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It’s a new league. It’s a new team. And it’s playing in a historic local venue.
But, it’s not exactly out with the old and in with new.
The Louisiana IceGators will officially come out of extinction tonight after a four-year hiatus from the Hub City. Former IceGator and head coach of the new franchise, Ron Handy, hopes it’s the start of another successful run of hockey in Lafayette.
“This is a new era of the IceGators,” Handy said. “It was 14 or 15 years ago (1995) when I first stepped on the ice for the IceGators. They all have families of their own now. It’s a new era and we don’t have a whole new fan base, but some kids have never seen a hockey game in Lafayette before.”
The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. in the newly renovated Blackham Coliseum against the Mississippi Surge.
<center> <a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20091022/SPORTS/91022011/IceGators--new-era-begins" target="_blank">The rest of the story </a>
Michael Krieg • Special to The Advertiser • October 22, 2009
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For Handy it’s a vision that will come to fruition after the IceGators folded from the ECHL following the 2005 season. It ended a 10-year run in which Louisiana shattered minor league hockey attendance records in the Cajundome and fielded one of the most dominant clubs in the league year in and year out.
This time around Louisiana will play in the Southern Professional Hockey League and in the smaller Blackham Coliseum. Local businessman Danny Smith is the owner and Brent Sapergia is the President and General Manager.
Two former Icegators, Mike Omicioli and Jason Hamilton, will suit up for the club tonight.
“I think it was a dream of mine when they left to get to the Blackham,” Handy said. “It’s more family affordable at the Blackham, especially with the economy the way it is.”
Louisiana opted not to play any exhibition games. The club scrimmaged on Saturday. Mississippi, on the other hand, has played two pre-season games against Pensacola.
Handy said his club is tired of hitting one another in practice and are ready to face off against an opponent. His three lines are set and have practiced together for the last several days.
“We didn’t want to show our hand early,” he said. “Everybody is excited about who they are playing with. We need to come out and fire on all cylinders. I know these guys are excited, but we need to keep those emotions intact and not get too carried away. The IceGators are back and we have the best fans in the league. Hopefully we can get an early goal, an early fight and get everybody in the game.”
