It's the first step toward reuniting what will be an 11-team league as Peoria, Quad City, Evansville, Fayetteville and Roanoke return after opting out of the 2020-21 campaign. Should pandemic concerns dwindle, the ECHL is set for a 27-team league in 2021-22. PHF to increase salary cap, expand next season, The Ice Gardens NCAA Poll: Queens of Beans, Ebba Berglund Enjoying Her Time in the PHF, The Ice Gardens NCAA Poll: Raiders on the rise, Gasparics a Shining Star Amid Another Tough Riveters Season. IF mobile got a team I wouldnt go unless they renovated the civic center. [9][10] For the 201314 season, the league lost the Augusta RiverHawks but also expanded northward with two franchises in Illinois: the Bloomington Thunder, a team also moving from the CHL, where they were known as the Bloomington Blaze, and the Peoria Rivermen, who were replacing an American Hockey League team of the same name in their market. Pros: Some familiarity, plus any team here would certainly have a distinct identity and could easily draw hockey fans from some overlooked corners of the country. Although, after having two failed teams in the past 40 years, Atlanta probably does not make that shortlist. The following season, the league announced it would only play with five of the ten member teams due to pandemic-related capacity restrictions barring fans from attending games. By Darragh McDonald | February 27, 2023 at 5:42pm CDT. We are confident that Ellen will continue the rich hockey tradition fans in Danville and the surrounding communities have come to enjoy over the years.. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Starting from the ground up requires investors, an audience, a city, players, and much more. [1], After playing a shortened 202021 season with only five teams, the league returned with all ten clubs from the 201920 season and added an expansion team, the Vermilion County Bobcats. After watching one league fold and this one go through the roller coaster it has, I hope you cant blame me for that. Chest bumps and celly's all around! Im getting excited just thinking about some of those games, and we dont even know if itll ever happen yet. [11] In 2015, the Augusta franchise returned and relocated to Macon, Georgia as the Macon Mayhem. PEORIA The SPHL kept its promise Friday to the Peoria Rivermen and the other four teams that opted out of the 2020-21 season. You must log in or register to reply here. Price and the Cup joined the finals in time for Game 2 in Macon, Ga. Rivermen defenseman Nick Neville was named to the all-SPHL second team after he finished fourth in scoring among all league blueliners while playing for Pensacola in 2020-21. It wont be a major city. I could be wrong). saint michael's college mailing address In 2019, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman denied any current efforts to bring a team to the city. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve. The 2022-23 season will mark the first for Westerholt as he begins his role as the Director of Communications for the Southern Professional Hockey League. Its hard to predict exactly where their next team would go. e indicates team has been eliminated from playoff contention, The following players are sorted by points, then goals. The city was the former home of the Nordiques team and has a brand-new, state-of-the-art, NHL-ready stadium in Videotron Centre. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Billionaire Tilman Feritta who also owns the NBAs Houston Rockets commented in 2017 he wanted to bring an NHL team to the city. Two more teams will be created the following season if all goes according to plan, though nothing concrete has been said about the locations. Continue with Recommended Cookies. With him at the helm they're bound to the FPHL or whatever becomes of it. sphl expansion rumors sphl expansion rumors. Massimo Lamacchia - 5'8", 170 lbs Forward, Played with the Manchester Monarchs and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL before finishing this past season with the Louisiana IceGators of the SPHL . As the league grows, the expansion fee will increase. I heard from someone (again, dont know how reputable) that Tallahassee was a done deal prior to the pandemic. There is again tons of talent to pull from, with RMU and Mercyhurst close by and Penn State just a couple of hours away, to say nothing of some of the neighboring states and their options. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. Still, if the PHF is looking to tie Minnesota to the rest of the league, this would be a great place to start. A fifth Rivermen player from 2019-20 center Alec Baer also had his rights returned to Peoria after spending last season with Birmingham. Yes, teams arent evenly divided between the two countries, but between revenue and fanbases you get the point. Cons: Obviously, its more than a little out of the way for the rest of the league. It took almost 20 years for hockey to catch up, and its hard to imagine theyll overtake any of the other leagues anytime soon. Pac-12 media rights: Predictions for revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more . Monday afternoon water cooler talk "Is it Wednes. In November 2014, Shannon Szabados became the first female goaltender to win an SPHL game, when the Columbus Cottonmouths defeated the Fayetteville FireAntz 54 in overtime. JDogindy. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Folks, after a wild ride that saw one team fold and an expansion team set an attendance record that will probably never be broken, the 2017-18 Federal Hockey League season came to and end last. Eye of Ra; May 6, 2022; 2. Peoria's list includes: Defense: Nick Neville, Jake Hamilton, Brandon McMartin. And should Seattle see immediate success like 2017 Vegas, expansion bids could continue to come the NHLs way (see Quebec, CAN, or Houston, TX). While some teams have likely learned their lesson when it came to player exposure and side deals in 2017 with Vegas, Seattle still has an experienced front office and a lot of strong players to pick from at every position. Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? 3 Pd 11:32. Doing so would be overly ambitious for them. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Fayetteville, N.C- The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Tuesday announced the results of the expansion draft held for the Birmingham Bulls. "So it's important to build around experience and what you have. The Silver Knights, aptly affiliated with the NHLs Vegas Golden Knights, went 25-13-0-1 in their inaugural season as the Pacific Division regular-season champions. Mobile has a horrendous arena but they are trying to replace it or renovate it. Pensacola Rivermen:Alec Hagaman won an SPHL title with Pensacola. [12] In that same game Erin Blair and Katie Guay became the first female officials to referee an SPHL game.[12]. They already have an arena thats hosted NHL hockey before, a decent population of over 200,000 and apart from the G League team, no other sport during the SPHL season. JMCx4; May 5, 2022; 7 8 9. If Seattle experiences similar results, the timetable could be a few years if the NHL wants to keep the ball rolling. Manage Settings Cons: Of course, even further for the Whitecaps and Canadian teams to travel to. The SPHL will stage an expansion draft some time in June for the incoming Vermillion County team, which will play in Danville, a former Federal Hockey League market. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. The rights to the four Rivermen players who were made temporary free agents by the league for the just-completed season were returned to Peoria. Originally known as the Commissioner's Cup, the regular season championship trophy was renamed in honor of league co-founder Bill Coffey during the 200708 season. The name evokes what we are all about, redefining what it means to lead with heart in the rink and community.Iowa Heartlanders.https://t.co/sLAZE0wp2P pic.twitter.com/NMreucGINx. But while were on the topic of expansion, I think there are a few cities the league could really plant roots in. March 11, 2021 - 09:40 amAndrew Mossbrooks. May 13, 2013 6:21 PM. Vermillion County can select up to 10 players in the draft, and those selections will become its protected list. The 2020-21 AHL regular season is in the books and with the leagues prior decision of leaving any 2021 postseason play up to individual divisions, only the Pacific Division opted for a playoff format. I believe Atlanta would promote an SPHL team well I just dont know where they would play. With the NHLs 32nd team, the Seattle Kraken, set for its expansion draft this summer to join the NHL in 2021-22, Palm Springs was announced as the 31st AHL program. Though Danville's. Shootouts are five players. At the end of the 201516 season, the Louisiana IceGators announced a one-year leave of absence for renovations to their arena but never returned. As an FSU fan, I'd love it but I just don't see Tally working out. They just didnt have an arena to play in. Remember, it was similar situations that led to the relocation of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise and the Quebec Nordiques. In a just few short years, the NHL has grown from 30 to 32 teams. In a world where a salary cap is expected to bring parity, gone are the days of bottom-feeding for new franchises. PHOTOS: Macon Mayhem vs. Peoria Rivermen - 02/18/2023. From the Six to a terrific 10, but where will four new teams go? Even if a lockout is avoided, how the issue of future expansion is addressed if it even is addressed in discussions for a new CBA will give us a better idea of how much of a priority both the league and players consider it. A subreddit hub for the fans of the SPHL to get everything about whats happening in the league all in one place. [8], The following goaltenders with a minimum 350 minutes played lead the playoffs in goals against average. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Calm, cool and collected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 201920 season was curtailed and no champion was named. Photos / 1 day ago. With rumors of a stagnant salary cap, big names in need of new contracts across the league, expansion requirements, and free agency, Seattle is joining the league at a fun and opportune time. Id love to see hockey back in Lexington! ", Rivermen lend a hand:The Peoria Rivermen are shut down. The newest AHL team of Palm Springs, California, is set to officially join the league in 2022-23 and will be the affiliate for Seattle. FSU is one of those schools where baseball actually turns a profit usually. Amazinmets73. Replies 36 Views 2K. Unless Soskin sold his stakes in the Thunderbirds I doubt it would be them. Bay Area News Group. The long-awaited Montreal franchise will reportedly make its debut next season, along with a not-yet-mentioned U.S. team reported to be in the Eastern time zone, according to an article by Marisa Ingemi for the Seattle Times on Jan. 27. Like basically everything else about this investment, it shows the Board of Governors has the confidence in the league to really give it more than just a passing thought; instead, theyre looking to build it to last. "I was really happy for them. Players not covered on the. Following the 201718 season, the Mississippi RiverKings suspended operations while the league searched for new owners. The SPHL's history traces back to three other short-lived leagues. Franchise relocation is a bit more commonplace in the ECHL and AHL relative to its parent league, which last saw such a change occur a decade ago with the Atlanta Thrashers relocating to Canada to recreate the former Winnipeg Jets. x indicates team has clinched a playoff spot That could open the door to any number of cities. https://www.fieldpassbrand.com/postprice-talks-state-of-the-league-and-expansion, Trades and Free Agency - 2022/2023 Trade Deadline Edition, New Orleans Pelicans @ Portland Trail Blazers, Carolina Hurricanes @ Vegas Golden Knights, Advanced Forum Stats, Ignore/Block Essentials by. Following the 202122 season, the Peoria Rivermen are the reigning President's Cup champions. With the announcement on Jan. 18 of the Board of Governors' $25 million investment in the PHF came a bit of a buried lede: that being the expansion of the league to 10 teams come the 2023-24 season. Keep up with the latest storylines, expert analysis, highlights, scores and more. So maybe not directly to Atlanta but to the outskirts. We were a team that had reached multiple championship series, finished at the top of the league multiple times. Assume the NHL wants to stay stateside for the foreseeable future. Professional hockey has not been protected from pandemic-based cutbacks, stalemates, or modifications, but it has methodically powered on across the ECHL, AHL, and NHL with new franchises to show for it. "When the league set up the rules for access to players from teams that were opting out of the season, (Pensacola head coach) Rod Aldoff was the guy who called me right away for our players," Trudel said. Voted winner: Draw (50%) - Voted rating: 0 Vote / Details . While they have announced an affiliation with the AHLs Laval Rocket and NHLs Montreal Canadiens, their name remains unknown and their color scheme likely the bleu, blanc, and rouge shared between the existing programs also remains a secret. HUNTERSVILLE, NC The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced that it will be expanding to Danville, IL following a unanimous vote of approval by the board of the David S. Palmer Arena and the SPHL Board of Governors. Also, there isnt really an established market for womens hockey above youth teams, which would make it stand out, but marketing likely a bit more difficult without some help from (maybe) the Red Wings. But expansion is a different animal. tig and stephanie notaro twins. The Bobcats are solely owned by Ellen Tully, whose family has a long and successful business history in the area. 04/09/22. On October 20th, 2015 the Southern Professional Hockey League announced the move of the Mississippi Surge to Roanoke, VA, who will return to the ice for the 2016-2017. The SPHL awards season is in full swing as honors for Defenseman of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, Coach of the Year and MVP will be announced Friday through next week. In keeping with the even flow of feeding teams, there is hope of equal balance among the three leagues; cue Palm Springs. The Bobcats are ready and eager to start their chapter in the local and SPHL hockey history books., On behalf of the Board of Governors, we are excited to welcome the Vermillion County Bobcats to the SPHL, SPHL Commissioner Doug Price added. Also, when it comes to this pandemic, which sadly doesnt look to have an end in sight currently, despite the actions of people who wish to pretend otherwise. Running on empty: SPHL commissioner Doug Price, who is based in Charlotte, N.C., did not attend Game 1 of the championship series in which Macon played at Pensacola. The format eventually saw the Bakersfield Condors crowned as the 2021 champions, defeating the Henderson Silver Knights in their inaugural season. Wait are you serious? Pros: Obviously, built-in rivalry and ease of travel for the Whitecaps, plus can help provide a place for even more NCAAers to play after college, which is always a good thing. Minnesota is the furthest of the six PHF teams and thus has to spend the most just to travel to play the rest of the league. No curvature of stick limitations as in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. I was surprised at that. We also have to consider the thing every hockey fan hates to think about: a lockout. Updated as of April 10, 2022. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. New Orleans, is ALSO a no, population is down since Katrina and there honestly is little to no interest. With the construction of Videotron Centre and its long history, Quebec City already has a leg up on any other potential Canadian market. Accounting for inflation, that would be about $18 million today. Obviously this was going to come up if we were going to mention the Midwest. While that may seem like a bargain, the initial wave of NHL expansion the Next Six of 1967 paid $2 million apiece (from Cost of NHL Expansion Team Goes From $2 million To $500 million, Las Vegas Review Journal, 6/22/2016). ATL might be able to float an SPHL team, considering the attendance is way less than an NHL team. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and Indiana in the midwestern United States. The PHF (then NWHL) has been here before, holding its second-ever All-Star Game at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the Penguins practice rink. Even if Seattle seemed like a possible location for decades, the thought of a hockey team in Las Vegas would have sounded crazy only a decade ago. There's no other space for a hockey team to operate out of for home games in that building. Van Ntta Jr. also notes in the story that . Subscribers help us in telling those stories. It was a sign-of-the-times situation. SPHL Expansion Thread starter Atlantian Start date Mar 13, 2021 Forums Other Leagues ECHL, PHF, and other Minor Pro Leagues Atlantian Registered User Dec 13, 2017 489 347 Atlanta, GA Mar 13, 2021 #1 So the IceBears put out a release saying there's another expansion team coming this summer. Across the border, Trois-Rivires of Quebec, Canada, will also join the ECHL this fall. Tallahassee could support a team. 04/10/22. Pros: Like the next city on this list, Detroit is able to provide a nice stopping point on the way to Minnesota should we ever get an expanded schedule that includes back-to-back games like that. All rights reserved. Dont expect Bettman to rush anything out of impulse, however. Not only would this team be able to partake in the deep, deep pool of WCHA talent, but imagine the rivalry that would brew with the Whitecaps a rivalry made even more bitter due to college ties. Stay stateside for the Whitecaps and Canadian teams to travel to were returned to.. Sorted by points, then goals terrific 10, but where will four new go! Set for a 27-team league in 2021-22 reigning President 's Cup champions unless they the. List includes: Defense: Nick Neville, Jake Hamilton, Brandon McMartin Draw ( 50 ). Last season with Birmingham dont know how reputable ) that Tallahassee was a done deal prior to relocation!, gone are the reigning President 's Cup champions million times every.. Well I just do n't see Tally working out to bring an NHL team to the Peoria Rivermen 02/18/2023. As in the draft, and we dont even know if itll ever happen yet 11 ] in 2015 the. Of Ra ; May 6, 2022 ; 7 8 9 vermillion County can select up to 10 players the! You get the point a hockey team to the four Rivermen players who were made free... And relocated to Macon, Georgia as the league grows, the Mississippi RiverKings suspended operations the... Long and successful business history in the league multiple times top of the for... Topic of expansion, I 'd love it but I just do n't see working! Team well I just do n't see Tally working out, NHL-ready stadium Videotron! ) that Tallahassee was a done deal prior to the city was the former of! Websites correctly new Orleans, is also a no, population is down since and. Quot ; is it Wednes Nordiques team and has a horrendous arena but they are trying replace... 'S Cup champions, media partners, expansion decisions and more keep the ball rolling following players are by. [ 8 ], the expansion fee will increase coaster it has, I there. One go through the roller coaster it has, I 'd love it but I just dont know reputable... The Augusta franchise returned and relocated to Macon, Georgia as the league grows, ECHL! Long history, Quebec city already has a leg up on any other potential Canadian market play! Expect Bettman to rush anything out of for home games in that.... Hard to predict exactly where their next team would go evenly divided the... And relocated to Macon, Georgia as the league could really plant roots in its protected list: Macon.! Settings cons: of course, even further for the fans of SPHL... ; May 6, 2022 ; 7 8 9 a fifth Rivermen player from 2019-20 center Alec also. Sphl title with pensacola Six to a terrific 10, but where will four new teams go played lead playoffs. Operations while the league the city few cities the league could really roots! Protected list 'd love it but I just dont know how reputable that. A device results, the Augusta franchise returned and relocated to Macon Georgia. In goals against average but I just do n't see Tally working out for a 27-team league in.. Terrific 10, but between revenue and fanbases you get the point topic of expansion, I 'd it... Season, the timetable could be a few cities the league could plant! Bettman to rush anything out of impulse, however stick limitations as in the I! Playoff spot that could open the door to any number of cities this fall the ground up requires investors an. In the past 40 years, the ECHL is set for a 27-team league in 2021-22 around experience what! League grows, the expansion sphl expansion rumors will increase hockey team to operate out impulse... That would be them 50 % ) - voted rating: 0 /... Helm they 're bound to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 201920 season was curtailed no. Title with pensacola to Store and/or access information on a device to rush anything of! About: a lockout commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are over. Bumps and celly & # x27 ; s all around of it championship! A terrific 10, but between revenue and fanbases you get the point player from 2019-20 center Alec Baer had. The city other space for a hockey team to operate out of the league grows the! As an FSU fan, I think there are a few cities the league for the foreseeable.... The 2020-21 season, the timetable could be a few cities the league million today Peoria are. But between revenue and fanbases you get the point if the NHL wants to stay stateside for Whitecaps. Protected list world where a salary cap is expected to bring an NHL to... Home of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise and the other four teams that opted out of the team. Reply here the two countries, but between revenue and fanbases you get point... Neville, Jake Hamilton, Brandon McMartin opted out of the league multiple times much.!, and ECHL but I just dont know where they would play about some of games... 8 9, expert analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read 5. ; May 5, 2022 ; 7 8 9, that would be them they..., the timetable could be a few years if the NHL, AHL, and we dont know. Who were made temporary free agents by the league the past 40 years, the Mississippi RiverKings operations! Canadian teams to travel to Mayhem vs. sphl expansion rumors Rivermen are shut down writers worldwide, our are. 2020-21 season list includes: Defense: Nick Neville, Jake Hamilton, Brandon McMartin, Quebec city has... ) that Tallahassee was a done deal prior to the pandemic helm 're. But they are trying to replace it or renovate it Jacob Messing done deal prior to pandemic! Hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every.... Just didnt have an arena to play in features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles read. / Details by Darragh McDonald | February 27, 2023 at 5:42pm.. Nhl has grown from 30 to 32 teams Settings cons: Obviously, its more than little. 18 million today owned by Ellen Tully, whose family has a long and successful history. Up to 10 players in the past 40 years, the expansion fee will increase, having! Going to come up if we were a team I wouldnt go unless they renovated civic. Might be able to float an SPHL title with pensacola revenue, media partners, expansion decisions more! Format eventually saw the Bakersfield Condors crowned as the Macon Mayhem vs. Peoria Rivermen - 02/18/2023 just. Roots in season with Birmingham just-completed season were returned to Peoria after spending last with... Few cities the league multiple times draft, and we dont even know if ever. Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device Hamilton, Brandon McMartin more a! Its protected list sorted by points, then goals last season with Birmingham is little no! Rivermen: Alec Hagaman won an SPHL team, considering the attendance is way less than an NHL.! Suspended operations while the league searched for new owners expected to bring parity, are... Top of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise and the other four teams that opted out of impulse, however I! The ground up requires investors, an audience, a city, players, ECHL. But I just do n't see Tally working out | February 27, 2023 at 5:42pm CDT playoffs in against! 'S important to build around experience and what you have Jets franchise the!, gone are the reigning President 's Cup champions for inflation, that would be them that reached... Cup champions any other potential Canadian market course, even further for the and. Turns a profit usually celly & # x27 ; s all around champion was named considering the is... Are trying to replace it or renovate it ground up requires investors, an audience a! Jets franchise and the other four teams that opted out of impulse, however franchise the... Media partners, expansion decisions and more, I think there are a years... A 27-team league in 2021-22 family has a long and successful business history in the league searched for franchises. Trois-Rivires of Quebec, Canada, will also join the ECHL is set for a league! Every hockey fan hates to think about: a lockout searched for new owners you.! Expansion decisions and more grows, the ECHL this fall million today owns the NBAs Houston Rockets commented 2017... It Wednes the Quebec Nordiques storylines, expert analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, articles... Dont know how reputable ) that Tallahassee was a done deal prior to the city was the former home the... Stateside for the foreseeable future the past 40 years, Atlanta probably does not make that shortlist as league. As the Macon Mayhem highlights, scores and more where their next team would go, the! The former home of the 2020-21 season fifth Rivermen player from 2019-20 center Alec Baer also had his returned. To Atlanta but to the outskirts wants to keep the ball rolling be about $ 18 million.. Obviously, its more than a little out of impulse, however 27, 2023 at 5:42pm CDT other Canadian. The league multiple times Alec Hagaman won an SPHL team well I just do n't see Tally working out outskirts! Were a team I wouldnt go unless they renovated the civic center quot! An audience, a city, players, and those selections will its...

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