Pensacola Ice Pilots
Encyclopedia
The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey
team located in Pensacola, Florida
. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning
, Toronto Maple Leafs
, New York Islanders
(2006–07), and the Chicago Blackhawks
. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros
of the AHL
for the 04–05 season. On June 23, 2008, the ECHL announced that it had terminated the Ice Pilots' membership, effective immediately.
The team's colors (navy blue and gold) and nickname were a tribute to the long history of Naval aviation in Pensacola (Naval Air Station Pensacola
is home to the legendary Blue Angels
and the National Museum of Naval Aviation
).
The home of the Pensacola Ice Pilots was the Pensacola Civic Center
, which was referred to as "The Hangar", and has a capacity of 8,150.
The Ice Pilots were formerly the Nashville Knights but moved to Pensacola following the 1995–96 season.
during the 2008–2009 season. Forgione announced plans to keep a team in Pensacola, but one in an unnamed, lower-level league. The ECHL
then stated that is would revoke the franchise if need be, and the ECHL
made it official on Monday, June 23, 2008. On April 4, 2009, the SPHL announced discussions between potential investors, key government officials, local fans and business leaders in Pensacola, Florida relative to the award of a franchise for the 2009-10 SPHL season. However, the press release stopped short of explicitly stating that this expansion team would be the Ice Pilots franchise owned by Mario Forgione. Rather, the new team will be known as the Pensacola Ice Flyers
and be owned by former NHL
player Tim Kerr
.
^ - They coached four games while Clark was away tending to his ailing mother.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team located in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(2006–07), and the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
for the 04–05 season. On June 23, 2008, the ECHL announced that it had terminated the Ice Pilots' membership, effective immediately.
The team's colors (navy blue and gold) and nickname were a tribute to the long history of Naval aviation in Pensacola (Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
is home to the legendary Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
and the National Museum of Naval Aviation
National Museum of Naval Aviation
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. The museum opened in 1962....
).
The home of the Pensacola Ice Pilots was the Pensacola Civic Center
Pensacola Civic Center
The Pensacola Civic Center is an indoor arena located in Pensacola, Florida. It is owned by Escambia County and operated by SMG Management. The Civic Center has a capacity of 8,150 for hockey games, and as much as 12,000 for non-hockey events...
, which was referred to as "The Hangar", and has a capacity of 8,150.
The Ice Pilots were formerly the Nashville Knights but moved to Pensacola following the 1995–96 season.
Notable achievements
- The 1997–98 Ice Pilots finished the season with a record of 36-24-10 and won the ECHL Southern Conference championship. The Ice Pilots advanced to their only Kelly CupKelly CupThe Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
appearance against the Hampton Roads AdmiralsHampton Roads AdmiralsThe Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena....
. Due to a scheduling conflict with a Page and PlantPage and PlantJimmy Page and Robert Plant, both formerly of English hard rock band Led Zeppelin, recorded and toured in the mid-1990s under the title Page and Plant. The pair re-united in 1994 and, after recording a highly successful first album, they embarked on a world tour. They then recorded a second album,...
concert, the Ice Pilots were forced to play an extra home game in Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads would win the series 4 games to 2 on Pensacola's home ice. - Forward Glen MetropolitGlen MetropolitGlen Metropolit is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.-Early years:...
went on to play in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for the Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
. He played with the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
in 2007–08. For the 2008–09 season, he signed with the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Raitis Ivanans, currently playing for the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, played 59 games for Pensacola in 1999–2000, scoring 3g, 7a, and 146 penalty minutes. He is 6'3, 263 lbs and currently their enforcer. - Forward Ryan Craig played 5 games with the Ice Pilots before going on to play for the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
). He has re-signed with Tampa Bay for 2008–09, after missing most of 07–08 with injuries. - Forward Evgeni Artukhin played 6 games for the Ice Pilots in 03–04 before playing 72 games for the Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in 05-06. 72gms-4g-13a-17pts. After a couple of years in Russian leagues, he has re-signed with Tampa Bay for the 2008–09 season. - John TrippJohn Tripp (ice hockey)John Tripp is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kölner Haie of the DEL.-Playing career:...
played in 85 games for the Ice Pilots between 2000–2002. He appeared in 9 games for the New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in 2002–2003. In 2003–2004, he appeared in 34 games for the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He is currently playing for the Hamburg Freezers, (08–09) of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany. - Goalies Brian Eklund and Evgeny Konstantinov made brief appearances for the Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. Eklund in 05–06 in a 3-0 loss at the Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. Konstantinov played 20 minutes in 02–03 giving up 1 goal on 5 shots. - Former Head Athletic Trainer Jason Serbus is currently (2008–09) the head athletic trainer for the Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix CoyotesThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
of the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He was assistant the past three seasons for the Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. - Former Equipment Manager John Krause was the Head Equipment Manager for the Iowa StarsIowa StarsThe Iowa Chops were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The club was based in Des Moines, Iowa at the Wells Fargo Arena.-History:...
of the American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
). In 2008–09 season he will be the Head Equipment Manager for the San Antonio RampageSan Antonio RampageThe San Antonio Rampage are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. They are the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Their home arena is the AT&T Center.-History:...
of the AHL. - Former head trainer Brad Chavis is now head trainer for the Norfolk AdmiralsNorfolk AdmiralsThe Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
of the AHL. - The 2004–2005 Pensacola Ice Pilots won the Brabham CupBrabham CupThe Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...
for the most points overall in the league during the regular season. - Former Head Coach Dave Farrish (2004–2005),is now the Assistant Coach of the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. After failing to win an ECHLECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
championship with the Louisiana IceGators and Pensacola, he won the Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2006–2007. - Former Ice Pilot Kevin ColleyKevin ColleyKevin Colley is a retired American ice hockey right winger who played for the New York Islanders of the NHL, and currently is the head coach of the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. Colley was signed as a free agent by the Islanders on June 11, 2004...
, 23 games in 2000–01, is head coach of the Utah GrizzliesUtah GrizzliesThe Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
(08–09) of the ECHLECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. He also played for the New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2005–2006, until a career ending neck injury. - Head coach John Marks tied and broke the ECHL record for most career wins during the 2007–2008 season, and as of March 2 has 482 career wins.
- Goalie Mike BrodeurMike BrodeurMike Brodeur is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Brodeur is currently a free agent. Brodeur played most recently with the Binghamton Senators organization...
won his NHL debut on December 19, 2009 when the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
beat the Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
4-1.
Future
After the 2007–08 season, when the Ice Pilots had finished dead last for three consecutive years, team owner Mario Forgione announced he had no intention of fielding a team in Pensacola for the ECHLECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
during the 2008–2009 season. Forgione announced plans to keep a team in Pensacola, but one in an unnamed, lower-level league. The ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
then stated that is would revoke the franchise if need be, and the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
made it official on Monday, June 23, 2008. On April 4, 2009, the SPHL announced discussions between potential investors, key government officials, local fans and business leaders in Pensacola, Florida relative to the award of a franchise for the 2009-10 SPHL season. However, the press release stopped short of explicitly stating that this expansion team would be the Ice Pilots franchise owned by Mario Forgione. Rather, the new team will be known as the Pensacola Ice Flyers
Pensacola Ice Flyers
The Pensacola Ice Flyers are a team of the Southern Professional Hockey League, their first season was the 2009-10 season. Home games are played at the Pensacola Civic Center, previously home to the ECHL's Pensacola Ice Pilots from 1996 until their folding in 2008.The "Ice Flyers" name has a...
and be owned by former NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player Tim Kerr
Tim Kerr
Timothy E. Kerr is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers.-Playing career:...
.
Former Ice Pilots who have gone on to represent their country internationally
- Evgeny ArtyukhinEvgeny ArtyukhinEvgeny Evgenyevich Artyukhin is a Russian professional hockey player.-Playing career:After spending most of the 2005–06 season with the Lightning, Artyukin left for Russia after contract negotiations soured with Tampa Bay....
(
) - Artyukhin represented Russia on the U17, U18, and U20 teams but has only played sparingly for the Russian National Team due to his size and style of play not fitting the typical European style of hockey.
- Greg ChambersGreg ChambersGreg Chambers is a Canadian ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Guildford Flames of the English Premier Ice Hockey League....
(
/) - Canadian-born Chambers first played in the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the 2005-2006 season after spending 2004-2005 in Italy. He has played there ever since and acquired British citizenship and is now a member of the British National Team.
- Roger Holeczy (
/
) - American-born to Hungarian parents, Holczy played most of his career in America before heading to his parents' native Hungary where he went on to play for the Hungarian National Team.
- Andreas HolmqvistAndreas HolmqvistPer Robert Andreas Holmqvist Pedersen is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for Djurgårdens IF in Elitserien. He has previously played for Linköpings HC and Frölunda HC...
(
) - Holmqvist has represented Sweden both before and after his time in Pensacola. He played on the Swedish U20 team in the World Junior Championship as well as playing for the Swedish National Team in many tournaments and exhibition games.
- Raitis Ivanans (
) - Ivanans represented Latvia in the Junior ranks before coming to the Ice Pilots but in 2008 (after his second full NHL season) he played for the Latvian National Team in the 2008 IIHF Elite Division World Championship despite being known widely as an enforcer.
- Aleksander Materukhin (
) - Materukhin played for the Ice Pilots in 2004-2005 and has since played in the 2005 and 2006 Elite Division World Championships as well as the 2008 Division 1 World Championship for the Ukrainian National Team.
- Glen MetropolitGlen MetropolitGlen Metropolit is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.-Early years:...
( ) - Metropolit played for the Ice Pilots in 1996-1997 before making it to the NHL 3 seasons later. Despite playing mostly a journeyman's career Metropolit finally represented his home nation in the 2006 IIHF World Championship playing for the Canadian National Team.
- Corey Neilson ( /) - Neilson is Canadian born and even represented Canada for two games in a non-IIHF event during the 1999-2000 season. He moved to the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
prior to the 2006-2007 season and has lived there ever since. He waited some time to get his British Citizenship but has done so and is now a member of the British National Team and will compete with them for the first time in the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division I2011 IIHF World Championship Division IThe 2011 IIHF World Championship Division I was an international Ice Hockey tournaments run by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Group A was contested in Budapest, Hungary and Group B was contested in Kiev, Ukraine with both tournaments running from April 17–23, 2011.-Group A:* Japan...
Group B in Kiev, Ukraine.
- John TrippJohn Tripp (ice hockey)John Tripp is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kölner Haie of the DEL.-Playing career:...
( /
) - Canadian-born Tripp played his entire career in North America before signing with Adler MannheimAdler MannheimAdler Mannheim are an ice hockey team of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the highest ice hockey league in Germany. The team is from Mannheim, a city in the north of Baden-Wurttemberg...
of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He acquired German citizenship and now plays for the German National TeamGermany men's national ice hockey teamThe German men's national ice hockey team first participated in serious international competition at the 1911 European Hockey Championship. When Germany was split after World War II, a separate East German national ice hockey team existed until 1990...
.
Coaches
- Allen PedersenAllen PedersenAllen Bentley Pedersen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 428 games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, and Hartford Whalers....
(1996–2000) - Wayne CashmanWayne CashmanWayne Cashman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and a former NHL head coach.-Playing career:Cashman played his junior hockey as a teammate of Bobby Orr's on the Oshawa Generals of the OHA...
(2000–2001) - Todd Gordon (2001–2004)
- Dave FarrishDave FarrishDavid Allan Farrish is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 430 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, and Toronto Maple Leafs...
(2004–2005) - Rick AdduonoRick AdduonoRick Norman Adduono is a retired professional ice hockey player in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League as well as a coach in various minor leagues.-Playing career:...
(2005–2006) - George Dupont (2006; over two seasons)
- Joe Clark (2006–2007)
- Dwayne HayDwayne HayDwayne Hay is a Canadian ice hockey player who most recently played for the HC Alleghe of Serie A during the 2009-10 season.-NHL:...
and Greg Schuh (2006) ^ - John Marks (2007–2008)
^ - They coached four games while Clark was away tending to his ailing mother.