SOUTHAVEN --- The professional hockey family was not immune to the devastating effects when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast at the end of August. The Mississippi Sea Wolves of the E.C.H.L. are based in Biloxi, MS and had to suspend operations for the 2005-2006 season as a result of the storm.
"We were all geared up for our big 10th anniversary season," Sea Wolves General Manager Jesse Martin said. "We aren't using the term ‘suspend operations', we are calling it an ‘extended off-season' because we will be back bigger and stronger next season."
The Sea Wolves saw their offices and team facilities in Biloxi totally destroyed, their home arena took in over six feet of water and was rendered useless for a year and, much like the rest of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, had their lives and their livelihoods put in a state of chaos.
"We were able to salvage about 240 sticks and some odds and ends ," Martin said. "Other than that, we lost just about everything from skate sharpeners to staplers."
To make it back for the 2006-2007 season, the Sea Wolves need revenue to operate in their extended off-season. The organization has asked for help and teams, including the Memphis RiverKings, have responded. The Sea Wolves have approached teams in the ECHL, NHL, AHL and CHL to give them a venue to raise revenue so they can maintain key personnel and get their office up and running again. The Sea Wolves have asked teams to hold auctions or sell "Sea Wolves Survival" merchandise to help keep professional and youth hockey alive in southern Mississippi.
Sea Wolves representatives, including Martin and Head Coach Steffon Walby, will be at the DeSoto Civic Center for the game this Friday night. They will be selling Sea Wolves Survivor T-shirts and selling raffle tickets on the D.C.C. concourse for memorabilia such as sticks and jerseys.
"We would like to thank the RiverKings organization and Head Coach Kevin McClelland for giving us the opportunity to do this fundraising," Martin said. "The support we have received from throughout the country has been overwhelming."
The ECHL, like the CHL, is a developmental double "A" minor-pro hockey league. The ECHL has 25 teams that span from the east coast to the west coast.
The RiverKings host the Fort Worth Brahmas at 7:05 on Friday.
Season tickets, 16 game weekend plans and voucher plans for exciting RiverKings are available. For ticket information, call the RiverKings at 662-342-1755 and ask for the ticket department or stop by the DCC during business hours.
Single-game tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 901-525-1515 or at ticketmaster.com.
Don't forget to head to TGI Fridays on Goodman Road after every home game for the "Official RiverKings Post-Game Party."
You can hear all regular-season RiverKings games on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).
The Kevin McClelland Show airs every Tuesday night at 6 on Sports 56 WHBQ (AM 560).
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