As the Greensboro Gargoyles prepare for their inaugural ECHL season in 2025-26, the franchise now has an NHL and AHL affiliation.
The Gargoyles announced they have entered into an affiliation agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves.
“We couldn’t think of two better teams to help us usher in this Inaugural season of Gargoyles Hockey to the City of Greensboro,” Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann said in a press release. “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.”
Greensboro becomes the 30th ECHL franchise, which will start play in October 2025. Their home games will be at the First Horizon Coliseum, a 22,000-seat arena at the heart of Greensboro Complex.
The team’s primary colors consist of Gargoyle Grape, Greensboro Gold and Midnight. The Gargoyles’ team name and logo is portrayed as a stone monster that watches over and protects the city of Greensboro. The inspiration of the name and logo originated from community input, including submissions from over 2,000 fans.
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 Final appearance in 2002, eventually falling to the Detroit Red Wings.
During the 2005-06 season, the Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title.
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 International Hockey League, 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.
“We’re thrilled to affiliate with the Gargoyles, and reconnect with our franchise’s history in Greensboro,” Carolina Hurricanes Associate General Manager Darren Yorke said. “We look forward to working closely with the Gargoyles staff to develop players who could someday make an impact here in Raleigh.”
First Horizon Coliseum is the same venue the Hurricanes played home games for their first two NHL 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," Coliseum General Manager Scott Johnson said. "We can't wait for the puck to drop this fall and begin a new era of Gargoyles hockey in Greensboro."