty. Jim Vivona set Growl team records with 62 assists and 86 points in a season and the Growl recorded their first winning season reaching the top of the Delaware Valley Division
Delaware Valley Division (PIHA)
The PIHA's Delaware Valley Division was formed in 2002 as part of the leagues inaugural season. The division existed for two of the first three years of the league until 2005.-2002:*Cherry Hill Renegades*Delaware Blue Diamond Blades...

 with a record of 23-9, qualifying for the playoffs.

Come playoff time, the Growl swept the Harrisburg Lunatics
Harrisburg Lunatics
The Harrisburg Lunatics are a professional inline hockey team based in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, and competing in the PIHA. Harrisburg is one of two teams that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA, the other is the Pennsylvania Typhoon...

 in two games in the semifinals as they advanced to the Founders Cup Finals. Their opponent, the powerhouse dynasty of the York Typhoon
York Typhoon
The York Typhoon were a professional inline hockey team based in York, Pennsylvania, and competed in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. They are now known as the Pennsylvania Typhoon. York is one of two franchises that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA,...

 took Game 1 by a score of 7-3. The Growl responded in game Game 2 by a dominating score of 13-3 to even the series. That set the stage for Game 3 in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

. The Growl defeated the Typhoon 5-3 as the Growl brought the Founders Cup to somewhere other than York for the first time ever. Growl goaltender Jason Kalish won the Walt Frazier Award
Walt Frazier Award (PIHA)
The Walter Frazier Award is awarded to the Professional Inline Hockey Association is deemed the most valuable player in the Founders Cup Playoffs.-History:...

 as the Playoff MVP. The Growl won the PIHA Founders Cup in only their 3rd season of existence.

In 2006
2006 PIHA season
-PIHA awards:...

, Vivona, topped his mark from the previous season by setting a team record for assists (64 in all). Second year sensation Sean Sullivan topped Growl team marks by setting records for goals (61) and points (92) on his way to winning the Joe Cook Award
Joe Cook Award (PIHA)
The Joe Cook Award is awarded to the Professional Inline Hockey Association player who leads the league in points at the end of the regular season.-History:...

 for league high scorer. As the league expanded beyond the East Coast, GM Anthony Flynn made two large off-season signing in defenseman Mike Keating and goaltender Joe D'Aloisio. The Growl as a team improved their record to 29-3, the best record in the league. The Growl easily swept the Morristown Minutemen and were presented with the York Typhoon for a second straight year in the Eastern Conference finals. With the Typhoon not the power they once were, the Growl proceeded to sweep York as well three games to none, outscoring them 17-6 in three games.

Facing Rupp Award winning
Scott Rupp Award (PIHA)
The Scott Rupp Award, originally known as the Professional Inline Hockey Association Most Valuable Player Award, is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. The Scott Rupp Award has been awarded seven times to seven different...

 goaltender Ryan Clemens and the expansion Littleton Fire
Littleton Fire
The Littleton Fire is a professional inline hockey team that competes in the Professional Inline Hockey Association Minor League. They are affiliated with the Lakewood Fire of the Professional Inline Hockey Association....

 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...

 in the Founders Cup Finals, the Growl won the first game 6-0 despite missing Bobby Beauchamp, Mike Keating, and league high scorer Sean Sullivan due to travel delays. The Growl with a full roster again shut out the Littleton 4-0 in Game 2 taking a commanding two games to none lead. Facing elimination the Fire battled back with forward Brian Rogers scoring a goal in triple overtime to give Littleton the win 6-5, bringing the series to two games to one. In Game 4, the Growl responded to the disappointing overtime loss with a dominating 5-1 victory as the Growl repeated as Founders Cup Champions. A Growl goaltender repeated as the Playoff MVP, with Joe D'Aloisio winning the Walt Frazier Award.

2007–2008

Despite losing all-star John Pinheiro to a hometown expansion team the Connecticut Blaze
Connecticut Blaze
The Connecticut Blaze were a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut. They competed in the PIHA during the 2007, 2008 & 2009 seasons.-External links:*...

, the Growl began the 2007 season
2007 PIHA season
The 2007 PIHA season is the 6th regular season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . The 2007 Founders Cup Playoffs began on April 24, 2007 and concluded on May 27, with the Boston Roller Rats defeating the Southside Snipers to win their first Founders Cup.-Events:The 2007 All-Star...

 with lofty expectations. Led by Sullivan's league leading 58 goals and D'Aloisio, who led the league with 25 wins and was named Scott Rupp Award winner for League MVP, the Growl finished 26-4-2 winning the Northeast Division
Northeast Division (PIHA)
The PIHA's Northeast Division was formed in 2007 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment.-2007:*Boston Roller Rats*Connecticut Blaze*Hartford Fire Ants*Massachusetts Bombers*New Jersey Grizzlies*New Jersey Minutemen*Philadelphia Growl...

 and finishing with the second best record in the league. In the Northeast Division semifinals, the Growl were upset by former teammate Pinheiro and the Connecticut Blaze
Connecticut Blaze
The Connecticut Blaze were a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut. They competed in the PIHA during the 2007, 2008 & 2009 seasons.-External links:*...

 two games to one ending the Growl's chance for a three-peat.

After the 2007 season, the Growl lost former league leading scorers Brian Fischer to the Feasterville Fury
Feasterville Fury
The Feasterville Fury are a professional inline hockey team based in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, and competing in AIHL....

 and Jim Vivona to retirement, as well as team captain Mike Sanchez being sent to the Growl's minor league team the Garden State Growl, causing the Growl retool in the off-season. They acquired forward Gene Gsell from the Marple Gladiators
Marple Gladiators
The Marple Gladiators are a professional inline hockey team based in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and competing in the Professional Inline Hockey Association....

, defenseman Matt McKeon
Matt McKeon
Matthew John McKeon is a retired American soccer midfielder who played seven seasons in Major League Soccer. He earned two caps with the United States men's national soccer team and was a member of the 1996 U.S...

 from the New Jersey Grizzlies
New Jersey Grizzlies
The New Jersey Grizzlies are a professional inline hockey team based in Wallington, New Jersey, and competing in PIHA.-External links:*...

, and 30-goal scorers Jim Redstreake from the Pittsburgh Bandits
Pittsburgh Bandits
The Pittsburgh Bandits are a professional inline hockey team based in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania, and competing in the AIHL, having previously competed in the PIHA....

 and Charlie Sqrillo from the Feasterville Fury respectively. They also signed PIHA rookie Dan Quartucio to round out the team.

The Growl's 2008 season
2008 PIHA season
The 2008 PIHA season is the 7th season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association. It began on December 1, 2007, and will run through April 27, 2008...

 was led by Gsell's team leading 28 goals and Sullivan's team leading 60 points. The Growl finished 28-4-0 winning the Atlantic Division. The Growl won their first six playoff games of 2008, sweeping the Fury in the Division Semifinals, the Grizzlies in the Division Finals, and the Lunatics in the Conference Semifinals all two games to none. This set the stage for a Growl–Blaze rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals against former Growl John Pinheiro once again. Led by Pinheiro's 10 goals, the Blaze took the series three games to two once again eliminating the Growl from the playoffs.

Season by season results

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Records as of August 19, 2008.
Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2003  24 9 15 18 216 252 5th, PIHA Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-1 (Typhoon
York Typhoon
The York Typhoon were a professional inline hockey team based in York, Pennsylvania, and competed in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. They are now known as the Pennsylvania Typhoon. York is one of two franchises that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA,...

)
2004  19 9 10 18 164 211 3rd, Delaware Valley Lost in Division Semifinals, 0-1 (Typhoon
York Typhoon
The York Typhoon were a professional inline hockey team based in York, Pennsylvania, and competed in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. They are now known as the Pennsylvania Typhoon. York is one of two franchises that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA,...

)
2005
2005 PIHA season
-PIHA awards:...

 
32 23 9 46 243 138 1st, Delaware Valley Won Founders Cup, 2-1 (Typhoon
York Typhoon
The York Typhoon were a professional inline hockey team based in York, Pennsylvania, and competed in the Professional Inline Hockey Association. They are now known as the Pennsylvania Typhoon. York is one of two franchises that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA,...

)
2006
2006 PIHA season
-PIHA awards:...

 
32 29 3 58 239 78 1st, Eastern Won Founders Cup, 3-1 (Fire
Littleton Fire
The Littleton Fire is a professional inline hockey team that competes in the Professional Inline Hockey Association Minor League. They are affiliated with the Lakewood Fire of the Professional Inline Hockey Association....

)
2007
2007 PIHA season
The 2007 PIHA season is the 6th regular season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . The 2007 Founders Cup Playoffs began on April 24, 2007 and concluded on May 27, with the Boston Roller Rats defeating the Southside Snipers to win their first Founders Cup.-Events:The 2007 All-Star...

 
32 26 4 2 54 178 88 1st, Northeast Lost in Division Semifinals, 1-2 (Blaze
Connecticut Blaze
The Connecticut Blaze were a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut. They competed in the PIHA during the 2007, 2008 & 2009 seasons.-External links:*...

)
2008
2008 PIHA season
The 2008 PIHA season is the 7th season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association. It began on December 1, 2007, and will run through April 27, 2008...

 
32 28 4 0 56 178 76 1st, Atlantic Lost in Conference Finals, 2-3 (Blaze
Connecticut Blaze
The Connecticut Blaze were a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut. They competed in the PIHA during the 2007, 2008 & 2009 seasons.-External links:*...

)

As of the 2007 PIHA season
2007 PIHA season
The 2007 PIHA season is the 6th regular season of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . The 2007 Founders Cup Playoffs began on April 24, 2007 and concluded on May 27, with the Boston Roller Rats defeating the Southside Snipers to win their first Founders Cup.-Events:The 2007 All-Star...

, teams losing in overtime will receive one point for an overtime loss; the OTL column includes SOL (Shootout losses).

Regular season

  • Most goals in a season: Sean Sullivan, 61 (2006)
  • Most assists in a season: Jim Vivona, 64 (2006)
  • Most points in a season: Sean Sullivan, 92 (2006)
  • Most penalty minutes in a season: Anthony Flynn, 88 (2003)
  • Most points in a season, defenseman: JD Davidson, 70 (2006)
  • Most points in a season, rookie: Brian Fischer, 83 (2003)
  • Most wins in a season: Joe D'Aloisio, 25 (2007)
  • Most shutouts in a season:
  • Most power play goals in a season:

Playoffs

  • Most goals in a playoff season: Sean Sullivan, 12 (2006)
  • Most goals by a defenseman in a playoff season: JD Davidson, 5 (2006)
  • Most assists in a playoff season: Bill Katinsky, 13 (2006)
  • Most points in a playoff season: 18 Jim Vivona (2005), Sean Sullivan and Bill Katinsky (2006)
  • Most points by a defenseman in a playoff season: JD Davidson, 15 (2006)
  • Most penalty minutes in a playoff season: JD Davidson, 12 (2006)

Team

  • Most points in a season: 58, (2006)
  • Most wins in a season: 29, (2006)
  • Most goals scored: 243, (2005)
  • Least goals allowed (full season): 76, (2008)
  • Longest undefeated streak: 21, (2006)

Honored members

Team captains

  • Anthony Flynn, 2002
  • Mike Sanchez, 2003–2007
  • Sean Sullivan, 2008

Head coaches

  • Rick Kaczmarcyzk, 2002
  • Mark Yudell, 2003
  • Anthony Flynn, 2004–2007
  • Brian Trohalides, 2008

See also

  • History of the Philadelphia Growl
  • List of PIHA players
  • List of PIHA statistical leaders
  • List of PIHA seasons
  • PIHA rivalries
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