The Evansville IceMen
Countdown to Opening Night of Season Two
Evansville IceMen to host AAHL Playoffs
The All-Star Weekend will consist of a Skills Competition on January 8th and the All-Star Game January 9th. There will be other activities scheduled for the weekend, but all on ice activities will take place at Swonder Ice Arena.
“This is a great day to the city and for our organization,” IceMen General Manager Chip Rossetti said. “The reason that Evansville received the honor of hosting this weekend is solely on our fans. They can out in huge numbers to support the IceMen this past season and the league took notice of it.”
The All-Star Weekend will consist of a number of activities over the two day event, both on and off the ice.
The Evansville IceMen have also announced that, as an IceMen season ticket holder, fans will receive admission to all of the weekend’s activities.
Season Tickets and Box Seats are still available by contacting the IceMen front office at 812-435-8971 or by visiting www.evansvilleicemen.com.
IceMen announce new program for kids
The Evansville IceMen are excited to announce the formation of the Black Buggy Kids Club for the 2009-2010
Season. The Black Buggy Kids Club is an ieal way for kids, ages 3-12, to get more involved with the IceMen
players and organization. Members of the Black Buggy Kids Club receive:
- Admission to all Evansville IceMen home games
- Evansville IceMen/Black Buggy Kids Club T-Shirt
- Two (2) In-Season parties with members of the IceMen at the Black Buggy
- An autographed Evansville IceMen souvenir
- Two members picked to be honorary stick boy/girl at each home game
- Participation in in-game promotions
- Free admission to post-game skating party with Evansville IceMen
- More to come...
In conjunction with the Black Buggy Kids Club, the IceMen are
announcing "Black Buggy Bucks". Over the course of the season,
members of the Kids Club will have the opportunity to collect and accrue
"Black Buggy Bucks", which are good toward food and other goods at
the Black Buggy Restaurant. Look for ways to get more
"Black Buggy Bucks" all season long.
Membership in the Black Buggy Kids Club is only
$100 dollars per child. This is an amazing offer that kids
ages 3-12 can enjoy. What better way for your kids to
experience the excitement of Evansville IceMen hockey in
a safe and fun environment.
Contact the Evansville IceMen today at
evansvilleicemen@yahoo.com to sign up for the Black Buggy Kids Club!!!
IceMen awarded new IHL membership
The following items were also discussed during the three-day meetings, which were held in Las Vegas, Nevada:
v The IHL Board of Governors created a three member search committee for the next Commissioner that will consist of Tim Leighton (Bloomington), Rich Bruner (Dayton) and Jeff Patulski (Muskegon). The committee has set a goal of naming the new Commissioner by September 1st, 2009.
v The Executive Committee for the 2009-2010 season will be as follows: Chairman of the Board, Michael Franke (Fort Wayne) and Vice Chairmen’s of the Board, Frank Kinney (Port Huron) and Tim Leighton (Bloomington).
v The expansion draft for the two new member clubs will be held Friday, June 26th. Each member club may protect thirteen skaters (13) and one goaltender, losing a maximum of three players.
v The league will conduct an expansion draft for the new member clubs within the next 10 days. A dispersal draft of the Kalamazoo Wings players rights will be held shortly after the expansion draft.
v The 2009-2010 IHL schedule will be completed by mid-July.
v The IHL will continue with the standard set forth regarding officiating, however, there will be a greater emphasis on the calls made for aggressive stick penalties (i.e. slashing, cross checking).
“We have been very pleased with the direction of the officiating,” said Brad Jones, VP of Hockey Operations. “This is an area that we feel strongly needs to be addressed for the upcoming season.”
v Member Clubs will be allowed to dress 19 players (17 skaters, 2 goaltenders) for a game. The active roster will be at a maximum of 20 active players. Last season, only 18 players were allowed to dress per game and 21 players were allowed on the active roster.
v Member Clubs are allowed to carry a maximum of eight (8) veterans for the 2009-2010 season. In the previous seasons, member clubs were allowed to dress a maximum of seven (7).
v The IHL has eliminated the six (6) game requirement for players to qualify for a position on the post season roster.
“Due to the enormity of the agenda, the board will reconvene via teleconference in the next few days,” stated Michael Franke, IHL Chairman of the Board. “We look forward to announcing additional exciting news concerning the IHL in the near future.”
The IHL Board of Governors voted on Wednesday to continue the annual meeting via teleconference.
IceMen Lands New Head Coach
Evansville, IN: The Evansville IceMen of the All American Hockey League are excited to announce the hiring of their head coach for the 2009-2010 season. The IceMen have hired Jack Collins to lead their squad this season.
Jack Collins comes to Evansville after spending the last ten years as an assistant coach with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL. During his tenure as an assistant with the Bombers, the team had a record of 342-351-67, with two trips to the Kelly Cup Finals.
“We are very excited about bringing Coach Collins to Evansville”, General Manager Chip Rossetti said. “He brings a level of professionalism to the team that we feel we need going into our second season. His experience and connections in professional hockey will be invaluable to our young players. This is a great next step for our organization. When Coach Collins walks into a locker room, the players immediately look to him. He commands that kind of respect.”
Collins began coaching in 1977 and has coached at every level possible. All of that experience was what has prepared him for his first professional head coaching job.
“I’m very excited to have a chance to coach the Evansville team”, Coach Collins said, “and I am looking forward to it. I think it is going to be an exciting season and I am thankful for the opportunity to represent the Evansville IceMen and I am ready to getting started. The foundation for the organization is in place and now it is time to build on it.”
Coach Collins will be in Evansville for the IceMen tryout on August 1st and 2nd and will begin full time with the team on October 1st.
Expansion Coming to AAHA Next Season
“These organizations have been working very diligently over the past 6 months creating their brand and assembling their organization internally, “ said AAHA Commissioner Bob Langdon. “We are confident that, upon their formal announcements, they can hit the ground running and set themselves up for a successful 2009-2010 hockey season.”
“The ownership groups have been in constant contact with the Association throughout this season, keeping us all up to speed on how they are developing their business plan and operations foundation,” said Evansville Icemen GM Chip Rossetti. “I have had many conversations with people within their groups this season, and from what I have seen they will assemble a top notch staff that will be ready both on and off the ice for our second season.”
The expansion teams that have been approved will be located within the AAHA geographic footprint spanning the Midwestern States. City and Arena locations will begin to be released during formal press conferences before the end of the AAHA playoffs.
Additional expansion teams are in the process of receiving approval and assembling documentation from their respective ownership groups.
“We are releasing this information today based upon a tremendous amount of requests from AAHA fans regarding information about next season. This is our way of keeping them informed of developing information as we look to grow and ask for their continued support,” said Commissioner Langdon.
Look for more expansion information in the upcoming weeks.
IceMen Sign First Female Goalie in AAHA History
The Evansville IceMen of the All American Hockey Association are proud and excited to announce another first in Association history. Today, the team signed the first female goaltender in AAHA history, when they welcomed Kira Hurley, of Toronto Canada, to the team.
Kira is a 24 year old, 6 foot, 155 pound goaltender for Toronto. She is a 2006 graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, where she was a four year starter for the NCAA Division 1 school. She led her team to the ECACHL playoff each of the three years the team was eligible. Kira was named an All American following her Junior season, as well as received All Conference honors and Top Goalie honors. She holds Clarkson’s Women’s goaltending statistical records for both career and single season. She also holds the NCAA record for shut outs in a season with 10.
After finishing up her collegiate career, Kira signed with the Mon. Valley Thunder of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League in 2007. When the MAHL folded she went back to Canada to play for former NHL’er Shawn Antoski with the Marmora Lakers of the Ontario Senior Men’s AAA Hockey Association. By playing with the Lakers she became the first women to ever play in a league known as the “top level of amateur hockey in Canada.”
Kira becomes one of just a handful of women, including goaltenders Manon Rheaume and Erin Whitten, who have played on men’s professional teams at a minor league level. In 2003, Hayley Wickenheiser joined Salamat of the Finnish Second Division and became the first woman to record a point in men’s professional hockey, finishing the regular season with one goal and three assists in 12 games.
General Manager Chip Rossetti was excited about the signing. “This is great for our team, the Association, and hockey in general. We have said from the beginning that we were working to put together a Championship team, and we feel that Kira can help us get there.”
IceMen with Kira Hurley sign autographs after the game
Hurley, Houdicks set Records on Valentines Day
From Prohockeynews.com
AAHA
Posted in: AAHA
Hurley breaks into record books
By Don Money
Feb 15, 2009 - 4:27:18 PM
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Seeing historic events is a rare thing. Possibly seeing two is even more special and that’s what the fans of the Evansville Icemen may have gotten on Valentine’s Day night.
The 1,100 fans in attendance witnessed a flurry of firsts as the Icemen blasted the Chicago Blaze 24-4. During the contest, Evansville goalie Kira Hurley became the first female net minder to ever register a point in a men’s professional game with a third period assist. That just about overshadowed the performance of twin brothers Ed and Earl Hudick who each tallied six goals and seven assists during the contest.
“It was kind of a crazy game,” Evansville G.M. Chip Rossetti said.
Hurley’s assist came at the 8:06 mark of the final stanza. The Blaze had cleared the puck into the Evansville’s defensive zone. Hurley came out of the net and fed a pass to Kyle Heffernan at the blue line. Heffernan moved the puck through center ice and into the Chicago zone. Kyle then crossed a pass to his brother Shane who moved in and beat Blaze goalie Reid Sifford for the score that put Hurley into the record books. For the record, Hurley finished the night with 21 saves on 24 shots faced.
“The place absolutely erupted when she got her point,” Rossetti said. “I asked her at the end of the game if she knew when it happened if she knew she had gotten the secondary assist on it and she said no until she heard it announced over the P.A. (system).”
As for the Hudick brothers, the twins from Newport, Michigan each recorded hat tricks in both the first and second periods. Playing on the same line together, the points piled up quickly. Barring further research, it is believed to be the first time twins playing for the same team have scored hat tricks in the same game.
As a team, the Icemen recorded an astounding 85 shots on net for the game. Just one night before, Evansville and Battle Creek played an overtime thriller, combining for 106 shots during a 2-1 victory by the Icemen.
IceMen, Hurley to be in Hockey Hall of Fame
The Evansville IceMen have had a season of firsts, both as a franchise, as well as a member of the All American Hockey Association. The team’s latest announcement is no different.
The IceMen are excited to announce that goaltender Kira Hurley and the entire IceMen organization have been chosen to be immortalized in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This honor is being bestowed on Kira and the team as a direct result of the IceMen game on Saturday night against the Chicago Blaze. The 1,100 fans in attendance witnessed Kira Hurley becoming the first female net minder to ever register a point in a men’s professional game with a third period assist. Hurley’s assist came at the 8:06 mark of the final stanza. The Blaze had cleared the puck into the Evansville’s defensive zone. Hurley came out of the net and fed a pass to Kyle Heffernan at the blue line. Heffernan moved the puck through center ice and into the Chicago zone. Kyle then crossed a pass to his brother Shane who moved in and beat Blaze goalie Reid Sifford for the score that put Hurley into the record books. For the record, Hurley finished the night with 21 saves on 24 shots faced.
“This is an amazing honor for Kira and the entire organization,” IceMen General Manager Chip Rossetti said. “To be recognized by the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors that a player and a team can receive. We are very proud of Kira and are excited for our entire team and the city of Evansville.”
Rossetti received word from the Hall of Fame on Monday morning. Phil Pritchard, Vice President and Curator of the Hall of Fame, contacted the team and agreed that Hurley’s assist was a great accomplishment and was deserving of the acknowledgement from the entire hockey world. Once the research was completed on Tuesday morning and the Hall received confirmation of the accomplishment, Rossetti received an email from the Hall of Fame asking for the donation. At that point Rossetti contacted Kira and informed her of the situation.
Pritchard commented on the situation, “Hockey history is happening everyday. What Kira did was just another significant step to women becoming equals in the world of professional hockey and having something of Kira’s on display is awesome. We pride ourselves on having the greatest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world and it is an honor to recognize this milestone in the world of professional hockey.”
Pritchard informed Rossetti on Wednesday morning that Hurley’s memorabilia will be on display, beginning this summer, in the Hall of Fame’s “Year in Review”. The “Year in Review is a tribute to all of the major events in professional hockey from the past season. Once the “Year in Review” is over, Hurley’s memorabilia will go on permanent display in the minor league section of the Hall.
The Hall of Fame asked that the IceMen send copies of the games scoresheet, one of Kira’s goalie sticks and her game jersey from Saturday night.
A Letter from the IceMen GM
The realization of the importance of this date caused me to stop and look back on the last year.
I know that there have been a lot of ups and downs over the course of the year. It started with the announcement of our team in May, along with our affiliation with with another league that we were going to be playing in. We held our tryout camp in the summer, that was well attended and momentum started building as we got closer to the season. Then things dramatically changed. We realized that our league was struggling and that it didn't look like it was going to pan out this season. We started to scramble and we were able to put the AAHA together at the last minute. And guess what... here it is the first week of March and we are still playing.
You may ask, "Why does he sound so surprised?" Well with all of the things that we have had to endure this season, I am a little bit surprised. It really looked like trouble, early in the season, when the Detroit Dragons folded. Luckily, the powers that be in the AAHA, were able to pull off a minor miracle and we welcomed in the Chicago Blaze, and we were able to continue the season.
The IceMen, as a team, have faced a lot of adversity this season. At last count we have had 43 different players were the polar bear on their chests. That is a lot, even at this level. We have been hit by the injury bug, more then our fair share, but we have endured. I believe that we are starting to REALLY see the fruits of our labor out on the ice now.
Some of my fondest memories of the last yearrelate directly to the fans. I mean that. I remember standing out in the parking lot at Swonder on opening night wondering if anyone was going to actually show up. I remember, that night, going out onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop, looking up and seeing the stands full, and being overwhelmed with emotion. It was an amazing experience.
I owe the success of the IceMen to so many people. To Mr. Geary for taking a chance on this thing when I brought it to him and having faith in it. The my incredible staff that works tirelessly make each game happen. The volunteers who make themselves available each and every game. To the players that work so hard every game to put on a great show. To our amazing fans that have supported uS from the beginning and helped to make all of this possible.
I cannot guarantee that we will win a championship, but I will make everyone this promise. You will always have my unending gratitude for helping me make this dream a reality and we will continue to work to make this organization one that you can all be proud of. Thank you so much for a great year, now "LET'S BRING HOME THE CUP!!!"
IceMen Announce Series of Moves
The Evansville IceMen made more moves on Tuesday in their quest for an AAHA Championship. The IceMen made their second trade of the season, sending forward Dan Kohanchuk to the Battle Creek Revolution for forwards Aaron Naphan (6’ 196lbs.) and Paul Hannah (5’11” 185lbs), as well as defenseman Jesse Farley (6’3” 200lbs).
“We love Danny”, General Manager Chip Rossetti said on Tuesday. “We just needed to find ways to get better and we felt that these guys can help us do that. We are adding some more size and experience and we feel that this is going to make us a better team.”
The IceMen also announced the signing of defenseman Jeff Gillies (6’2” 210) from Vancouver, BC and forward Riley Wiley from Overland Park, KS.
In order to make room for these new additions, the IceMen released defenseman Brandon Davis (5’10” 205lbs), and forwards Dylan Haddix (6’ 175lbs), Shawn Lee (6’ 185lbs) and Mark Lebbens (5’10” 175). “We hate to see anyone go,” Coach Jason Reichart said, “but we need to keep getting better. We want to put together a Championship team. These guys are all talented players, but we needed to make some room.”
The IceMen are going to be announcing more additions in the coming days in their quest for and AAHA Championship.
The team is on the road for their next three games, in Chi-Town and Battle Creek, before returning home to welcome the Detroit Dragons for the first time on Saturday January 3rd and Sunday January 4th. Tickets are still available for all games by contacting the IceMen office at 812-435-8971.
Detroit Franchise Out...New Chicago Team In
Ice Men Trade Galloway to Chi-Town
IceMen Annouce First Player to be Called Up
2008-09 Updated Regular Season Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Game Time |
| Fri, Nov 14 | vs. Chi Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Nov 15 | vs. Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Fri, Nov 21 | at Detroit Dragons | |
| Sat, Nov 22 | at Detroit Dragons | |
| Sun, Nov 23 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Nov 29 | vs. Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Dec 6 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sun, Dec 7 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Fri, Dec 12 | vs. Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Dec 13 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Dec 20 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Dec 27 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sun, Dec 28 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Wed, Dec 31 | at Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Jan 3 | vs. Detroit Dragons | |
| Sun, Jan 4 | vs. Detroit Dragons | |
| Fri, Jan 9 | at Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Jan 10 | at Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sun, Jan 11 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Fri, Jan 16 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Jan 17 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sun, Jan 18 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Jan 24 | vs. Chicago Blaze | |
| Sun, Jan 25 | at. Detroit Dragons (fft) | |
| Fri, Jan 30 | vs. Chicago Blaze | |
| Sat, Jan 31 | vs. Chicago Blaze | |
| Fri, Feb 6 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Feb 7 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sun, Feb 8 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Fri, Feb 13 | vs. Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Feb 14 | vs. Chicago Blaze | |
| Fri, Feb 20 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Feb 21 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sun, Feb 22 | at Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Fri, Feb 27 | at Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sat, Feb 28 | at Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sun, Mar 1 | vs. Chicago Blaze | |
| Fri, Mar 6 | vs. Battle Creek Revolution | |
| Sun, Mar 8 | at Detroit Dragons (fft) | |
| Fri, Mar 13 | vs. Chi-Town Shooters | |
| Sat, Mar 14 | at Chi-Town Shooters |
Home games in bold. Home games start at 8:00pm.
(fft) forfeit game due to team's departure
Home games played at Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville.
For more information, log onto www.evansvilleicemen.com.