Local Group Purchases Pride

Published on April 23, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC -- The Pee Dee Pride announced at a morning press conference that the team is under new ownership. A group of local individuals came together to buy the team, to ensure keeping Pride hockey in the Pee Dee.

Florence Hockey, LLC. is made up of six individuals: Frank Avent, Fred DuBard, Dr. Dan Hyler, Dr. Steve Imbeau, Hugh Leatherman and Marguerite Willis. They purchased the team from the previous ownership group based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where the Pride operated as the Knoxville Cherokees before moving to Florence for the 1997-98 season.

The group is in the process of finalizing a new lease with the Florence Civic Center. The lease is expected to be anywhere from three to five years.

"The Pee Dee Pride has been an integral part of this community for the past five years, and we look forward to becoming a part of that tradition," Frank Avent said. "We need the community to support our local hockey team, and we look forward to growing the success of the Pride for years to come."

"On behalf of myself and the entire ownership group, I would like to thank our fans, our staff, our advertisers and everyone in Florence for everything they have done for us over the last five years," former majority owner Warren Payne said. "Without their support, none of our success would have been possible. We will miss everyone."

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