About Peoria rivermen (sphl)
Peoria Rivermen (SPHL): The Ultimate Semi-Professional Hockey Team
If you are a hockey enthusiast, then you must have heard of the Peoria Rivermen. This semi-professional hockey team is one of the top teams in Illinois and has been entertaining fans for years with their exceptional skills on the ice. In this article, we will take a closer look at what makes the Peoria Rivermen so special and why they are worth watching.
History of Peoria Rivermen
The Peoria Rivermen were founded in 1982 as an International Hockey League (IHL) franchise. They played their home games at Carver Arena until 2013 when they moved to Owens Center due to renovations at Carver Arena. The team has had several affiliations over the years, including with NHL teams such as St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks.
In 2013, the team joined Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), where they have been playing ever since. The SPHL is a minor professional league that consists of ten teams from across the southeastern United States.
The Team's Achievements
Over the years, the Peoria Rivermen have achieved numerous milestones that have cemented their place as one of Illinois' top semi-professional hockey teams. In their first season in SPHL (2013-14), they won both regular-season and playoff championships - an impressive feat for any team.
In addition to this achievement, they also won back-to-back President's Cups in 2019 and 2020 - making them only one of two teams to win consecutive championships in SPHL history.
The Players
One thing that sets apart any successful sports team is its players' quality - and this is no different for Peoria Rivermen. Over time, many talented players have donned their jersey - some even going on to play professionally in NHL or other leagues worldwide.
Currently led by head coach Jean-Guy Trudel since 2017-18 season; he has done an excellent job assembling a talented roster year after year that can compete against any opponent on any given night.
Some notable players who played for them include Derek Nesbitt who holds multiple records with his time spent playing with them; Alec Hagaman who was named Rookie Of The Year during his tenure; Ben Oskroba who was named Defenseman Of The Year during his tenure; among others.
Fan Experience
Watching a game live at Owens Center is an experience like no other! With seating capacity around ~3000 people per game night it provides an intimate atmosphere where fans can get up close & personal with all aspects of gameplay while cheering on their favorite player(s).
Additionally, there are various promotions throughout each season such as "Military Appreciation Night," "Teddy Bear Toss," "Pink In Rink" which raises awareness about breast cancer research & more!
Ticketing Information
If you're interested in attending one or more games during this upcoming season then be sure to check out our website! You'll find information about ticket prices & availability along with details regarding upcoming events/promotions so make sure not miss out!
Conclusion:
In conclusion: if you're looking for high-quality semi-professional hockey entertainment right here within Illinois state borders then look no further than our very own Peoria Rivermen! With decades-long history filled with achievements both big & small plus talented rosters year after year under guidance from experienced coaches like Jean-Guy Trudel – there's never been better time than now join us cheering them onto victory!