Birmingham Bulls are back! Home games draw near capacity crowds (photo gallery)

Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls – Photo by Pat Byington, Bham Now

After a 16 year hiatus, professional hockey has returned to the Birmingham metro area.

Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls crowd at the Pelham Civic Center

Playing at the Pelham Civic Center, the Bulls have drawn near capacity crowds at their first two home games with attendance totaling about  7500.

Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls – Photo by Pat Byington, Bham Now

Bham Now was on hand Friday night to watch the Bulls take on interstate rival the Huntsville Havoc.

Birmingham Bulls
Birmingham Bulls mascot – Toro the Bull – Photo by Pat Byington, Bham Now

We caught up with Bulls managing partner Art Clarkson and asked him how the first two opening have gone.

“We are very satisfied,” stated Clarkson.

“Got a few glitches, but its getting better every week. The overall atmosphere that we put together with the city is working out very well. Folks are having a lot of fun out here. I’d like to score some goals. But, we make sure its fun.”

Strong first two games without promotions

The first two games of the year have been very well attended.

Clarkson added,

“We’ve done very well. We’ve had two crowds around 3800. We added some more seats.  Next weekend we actually start our first promotion, we haven’t had any promotions yet.”

Fifty-six games have been scheduled for the season including 28 at the Bulls’ new home, the Pelham Civic Complex. Most of the home games are played on either Friday or Saturday nights.

Birmingham Bulls
Seeking a goal – Photo by Pat Byington, Bham Now
Tickets can be purchased at: https://bullshockey.net

Upcoming promotions this month include:

November 17th – Church Night 93.7 WDJC
November 18th – Military Appreciation Night; Jersey Auction, Puck Giveaway  – sponsored by WBRC Fox 6 and Combined Insurance
November 24th – Bowling for Turkeys: Adult Throwback Jersey Giveaway Night 1st 1,500 adults 18 & over – Sponsored by WVTM 13 and Mezrano Law

According to Bhamwiki, this is the 5th version of the Birmingham Bulls, a team that was founded in 1976.

In 1979, the Bulls final game in the World Hockey Association was played against the greatest player in the history of the game, Wayne Gretzky in front of a crowd of over 8,179 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.

FullSizeRender 120 Birmingham Bulls are back! Home games draw near capacity crowds (photo gallery)
Birmingham Bulls fans

Back to the game against the Huntsville Havoc last night, the Bulls were unable to put one in the net last night losing 3-0.  Despite the loss, there is a lot of energy and a growing hockey fan base.  As Clarkson put it – “We make sure its fun!”

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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