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[[Image:PensacolaIcePilotsLogo.png|right]]
The '''Pensacola Ice Pilots''' are a minor league [[Wikipedia:ice hockey|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 [[American Hockey League|AHL]] partner, the [[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]].
The Ice Pilots were formerly the [[Wikipedia:Nashville Knights|Nashville Knights]] but moved to Pensacola following the 1995-1996 season. The team announced on is owned by Henley Sports, Inc., headed by [[March 26Mario Forgione]], and was previously affiliated with the [[2007Wikipedia:Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto Maple Leafs]] that until [[Escambia CountyJuly 10]] had agreed to release them from the final year of their lease in the , [[Pensacola Civic Center2006]], and as such that the team would not return for the 2007-08 season. After renewed negotiationsThree weeks later, an agreement was reached on [[April 12July 31]], [[20072006]] to keep , the team in Pensacola for at least next season. Negotiations for announced a longer-term deal are reportedly underwaynew affiliation with the [[Wikipedia:New York Islanders|New York Islanders]] and its [[Wikipedia:American Hockey League|AHL]] partner, the [[Wikipedia:Bridgeport Sound Tigers|Bridgeport Sound Tigers]].
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 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 [[Nashville KnightsApril 12]], [[2007]] but moved to keep the team in Pensacola following for at least next season. Negotiations for a longer-term deal are reportedly underway. On [[June 23]], [[2008]], the 1995ECHL terminated the Ice Pilots' membership in the league, citing the owners' decision not to field a team for the 2008-1996 09 seasonas grounds for termination. Team management is reportedly investigating the possibility of joining a less expensive league, like the CHS or the SPHL.<ref>"Hockey comes to a halt in Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', June 24, 2008.</ref>
==Notable achievements==
* The 1997-1998 Ice Pilots finished the season with a record of 36-24-10 and won the ECHL Southern Conference championship.
* 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 [[National Hockey League|NHL]].
* The Pensacola Ice Pilots Hall of Fame was created in 2005 with two players, number 13 [[Chad Quenneville]] and number 22 [[Shane Calder]].
==Coaches==
* [[John Marks]] (2007-present)
==Current 2007/08 roster=={| cellpadding="2" style="text-align:left"|+Defensive|-! # !! Name !! Position|-| 2 || J. R. Bria || D|-| 5 || Steve Marr || D|-| 8 || Phil Youngclaus || D|-| 12 || J. C. Sawyer || D|-| 14 || Adam Meyer || D|-| 33 || Cam Ellsworth || G|-| 35 || Mike Brodeur || G|}{| cellpadding="2" style="text-align:left"|+Defensive|-! # !! Name !! Position|-| 4 || Jason Bloomingburg || F|-| 9 || Matt Rogers || F|-| 10 || Bryan Esner || F|-| 11 || Mathieu Roy || F|-| 16 || Adam Hobson || F|-| 17 || Patrick Bordeleau || F|-| 18 || Peter Rouleau || F|-| 24 || Michael Cohen || F|-| 37 || Brian Pouliot || F|-| 42 || Michael Mullin || F|}
==Former players==
* Forward [[Glen Metropolit]] went on to play in the [[Wikipedia:National Hockey League|National Hockey League]] for the [[Wikipedia:Washington Capitals|Washington Capitals]]. He is currently with the [[Wikipedia:St. Louis Blues (hockey)|St. Louis Blues]].
* Forward Ryan Craig played 5 games with the Ice Pilots before going on to play for the NHL ([[Wikipedia:Tampa Bay Lightning|Tampa Bay Lightning]]).
* Forward [[Ned Cod]]; retired from the Pilots in 1998 saying, "I can't do it anymore, I just can't play this stupid, pointless, boring game anymore."{{fact}}
* [http://www.allsports.com/echl/icepilots/index.html Pensacola Ice Pilots Booster Club]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/9775/ Pilot Pride: An Unofficial Fan Site]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sports teams]]