The Mississippi RiverKings announced today that the hockey team will operate as a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) during the 2011-2012 season, which begins in October.
“Our goal has always been to build a winning hockey team in a manner that produces positive impacts in our community over and above the entertainment value to area hockey fans,” said Lanier Hurdle, a board member. “This change will let us build relationships with teams closer to northwest Mississippi, and build interest in hockey in the region.”
The RiverKings join SPHL teams in Augusta and Columbus, GA, Fayetteville, NC, Huntsville, AL, Knoxville, TN, Lafayette, LA, Biloxi, MS and Pensacola, FL. “The SPHL is a better regional fit for the RiverKings,” said Ab Mattice, General Manager/Governor for the team. “It will create rivalries with teams within driving distance of DeSoto County. We ask our loyal fans to continue to support the RiverKings here at the DeSoto Civic Center and on the road.”
Comments
Hate to say it, even though it is sad to see another CHL team go, this makes perfect sense.
Regional leagues are the smart move folks.
It is absolutely STUPID for teams to travel more than 6 or 7 hours one way by bus for a minor league hockey game, and it is STUPID X2 to fly to minor league games at this level.
I wish the Komets had an option to play against teams that were closer to us so we could roadtrip and build rivalries as fans with teams that were within 2-5 hours or less away.
Is there a AA league with such an option???......LOL
Never too late to join echl! If not 2012, please.
The Komets already announced they will have only one returning goaltender. Larry is now a free agent =)
Too late for the E this season. Schedules are completed in the E.
Just say no to LARRY.
Now if Dayton signs him......YES!!!!!
I would be excited to see Dayton 40 times next season with Larry the Loser in the net.
I would roadtrip to Dayton everytime we played them to watch that guy meltdown.
Larry could save the CHL season for us if only Dayton would sign him.
Larry is all washed up. (figuratively... not litterally)
Mississippi going to the SPHL is a wise move for them.
Yikes, how would you like to be Rapid City in a division with Missouri, Ft Wayne, Quad City, Bloomington, Evansville, and Dayton???
Do they have frequent bus mile awards????
Blakes article says only 4-6 players back from last year...
I would guess this:
Chaulk, PC, Schrock, Boucher....maybe Cescon....maybe Frankie....Maybe Apod.
Those top 4 are locks I would think.
What article are you referring to, Hit?
There hasn't been much positive news coming out of the CHL lately. We shouldn't be too surprised, I guess. We knew that things were going to have to sort themselves out. Still, even with that said, I would like to hear something on the positive side.
I'm sure by now David and Michael Franke have a few players signed, just not announced. I'm sure they are still hard at work putting together next years' team as they continue to evaluate the existing free agents ( which now include the Mississippi roster). They like to spread the signing announcements out over the off season to keep a flow of interest throughout the summer. We all realize that and it is a smart idea.
My suggestion to them would be to announce another player or two. With all the doomsday scenarios going on within the CHL, it would be nice to have some positive info to chew on and discuss.
I'm not suggesting they give away the farm. Just a nugget or two of news to turn the flow toward more of a positve nature.
Just a thought from a season ticket holder who would like to start thinking about the additions to the Komet's roster instead of the subtraction of CHL teams.
If they have players that show they mean business next season and that last season's debacle will be forgotten quickly, then announce them all....IMO
Two positive's in the bank at this point already are:
1. They plan to bring in @35 for camp next season...A big plus in my book...
2. They are having the WHC hold a pro tryout camp for them in August...another big plus in my books...
If you have some big time players signed from some of these teams that have left the CHL, then announce them, dont play the one or two every couple of weeks. IMO, you dont need to dangle the carrot out in front of fans here to keep them interested....
You guys are so full of yourselves it's unbelievable.
Care to explain???
It's pointless to even get into it. It's too nice a day to get wrapped up inside on the blog all day so go out and enjoy the wonderful weather. Everybody have a great day.
If its pointless, why make the original comment at all then?
I'm just surprised there hasn't been more chatter on here about the Stanley Cup Finals. Okay, so maybe your favorite team isn't playing. Why would that matter if you're a hockey fan? Speaking of which, I couldn't help but wonder how much the time difference between the coasts has played into the weirdness of this series considering that it's the farthest apart the Finals have ever been staged. Vancouver actually looked to be giving it a go once or twice last night, but Thomas never failed to put an end to that kind of thinking in relatively short order. As I said before, a forfeit (though obviously absurd) would have been better for the Canucks. After Games 3 and 4, it just didn't look likely that they would have any real chance to win, and there was always the chance of an injury -- something I hated to be right about when Raymond went down on the first shift of the game. But hey, maybe Luongo will get another shut-out now on Wednesday. If the camera had zoomed in a little tighter, there might have been tears in his eyes when he was pulled. That's not a knock. He'll use that for motivation next time. But it's still anybody's guess how Wednesday will go. As hard as I've been on the Bruins in these playoffs, I think they've shown enough grit in these finals to be worthy of the win. One thing's for sure; It's going to be a heartbreaker for someone.
After that, I'm going to Rivendell to finish my book. Lol.
Wendy...That was a very physical game last evening. Boston can throw a lot of weight around. There just has to be a few guys from Vancouver hurting just a little. That could play into game 7. Thomas is just so focused. Luongo had to shoot his mouth off and I think that was all the Bruins needed. Game 7 will be a pretty good game, I think. Boston must score if they want to win. If they play like they have in Boston it is all theirs.
Blake Sebring, if you were talking to me you've got a lot of nerve. So I'm full of myself?? Did you fall down on the wrong side of the ice this morning?
I'm not sure what the problem is but I'll spend the day in which ever way I choose.
I'll stand by my comment and still think a little positive news could go a long way now.
I'm full of stress, more teams are falling,players don't want to play here, I lost out on a Jon Mirasty jersey,pool water is too cold, my dog ate my lunch.This is all stressful.
Wow a little unrest today in Komet Kountry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AYEgwwCYWw&feature=player_embedded#at=69
Here this will make everyone put on a happy face, also can we get these guys for the home opener?
Aw, c'mon. Luongo wasn't "shooting his mouth off". He was just pointing out the obvious. It's like I said after Game 2. There is a downside to having an extremely aggresive goalie. Just as there is a downside to having a goalie who tends to stay in net. Luongo admitted that Thomas makes saves he doesn't. He was just pointing out that the opposite was true as well. But the media had to whip it up into something that it was never intended to be just to create a little drama. What really ticks me off is when someone tries to make an honest statement that everyone knows darn well is true and gets burned for it because people wants to read more into it then they should.
Yeah, scoring helps if you want to win the game. ;)
Alan, I'm pretty sure Blake didn't mean you. At least not specifically. It's just a longstanding complaint he has. No, the world doesn't revolve around the Komets or their fans, no matter how ardently they support their team. And yes, it is a beautiful day that you can spend in any way you chose. :)
Mightbite: Eh, he's a dog. Can't get too mad. That's what they do. They're just stomachs with four legs to carry them around. Sorry to hear about the Mirasty jersey getting away, though.
... people WANT to... :s
... read into it THAN they should...
Maybe someday I'll start editing my posts before hitting submit. :D
Mightbite,
The other day one of my dogs inhaled the last bite of my sandwich....it happened so quick, the plate never moved!
My fault for leaving the plate too close to the edge of the coffee table.
Wendy,
My prediction of Vancouver in six just flew out the window. It has been a strange, yet entertaining series. Vancouver has been like a light switch....off and on, then off again. Which Canuck team is going to show up, or should that be which Bruin team shows up? I'm as confused as I was during my math test tonight....:(
I predict the Cubs will beat the Brewers 2 in a row.
Heard a highly respected voice say today that Les Reaney might be in Orange and Black???
Wow.
Not sure if I can allow myself to forget what a jerk and hack cheapshot artist he was in the playoffs against us.....
would Rapid City let him go that easily. And if they would, you'd have to wonder why.
I agree.
He is one of those guys I would have trouble watching on our team.
JMO of course.
Can't wait to see what names are on the Komet's list.
I also have heard about Reaney :(
It was the "little pitbull" NUTmeg ate my 2 steak & cheese sandwiches :(
I hope Vancouver wins,but I have my doubts.
I hoped to get 2 Mirasty jerseys & the other 1 got sold out from under me=and the guy still has not paid :(
I'm sorry; but what's not to like about a 6'2" 220lbs. forward who scores in the mid to upper 20's in goals, checks, agitates, and loves spending time around the goalie crease??? For the way he plays, 107 PIM's isnt a detrement to his team and, IMO, would look really good on the 1st line with Chaulk and a guy like Apod....