Tonight marks a new chapter for hockey on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the Biloxi Breakers hit the ice for their first home game. And with pro hockey officially coming back on the Coast, with a new team and a new era. It feels like the perfect time to look back at the legends who built this sport in Biloxi.
In honor of the Breakers’ debut, I wanted to dig deep and celebrate the players who defined Biloxi hockey. Below is my All-Time Sea Wolves First and Second Team, from the team’s ECHL years (1996-2009) — a roster built from both Sea Wolves greats who helped make the Coast one of the most electric and loyal hockey markets in the South.
First Team
RW Steffon Walby 2001-2004
The face of Biloxi hockey. Walby wasn’t just a scorer — he was the engine that powered the Sea Wolves’ identity on and off the ice. A relentless forechecker with elite finishing ability, he became the franchise’s all-time points leader and helped drive the 1999 Kelly Cup championship run. Later, when the city needed a new era of hockey after Katrina, Walby returned behind the bench and coached the Mississippi Surge to an SPHL championship, cementing his place as the ultimate ambassador of Coast hockey.
C Dave Paradise 1999-2003
A powerful, skilled center who brought consistency and fire night after night. Paradise combined scoring touch with leadership, anchoring the lineup through some of the most competitive years in Sea Wolves history. He was the type of player who could set the tone on shift one and deliver in the third — the heartbeat of the franchise down the middle.
LW Kevin Evans 1996-1998
One of the most iconic enforcers in ECHL history. Before arriving in Biloxi during the Sea Wolves’ inaugural year, Evans played 4 games with the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars and 5 games with the San Jose Sharks from 1990-92. Evans gave the Sea Wolves an identity built on toughness, loyalty, and accountability. He protected teammates, controlled the physical game, and energized the Coliseum with every hit, scrap, and stare-down. You didn’t take liberties when Evan was in the lineup — and the Coast loved him for it. He was also one of the only people to have a banner the hung from the Coliseum for a number of years.
D Patrick Rochon 1996-2004
A steady force on the blue line through multiple eras, Rochon embodied the identity of Biloxi hockey: hard-nosed, dependable, and willing to sacrifice his body for the crest every single night.
He could move the puck, quarterback a breakout, and play against every top line the South ever threw at him. But what truly defined Rochon was his edge — a silent, steel-jawed toughness and a willingness to grind through pain, block shots that had no business being blocked, and protect teammates when things got nasty.
D Bob Woods 1998-2001
A smooth-skating defenseman with an elite hockey IQ, Woods brought a calming veteran presence during the Wolves’ golden era. His playmaking and special-teams skill made him invaluable, and his playing/coaching role during the 1999 Kelly Cup championship bridged his playing and leadership legacy. After retiring as a full-time player in 2001 Woods went on to coach the Sea Wolves as well as in the AHL and NHL. As of the 2025-26 season Woods is an Assistant Coach for the Seattle Kraken of the NHL.
G Greg Gardner 2002-2004
When the Wolves needed stability in net, Gardner delivered. A technically sound, calm, controlled goalie, he became the franchise’s all-time wins leader. Gardner wasn’t flashy — he was dependable, competitive, and capable of stealing nights against high-powered ECHL offenses. Gardner was a standout college hockey player at Niagara University. And currently holds the Division I Hockey record for shutouts in a season. He was also the first player ever drafted to the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets, although he never played a game in the NHL. After his playing career winded down he went into coaching in 2006 and as of 2025-26 is the Head Hockey Coach for St. Lawrence University.
Coach Bruce Boudreau 1996-1999
Before he became one of the most charismatic and beloved coaches in the NHL, Bruce Boudreau turned Biloxi into a champion. His infectious personality, offensive-minded system, and fierce loyalty helped the Wolves capture the 1999 Kelly Cup. Players trusted him, fans embraced him, and his success in Biloxi became the foundation for a remarkable NHL coaching career.
After lifting the Kelly Cup in Biloxi, Boudreau’s coaching journey rocketed into hockey’s highest tier. He became one of the most respected bench bosses in the NHL, known for his candid personality, sharp offensive systems, and immediate impact wherever he went. Boudreau earned Jack Adams Award honors with the Washington Capitals and guided high-flying teams in Anaheim, Minnesota, and Vancouver, consistently turning rosters into playoff contenders and developing elite talent at every stop. His NHL tenure is defined not only by wins and division titles, but by the unmistakable joy, energy, and charisma he brings to the game — the same traits Biloxi fans witnessed long before the rest of the hockey world caught on.
Second Team – All-Time Biloxi Hockey
RW Roger Maxwell 1996-1998; 2003-2004
Roger Maxwell was the kind of player who made the Coliseum crowd lean forward every time he stepped on the ice. A true throwback enforcer, he brought size, intimidation, and a fearlessness that instantly made him a fan favorite in Biloxi. Maxwell didn’t just drop the gloves — he protected teammates, set a tone, and brought an electricity to the building every time he squared up at center ice. He embraced the role, embraced the fans, and became one of the most beloved tough guys to ever wear a Sea Wolves jersey.
C Brent Gauvreau 2000-2002; 2003-2004
Brent Gauvreau brought a finesse and speed element to Biloxi hockey that made him stand out every time he touched the puck. A gifted playmaker with soft hands and excellent vision, he could slice through coverage and create offense seemingly out of thin air. Whether he was setting up a teammate with a perfectly timed feed or finishing a rush himself, Gauvreau played with confidence and flair that lifted the energy inside the Coliseum.
LW Travis Lisabeth 2001-2005; 2007-2009
Travis Lisabeth was the definition of a hard-hat hockey player on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He played a relentless, blue-collar style — forechecking hard, finishing checks, eating tough minutes, and still finding ways to put up points when it mattered. Lisabeth wasn’t the loudest guy on the ice, but his effort spoke volumes: dependable in all three zones, trusted in any situation, and unafraid to pay the physical price. He earned his cheers the Biloxi way — through toughness, hustle, and heart-first hockey.
D/C Troy Mann 1996-1999
As a Sea Wolf, Mann was a steady, productive forward in the franchise’s early years, bringing smart two-way play, leadership, and a willingness to do the little things that win hockey games. His compete level and hockey IQ were obvious even then, foreshadowing the successful coaching career that would follow. After hanging up the skates, Mann rose through the coaching ranks, eventually becoming one of the most respected developmental coaches in North America. He is currently the Head Coach for Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.
D Simon Olivier 1996-1997
Simon Olivier was one of the original tone-setters for the Mississippi Sea Wolves, bringing grit, physicality, and a fearless edge to the blue line during the franchise’s early years. He played a bruising, hard-nosed style that quickly made him a favorite among the Sea Wolves faithful who appreciated toughness and commitment. Olivier wasn’t afraid to block shots, drop the gloves, or take on the heavy defensive assignments that don’t always show up on the scoresheet but win respect in the locker room. His impact on the ice helped lay the foundation for the Wolves’ identity as one of the hardest teams to play against in the ECHL. That legacy lives on in his family too — he is the father of current Columbus Blue Jackets player Mathieu Olivier, the only NHL player ever to have been born in Mississippi. Olivier was born during the Sea Wolves inaugural year.
G Travis Scott 1998-1999
Travis Scott back-stopped the Mississippi Sea Wolves during their golden moment, serving as a key goaltender on the 1999 Kelly Cup championship team. Calm and technically sharp in the crease, Scott gave the Sea Wolvesi a steady, reliable presence during that playoff run, making timely saves and keeping the Wolves composed in tight, high-pressure games. That championship season helped launch his career to higher levels of pro hockey, but in Biloxi, he’ll always be remembered as the goalie who held strong when the Coast needed him most.
Coach Bob Woods 2001-2005
The only person on this list twice. Bob Woods took over behind the Sea Wolves bench in 2001 after serving as a respected veteran and player-assistant, and he immediately brought stability and structure to the Sea Wolves. From 2001 to 2005, he guided the Wolves to consistently winning seasons, emphasizing smart two-way play, defensive responsibility, and preparation. Woods helped develop young talent while maintaining a competitive edge, pushing Biloxi into playoff contention and keeping the Coliseum rocking during the franchise’s later ECHL years. His success in Biloxi became a launching pad for his rise through the coaching ranks, eventually leading him to roles in the AHL and NHL
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