Eastern Professional Hockey League (2008–09)
_(logo).jpg) | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| CEO | Jim Riggs |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country |  United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Jersey Rockhoppers |
| Official website | Official Site |
The Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) was a low-level professional ice hockey league. The league was developed by Curtis Russell, Tim Kolpien, Igor Mrotchek, and Jim Riggs, the former commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League in 2007. The EPHL will play with four teams in similar market sizes (medium-sized cities/suburbs). For the first season, four teams will play a 50 game schedule with the start of the regular season set for November 1, 2008. Throughout the 2008-09 season games could be heard via internet connection on IYM Sports Radio.
League History
Jim Riggs was hired to become the commissioner of the EPHL after being the commissioner of three leagues that folded.
Under Riggs' watch, the league saw two teams fold before the start of the season. The average league attendance was 821. [1]
The star franchise of the EPHL, the Danbury Mad Hatters first season was plagued by ownership, financial issues all season long. Head Coach Dave MacIssac will not return to the team and the players may not return as well.[2] The Danbury Mad Hatters' team lost lots of money.[2] MacIsaac, the team's head coach wouldn't address rumors of Danbury players and coaches going unpaid for months, but EPHL commissioner Jim Riggs contends those stories are overblown. "You hear stuff about that all the time," said Riggs. "I think some of that has been greatly overexaggerated. Riggs failed to deny or confirm the rumors. [2]
In October 2008, weeks before the first games were scheduled, two franchises pulled out, leaving three teams. Rather than postpone the season, a replacement was cobbled together: the Hudson Valley Bears, who played their home games in Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York and the Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh, New York.[3] The Bears’ roster was drawn from a pool of nearly 100 “local guys with part-time jobs,” as Jim Riggs, the league commissioner, put it.[3]
The Hyannis Storm were announced and set to begin play in 2009. Dan Adams, the chief investor of the Hyannis Storm, a proposed team, said he would not be moving forward with bringing the team to the Hyannis Youth and Community Center this year.[4]
On April 10, 2009, Curtis Russell became President for Eastern Professional Hockey League after Tim Kolpien resigned. [5]
Concerns have been raised about the he future of the Danbury Mad Hatters in light of comments made on June 14 2009 by Pat Lovett, the commissioner of the newly formed North East Professional Hockey League, stating that the NEPHL is looking to start a team in Danbury.[6] If a new franchise finalizes a lease with the Danbury Arena and plays the 2009-10 season, it will be the fourth team in the last five years to call Danbury home, after The Danbury Trashers who played in the United Hockey League for two seasons (2004-06), and the New England Stars in the North Eastern Hockey League in 2006-07.
Teams
The league had four teams located in the Northeast portion of the United States.
| Team | City | Arena (Capacity) | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Aces | Brooklyn, New York | Aviator Arena (2,500) | 1,098 |
| Danbury Mad Hatters | Danbury, Connecticut | Danbury Ice Arena (2,344) | 984 |
| Hudson Valley Bears | Poughkeepsie, New York | Mid-Hudson Civic Center (650) Ice Time Sports Complex (400) |
235 |
| Jersey Rockhoppers | West Orange, New Jersey | Richard J. Codey Arena (2,500) | 935 |
Champions by Year
2008-09- Jersey Rockhoppers: On March 28, 2009, the Jersey Rockhoppers won the first EPHL Championship with a 4-1 victory over the Brooklyn Aces at the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn, NY. Jersey prevailed in Game 3 of the Finals, winning two straight after dropping the series opener.[7]
Awards
2008-09 MVP Nick Niedert, G Jersey[7]
2008-09 Rookie of the Year C.J. Tozzo, F Brooklyn[7]
2008-09 Defensemen of the Year Nick Grove, Jersey and Chris Clark Hudson Valley, co-winners[7]
2008-09 Finals MVP Chris Ferazzoli, F Jersey[7]
References
- ^ http://www.leaguestat.com/ephl/ephl/en/stats/schedule.php?view=attendance
- ^ a b c Cohen, Dan S. (March 25, 2009). "Future uncertain for Danbury Mad Hatters". The News-Times. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ a b Ferguson, William (March 26, 2009). "By Existing, a Fledgling Hockey League Declares Victory". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ "Cape minor-league hockey plan hits snag". Cape Cod Online. February 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3803410
- ^ http://www.newstimes.com/ci_12838114
- ^ a b c d e "Eastern Professional Hockey League". 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-01.