Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Preview of 2009-10 SPHL season

Two teams out, three in for SPHL's sixth season

The new-look SPHL began its sixth season on Thursday night with two teams leaving and three making their debut.

Knoxville

2008-2009 Record: 35-16-9 (1st place)

Coach: Marc Rodgers (1st year)

Defeated Fayetteville in seven games to capture second straight President’s Cup.

Extreme makeover: Rodgers was an assistant under Scott Hillman and took over when Hillman left for Missouri of the CHL. The Ice Bears faced a veteran dilemma similar to that of the Snakes. Rodgers retained the SPHL’s five-time scoring champ Kevin Swider and defensemen Kevin Harris and Chris Brannen. Odd men out were Mike Carter, Justin Keller and J. J. Wrobel. Second leading scorer Tim Vitek considered retirement but will also be back.

Fayetteville

2008-2009 Record: 30-25-5 (3rd place)

Coach: Tommy Stewart (3rd year)

Lost in finals to Knoxville. The FireAntz were 1:11 away from their second President’s Cup in game six of the Knoxville series. The Ice Bears won game six in OT and the title in seven.

Extreme makeover: Gone is goaltender Chad Collins who spent four years with the FireAntz. Guy St. Vincent knocked Collins out of his starting job late last season. Leading scorer Rob Sich returns as does team captain Corey Hessler, defenseman Lawne Snyder and forward Brett Needham. Forwards Matt Moreland and Marc Norrington retired.

Huntsville

2007-2008 Record: 29-24-7 (4th place)

Coach: Randy Murphy (1st year)

Extreme makeover: Murphy comes to Huntsville from New Mexico of the CHL, replacing Eric Soltys who was fired after one season. The Havoc’s top line returns intact, featuring the SPHL player of the year, Travis Kauffeldt. Kauffeldt and linemates Ray Ortiz and B. J. Radovich combined for 176 points last season. Mike Carter moves from Knoxville to Huntsville. Goaltender Ross Cherry is back but not Tim Haun. Defenseman/agitator Bill McCreary also returns.

Mississippi

First season in SPHL

Coach: Steffon Walby

Surge outlook: The Surge has signed several familiar SPHL faces including Tim Velemirovich (Fayetteville), Marc Lefebvre (Twin City) and Chris Rebernik (Knoxville). Veteran defenseman Steve Weidlich is on board as a player-assistant coach and Mark Black will take on the enforcer’s role. Veteran left winger Matt Zultek is a former first-round draft pick (1997) with nine years experience as high as the AHL. Former Snakes goalie Ryan Senft was taken in the dispersal draft when Richmond folded. Released by the CHL’s Rapid City, Senft will probably end up with the Surge.

Louisiana

First season in SPHL

Coach: Ron Handy

Ice Gators outlook: Frank Littlejohn is a 10-year veteran with experience as high as the AHL. Littlejohn will serve as player-assistant coach. Defenseman Shane Kenny was a second-round pick in the 1995 draft. Enforcer Jason Hamilton is in his second stint as an IceGator. Hamilton played the 2003-04 season in Louisiana before going to Europe and then the CHL. The IceGators picked up Daryl Moore and Phil Sbrocchi from Twin City in the dispersal draft as well as Beau McLaughlin and Jordan Weibel from Richmond.

Pensacola

First season in SPHL

Coach: Todd Gordon

Ice Flyers outlook: Pensacola is stocked with former SPHL players including former Cottonmouth Lorne Misita, who was caught in the vets numbers game in Columbus but has found a new home in Pensacola. Another familiar name wearing a new sweater is goaltender Chad Collins. Collins was traded by Fayetteville after playing 174 games over five seasons there. Pensacola’s other two veterans are Trevor Karasiewicz (Richmond) and Justin Keller (Knoxville).