Thunder to Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Jason Schawe

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The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League announced today that they have partnered with the Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma, Eddy’s Toyota and the Wichita Ice Center to help those who were affected by yesterday’s tornado in Moore, OK.

Donations will be collected at all three locations throughout the week and brought down to the Salvation Army in the Oklahoma City area on Friday morning at 9 a.m. The Salvation Army is suggesting that donations include water, canned goods, diapers, formula, clothes, flash lights, shovels and any other items that the people of Moore could use at this time.

“We are more than happy to lend a hand to the people who were affected by this terrible tragedy,” commented Thunder GM Joel T. Lomurno. “We, as a community, have to step up to the plate and do all that we can to get these people back on the road to recovery.”

For more information on how you can help the victims from May 20th’s storm, go to the following link. http://www.wichitathunder.com/news/Press_Releases/article1822.html

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MLHR Podcast #13: A Chat with the Commish

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Matthew Harding

***Note: Due to legal circumstances, the Commissioner could not comment on the situation in Rapid City. Also, we have reached out to Commissioner Lewis and Bob Hoffman for comment on the Bloomington Blaze defecting for the Southern Professional Hockey League and are still awaiting a response. We appreciate your patience while we worked to get the podcast cleared through the league! ***

Duane Lewis

Central Hockey League Commissioner Duane Lewis. Photo Courtesy of the Central Hockey League

Minor League Hockey Report podcast #12 (Friday, May 10, 2013), sponsored by Superior Signs and Engraving, is now available! You can find the MLHR podcasts on iTunes! Be sure to click on the logo below the podcast player for a link to the podcast in the iTunes store.

In this edition of the podcast, we talk with Central Hockey League Commissioner Duane Lewis.

Topics we covered:

  • Addition of the Brampton Beast beginning next season
  • Possibility of revisiting old CHL markets
  • Status of the St. Charles Chill and Fort Worth Brahmas
  • Changes to suspension rules
MLHR Podcast #13: A Chat With the Commish [ 25:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thanks again to Commissioner Lewis for taking a few minutes to chat with us about the state of the Central Hockey League headed into the offseason.

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SPHL announces Bloomington and Peoria to join league next season

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Matthew Harding

SPHLThe first shoe of the silly season has dropped, with the Southern Professional Hockey League announcing Wednesday that the Bloomington Blaze and Peoria Rivermen will join the league for the 2013-14 season.

Here is the official press release from the Southern Professional Hockey League:

HUNTERSVILLE, NC – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced its Board of Governors has unanimously approved the Bloomington Blaze and Peoria Rivermen to join the league for the 2013-2014 season.

The teams will be owned and operated by Illinois Pro Sports, LLC, whose members have extensive experience at all levels of professional hockey.

Both cities will hold official press conferences on Wednesday, May 22.  The Peoria announcement will take place at 10:00 am at the Peoria Civic Center Great Hall, with the Bloomington presser to follow at the US Cellular Coliseum Bud Light Lounge at 2:00 pm.

“We are pleased that the SPHL Board of Governors unanimously approved both Peoria and Bloomington markets as new members of the SPHL,” said Illinois Pro Sports partner Bruce Saurs.  “This is a new era for professional hockey in Central Illinois and we look forward to carrying on the rich tradition fans have come to enjoy over the years.”

“We are excited to welcome Bloomington and Peoria into the league,” added SPHL President Jim Combs.  “The addition of two teams in the Midwest opens up a new range of opportunities for the SPHL.”

For the moment, the move leaves the Central Hockey League with 11 teams for the 2013-14 season. However, additional moves maybe in the offing once the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Finals conclude. Stay tuned for updates on this situation as it develops.

 

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Could the Bloomington Blaze be headed to the SPHL?

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Matthew Harding

Bloomington Blaze

With the American Hockey League officially ending it’s stay in Peoria, Illinois (not far from Bloomington,) speculation has been rampant about what league would occupy an arena there in the 2013-14 season.

For the time being, it would appear that the SPHL will play there beginning next season, and it looks like the Bloomington Blaze are going with them.

For more information on what appears to be an impending move by the Blaze to the SPHL, read the article by Dave Eminan of the Peoria JournalStar, here: http://www.pjstar.com/news/x811437871/Vancouver-tells-Civic-Center-it-wont-operate-AHL-team-in-Peoria

What do you think of a potential move by the Blaze? Leave us a comment below, or on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

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Fort Wayne Komets Head Coach Al Sims retires

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Matthew Harding

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Five-time championship winning head coach Al Sims has hung up his whistle. The Komets announced the move on Monday. Sims coached the Komets to a Central Hockey League title in 2012, after winning four championships prior with the Komets.

For more information on Sims’ retirement, read Justin Cohn’s article, here:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130513/BLOGS11/130519833

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