Pensacola 100% in SPHL!

A release from the Pensacola News Journal states that Escambia County commissioners have approved hockey in Pensacola and the Pensacol Ice Flyers will take flight.

"Commissioners unanimously approved:-- An ice hockey lease at the Pensacola Civic Center between the county, Pensacola Ice, LLC, and SMG Corporation, which manages the Civic Center.

The contract is designed to provide a break-even financial program for use of the ice, and the county will be reimbursed the $220,000 it is expected to invest in equipment and Civic Center repairs.

The team proposed to play there would be called the Ice Flyers, but it's still unclear whether all the hurdles have been cleared by the management of the Southern Professional Hockey League team to be ready to play this fall.The SPHL season starts Oct. 23 and concludes 22 weeks later on the third weekend in March."

For the full article click here

Vote 4 Pensacola Ice Flyers Logo!

With the on going spectulation of what the new SPHL team in Pensacola will look like the Pensacola News Journal took it into their own hands and started a Vote for your favorite Ice Flyers logo Poll.

Unfourtunatly they have also added this to the poll:

(NOTE: This polling of our readership is for entertainment purposes only; the
results will not be used to select the new Ice Flyers logo.)

Either way I hope the Ice Flyers take notice and use (#3!) one of these logo's.

The team said that a vote would be held for two weeks beginning July 1 on the Pensacola News Journal's web site. There are four finalists to choose from. Here's a preview.

To view the poll Click Here

Vote Wise!

Pensacola Ice Flyers pass 800 mark in season ticket sales

The Pensacola Ice Flyers a proposed expansion team in the Southern Professional Hockey team has announced on their website pensacolaiceflyers.comthat they have surpassed 800 season tickets and now sit at 849. That 849 is 401 less than they need to play this season. Tim Kerr, the teams Owner is confident that they will in fact make that number and begin play this season.

His latest plan to increase sales in released on thier website:

Here is Kerr’s Game Plan –
We have almost 300 individual season ticket holders both corporate and individuals and we need them to find a friend or business associate to purchase one more ticket. Season ticket holders that purchase or sell one more ticket will become a “Friend of Hockey” and their name will be permanently engraved on a plaque that will be displayed at the Civic Center along with Founders Club Members. This will result in 300 more sales
Opening Day Game Jerseys – This is a one-time opportunity to get an opening day jersey from a new team. Game day jerseys have been auctioned off for thousands of dollars during the season. This jersey could be the best. The first 20 businesses or individuals that help sell ten season tickets will be guaranteed the opening home game jersey. Each person or business representative will draw a players name before the home opener and would receive the jersey from the player, with photograph and autograph at the conclusion of the game. This will result in 200 more season tickets. People interested in getting these jerseys should email
alan@pensacolaiceflyers.com.

Hopefully this team can get off the ground before this season starts.

Mississippi Surge Release Logo and Name

COAST HOCKEY ANNOUNCES NEW TEAM NAME
Logo, team colors and website also unveiled.

BILOXI, MS – After more than 3,500 names were submitted for consideration, Coast Hockey, LLC announced that the name of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) team playing at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum is the Mississippi Surge. The Surge will begin play in the SPHL in October of 2009.

Surge General Manager and Head Coach Steffon Walby says that “With the resurgence of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the power that we have as a community, we feel that this name matches our strength and courage.”

Eighty seven fans suggested the name and the team randomly selected Pascagoula native Frank Corder to receive two free Surge season tickets for the 2009-2010 season.

The Surge also introduced the team logo and colors. Mississippi Surge President Bill Yates explains, “We feel that the logo is a great representation of the electricity our fans will experience during our games.” He adds, “The blue, gold and metallic colors are bold and powerful which is what Surge Hockey is all about.”

In addition to the team name, logo and colors, the team introduced www.mssurge.com as its’ website. Fans can also get news about the team on facebook.com and twitter.com.

Mississippi Surge season tickets can be reserved with only a $25 deposit. Also, Mississippi Surge merchandise is available at the team’s office located inside the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. More information can be found at www.mssurge.com.