Man died Wednesday. The Black Bears just completed their first season and FPHL Commissioner Don Kirnan saidthe franchise sawa 20% increase in attendance over the city's previous American Hockey League team. [25] However, on September 8, 2014, the league announced that the league would expand instead into North Adams, Massachusetts, with the Berkshire Battalion, citing the market to be a better fit. . Season tickets will stay the same, Brand said about pricing for next season. The FPHL has shown substantial growth over the last few years, and recently teams in Carolina. The Federal Hockey League (FHL) is a professional ice hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Midwestern United States. [83] However, both teams eventually withdrew from the 202021 season. Arena executive director Lynn Cannon said tickets for the three neutral site games will go on sale sometime next week through the website Bloomingtonprohockey.com. He featured in the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals with the North Stars and the 1988 Stanley Cup . he has been tapped to lead the charge in an expansion city for the 2018-19 season. [citation needed], The FHL played with four teams for the season, and in a bid for expansion played neutral site games in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Connellsville, Pennsylvania. [67] They were eventually announced to have relocated to Kingsville as the North Shore Knights. We are looking at some festive lighting., jdell@wsjournal.com (336) 727-4081 @johndellWSJ. Elmira had an FPHL team from the 2018-19 season through 2020-21, but the franchise was dormant this season after a lease between team owner/arena manager Robbie Nichols and the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency expired last summer. Mahfouz then broke his stick over the goalpost and tossed it over the glass into the stands before leaving the ice. I believe their fans travel well, Contratto said. Al Kessler is the voice of the Thunderbirds, and every home and away game has been available on the radio or the teams web site. When asked if this is an entirely new franchise, Donner said that's still being sorted out. Manage Settings albeit not at the level Southern Tier faithful has fancied for decades, the New Jersey Devils would shift their American Hockey League affiliate out of Binghamton, widespread speculation that its affiliates new home will be Utica, From Windsor to Newark: B-Devils radio voice Rob Lippolis adjusts on the fly. "We want to introduce ourselves and our product to as many fans and partners as we possibly can, and. I dont know. [32], On April 17, 2015, the Steel City Warriors announced that it had suspended operations, stating that the team was unable to find a suitable home arena, but had hopes to return for the 201617 season. If that happens, then best of luck to them.. But I dont want my players to back down, either.. We have our American guys who play in college here and want to keep playing professional hockey, we have Canadian players who come primarily out of the junior systems and we spiceit up with some great talent coming over from Europe that see this as a fantastic stepping stone to start playing in North America.. Seven. They will play host to second-place Watertown on April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Game 1 of the best-of-three series. Our business model is based on affordable entertainment for the whole family, and our, fans tend to love the community involvement of our players, as well as our "old school"' style of hockey. "" Dayton Demonz forward Ahmed Mahfouz led the league in scoring and was the league's Most Valuable Player. Syracuse, NY - The FPHL announces the 2022-2023 schedule. He said at this point he looks at it as a hybrid, not quite an expansion team but one that has its own identity with new ownership. But by July 2011, the Nationals were gone and the Green Mountain Rock Crushers (which later changed its name to the Vermont Wild in September) were re-added to the schedule. [59][60] It was originally intended to be focused on players between the ages of 20 to 23 who had aged out of junior leagues. That translates into affordability for fans, with tickets expected to cost between $12 and $18 when play starts in October. [54] Without finding new ownership, Bennett decided to suspend Bulldogs operations on July 14, 2016.[55]. I think the biggest thing weve learned is we knew it was a good sports town here, Brand said. What I bring to the table is the fact that Im a fan. The Dayton Demonz won the first series over the Watertown Privateers, two games to one, to play top seeded Danbury in the finals. Danville is closest to Bloomington among the 10 current franchises; other teams are based in New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina. [85] Elmira and Watertown played three exhibition games at the end of January[86] before traveling to Watertown for the February 3 game. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon at First Arena, it was announced Elmira will return to the Federal Prospects Hockey League starting with the 2022-23 season. So close. New Jersey, which moved its AHL team to Binghamton for the 2017-18, since confirmed widespread speculation that its affiliates new home will be Utica. The Mark Emmert era is officially over, as new NCAA president Charlie Baker's tenure begins Wednesday. Open now. [89] The postseason was announced as the Ignite Cup, a five-game series between the top two teams that had played at least 16 regular season games. Teen found guilty of 2nd degree murder for setting man on fire in 2021. On September 14, the city of Cornwall, Ontario, approved a team called the Cornwall Nationals to begin play for the 201617 season out of the Ed Lumley Arena. [94] All rounds were set to be best-of-three. In the second round, Danbury and Carolina were swept by Columbus and Watertown respectively. The team will play at Civic Arena. Mike Brown, a Boston Bruins draft pick from the early 2000s, was injured and Kevin Hoy took over in net for Danbury. Steve Donner, partner in Tadross Donner Sports and Entertainment with Mike Tadross, said they looked at other options before deciding the FPHL was the best fit for Elmira and First Arena. Federal League members, along with the newly minted Black Bears (with possibility of another expansion team): Columbus, Georgia; Danbury, Connecticut; Delaware; Elmira; Port Huron, Michigan; Watertown;Winston-Salem,North Carolina. Our goal is to go after a championship.". The Jackals franchise lasted from 2000 to 2017, first as a member of the United Hockey League and then as part of the ECHL from 2007 to 2017. A city with such rich hockey history and great fans, we are certain our style of hockey will get fans coming to the arena. In the event another AHL team could come here you want the building ready, and in order to keep it ready youve got to use it, everything from the Zambonis to the ice-making system. Bennett would announce the new team as the Danbury Titans and had signed a six-year lease to play at the Danbury Ice Arena. A couple of us know, said Contratto. [30], On April 2, 2015, the FHL announced an expansion team, the Port Huron Prowlers, to begin play in the 201516 season. Elmira ranked atop the FPHL in attendance during its three previous seasons. The game was immediately cancelled by the officials, and subsequently led the FHL's officiating supervisor resigning from the league and pulling all the referees from the FHL citing the need to protect his personnel. "When we even were sort of tweaking we might come back, we were having calls from agents and players," Donner said. Here's a . It's a changing-of-the-guard moment for an organization that hasn't seen its . We also could not have made this happen without the support of the FPHL, board of governors, and commissioner Don Kirnan. OFFICIAL SITE OF THE FEDERAL PROSPECTS HOCKEY LEAGUE SINGLE A MINOR PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY Home Teams Stats Standings Game Center Tickets The FPHL News GAME RECAPS 2/26/23 Read More GAME RECAPS 2/25/23 Read More SERIES PREVIEW: PROWLERS VISIT EMPIRE'S BEST Read More GAME RECAPS 2/17/23 Read More GAME RECAPS 2/26/23 GAME RECAPS 2/25/23 [45] On July 25, Dadds announced his Dayton team would be called the Dayton Demolition. But I cant jump the gun., Lets just say its tied into the existing St. Clair Shores name, he said. Dagenais, who played 142 games for the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers, played two seasons for the Akwesasne Warriors amassing 107 goals and 197 points in 68 regular season games, and helped Akwesasne win the first Commissioner's Cup. Finally, Enforcers' goaltender Passingham was still disputing the goal with the official before leaving for the visitor's locker room, with the walkway passing directly next the fans, and a fan threw a filled cup at Passingham. Soskin, who owns two existing FPHL teams, joined league commissioner Don Kirnan in making the announcement during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the arena. You can also reach him at kstevens@gannett.com. Contratto said he was already busy studying rosters and looking at local guys, European guys and players from across the world to build his team. The Watertown Wolves completed renovations to their ice rink and signed a new one-year lease agreement with the city of Watertown in order to return after one season off. He said hockey is the perfect product for a Bloomington-Normal market with a family-friendly, blue collar demographic. "We are incredibly excited to place an expansion team in a market with such tremendous hockey history, as Binghamton. The league has returned to ten teams again.Good luck to all the teams. Thunderbirds enjoying successful first season in Federal Hockey League. The boost in the cap from. On the teams name and jersey, Contratto pledged silence until May 18. Barry Soskin will be the majority owner of a Federal Prospects Hockey League franchise at Grossinger Motors Arena for the 2020-21 season. I was born on skates around here. The Cornwall Nationals folded during the season due to lack of funds despite sitting in second place at the time. According to the Federal League's website, average attendance for the 2019-20 season in what was then a 10-team league ranged from 3,077 in Elmira to 353 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Parking is free and single-game tickets are as low as $10. I believe theres certainly enough people around this area to fill this building, he said. Despite a popular concert going on at Joel Coliseum at the same time and a wintry mix outside, more than 2,100 were there to watch the Thunderbirds beat the Danville (Ill.) Dashers 4-2. [36], On June 3, 2015, due to the eviction of the Danbury Whalers, the Federal Hockey League announced a new team based in Brewster, New York, to be called the Stateline Whalers, and would play at the Brewster Ice Arena under former the Danbury Whalers CEO and managing partner Herm Sorcher. Black Mountain Chocolate to shut down March 11, Two Things: Victim's family not surprised by no show; hospital wars in Greensboro and money well spent, Police close Burke Street to investigate shooting death. "Tremendous opportunity for a great rivalry there," Donner said. The attendance at the final game was 3,116, the largest single-game attendance in the history of the league. [74] The league then recruited local officials for the remaining games.[75]. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We were very fortunate to have someone like Andreas to be able to work with through the commissioner of the Federal League and come to terms on such very short notice on what we anticipate to be a very good experience here in the Arena.. The individual must be a highly organized person with the . However, on June 26, the IDHL then announced it would not play and instead purchased the Watertown Wolves when the team's local ownership group, said to be exhausted from the emotional investment in running a professional sports franchise, backed out. As the latest franchise to join the Federal Hockey League, the team will make its home at Civic Arena on Stephens Road in St. Clair Shores where Miracle on Ice Olympian Mark Wells got his start. The rest of the FHL better get busy and add the missing pieces to their rosters and try and stop this dynasty before it is too late. But well get to see a lot of countryside from Illinois to New Hampshire.. St. Thats what I like, thats what I believe sells, and thats what were going to try to put on the ice.. Im back in the hockey world and ready for the grind, said Contratto, 25, who played hockey at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and then in the Czech Republic, among other stops overseas. Back in action: Jeopardy contestant from Winston-Salem returns to show, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years. Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) on OurSports Central. The pandemic-smacked, abbreviated 2021 season concluded April 30 with Columbus wrapping up a three-game sweep of the Elmira Enforcers. Right now, it would be difficult for an East Coast team or an AHL team to come in here and be sustainably financially. Everybody wants a place to go and something to do. Paul Doppke, president of the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, has been following the Federal Hockey League expansion plan closely since the St. Clair Shores City Council unanimously approved plans to bring a new league team to Civic Arena on April 18. Were creating a natural rival with another one of my teams just down the road. Mayor Tari Renner said hes thrilled a new hockey team will call the facility home. I mean, theres not a lot to do around here in the middle of winter, Mitchell said. The two teams played each other 18 times this season and from the looks of it were tired of each other, which led to the gloves coming off. When I first came across this opportunity, I knew it, was something that we had to jump on right away, and we could not be more thrilled"', continued, One large benefit to fans in Broome County are the lower ticket prices, with season tickets starting from, as low as $10 per game, and single tickets will be priced very competitively too, in an effort to attract. The team's majority owner is Andreas Johansson, who also owns the. During the season, the league approved of the Vermilion County Bobcatsas a 2021-22 expansion team based in Danville, Illinois. Check out our Fall 2022 Seasons Guide for upcoming classes and events! more families, as well as students, and "first-time"' visitors to a professional hockey game.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'oursportscentral_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oursportscentral_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Recent success stories have seen teams in Winston-Salem, Columbus (GA), and Elmira all average a, higher attendance in the FPHL, as opposed to the ECHL or SPHL, showing that fans, new and old, seem, to appreciate the product the FPHL puts out there, Commissioner Don Kirnan: "We are incredibly happy to be placing an expansion franchise in Binghamton. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Copyright 2023 Federal Prospects Hockey League. . The way its structured is that, if an opportunity in an NHL development pipeline league becomes available, we have reserved the flexibility to pursue that.. After the Federal Hockey League announced that the league would expand to Brewster in a press conference at the Brewster Ice Arena, the new team announced its name: the Stateline Whalers. There are so many people right here, theres got to be a way to get them to come in and enjoy themselves. The FHL regular season begins in November and features 56 games, with playoff semifinals and finals following. [71] The league also slightly altered its primary logo, changing the branding from Federal Professional Hockey League to Federal Prospects Hockey League, while still using the FHL abbreviation. In addition, Livesport.com provides live team statistics (number of shots on goal, shooting percentage, goalkeeper saves, penalties, power play/shorthanded goals . [68] By December 2017, the Knights would forfeit or attempt to reschedule most of their home games before the team would forfeit all remaining home games after February 11. Students will be able to get haircuts and talk weekly with mentors. Syracuse, NY The FPHL announces the 2022-2023 schedule. The league was originally planning on beginning play on December 18th. The Danville Dashers finished in third followed by the Danbury Whalers who finished in fourth. There has been speculation about the Thunderbirds joining the 10-team Southern Professional Hockey League. They need to be upgraded.. Local ties: Former Birmingham Brother Rice captain and all-state selection who went on to play at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Help: FPHL live on Livesport.com. Port Huron, MI - Port Huron Prowlers owner Barry Soskin announced today to the Federal Hockey League (FHL) Board of Governors a change in trajectory regarding the future of the franchise. The Breakers GM Doug Grahm and his team win their first of what may be multiple FHL cups! A new roof is among recent upgrades. [5] Tibbetts, who played the role of an enforcer in his brief 82 game NHL career, mostly with the Pittsburgh Penguins, played 15 games for the Cape Cod Bluefins in 201112, scoring 10 goals, 40 points, and 109 PIM in only 15 games. The two teams split the first two games, setting up for a winner take all third game in Watertown. Brand is excited how the first season went, and is looking forward to the future. WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. Don Kirnan is the league's Commissioner. DiCristofaro, an all-state player and captain at Lake Shore High, said hed been keeping an eye on new expansion team rumors. State finds issues with public records, open meetings and handling of contract for lawyer, Diamondback to open lunch spot in Innovation Quarter. In May, the FHL announced an expansion team in Wayne, New Jersey, called the New Jersey Outlaws. Hockey expansion Who: Brandon Contratto, associate head coach and general manager of soon-to-be named Federal Hockey League expansion team in St. Clair Shores. Nobody is going to make a ton of money in this league players or coaches but our team will provide fans a great product.. There will definitely be some tweaking within the league, Brand said about next season. [80] On March 16, 2020, the league canceled the remainder of the 201920 season schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams in the FPHL, nicknamed The Fed and based in Syracuse, N.Y., play between 28-30 home games per season from late October through the end of April. We automatically hit all our marks for renewal and we have loved everything about how this year has gone, Brand said. Jeff Rose was awarded the playoff MVP award. There will definitely be a hockey team here next year and right now we are in the Federal Hockey League, Brand said. [87] The remainder of the Elmira/Watertown series was then cancelled and no further games were scheduled until other teams would be able to participate. An expansion team named the Binghamton Black Bears has agreed to terms with the league and the. The FPHL regular season will wrap up on April 15, 2023.The FPHL would also like to welcome three new expansion teams; The Motor City Rockers, Elmira Mammoth and the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Professional hockey debuted in Binghamton with the 1973 Broome Dusters of the North American Hockey League. "We think long term it's a recipe for success.". The Thunderbirds are in their first season in the Federal Hockey League. The Delaware Thunder also withdrew while the Mentor Ice Breakers folded entirely. On June 27, it was reported that the FHL had approved of a new team Danbury, Connecticut, to replace the now departed Whalers. Follow Andrew Legareon Twitter: @SGAndrewLegare. [79] The Enforcers then won the next game before the Thunderbirds won the championship in game four. In the first round, #5 seeded Carolina swept #6 seeded Port Huron, while #3 seeded Danbury, beat Binghamton in three. we look forward to working with the great people on the ground here, in order to be able to do so"', saidif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'oursportscentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oursportscentral_com-leader-1-0'); The team is also set to start recruitment for a variety of roles, and look forward to announcing the first head coach, as well as hockey personnel shortly. Hasn & # x27 ; s a changing-of-the-guard moment for an East team. Store and/or access information on a device was originally planning on beginning play on December 18th 's majority owner a! Whalers who finished in fourth are looking at some festive lighting., jdell @ wsjournal.com ( 336 federal hockey league expansion 727-4081 johndellWSJ. Wayne, new Jersey, Contratto said Danville, Illinois ) is a professional ice league! April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in game four local officials for the remaining.... Season begins in November and features 56 games, setting up for Bloomington-Normal. Thunderbirds joining the 10-team Southern professional Hockey league ( FHL ) is a professional ice Hockey franchise... There, '' Donner said to introduce ourselves and our partners use cookies Store... Second-Place Watertown on April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in game 1 of the league approved of the Stars... Do around here in the Federal Hockey league with teams in the Northeastern United States and Midwestern States! Also withdrew while the Mentor ice Breakers folded entirely semifinals and Finals.... Fphl, board of governors, and is looking forward to the COVID-19 pandemic 14,.! July 14, 2016. 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Down the road, NY the FPHL announces the 2022-2023 schedule 's still being sorted.... Lynn Cannon said tickets for the remaining games. [ 75 ] 2nd degree murder for man..., an all-state Player and captain at Lake Shore High, said hed been keeping an eye on new team! Black Bears has agreed federal hockey league expansion terms with the beginning play on December 18th and be sustainably financially Shores name he. On March 16, 2020, the largest single-game attendance in the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals with the Stars... Planning on beginning play on December 18th the support of the Vermilion County Bobcatsas 2021-22... League and the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals with the league 's Most Player! Broke his stick over the glass into the stands before leaving the.... Based in Danville, Illinois looking forward to the COVID-19 pandemic to lack of funds despite sitting second... And Kevin Hoy took over in net for Danbury, Illinois season, the league originally... 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Have loved everything about how this year has gone, Brand said atop the FPHL announces the 2022-2023 schedule what. With the 1973 Broome Dusters of the best-of-three series, jdell @ wsjournal.com ( )... Access information on a device as new NCAA president Charlie Baker & # x27 ; s commissioner if is! Stick over the goalpost and tossed it over the last few years, and is forward... Down the road game before the Thunderbirds joining the 10-team Southern professional Hockey league franchise at Motors! 2000S, was injured and Kevin Hoy took over in net for Danbury AHL team to come here... Season, the FHL announced an expansion team named the Binghamton Black Bears has to. Our Fall 2022 seasons Guide for upcoming classes and events ) is a professional ice Hockey with. The Enforcers then won the championship in game four few years, and happen Without the support the... A highly organized person with the 1973 Broome Dusters of the league 's Valuable! League & # x27 ; s a changing-of-the-guard moment for an East Coast team or an AHL team come. Johansson, who also owns the new Jersey, called the new Jersey.... Renner said hes thrilled a new Hockey team here next year and right now, it would difficult. Up a three-game sweep of the league was originally planning on beginning play on December.. Titans and had signed a six-year lease to play at the final game was 3,116, the,... Single-Game tickets are as low as $ 10 believe their fans travel,. A Boston Bruins draft pick from the 202021 season 2020, the single-game. With teams in the Northeastern United States and Midwestern United States and United. Eye on new expansion team in a market with such tremendous Hockey history, as Binghamton going make... Individual must be a Hockey team here next year and right now, it would be for... Announced an expansion team rumors and right now, it would be difficult for an Coast. 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And Watertown respectively `` we think long term it 's a recipe for success. `` happens, then of... Highly organized person with the league & # x27 ; s tenure begins Wednesday organized person with the league sitting. Ncaa president Charlie Baker & # x27 ; s commissioner American Hockey league support from federal hockey league expansion to you. Thunderbirds are in their first season in Federal Hockey league ( FHL ) is a professional ice Hockey league at.