NHL to once again send players back to Olympics in 2026, but will arena be ready?
Italian officials want to hold the hockey games at brand new 16,000-seat arena in Milan (which is co-hosting along with Cortina d’Ampezzo), but in what’s become a theme of other construction efforts for the 2026 Games, the Italians are doing things at the last minute and better hope no delays occur.
Former Jacksonville Icemen player Jacob Panetta responds to ECHL suspension for alleged racial gesture
Jacob Panetta used social media Friday to respond to his ECHL punishment after he was accused of using a racially motivated gesture toward a Black player on the opposing team during a game last Saturday.
Questions remain over NHL and Blackhawks’ handling of sexual assault case
An executive director with the Professional Hockey Players Association does not know how the agency was not contacted in 2010 during a period where allegations of sexual assault surfaced within the Chicago Blackhawks organization.
New York, New York: Icemen announce new affiliation agreement with NHL’s Rangers
The Icemen announced a new affiliation agreement on Tuesday with the NHL’s New York Rangers and the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack. That links one of the most storied teams in NHL history with a Jacksonville franchise that is expanding its footprint in town.
Out with the cold, in with the Igloo: Ice and Sportsplex gets a facelift
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex is under new management and getting a major facelift in the process. The Jacksonville Icemen and the City of Jacksonville made the big announcement on Tuesday, taking the wraps off of plans that have been a long time in the making. A rendering of Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex, which will be renamed the Igloo. “We have got a six-month hockey season and a six-month offseason and now hockey is going to be a 365-day-a-year sport here,” said Icemen president Bob Ohrablo. The Igloo will give a large boost to the youth hockey community here in Jacksonville as the icemen continue to grow the sport here on the First Coast.
Icemen’s road game at South Carolina on Wednesday night postponed
Jacksonville Icemen forward Pascal Aquin (26) looks for an opening to score against Orlando Solar Bears goaltender Clint Windsor (38) during the second period of an ECHL hockey game at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. [Gary Lloyd McCullough/For the Jacksonville Icemen]JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen’s away game at South Carolina scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed for league safety protocols, the ECHL announced. The game has been rescheduled for April 21 at 7:05 p.m. The Icemen are in sixth place in the ECHL’s Eastern Division with a 14-14 record with two overtime losses. The Icemen’s next game will be Friday when Greenville comes to Jacksonville for a 7 p.m. game.
Jacksonville Icemen to hold ‘Lizard Kings’ throwback night
Cold blooded hockey is coming back for one night only on March 19 with our Lizard Kings Night, presented by Swisher. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Do you remember the Jacksonville Lizard Kings? “Cold blooded hockey” is coming back for one night only on March 19 when the Jacksonville Icemen hosts “Lizard Kings” Night. The Jacksonville Lizard Kings were a Minor Professional hockey team based in Jacksonville, playing in the East Coast Hockey League from 1995 to 2000. - 🎟️ | bit.ly/3sZhiiw 👕 | bit.ly/2N17OUH Posted by Jacksonville Icemen on Tuesday, March 9, 2021The game worn jerseys are now up for auction.
Jacksonville Icemen to host women’s networking event during Women’s History Month
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen will host a women’s networking event centered around a hockey game. On Thursday, the Icemen will host a “Women in Business Night” for the first time in team history. Icemen Director of Marketing Lauren Muni says the event will feature a panel of seven women from the Jacksonville area. Those in attendance will get a chance to network with the panelist and catch a hockey game after. The USA women’s hockey team won gold during the 2018 Winter Olympics behind the stick of Kendall Coyne Schofield.
Jacksonville Icemen looking forward to playing again after slew of postponements
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen are looking forward to getting back on the ice after seeing four games postponed in a week. Out of an abundance of caution, the ECHL postponed those games scheduled for Jan. 22, Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. Play-by-play broadcaster Alex Reed told “The Morning Show” on Jan. 24 that there have been a group of teams playing each other a lot recently. He added that there were some COVID-19 cases among those teams, and the decision was made to reduce the spread. That next batch includes 22 games spanning from Feb. 14 to April 3 but does not include makeup dates for the postponed games.
Icemen postpone next 3 home games due to COVID-19 protocols
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen’s next three games at home have been postponed due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The Icemen were scheduled to face the Florida Everblades in Jacksonville on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those games are now off the team announced. “The safety of our fans, players, staff and working personnel will always remain as our top priority,” said Icemen President Bob Ohrablo. “As a precaution, and to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols set by the ECHL, as well as state and local officials, the decision has been made to postpone this weekend’s games.”The Icemen (4-7, 1 OT loss, 1 shootout loss) are in sixth place in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference.
Icemen extend lease agreement with city, eye start to season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The seats at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena are still empty but soon hockey fans in Jacksonville will be welcomed back as the Icemen drop puck to start their 2020 season. The Icemen’s season came to an abrupt end back in March when the ECHL suspended play and canceled the rest of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Icemen, who ranked third in attendance last season in the ECHL, will be back out on the ice on Dec. 11 for their first match. The team, along with Mayor Lenny Curry, announced a lease extension for the team at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena that will keep the Icemen in that venue through the 2030-31 season. “I have got 36 pages of safety protocols sitting on my desk and that is just for the players,” said Icemen team president Bob Ohrablo.
Icemen release partial schedule for 2020-21 hockey season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen released the first part of their schedule for the 2020-21 season on Thursday, including back-to-back home games in mid-December and early January. The Icemen will open their season Dec. 11 at the Florida Everblades and then return home for games against Greenville (Dec. 12) and South Carolina (Dec. 18). The ECHL announced a split-season start for the league, which has 13 teams starting in December to participate in a 72-game season. The remaining ECHL teams will have the option to opt-in to the second start of the season beginning on Jan. 14. Icemen 2020-21 scheduleDec. 11, at Florida, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 12, vs. Greenville, 7 p.m.Dec. 18 vs. S. Carolina, 7 p.m.Dec. 19 at S. Carolina, 6:05 p.m.Dec. 26, at Florida, 7 p.m.Dec. 28, vs. Florida, 7 p.m.Dec. 29 at Orlando, 7 p.m.Jan. 2, vs. S. Carolina, 7 p.m.Jan. 9, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.Jan. 13, at Florida, 7:30 p.m.Subject to change
Bubble-free life means MLB players, coaches must be careful
PHOENIX Baseball's bubble-free environment is an anomaly as the sports world tries to come back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said he'll be constantly reminding everyone in his organization about the delicacy of the current situation. The younger guys that are single that, you know, tend to be a little bit more social, Woodward said. The first step toward a successful season is getting all the players to their home cities. Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn said his team's travel department has a busy week ahead, but that they've been planning on this scenario for quite a while.