683
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[Image:PensacolaIcePilotsLogo.png|right]]
The '''Pensacola Ice Pilots''' are a defunct minor league [[Wikipedia:ice hockey|ice hockey]] team located in [[Pensacola, Florida]].
The Ice Pilots were formerly the [[Wikipedia:Nashville Knights|Nashville Knights]] but moved to Pensacola following the 1995-1996 season. The team is owned by Henley Sports, Inc., headed by [[Mario Forgione]], and was previously affiliated with the [[Wikipedia:Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto Maple Leafs]] until [[July 10]], [[2006]]. Three weeks later, on [[July 31]] [[2006]], the team announced a new 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 was the [[Pensacola Civic Center]], which is referred to as "The Hangar", and has a capacity of 8,150.
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 were reportedly underway.
On [[June 23]], [[2008]], the ECHL terminated the Ice Pilots' membership in the league, citing the owners' decision not to field a team for the 2008-09 season as grounds for termination. Team management is was 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==