Hockey News

Evansville IceMen Relocate to Jacksonville

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the dormant Evansville IceMen announced the franchise will be relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. The relocation was unanimously approved by the ECHL Board of Governors last month. The Jacksonville IceMen will join the South Division and will be the ECHL’s third Florida team. The team will retain the same name and logos and will begin playing next season at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

https://twitter.com/SinBinNews/status/829365101320888320

Hartford Making Serious Proposals to Lure Islanders

As reported in recent weeks, the New York Islanders will be moving out of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with no definite plans of where they will play after the 2018-19 season. A return to their former home, the Nassau Coliseum has been brought up and Hartford has been making a push to bring a NHL team back to the city.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy proposed a $250 Million plan to renovate Hartford’s XL Center. The plan would include an addition of a second concourse and club seats along the upper level of the lower bowl. These renovations would be key to bringing a NHL team to the city, but does not guarantee that any NHL franchise will choose to relocate to the XL Center.

https://twitter.com/ESPN_NHL/status/829100243073454082

Investors express interest in bringing pro hockey back to Portland

In an article by the Portland Press Herald, the city of Portland, ME have received interest from four parties who have expressed interest in bringing another hockey franchise to the city. The Board of Trustees have sent out requests for proposals to the parties, seeking information about potential ownership groups, and their previous experience with pro hockey.

“We are committed to having hockey. We really want to have an affiliation. We think the fans and spectators and supporters of the Cross Insurance Arena want that activity and we want to work hard to get it.”

Railers HC News

Railers Celebrate First Birthday

The Worcester Railers front office celebrated their first year in the books as an organization. On Wednesday, February 8, they hosted a party with cakes and cupcakes with invitation to all Members. Worcester News Tonight held segments throughout the week covering the Worcester Railers one-year anniversary:

Worcester Sharks Alumni News

Willows Named ECHL Player of the Week

Former Worcester Shark Matt Willows was named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for January 30 – February 5, 2017. Willows scored four goals and three assists for seven points in three games last week. Willows tallied an assist in a 3-2 win at Toledo on Wednesday, had a goal and an assist in a 7-5 victory over the Walleye on Friday and picked up a hat trick while adding an assist in a 4-3 win at Wheeling on Saturday.

Bill Ballou: Former Worcester players key Sharks’ continued rise

Telegram & Gazette’s Bill Ballou reflects on the legacy past Worcester Sharks have left on the city and the futures they have ahead of them. Take a look in the tweet linked below:

Transactions

Nathan Moon was traded to the Reading Royals from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) on February 3.

Mike Connolly was signed to a one-year contract extension with the Straubing Tigers (DEL) on February 4.

Karl Stollery was reassigned to the Albany Devils (AHL) from the New Jersey Devils (NHL) on February 7.

JP Anderson was released from his PTO with the Albany Devils (AHL) on February 8. He will return to the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL).