Current season, competition or edition: 2026–27 SPHL season | |
 | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Commissioner | Doug Price[1] |
| No. of teams | 12 (13 in 2027-28 Season) |
| Country | United States |
Most recent champions | Evansville Thunderbolts (2026) |
| Most titles | Knoxville Ice Bears and Pensacola Ice Flyers (4 each) |
| Broadcaster | FloSports |
| Website | thesphl.com |
The SPHL (formerly the Southern Professional Hockey League) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and Indiana in the midwestern United States.
Following the 2025-26 season, the Evansville Thunderbolts are the reigning President's Cup champions. As of 2024[update], the Knoxville Ice Bears are the most successful team in SPHL history, having won five William B. Coffey Trophies as the regular season champions and four President's Cup playoff championships. The Peoria Rivermen have also won five William B. Coffey Trophies, while Pensacola has also won four President's Cups.
History
The SPHL's history traces back to three other short-lived leagues. The Atlantic Coast Hockey League started play in the 2002–03 season. After its only season, the ACHL dissolved with member teams forming the nucleus for two rival leagues, the South East Hockey League and the World Hockey Association 2. After one season, the SEHL and WHA2 disbanded, with their surviving teams rejoining with two expansion teams to form the SPHL, commencing with the 2004–05 season.
In 2009, the SPHL saw a large expansion with three new franchises, in Biloxi, Mississippi,[2][3][4] Lafayette, Louisiana[5] and Pensacola, Florida.[6][7] In 2010, the league added an expansion team in Augusta, Georgia, another former long time ECHL market.[8] For the 2011–12 season, the league added two-time Central Hockey League champions, the Mississippi RiverKings.[9][10] For the 2013–14 season, the league lost the Augusta RiverHawks but also expanded northward with two franchises in Illinois: the Bloomington Thunder, a team also moving from the CHL, where they were known as the Bloomington Blaze, and the Peoria Rivermen, who were replacing an American Hockey League team of the same name in their market.[11] In 2015, the Augusta franchise returned and relocated to Macon, Georgia as the Macon Mayhem.
In November 2014, Shannon Szabados became the first female goaltender to win an SPHL game, when the Columbus Cottonmouths defeated the Fayetteville FireAntz 5–4 in overtime.[12] In that same game Erin Blair and Katie Guay became the first female officials to referee an SPHL game.[12]
At the end of the 2015–16 season, the Louisiana IceGators announced a one-year leave of absence for renovations to their arena but never returned. The IceGators' franchise was sold and reactivated as the Quad City Storm in 2018. Then in 2016, the dormant Mississippi Surge franchise was relocated to Southwest Virginia to become the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. One of the inaugural SPHL teams, the Columbus Cottonmouths, suspended operations in 2017 after failing to find a buyer while an expansion team called the Birmingham Bulls were accepted into the league as the tenth team. Following the 2017–18 season, the Mississippi RiverKings suspended operations while the league searched for new owners.[13] With the acceptance of the Quad City Storm, the league was able to remain at ten teams for the 2018–19 season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season was curtailed and no champion was named. The following season, the league announced it would only play with five of the ten member teams due to pandemic-related capacity restrictions barring fans from attending games.[14] During the season, the league approved of the Vermilion County Bobcats as a 2021–22 expansion team based in Danville, Illinois.[15] The Bobcats folded after only a year and a half.[16]
In 2023, the league rebranded to the orphaned initialism "SPHL" to reflect the fact that the league's footprint had expanded beyond the southern United States.[17]
On September 17, 2025, it was announced that Mobile will be joining the league for the 2027–28 season.[18]
In May 2026, the Athens Rock Lobsters and the Pee Dee IceCats of the FPHL announced that they would be joining the SPHL for the 2026-27 season.[19][20]
Teams
2026–27 members
Future teams
| Team | City | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Mysticks | Mobile, Alabama | Regions Arena | 10,275 | 2025 | 2027 | TBD |
Notes
Timeline
Defunct and relocated teams
- Asheville Aces (2004–05)
- Augusta RiverHawks (2010–13) Moved to Macon, Georgia, as the Mayhem for the 2015–16 season.[24][25]
- Bloomington Thunder (2013–14) Membership terminated to make way for a team in the United States Hockey League.
- Columbus Cottonmouths (2004–17) Inaugural member of the SPHL, suspended operations when ownership could no longer fund the team.[26]
- Florida Seals (2005–07) Membership terminated in the middle of the 2006–07 SPHL season.[27]
- Jacksonville Barracudas (2004–08) Suspended for the 2008–09 season and dissolved.[28]
- Louisiana IceGators (2009–16) Suspended operations for the 2016–17 season claiming the arena needed the year for renovations but later dissolved. In 2018, the franchise was sold and became the Quad City Storm.[29]
- Macon Trax (2004–05)
- Mississippi RiverKings (2011–18) Joined from the Central Hockey League in 2011, ownership suspended operations in 2018.[13]
- Mississippi Surge (2009–14) Moved to Roanoke, Virginia, as the Rail Yard Dawgs for the 2016–17 season.[30]
- Pee Dee Cyclones (2005–07) Moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
- Richmond Renegades (2006–09)[31]
- Twin City Cyclones (2007–09)[32]
- Vermilion County Bobcats (2021–23) Ceased operations on February 9, 2023, after 88 games played.[16]
- Winston-Salem Polar Twins (2004–05)
Key rule differences
As per minor leagues, there are some rule differences between the SPHL and the NHL (and even the ECHL and the AHL, the two official developmental leagues regulated by the Professional Hockey Players' Association).
- A team may dress nineteen players to a game. Two players dressed for the game will be goaltenders.
- A mouthpiece is required for all players except the goaltender.
- No curvature of stick limitations as in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.
Champions
President's Cup
Awarded to the league playoff champion.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Columbus Cottonmouths | Macon Trax |
| 2006 | Knoxville Ice Bears | Orlando Seals |
| 2007 | Fayetteville FireAntz | Jacksonville Barracudas |
| 2008 | Knoxville Ice Bears | Jacksonville Barracudas |
| 2009 | Knoxville Ice Bears | Fayetteville FireAntz |
| 2010 | Huntsville Havoc | Mississippi Surge |
| 2011 | Mississippi Surge | Augusta Riverhawks |
| 2012 | Columbus Cottonmouths | Pensacola Ice Flyers |
| 2013 | Pensacola Ice Flyers | Huntsville Havoc |
| 2014 | Pensacola Ice Flyers | Columbus Cottonmouths |
| 2015 | Knoxville Ice Bears | Mississippi RiverKings |
| 2016 | Pensacola Ice Flyers | Peoria Rivermen |
| 2017 | Macon Mayhem | Peoria Rivermen |
| 2018 | Huntsville Havoc | Peoria Rivermen |
| 2019 | Huntsville Havoc | Birmingham Bulls |
| 2020 | Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
| 2021 | Pensacola Ice Flyers | Macon Mayhem |
| 2022 | Peoria Rivermen | Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs |
| 2023 | Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs | Birmingham Bulls |
| 2024 | Peoria Rivermen | Huntsville Havoc |
| 2025 | Evansville Thunderbolts | Knoxville Ice Bears |
| 2026 | Evansville Thunderbolts | Peoria Rivermen |
| Team | Titles |
|---|---|
| Knoxville Ice Bears | 4 |
| Pensacola Ice Flyers | 4 |
| Huntsville Havoc | 3 |
| Peoria Rivermen | 2 |
| Columbus Cottonmouths | 2 |
| Evansville Thunderbolts | 2 |
| Fayetteville FireAntz | 1 |
| Macon Mayhem | 1 |
| Mississippi Surge | 1 |
| Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs | 1 |
William B. Coffey Trophy
Originally known as the Commissioner's Cup, the regular season championship trophy was renamed in honor of league co-founder Bill Coffey during the 2007–08 season.[33]
| Season | Winner | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Knoxville Ice Bears | 1 |
| 2005–06 | Knoxville Ice Bears | 2 |
| 2006–07 | Columbus Cottonmouths | 1 |
| 2007–08 | Knoxville Ice Bears | 3 |
| 2008–09 | Knoxville Ice Bears | 4 |
| 2009–10 | Mississippi Surge | 1 |
| 2010–11 | Mississippi Surge | 2 |
| 2011–12 | Augusta RiverHawks | 1 |
| 2012–13 | Fayetteville FireAntz | 1 |
| 2013–14 | Pensacola Ice Flyers | 1 |
| 2014–15 | Peoria Rivermen | 1 |
| 2015–16 | Peoria Rivermen | 2 |
| 2016–17 | Macon Mayhem | 1 |
| 2017–18 | Peoria Rivermen | 3 |
| 2018–19 | Peoria Rivermen | 4 |
| 2019–20 | Not awarded due to season cancellation | |
| 2020–21 | Macon Mayhem[34] | 2 |
| 2021–22 | Knoxville Ice Bears | 5 |
| 2022–23 | Peoria Rivermen | 5 |
| 2023–24 | Birmingham Bulls | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Peoria Rivermen | 6 |
| 2025-26 | Peoria Rivermen | 7 |
| Team | Titles |
|---|---|
| Peoria Rivermen | 7 |
| Knoxville Ice Bears | 5 |
| Macon Mayhem | 2 |
| Mississippi Surge | 2 |
| Augusta Riverhawks | 1 |
| Columbus Cottonmouths | 1 |
| Fayetteville FireAntz | 1 |
| Pensacola Ice Flyers | 1 |
| Birmingham Bulls | 1 |
See also
References
- ^ "Doug Price Appointed Commissioner of the Southern Professional Hockey League". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. January 17, 2019.
- ^ Giardina, A.J. (April 9, 2009). "Local investors may bring another hockey team to the coast". WLOX-TV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
- ^ Press release (April 30, 2009). "Biloxi to join SPHL". SPHL.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
- ^ "Coast Hockey announces new team name". The Sun Herald. June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ Foote, Kevin (May 15, 2009). "IceGators to skate again; join the discussion". Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
- ^ Blakeney, Jason (April 30, 2009). "Hockey's Back!". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
- ^ Blakeney, Jason (May 9, 2009). "Commentary: New team, new name, new opportunity". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
- ^ "Hockey Returning To Augusta, GA In 2010". TheSPHL.com. February 3, 2010. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ "Mississippi RiverKings Join SPHL For 2011–2012 Season". Oursports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Van Tuyl, Chris (June 13, 2011). "Mississippi RiverKings announce change to Southern Professional Hockey League". The Commercial Appeal. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Pope, Thomas (May 16, 2013). "Two Illinois teams join SPHL; Augusta out next season". The Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Shannon Szabados becomes first female goalie to win in Southern Professional Hockey League". NHL.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
- ^ a b Giannotto, Mark (May 24, 2018). "Mississippi Riverkings suspend operations for 2018–19 season, will seek new ownership". The Commercial Appeal.
- ^ "SPHL announces changes for 2020–2021 season". SPHL. October 6, 2020.
- ^ "SPHL Expanding to Danville, IL for 2021–2022 Season". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. March 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Vermilion County Bobcats [@VCBobcats] (February 9, 2023). "The Vermillion County Bobcats of the SPHL announced today that they have ceased operations, effective immediately" (Tweet). Retrieved February 9, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "SPHL Announces Rebrand, 20th-Anniversary Logo". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. August 1, 2023.
- ^ "SPHL expanding to Mobile, AL for 2027–2028 season". September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ Eminian, Dave (June 1, 2026). "Long-ago Peoria Rivermen foe joins SPHL for 2026-27 season". Peoria Journal Star.
- ^ "ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE MOVE TO THE SPHL BEGINNING IN 2026–27". Athens Rock Lobsters. May 13, 2026.
- ^ "ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE MOVE TO THE SPHL BEGINNING IN 2026–27". Athens Rock Lobsters. May 13, 2026.
- ^ "Pelham council approves ice arena lease for professional hockey team". WBRC. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ Walsh, Lauren. "Former Birmingham Bulls owner sets sights on Pelham for professional hockey team". ABC 33/40. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ Lee, David (May 14, 2013). "Augusta RiverHawks won't play next season". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ^ "SPHL Approves RiverHawks' Move To Macon, GA For 2015–2016 Season". The SPHL. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- ^ "Cottonmouths to suspend operations for next season". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. May 3, 2017.
- ^ "Florida Seals cease operations". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. January 5, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ Gates, Nick (June 21, 2009). "Murray liking SPHL expansion". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ "SPHL adding Quad City for 2018–2019 season". SPHL. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Surge Hockey Operations to Suspend Indefinitely". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ "Renegades Officially Done". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. May 2, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ "Cyclones To Cease Operations". OurSports Central (Press release). Southern Professional Hockey League. March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ "History of the SPHL". SPHL.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ^ "MAYHEM SECURE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP WITH WIN OVER FLYERS". Macon Mayhem. April 17, 2021.
External links
Media related to SPHL at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
