Roanoke Valley Rampage

Lore & Background

The Rampage were owned by New York businessman Larry Revo, who purchased the team from ECHL founder Henry Brabham for $250,000 in the summer of 1992. The franchise had previously operated as the Virginia Lancers (1983–1990) and the Roanoke Valley Rebels (1990–1992). The 1992–93 Rampage started with moderate success, including a four-game home winning streak and a 6–6 record that left them two points out of second place after the first month. From that point, the team's performance deteriorated sharply.

The Rampage set several ECHL records that still stand: fewest wins (14), lowest winning percentage (.227), fewest points (29), most consecutive road losses (26), fewest road wins (2), and most road losses (29 of 31). They also set a record for lowest average attendance (1,483 per game) and allowed a league-worst 6.05 goals-against average and 387 goals against in 64 games, marks later eclipsed by the Huntington Blizzard.

On March 13, 1993, during a game against the Richmond Renegades, officials halted play with 6:03 left in the second period due to structural damage to the LancerLot. A beam supporting the arena buckled under 16 inches of snow and 40 mph winds. All 63 fans—believed to be an ECHL record for lowest paid attendance—were evacuated, along with players, officials, and staff. The roof collapsed completely later that night.

Reader's Guide

The Roanoke Valley Rampage's significance lies in their uniquely disastrous single season, which produced multiple ECHL records that remain unbroken. Their 14 wins, .227 winning percentage, 29 points, 26 consecutive road losses, and 2 road wins are all league lows that have stood for decades. The team's average attendance of 1,483 per game is also a record for futility at the gate.

The arena collapse on March 13, 1993, forced the Rampage to finish their season without equipment, all buried in the rubble. For their final game on March 16, 1993, at the Norfolk Scope, the team fielded only 11 players—nine skaters and two goalies—and borrowed jerseys (red and black with no logo) from a local recreation league, formerly owned by the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds. Two players, Ed Dearborn (an employee at Iceland Skating Rink) and Dave Silver (a car salesman), were recruited from a Virginia Beach recreation league to fill out the roster. The Rampage lost 9–4 to the Hampton Roads Admirals, with three Admirals players scoring hat tricks. At game's end, Admirals fans gave the Rampage a standing ovation.

Owner Larry Revo considered selling the team to Baltimore Skipjacks owner Tom Ebright and also considered relocating to Huntsville. He eventually moved the team to Huntsville but sold it to Huntsville Hockey Inc. less than a month into the 1993–94 ECHL season.

Did You Know?

• The Rampage set ECHL records for fewest wins (14), lowest winning percentage (.227), and fewest points (29) in a season, all still standing.
• The roof of the LancerLot Arena collapsed on March 13, 1993, after a beam buckled under 16 inches of snow and 40 mph winds.
• For their final game, the Rampage borrowed jerseys from a local recreation league and used two amateur players, a skating rink employee and a car salesman.
• Only 63 fans attended the game that was halted due to the arena collapse, believed to be an ECHL record for lowest paid attendance.