Hockey Returns to Lafayette
May 17, 2009 - SPHL (SPHL) News Release
LAFAYETTE, LA - Danny Smith has announced today that their application to play in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) has been approved by the SPHL Board of Governors and that the team will begin play in October 2009.
The team will begin selling season tickets and unvail their new colors and logo on the website www.icegatorshockey.com on June 1st
For Smith and new coach Ron Handy, though, those are just details. They're too busy flying on cloud nine now that their persistent efforts to bring hockey back to Lafayette were rewarded. "My mom won tickets on the radio for the very first IceGator game,'' said Smith, a New Iberia native and local businessman. "I went to the first game, got hooked and never missed one after that.'' Smith jokingly admitted that he went to the first game to see how they kept the ice from melting. Over 14 years later, he was being announced as the team's new owner.
The Southern Professional Hockey League currently has teams in Biloxi, Columbus, Fayetteville, Huntsville and Knoxville. Additionally, the Twin Cities Cyclones are exploring relocation opportunities and the SPHL is currently negotiating affiliation agreements with two additional markets to begin play during the 2009-10 season.
SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs states "Our league's Board of Governors would like to welcome Danny smith and the Icegators to the league" He adds, "The Icegators have a tradition of being a tough winning organization and they are going to make winning a championship a priority."
For more information on check out : http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20090516/SPORTS/905160301/1006/IceGators++goal+is+bringing+title+to+the+Hub+City
SPHL Stories from May 17, 2009
- Hockey Returns to Lafayette - SPHL
- Hockey Returns to Lafayette - SPHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
