Seals announce deal with Silver Spurs Arena
Published on October 19, 2004 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
CELEBRATION, FL â After weeks of anticipation, the Orlando Seals professional hockey team and the Silver Spurs Arena have reached an agreement in principal to make the brand new, state of the art arena in Kissimmee, the Seals new home, Seals President David Waronker announced Tuesday afternoon. At a press conference located in the exhibition hall adjacent to the arena, the Seals also announced the team will change its name to the Florida Seals.
Representatives from the Silver Spurs Arena along with SPHL Commissioner Tom Coolen were on hand, as Waronker announced an agreement that will ensure that the Silver Spurs Arena will be the home for the Seals for at least the next three years. As per their agreement with Osceola County and the Silver Spurs Arena, the Seals have agreed to cover the expenses of installing the ice making equipment and board system necessary for professional hockey.
Located just off the Florida turnpike, the Silver Spurs Arena is part of a 120 acre, multi-purpose complex known as Osceola Heritage Park. The complex is home to the Houston Aeros Spring Training, the Silver Spurs Rodeo, concerts and much more.
"This is a thrilling day in the short history of our franchise," said David Waronker. "The Seals offer an exciting brand of affordable family entertainment and are an integral part of the community. We are extremely proud and excited to call the Silver Spurs Arena our new home for many years to come."
The Seals move to the Silver Spurs Arena will mark the first time in Orlando's history that professional hockey will be played in another venue other than the TD Waterhouse Center.
Popular for its fast pace, physical play and fan interaction, professional hockey has become one of the areas greatest spectator sports. Orlando was first introduced to professional hockey back in 1995 when Rich DeVos, owner of RDV Sports and the Orlando Magic formed the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League.
In six seasons at the TD Waterhouse Center, the Solar Bears had the highest winning percentage in the International Hockey League winning two Eastern Conference championships and capturing the IHL's Turner Cup championship in 2000-01.
The Solar Bears franchise ceased operations following the 2000-01 season. After a one year hiatus, professional hockey returned to Orlando in 2002 when a group led by former National Hockey League player Jeff Brubaker formed the Orlando Seals and placed the franchise in the reincarnated Atlantic Coast Hockey League.
Nearly a month into the season, Brubaker sold his interests in the Seals to current majority team owners and Celebration residents, David and Ruth Waronker. David Waronker is president and CEO of CBD Development Group Inc., of Mount Laurel, NJ, and Celebration, FL. He is also president of USALANDSALE.COM, a national real estate land bank, sale and auction Internet firm.
During the Seals inaugural season in the ACHL, the team picked up where the Solar Bears left off, winning the Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record in the league) and capturing the President's Cup Championship, as the team went 6-0 in the ACHL playoffs on the way to capturing the league title.
The Seals returned for a second season at the TD Waterhouse Center in 2003, this time as a member of the new World Hockey Association 2. The WHA2 was formed with the intentions of serving as a feeder program for the WHA, which was a major-league level hockey league from 1972-79 and was to be reincarnated in 2004-05.
The Seals got off to a fast start during the 2003-04 season but lost several key players to injuries throughout the year. Finishing in fifth place behind the MaconTrax, the Seals failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the franchises short history. After it became obvious that the WHA was not going to come to fruition in 2004, the Seals joined eight other professional hockey organizations from cities across the South in the newly formed Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
The new league includes the Asheville Aces (Asheville, NC), Columbus Cottonmouths (Columbus, GA), Huntsville Havoc (Huntsville, AL), Jacksonville Barracudas (Jacksonville, FL), Knoxville Ice Bears (Knoxville, TN), Macon Trax (Macon, GA), Winston-Salem Polar Twins (Winston-Salem, NC), and the Cape Fear FireAntz (Fayetteville, NC).
The Seals planned on playing in the SPHL this season, however, a lease dispute with the City of Orlando in late August forced the organization to suspend play for one season while the franchise looked to secure a viable home venue.
"We sincerely regret that our fans have to suffer through a season without Seals hockey," said Seals President David Waronker. "We strongly believe that the Seals move to the new Silver Spurs Arena will create a long-term sustainable future for the franchise."
Waronker added, "The Silver Spurs Arena promises to be one of the finest buildings in the SPHL, providing the Seals with a home that few professional sports teams can rival."
The arena will house over 8,300 fans for hockey games, offers twelve luxury suites and an atmosphere that is guaranteed to impress Seals fans. Unlike the previous seasons at the TD Waterhouse Center, the Seals will not have to compete with the Orlando Magic and Predators for prime dates during the hockey season. The majority of Seals games will be played on Friday and Saturday evenings and there will be no charge for parking.
"This is the beginning of something special," said Seals General Manager Chris LiPuma. "We have some of the best fans in all of minor league hockey and the new Silver Spurs Arena should provide our fans with an amazing show." So much is happening in terms of development and growth to the Osceola area and we are glad to be adding to the ongoing excitement."
The Seals plan on utilizing the upcoming months to launch a new grass roots program and to build on their season ticket and corporate sponsorship base before making their home debut in October 2005. The Seals will announce further team developments and plans for fans over the next several months.
For more information on Seals season tickets, corporate sponsorship opportunities, or other ways you can be a part of all the excitement as the Seals prepare for the 2005 season, please contact the Seals office at (321) 939-2465.
SPHL Stories from October 19, 2004
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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.
