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Stateline Whalers Join Federal Hockey League

June 13, 2015 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Brewster Bulldogs News Release


The Federal Hockey League is proud to announce a new team for the 2015-16 hockey season. The club will be located in Brewster, New York and will play out of the Brewster Ice Arena.

The team will be called the Stateline Whalers. The team is owned by long time Minor League Hockey operator, Chicago native - Barry Soskin.

The Whalers will play a 56 game schedule as part of the Federal Hockey League's 6th season of operation.

In the coming weeks the team will be releasing information on ticket packages & pricing, fundraising opportunities, sponsorship, and the Head Coach.

Fans can sign up for the team newsletter at www.statelinewhalers.com

Soskin commented, "Brewster is a fantastic location for our league. We wanted to keep a team in the New York-Connecticut market and this fits our footprint. This is a hockey community and the fans have given us a great response."

The Brewster Ice Arena has seating for 850 fans with additional 2nd floor VIP areas to take the capacity to 1,000. Built in 1997, the BIA features four sheets of ice which also includes one outdoor rink. On the second floor of the venue, fans will enjoy the Players Club Restaurant & Sports Bar and banquet facility which offers a full menu and beverage selection.

The FHL has worked with BIA owner & operator Steve Santini to formulate a plan for the future. Santini commented, "We are committed to this team and are eagerly looking forward to this season and hosting a professional hockey league. We are in the process of exploring future seating options and envision an increase in the seating capacity with approval from the town."

FHL Commissioner, Don Kirnan commented, "I have known Steve Santini and his for family for a number of years. He is a fantastic operator. This is a hockey first facility which we love. We have found a jewel in Putnam County."

The Brewster Ice Arena is also home to the New York Apple Core Junior Team as well as the Westchester Express and Brewster Bulldogs Youth Hockey. In addition, the Arena is home to 10 local High School Hockey teams

Various New York State officials also offered the following statements:

Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell

"Having the Stateline Whalers here in Brewster is very exciting for Putnam County and the benefits of a minor league team in the area are priceless." said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell. "It will boost economic development, create jobs, increase tourism in the county and heighten an already strong sense of community."

NY State Senator Terrence Murphy, representative of the NYS 40th Senate District.

"Putnam County just scored a big win by having the Stateline Whalers call Brewster home," said New York State Senator Terrence Murphy. "I know my kids, who learned how to play hockey at the Brewster Ice Arena, can't wait for the first game. Today's announcement only adds to Putnam County's resume as a great place to live, work and raise a family. I applaud everyone's efforts in this endeavor and look forward to the Whalers future success right here in our backyard."

Deputy Director of Tourism Frank Smith

"Having a professional sports team is an incredible opportunity for Putnam County," said Frank Smith, deputy director of Putnam County Tourism. "Fans from Connecticut, northern Westchester and southern Dutchess will be traveling to Brewster to watch the games and will hopefully discover some of the other activities Putnam County has to offer. Brewster Ice Arena is already one of the top attractions in the county. Being the home rink of the Stateline Whalers will now make it one of the major destinations of the lower Hudson Valley and western Connecticut regions."

With the team coming to Brewster, it crossed into the existing territorial rights for the Danbury Whalers.

Commissioner Don Kirnan also added "The official position on the Danbury Whalers is that the team is a member of the Federal Hockey League in good standing that is on in-active status. They are at an impasse with their landlord the Danbury Ice Arena. In an effort to continue their commitment to the Federal Hockey League, the team has waived their territorial and naming rights to the Brewster franchise. We back and support our league member & partners."

Entering its 6th season of operation, the Federal Hockey League is one of five professional leagues in the United States. The FHL has promoted over 200 players to various other professional leagues including the AHL, ECHL, CHL, & European Leagues. The FHL currently has teams located in Berlin (NH), Danbury (CT), Dayton (OH), Watertown (NY), Danville (IL), Berkshire (MA), and Port Huron (MI). Last season over 100,000 fans watched FHL action live. Check out the league at www.federalhockey.com.

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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.

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