- Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
-
Mid-Atlantic Hockey League 
Founded 2007 Folded 2008 Head Office Canton, Ohio Commissioner Jim Riggs Current champions Indiana Ice Miners Official Web site MAHLHockey.com The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) was a minor professional ice hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of the United States. The league began play in November 2007. The league was a low level league designed to help ex junior and college players gain pro experience and exposure and move up to higher level level leagues.
Contents
First season
The league cancelled the remainder of the 2007-08 season and suspended operations on February 12, 2008, declaring the Indiana Ice Miners league champions. The MAHL hoped to return with teams in new locations in 2008-09.[1] League president Andrew Haines assured that the league would return to action for the 2008-09 season;[2]Jim Riggs was the commissioner of the MAHL.
Off season activity
The league hoped to expand to between eight and twelve teams, and advertised employment positions for expansion teams in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.[3]. Despite stating that the Jamestown and Valley Forge franchises were the most financially solvent, the league announced that Valley Forge would not return to play in 2008, and on March 18 announced that the Jamestown Vikings would be relocated to Ohio to become the Lake Erie Vikings, citing an infamous vandalism incident that made national headlines as reason for the move.[4] On March 11, 2008, the league announced the first expansion team, the South Shore Shooters, based in Dyer, Indiana.[5]. Under new ownership and a new head coach, the Indiana Ice Miners planned to return.[6] In April, the league announced the team from Wooster, Ohio would relocate to Trenton, Michigan, and play as the Trenton Warriors[7]. The league also signed a television deal with Fanz TV, a syndication service. Expansion franchises in Battle Creek and Chelsea, Michigan were also announced.
MAHL Folded
In August 2008, Andrew Haines sold the league ownership to Andrew Miller.[8] But after touring league teams, Miller and his legal team sought to abandon the contract with Haines. Miller took his Battle Creek, Michigan franchise to the All American Hockey Association. The South Shore Shooters also joined the AAHA, and the league folded.[9]
2007-08 teams
Team City Arena Outcome Indiana Ice Miners Indiana, Pennsylvania S&T Bank Arena League champion Jamestown Vikings Jamestown, New York Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena Relocated as Lake Erie Vikings Mon Valley Thunder Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania Rostraver Ice Garden Folded[10] Valley Forge Freedom Oaks, Pennsylvania Oaks Center Ice Folded Wooster Warriors Wooster, Ohio Alice Noble Ice Arena Relocated as Trenton Warriors 2007-08 season
Standings
GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Pts Indiana Ice Miners 32 31 1 0 0 238 88 62 Wooster Warriors 30 14 14 0 2 159 158 30 Jamestown Vikings 31 13 18 0 0 145 170 26 Mon Valley Thunder 31 11 17 0 3 153 206 25 Valley Forge Freedom 30 8 20 2 0 131 2004 18 2008-09 teams
The following teams were scheduled to play the 2008-09 season before the league folded.
Team City Arena Outcome Battle Creek Revolution Battle Creek, Michigan The Rink Ice Arena Transferred to the All American Hockey League Chelsea Tornadoes Chelsea, Michigan Arctic Coliseum League folded Indiana Ice Miners Indiana, Pennsylvania S&T Bank Arena League folded Lake Erie Vikings Auburn Township, Ohio The Pond League folded Pittsburgh Iron Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania Mount Lebanon Ice Center League folded Chi Town Shooters Dyer, Indiana Midwest Training & Ice Center Transferred to the All American Hockey League Trenton Warriors Trenton, Michigan Kennedy Recreation Center Folded References
- ^ Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Suspends Play 80 Games Into Initial Season The Post-Journal. 13 February 2008.
- ^ Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Officials Say Hockey Will Return To City. The Post-Journal. 24 February 2008.
- ^ MAHL Employment Opportunities mahlhockey.com
- ^ Vikings relocate for 2008-2009 season mahlhockey.com
- ^ South Shore Shooters announced as 1st MAHL expansion team mahlhockey.com
- ^ Ice Miners retain general manager indianaiceminers.com
- ^ Warriors relocating to Trenton, Michigan mahlhockey.com
- ^ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3705059
- ^ MAHL folds http://www.prohockeynews.com/hockey/publish/mahl/MAHL_folds_MWHL_fails_to_launch.shtml
- ^ No second year for Thunder - PittsburghLIVE.com
External links
Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Teams Chelsea Tornadoes • Indiana Ice Miners • Jamestown Vikings • Mon Valley Thunder • Trenton Warriors • Valley Forge FreedomArenas Arctic Coliseum • Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena • Kennedy Recreation Center • Midwest Training & Ice Center • S&T Bank Arena • The Pond • The Rink • Jamestown Savings Bank Ice ArenaRelated articles: Other Professional Hockey leagues • Atlantic/American Indoor Football League • Ultimate Indoor Football LeagueProfessional ice hockey leagues in North America Minor LeaguesHigh Level (AAA): American Hockey League
Semi Pro : Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
Mid Level (AA): ECHL • Central Hockey League
Low Level (A): Federal Hockey League • Southern Professional Hockey LeagueRelated article: List of ice hockey leaguesCategories:- Ice hockey leagues in the United States
- Minor league hockey
- Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
