Mid-Atlantic Hockey League

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Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
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Founded 2007
Head Office Canton, Ohio
Current champions Indiana Ice Miners
Official Web site MAHLHockey.com
Director of Operations Larry Debnar
President Andrew Haines

The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) is a minor professional ice hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of the United States. The league began play in November of 2007. The league is a low level league designed to help ex junior and college players gain pro experience and exposure and move up to higher level level leagues.

Andrew Haines, formerly of the Atlantic Indoor Football League, is the league's president.

Contents

[edit] First season

The league cancelled the remainder of the 2007-08 season and suspended operations on February 12, 2008, declaring the Indiana Ice Miners league champions. The MAHL hopes to return with teams in new locations in 2008-09.[1] League president Andrew Haines has assured the league will return to action for the 2008-09 season;[2] however, several teams have been delinquent on paying several bills, was not paying his players, will not respond to his creditors, and faces legal action. [3]

[edit] Off season activity

The league hopes to expand to between eight and twelve teams, and has advertised employment positions for expansion teams in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.[4]. Despite stating that the Jamestown and Valley Forge franchises were the most financially solvent, the league announced that Valley Forge would not return to play in 2008, and on March 18, the league announced that the Jamestown Vikings would be relocated to Ohio to become the Lake Erie Vikings, citing an infamous vandalism incident that made national headlines as reason for the move.[5] On March 11, 2008, the league announced the first expansion team, the South Shore Shooters, based in Dyer, Indiana. [6]. Under new ownership and a new head coach, the Indiana Ice Miners will return for another season. [7] In April, the league announced the team from Wooster, Ohio would relocate to Trenton, Michigan, and play as the Trenton Warriors. [8]

The league also has signed a television deal with Fanz TV, a syndication service.

[edit] Teams

Team City Arena
Battle Creek Revolution Battle Creek, Michigan The Rink
Chelsea Tornadoes Chelsea, Michigan Arctic Coliseum
Detroit Dragons Fraser, Michigan Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena
Indiana Ice Miners Indiana, Pennsylvania S&T Bank Arena
Lake Erie Vikings Auburn Township, Ohio The Pond
South Shore Shooters Dyer, Indiana Midwest Training & Ice Center
Trenton Warriors Trenton, Michigan Kennedy Recreation Center

[edit] Defunct Teams

  • Mon Valley Thunder 2007-2008 [9]
  • Valley Forge Freedom 2007-2008

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Suspends Play 80 Games Into Initial Season The Post-Journal. 13 February 2008.
  2. ^ Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Officials Say Hockey Will Return To City. The Post-Journal. 24 February 2008.
  3. ^ Fanelli, Patrick. Haines sells MAHL team. The Post-Journal. 28 February 2008.
  4. ^ MAHL Employment Opportunities mahlhockey.com
  5. ^ Vikings relocate for 2008/2009 seasonmahlhockey.com
  6. ^ South Shore Shooters announced as 1st MAHL expansion team mahlhockey.com
  7. ^ Ice Miners retain general manager indianaiceminers.com
  8. ^ Warriors relocating to Trenton, Michigan mahlhockey.com
  9. ^ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/sports/s_567703.html

[edit] External links

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Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
Related articles: Other Professional Hockey leagues
v • d • e
Professional ice hockey leagues in North America
Minor Leagues
High Level: American Hockey League
Mid Level: ECHL • CHL • IHL
Low Level: EPHL  • SPHL  • MAHL  • LNAH  • MWHL
Related article: List of ice hockey leagues