If you haven’t heard of the Birmingham Bulls, you are certainly missing out. Located in Pelham, the Bulls brought home their first Commissioner’s Cup (regular season champions) in team history last season. The Bulls host their home opener on Friday, October 18th, against in-state rival, the Huntsville Havoc. After disappointing playoffs results for both the Havoc and the Bulls last season, expect both teams to be looking to make a statement on opening night. Here are 3 reasons why YOU should attend the Bulls game on October 18th.
Reason #1: The Battle for Bama
Few rivalries run as deep and as hot as the Bulls-Havoc rivalry. With the teams located less than two hours from each other, this is as close to a “cross-town rival” as you will get in professional sports. Since their first meeting in 2017, Huntsville leads the series 41-26. However, Birmingham has taken the season series in each of the last two years, including a semifinal matchup in the 2023 playoffs, where the Bulls won the series 2-1. The Bulls are no longer little brother to the “team up North”.
Reason #2: The Cast
Birmingham has 3 of the SPHL’s top players returning.The Bulls boast a star-studded roster with award winners all over the ice.
Carson Rose, Drake Glover, and Hayden Stewart.
Leading the charge is reigning MVP and All-Birmingham Name Team Recipient, Carson Rose, who led the league in points last year. Alongside the reigning MVP is Center Drake Glover, who led the SPHL in goals, finished second in points, and notched the highest +/- last year. Last, but certainly not least, is Goalie Hayden Stewart, who took home SPHL Goaltender of the Year, claiming the 2nd highest save % and the 2nd least goals allowed per game. When these guys are on the ice, you’re virtually guaranteed an electric experience.
Oh and Mike Gillespie the #3 goal scorer in the SPHL from 2022-23 is back in Birmingham after a playing in New York last season in the ECHL. One of the most electric players to wear a Bulls sweater.
Reason #3: The Experience
Located next to the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, the Pelham Civic Complex 18 minutes from Homewood, 15 minutes from Hoover, and 13 minutes from Vestavia. Birmingham Bulls Hockey is not hard to get to.
Once you arrive you’re going to want to grab a couple $7 tall boys, walk to the right and have your cash ready for the 50/50 raffle for the Birmingham Bulls Boosters club. Get to your seat and get locked in. Non-stop action and some of the best hockey you will see in the South is played at the Pelham Civic Complex.
BONUS: We asked two-time SPHL Coach of the Year and Head Coach of the Birmingham Bulls two questions:
Key players are returning (Glover, Rose, Gillespie, both goalies from last season) How much of their returning is due to the culture you and Coach Kerr have established in Pelham?
“These guys understand what our goal is, which is winning a championship. Having core guys like this on the team solidifies out culture in the dressing room.”
The Battle for Bama is one of the greatest rivalry’s in the state. Bulls dominated the rivalry last season going 6-2. What message do you have to fans thinking about attending the home opener this Friday?
Birmingham and Huntsville games are always a great matchup. They are intense and there is no love lost between us and them.