Asheville Smoke
Short-lived UHL franchise that reached the 2000 championship.
The Asheville Smoke were a minor professional ice hockey team in the United Hockey League, based in Asheville, North Carolina, from 1998 to 2002. The team played its home games at the Asheville Civic Center and is notable for reaching the league championship in 2000 before folding after four seasons.
- League
- United Hockey League
- Years active
- 1998–2002
- Home arena
- Asheville Civic Center
- Coach 1998 2000
- Keith Gretzky
- Owner and president
- Dan Wilhelm
- Assistant general manager
- Jeff Young
- Overall record
- 151 wins, 129 losses
- Best season
- 2000 (45 wins, 22 losses; lost championship to Quad City Mallards)
- Average attendance inaugural season
- 3362
- Average attendance 2001 02
- just over 2,500 (ranked 11th of 14 UHL teams)
Lore & Background
The Asheville Smoke originated as the Brantford Smoke before relocating to Asheville in 1998. The team was coached by Keith Gretzky from 1998 to 2000. Their closest rival was the Knoxville Speed, whose 2002 bankruptcy left the Smoke without a nearby opponent. The Civic Center facility was considered outdated, and the Smoke were required to turn over concession revenues and facility fees to the city, unlike other tenants. This arrangement, along with unfavorable game time slots due to sharing the venue, contributed to declining attendance from 3,362 in the inaugural season to just over 2,500 in 2001–02. An attempt to hold a raffle to finish the 2001–02 season raised legal concerns. Despite these challenges, the team finished near a .500 record in three of four seasons and posted a 45–22 record in 2000, advancing to the championship before losing to the Quad City Mallards.
Reader's Guide
The Asheville Smoke, though active for only four seasons, left a cultural mark on Asheville. The team's 2000 championship run was its peak, but financial and operational difficulties—including an outdated arena, unfavorable revenue-sharing terms with the city, and the loss of a geographic rival—led to its folding in 2002. The franchise's legacy includes inspiring two local songs: 'Asheville Smoke' by GFE and 'Blood On The Ice' by The Monsters of Japan. Additionally, the team's success helped pave the way for a subsequent franchise, the Asheville Aces, which joined the more regional Southern Professional Hockey League in 2004. The Smoke's story illustrates the challenges faced by minor-league teams in smaller markets, particularly when facility and revenue arrangements are unfavorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Asheville Smoke?
The Asheville Smoke were a minor professional ice hockey franchise that competed in the United Hockey League out of Asheville, North Carolina. They operated for four seasons, from 1998 through 2002.
Where did the Asheville Smoke play their home games?
The team called the Asheville Civic Center its home arena throughout its entire run in the UHL.
What was the Asheville Smoke's biggest achievement?
Their crowning moment came in 2000, when the club advanced all the way to the UHL league championship game. It remains the franchise's single most memorable run.
Who led the Asheville Smoke on and off the ice?
Keith Gretzky served as head coach during the 1998 and 2000 seasons, while Dan Wilhelm held the owner-and-president role. Jeff Young handled duties as assistant general manager.
Why did the Asheville Smoke fold?
After completing their fourth and final season in 2002, the franchise ceased operations and disappeared from the UHL. Their brief four-year existence left behind a small but loyal fan base in western North Carolina.
More in Defunct Ice Hockey Teams, Part 2 1-24
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