Pensacola Ice Pilots
The Pensacola Ice Pilots are a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team is owned by Henley Sports, Inc., headed by Mario Forgione, and was previously affiliated with the Toronto Maple Leafs until July 10 2006. Three weeks later, on July 31 2006, the team announced a new affiliation with the New York Islanders and its AHL partner, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
The team announced on March 26, 2007 that Escambia County had agreed to release them from the final year of their lease in the Pensacola Civic Center, and as such that the team would not return for the 2007-08 season. After renewed negotiations, an agreement was reached on April 12, 2007 to keep the team in Pensacola for at least next season. Negotiations for a longer-term deal are reportedly underway.
The home of the Pensacola Ice Pilots is the Pensacola Civic Center, which is referred to as "The Hangar", and has a capacity of 8,150.
The Ice Pilots were formerly the Nashville Knights but moved to Pensacola following the 1995-1996 season.
Notable achievements
- The 1997-1998 Ice Pilots finished the season with a record of 36-24-10 and won the ECHL Southern Conference championship.
- Forward Glen Metropolit went on to play in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals. He is currently with the St. Louis Blues.
- Forward Ryan Craig played 5 games with the Ice Pilots before going on to play for the NHL (Tampa Bay Lightning).
- The 2004-2005 Pensacola Ice Pilots won the Brabham Cup for the most points overall in the league during the regular season.
- Former Head Coach Dave Farrish is now the Assistant Coach of the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL.
Hall of Fame
The Pensacola Ice Pilots Hall of Fame was created in 2005 with two players, number 13 Chad Quenneville and number 22 Shane Calder.
Coaches
- Alvis Pedersen (1996-2000)
- Wayne Cashman (2000-2001)
- Todd Gordon (2001-2004)
- Dave Farrish (2004-2005)
- Rick Adduono (2005-2006)
- George Dupont (2006; over two seasons)
- Joe Clark (2006-2007)
