Quad City Storm strengthens SPHL Midwest footprint
When the Peoria Rivermen joined the SPHL in 2013, it was the lone Midwest in a league based primarily in the southern states.
And why not, the league is officially known as the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The Midwest footprint has strengthened since then as the Evansville Thunderbirds came aboard in 2016 and this summer the Quad City Mallards – renamed the Quad City Storm have joined the crew after the ECHL version of the Mallards closed its doors.
Other additions have helped the SPHL grow into a 10-team league, with roughly a third of the entrants coming from the Midwest.
The league will kick off its 2018-19 season on Friday, Oct. 19 and the only Midwest team in action that night will be the Thunderbirds who travel to Knoxville, TN to play the host Ice Bears.
The following night the other two will join the fray as the Peoria Rivermen open its campaign paying a visit to Quad Cities as the Storm plays its first SPHL home game.
Teams will play 56 games this season, wrapping up with all 10 teams in action on April 6.
Rough opening for Rivermen, Thunderbolts
Another bizarre finish for Rivermen
Rough start for Rivermen
About Author
jimmerdenhollander@gmail.com
Born and raised in Ontario, Canada and moved to the state of Wisconsin in my late 30's. I worked at various newspapers and magazines in various sports positions for 25 years before changing careers five years ago. Now I am streamlining my focus on hockey only and in particular, all levels of hockey in the American Midwest.