Southern Professional Hockey League

Infobox sports league

pixels = 150px
caption = Southern Professional Hockey League logo
sport = Ice hockey
founded = 2004
motto =
teams = 7
country = USA
champion = Knoxville Ice Bears
website = [http://www.thesphl.com/ www.thesphl.com] The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) is a low-level professional ice hockey league with teams located in the southeastern United States.

The SPHL's history traces back to three other short-lived leagues. The Atlantic Coast Hockey League started play in the 2002-03 season. After its only season, the ACHL dissolved with member teams forming the nucleus for two rival leagues, the South East Hockey League and the World Hockey Association 2. After one season the SEHL and WHA2 disbanded, with their surviving teams rejoining with two expansion teams to form the SPHL, commencing with the 2004-05 season.

Teams

Current

*Columbus Cottonmouths (Columbus, Georgia) Joined SPHL 2004-05, Charter Member.
*Fayetteville FireAntz (Fayetteville, North Carolina) Joined SPHL 2004-05, Charter Member.
*Huntsville Havoc (Huntsville, Alabama) Joined SPHL 2004-05, Charter Member.
*Knoxville Ice Bears (Knoxville, Tennessee) Joined SPHL 2004-05, Charter Member.
*Twin City Cyclones (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) Joined SPHL 2005-06 as Pee Dee. Relocated to Winston-Salem 2007-08. [ [http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/04/23/daily15.html?jst=b_ln_hl Winston-Salem to get minor-league hockey - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area: ] ] [ [http://www.morningnewsonline.com/midatlantic/scp/local_news.apx.-content-articles-FMN-2007-03-26-0005.html Florence Morning News | SCNow ] ]
*Richmond Renegades (Richmond, Virginia) Joined SPHL 2006-07.

Relocated teams

*Pee Dee Cyclones (Florence, South Carolina 2005/06 - 2006/07) to Winston-Salem, North Carolina

uspended teams

*Jacksonville Barracudas (Jacksonville, Florida) Joined SPHL 2004-05, Charter Member. Will suspended operations for the 2008/09 season pending league approval. May return in 2009/10. [http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/04/30/barracudas-suspend-operations/ Barracudas suspend operations - The Florida Times-Union] [http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/232/story/310396.htmlSPHLs Jacksonville team won't play next season - Columbus Legder-Enquirer]

Defunct teams

*Macon Trax (Macon, Georgia) SPHL 2004/05, WHA2 2003/04, ACHL 2002/03
*Winston-Salem Polar Twins (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) 2004/05
*Asheville Aces (Asheville, North Carolina) 2004/05
*Florida Seals (Kissimmee, Florida) SPHL 2005/07, WHA2 2003/04, ACHL 2002/03. Originally Orlando Seals (ACHL/WHA2); were supposed to be a charter franchise as well. (Membership terminated in the middle of the 2006-07 SPHL season) [http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3412289]

tandings

ee also

*List of developmental and minor sports leagues
*List of ice hockey leagues
*Sports league attendances

References

External links

* [http://www.thesphl.com Southern Professional Hockey League website]
* [http://www.intotheboards.net/hockey2/publish/southernpro/index.shtml intotheboards.net - SPHL]
* [http://www.intotheboards.net/vbforums/forumdisplay.php?f=7 ITB Forums - SPHL]