In 1996-97 , the Huntsville Channel Cats , along with the planned 1996 â `` 97 Southern Hockey League ( SHL ) expansion teams Columbus Cottonmouths , Macon Whoopee , and Nashville Nighthawks , joined the Central Hockey League after the SHL ended . In 1996-97 the Huntsville Channel Cats , along with the planned 1996 â `` 97 Southern Hockey League expansion teams Columbus Cottonmouths , Macon Whoopee , and Nashville Nighthawks , joined the Central Hockey League following the SHL 's demise .