| Team: | Tidewater Sharks |
| Logosize: | 150px |
| City: | Norfolk, Virginia |
| League: | Southern Hockey League |
| Operated: | 1975–1977 |
| Arena: | Norfolk Scope |
| Colors: | Red, white, cyan |
| Owner: | Dick Davis |
| Affiliates: | WHA (1975–77) NHL (1975–76) |
| Name1: | Tidewater Sharks |
| Dates1: | 1975–1977 |
The Tidewater Sharks were a minor league professional ice hockey team, based in Norfolk, Virginia, and members of the Southern Hockey League from 1975 to 1977. The Sharks played home games at the Norfolk Scope, and shared the Hampton Roads area with the Hampton Gulls. The ownership group led by Dick Davis, also operated the Tidewater Tides baseball team.[1] The Sharks ceased operations in January on 1977, during the second season of play.[2]
In the 1975–76 season, Tidewater was affiliated with the Cleveland Crusaders, and the Buffalo Sabres.[3] John Hanna was named the team's first coach, and the Sharks featured Scotland-born top scorer Bill Steele, but finished in fifth-place finish, and missed the playoffs.
In the 1976–77 season, Tidewater was affiliated with the Calgary Cowboys. Harold Schooley took over the coaching duties, and the team was in second place by early 1977. On January 7, the Tidewater Sharks folded after missing payroll, and the players refused to continue.[4]
Notable Sharks players that also played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association:[5]
Season-by-season results:
| Season | GP | W | L | T | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | PIM | Standing | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–76 | 72 | 24 | 34 | 14 | 62 | 0.431 | 230 | 260 | 842 | 5th, SHL | Out of playoffs | |
| 1976–77 | 41 | 26 | 13 | 2 | 54 | 0.659 | 158 | 131 | 580 | 2nd, SHL | Folded | |
| TOTALS | 113 | 50 | 47 | 16 | 116 | 0.513 | 388 | 391 | 1422 | |||