Sports stats

Barracudas remain committed to SPHL

August 10, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Jacksonville Barracudas News Release


Jacksonville, FL — The Jacksonville Barracudas ownership today announced that three is no truth to any rumor that that the Championship ice hockey team will play in the World Hockey Association during the 2004-2005 season. A recent article in a Greensboro, North Carolina newspaper commented that Jacksonville was a member of the WHA. It further quoted an official of the WHA as stating that Greensboro and Orlando are being considered as the possible 7th and 8th franchises.

"The Jacksonville Barracudas are affiliate members of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) and have signed a two year affiliation agreement with the nine member team league. We have no interest in joining the upstart fledgling WHA. We further doubt the WHA will ever get off the ground. For the league to insinuate that they will be playing in Jacksonville, or for that matter Orlando, is inaccurate, inappropriate and insulting to the intelligence of the hockey community," says David Waronker, President of Barracudas Hockey Club Inc, owner of the Barracudas. Mr. Waronker, a real estate developer from Celebration Florida, also holds the same title for Orlando Professional Hockey Inc, and its Orlando Seals.

The Barracudas have two remaining years, plus an option year left on their current lease, which lease is in good standing with the City of Jacksonville and SMG, the facility manager. They also have two years plus extensions on their lease with the City of Orlando.

"The Barracudas look forward to competing with its interstate rival, the Orlando Seals, along with at least seven other SPHL league members for at least the next two seasons. With new cities such as Columbus, GA, Huntsville, Winston Salem, Cape Fear and Knoxville in our league, we are sure that this year will be very tough as we start to defend our championship," continued Waronker. The Barracudas 2004-2005 schedule will be announced by August 20, 2004.

Waronker further confirmed that he is in active negotiations to transfer his majority ownership interest in the Barracudas to a local investor whose interest like Waronker's is to keep hockey alive and thriving in Jacksonville. The stock transfer should occur by the end of the week. One of the conditions of the stock transfer was that the Barracudas remain a member of the SPHL. The current ownership, which includes Coach Ron Duguay, Dr. Allen Schonberg, Larry Laviollette, Dr. Joseph Musa, and several other minority owners share Waronker's enthusiasm for the future success of the team as a member of the SPHL.

Season, group and individual game packages, as well as corporate advertising packages are available by calling the team office at (904) 367-1423.



SPHL Stories from August 10, 2004


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.

Other Recent Jacksonville Barracudas Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central