The NHL season officially kicks off this afternoon, and while Richmond’s never had an NHL team to call its own, we’ve had quite the string of minor league teams. No teams representing the River City have hit the ice since 2009, but Richmond rinks have no shortage of history. Here's a look back at the teams that have called Richmond home:
Early Years: Robins and Wildcats
The first team to call this city home was the Richmond Robins, who arrived in Virginia from Quebec in 1971. An affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Robins stayed through 1976.
To fill the vacancy in the Coliseum, the Richmond Wildcats played just 38 games between 1976 and 1977 before the organization collapsed. In that time, they were affiliated with both the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers.
The Richmond Rifles
The Richmond Rifles, members of the short-lived Eastern Hockey League, played from 1979 to 1981. They were affiliated with the New York Rangers and the Winnipeg Jets.
The Longest Run: Richmond Renegades
The Richmond Renegades played more seasons in Richmond than anyone else, calling the Coliseum home from 1990 to 2003. The Renegades won their league championship for the 1994-95 season, and were the top regular season team in the 1995-96 season. Their rivals were the Hampton Roads Admirals in Norfolk.
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| Team Name | Years Active | League | Affiliations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Robins | 1971-1976 | Unknown | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Richmond Wildcats | 1976-1977 | Unknown | St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers |
| Richmond Rifles | 1979-1981 | Eastern Hockey League | New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets |
| Richmond Renegades | 1990-2003 | Unknown | Unknown |
| Richmond RiverDogs | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
RiverDogs and a Renegades Revival
The Renegades, in turn, were replaced by the Richmond RiverDogs, who played three seasons in the Coliseum. The RiverDogs moved to Chicago in 2006, where they spent one season before folding.
In the absence of the RiverDogs, the Renegades were resurrected for three seasons before they disappeared again. That makes 14 years and counting without pro hockey in Richmond.
There have been occasional rumors of a return, but since the Coliseum shut down in 2019, there hasn’t been a clear place for a team to call home.
Fan Memories
After we asked our readers for their memories of Richmond hockey - from the Robins through the Renegades’ brief return. Here are a few of your responses.
- “I loved going to the Renegades games, one of my favorite memories is being able to meet the team at the end of the game and they gave me the game puck!” - Melissa B.
- “Winning a playoff game at the final horn. Never see that often in hockey!” - Christopher B.
- “Saw all the teams play. Saw the ‘Gades win the Riley Cup.” - Tim M.
- “My then-GF poured a bucket of popcorn on my head at a Renagades game. As a result, I met my future wife at that same game. We’ve been married 25 years.” - Mike S.
Richmond Hockey Club: A Different Kind of Hockey
It's important not to confuse this history with that of the Richmond Hockey Club, a field hockey club based in Richmond, London, England. Richmond Hockey Club, established in 1874, holds a significant place in the history of field hockey. The club's debut in competitive play took place at Old Deer Park against Teddington Hockey Club, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Notably, this match stands as the longest-standing fixture in world hockey history.
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Old Deer Park swiftly evolved into a renowned venue for county and divisional fixtures, as well as the annual University match. In 1895, the ground hosted England's first men's international match against Ireland, culminating in a 5-0 victory for England.
In 1901, Richmond Hockey Club underwent a final reformation and later merged with Kingston Hill Hockey Club in 1919, forming Richmond and Kingston Hill HC. After a brief period as Richmond and Kingston Hill HC, the club reverted to the name Richmond HC in 1946. The opening of a new pavilion in 1959 marked a significant development.
The club commemorated its centenary in 1974 and joined the National League in 1988. That same season, Hounslow Hockey Club, which later merged with Richmond HC, clinched the National League Cup. Subsequently, the club bid farewell to its home of 127 years, relocating in 2001 to the Quintin Hogg Memorial Ground in Chiswick.
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