Danville Dashers (FPHL)

Last updated
Dashers Hockey
Danville Dashers (FPHL) logo.png
City Danville, Illinois
League Federal Prospects Hockey League
Founded2011
Home arena David S. Palmer Arena
ColorsBlack, orange, white
   
Owner(s)Barry Soskin
General managerDiane Short [1]
Head coachAJ Tesoriero
Website https://www.dashershockey.com/
Franchise history
2011–2021Danville Dashers
2024–present [2] [3] Dashers Hockey
Championships
Regular season titles1 (2016–17)
Playoff championships1 (2017)

The Danville Dashers are a hockey team from Danville, Illinois, in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The team is now known as Dashers Hockey during their second incarnation from 2024. The Dashers were named in honor of the original Danville Dashers. [4] From 2011 to 2020, the team played their home games at David S. Palmer Arena, which was also home to the original Dashers that played in the Continental Hockey League from 1981 to 1986, but were voted out of the arena in 2021. [5] On February 28, 2024, it was announced that the David S. Palmer Arena board had accepted the lease from Barry Soskin and Diane Short to bring the Danville Dashers back for the 2024-25 season. [6]

Contents

History

The new Dashers were announced as a Federal Hockey League (FHL) expansion team in June 2011 to begin play in the 2011–12 season. [7] The team was owned by Barry Soskin, who also had owned several junior and professional teams in the region, [8] and was led by head coach and general manager Scott Beneke. On April 10, 2012, the Dashers announced an affiliation agreement with the Central Hockey League's Bloomington Blaze. [9]

On December 20, 2013, it was announced that the Dashers would play the Watertown Privateers in a neutral site game in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, on March 22, 2014. The goal of the game was to test local interest in hockey with the idea of an expansion team being awarded to Connellsville if successful. [10] The next season, the league awarded an expansion team in nearby Belle Vernon, but it was quickly folded.

After three seasons as head coach and winning the league championship, Steve Harrison left the Dashers to become head coach of the Dallas Blackhawks of the North American Prospects Hockey League, a U18 youth league. Former captain Brent Clarke was hired to replace Harrison for the 2017–18 season. Clarke had previously won coach of the year while with the Watertown Wolves when they won the FHL championship. Clarke left after one season to be closer to his family [11] and took the head coaching job with the 2018 expansion team, the Elmira Enforcers. [12] Clarke was replaced by Paul MacLean, a coach that had most recently been in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. [13] MacLean was fired on December 19, 2018, after a 9–8 start. [14] After a month with Dustin Henning acting as player-coach, the Dashers hired former CHL Indianapolis Ice head coach Rod Davidson on January 22, 2019, who stayed until the end of the season. [15] [16] The Dashers then hired another former Dashers' player Ray Tremblay as the head coach for the 2019–20 season. [17]

In 2018, the FHL began calling itself the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) and fully rebranded before the 2019–20 season. The FPHL was then among the many leagues that had to prematurely end their seasons in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the shutdown, the Palmer Arena's operators looked to terminate the Dashers' contract with the venue, [18] but the arena's board upheld the contract in the Dashers' favor. [19] Subsequently, the Dashers were one of several FPHL teams that did not immediately return to play in the delayed 2020–21 season when it commenced in February 2021. On March 9, 2021, the arena again held a meeting to determine whether to keep the Dashers as a tenant or give a contract to a new team, [20] ultimately deciding to go forward with a new team called the Vermilion County Bobcats in the Southern Professional Hockey League. [21] [22] The Dashers' management stated they might pursue relocation or other forms of keeping the team active, but the Dashers will not be returning to Palmer Arena. [5] [23]

On November 21, 2023, the David S. Palmer Arena board agreed to work with Barry Soskin on returning the Dashers to Danville for the 2024-2025 professional hockey season with a conference call scheduled to work out the terms of a lease on November 27. Diane Short was once again named the team's GM. [2] [24] On February 28, 2024, it was announced that the David S. Palmer Arena board had accepted the lease from Barry Soskin and Diane Short to bring the Danville Dashers back for the 2024-25 season. [25] On May 30, 2024, it was made official, that the Dashers were back for the 2024-25 season. AJ Tesoriero will be the team's head coach and the team will be known as Dashers Hockey. [26]

Season-by-season record

SeasonGPWLOTLPts [lower-alpha 1] GFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2011–12 436343201522389777th of 8, FHLDid not qualify
2012–13 54212856522026811205th of 6, FHLLost Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Dayton Demonz
2013–14 57163654718130013514th of 4, FHLDid not qualify
2014–15 5631205922381939593rd of 6, FHLLost Finals, 2–3 vs. Watertown Wolves
2015–16 56331671032251858163rd of 6, FHLLost Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Port Huron Prowlers
2016–17 5640941292291215971st of 7, FHLWon Finals, 3–2 vs. Berlin River Drivers
2017–18 5622295681821938635th of 7, FHLLost Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Port Huron Prowlers
2018–1959193645819726312416th of 6, FHLDid not qualify
2019–204726183791741508063rd of 5, WesternSeason cancelled [lower-alpha 2]
  1. 3 points for a Win, 2 points for an Overtime Win, and 1 point for an Overtime Loss
  2. League cancelled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Research Articles

The David S. Palmer Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Danville, Illinois, that has a seating capacity of 4,750 for concerts and 2,350 for sports. It was built in 1980. Palmer Arena is the home for the Eastern Illinois University ice hockey club. Along with team sports, the David S. Palmer has open ice skating and hosts concerts from time to time and U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program. The arena hosted the Vermilion County Bobcats of the Southern Professional Hockey League in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Prospects Hockey League</span> American ice hockey league

The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league with teams in the Midwestern, Southern, and Northeastern United States. The FPHL began operations in November 2010 as the Federal Hockey League. Don Kirnan is the league's commissioner. The league also occasionally branded itself as the Federal Professional Hockey League from 2015 to 2018 until it began using the name Federal Prospects Hockey League and completing the rebrand in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watertown Wolves</span> Ice hockey team in Watertown, New York

The Watertown Wolves are a minor professional hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) based in Watertown, New York, and play home games at the Watertown Municipal Arena. The team was on hiatus during the 2015–16 season while renovations at the Watertown Municipal Arena were completed and then returned for the 2016–17 season. With a history dating to 2010, the Wolves are the last original franchise in the FPHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Demonz</span> Ice hockey team in Dayton, Ohio

The Dayton Demonz were a professional ice hockey team based in Dayton, Ohio, in the Federal Hockey League. After the Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League ceased operations, the Demonz were created as an expansion team in the FHL. The team played their home games at the Hara Arena in nearby Trotwood. The team was originally known as the Dayton Devils before changing names prior to their inaugural season. The Demonz were an affiliate of the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Huron Prowlers</span> Sports team

The Port Huron Prowlers are a minor professional ice hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League that began play in the 2015–16 season. Based in Port Huron, Michigan, the Prowlers play their home games at the McMorran Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewster Bulldogs</span> Ice hockey team in Brewster, New York

The Brewster Bulldogs were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League playing in Brewster, New York. The team played in the 2015–16 FHL season.

The 2015–16 Federal Hockey League season is the sixth season of the Federal Hockey League. The regular season lasted from November 6, 2015 to April 3, 2016. The Port Huron Prowlers would win the league championship by sweeping the Danbury Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The Carolina Thunderbirds are a minor league professional hockey team located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their home games are played at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mentor Ice Breakers</span> Ice hockey team in Mentor, Ohio

The Mentor Ice Breakers were a professional ice hockey team based in Mentor, Ohio. The team was a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and played at Mentor Civic Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmira Enforcers</span> Ice hockey team in Elmira, New York

The Elmira Enforcers were a minor professional ice hockey team located in Elmira, New York, and a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their home games were played at First Arena. The team folded in 2021 after an arena contract dispute after three seasons. The team made the playoffs in each of their 3 seasons.

Steve Harrison is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He last played for the Fort Worth Fire of the Central Hockey League. He his currently the head coach for the Carolina Thunderbirds in the FPHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danbury Hat Tricks</span> Professional ice hockey team

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional ice hockey team based in Danbury, Connecticut. The team is a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and plays at the Danbury Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Creek Rumble Bees</span> Professional ice hockey team

The Battle Creek Rumble Bees were a professional ice hockey team based in Battle Creek, Michigan. The team was a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and played at The Rink Battle Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binghamton Black Bears</span> Minor professional hockey team

The Binghamton Black Bears are a minor professional hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) based in Binghamton, New York, with home games at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks</span> North American Hockey League team based in Danbury, Connecticut

The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks are a USA Hockey-sanctioned junior ice hockey organization based in Danbury, Connecticut. The organization has junior teams in the Tier II North American Hockey League and the Tier III North American 3 Hockey League, both of which play home games at the Danbury Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vermilion County Bobcats</span> American ice hockey team

The Vermilion County Bobcats were a professional ice hockey team in Danville, Illinois, that began play in the 2021–22 season as a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League. They ceased operations effective February 9, 2023.

The 2018–19 Federal Hockey League season was the ninth season of the Federal Hockey League. The regular season ran for 58 games for four of the six teams, with the Port Huron Prowlers and Danville Dashers each playing 59. The Carolina Thunderbirds won both the regular season and the playoff championships, the latter being their first league title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baton Rouge Zydeco</span> Professional hockey team located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Baton Rouge Zydeco are a professional hockey team located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, playing at the Raising Cane's River Center Arena. They are a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their inaugural season was the 2023–24 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Sea Wolves (FPHL)</span> Ice hockey team in Biloxi, Mississippi

The Mississippi Sea Wolves are a professional hockey team located in Biloxi, Mississippi, and play at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. They currently play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The team is named after a former ECHL team that played in Biloxi from 1996 to 2009.

The 2019–20 Federal Prospects Hockey League season was the tenth season of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) and the first with "Prospects" in the league's name. The regular season was an unbalanced schedule with the ten teams in the league playing somewhere from 56 to 60 games per team. On March 16, 2020, the league canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. "DASHERS APPOINT NEW GM". FHL. May 11, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Soskin, Short Set to Return Professional Hockey to Palmer Arena in 2024-25; HVAC Issue Continues". November 22, 2023.
  3. "HOCKEY: Dashers ready to return". Commercial-News . November 25, 2023.
  4. "Danville's New Team Will Be The Dashers". OurSportsCentral.com. June 6, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Danville Dashers out, Bobcats take over at Palmer". Commercial-News . March 9, 2021.
  6. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  7. "New hockey team to use classic name". Commercial-News . June 8, 2011.
  8. "FHL expands west". ProHockeyNews. March 28, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  9. "Dashers Announce Affiliation with Blaze". Danville Dashers. April 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  10. "Federal Hockey League | Connellsville, PA to Host Federal Hockey League Game | Pointstreak Sites". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  11. "Clarke, Dashers Part Ways". OurSportsCentral.com. April 23, 2018.
  12. "Elmira hockey team chooses Enforcers as nickname, Brent Clarke as head coach". Star-Gazette . August 2, 2018.
  13. "Dashers Announce New Head Coach MacLean for 2018-19". Dashers. August 6, 2018.
  14. "Maclean out as Dashers head coach". Commercial-News . December 19, 2018.
  15. "Rod Davidson Hired as New Dashers Head Coach". OurSportsCentral.com. January 22, 2019.
  16. "DAVIDSON DEPARTS DASHERS". FHL. April 17, 2019.
  17. "DASHERS NAME RAY TREMBLAY AS NEW HEAD COACH". Danville Dashers. May 23, 2019.
  18. "Sports team contract in question". WCIA . March 29, 2020.
  19. "Palmer Arena Board upholds contract with Danville Dashers". Commercial-News. April 15, 2020.
  20. "Arena Could End Relationship with Dashers". Vermilion County First. March 8, 2021.
  21. ""Vermilion County Bobcats" Are New Hockey Team at Palmer Arena". Vermilion County First. March 9, 2021.
  22. "Update: Despite best efforts by the Dashers organization, owner Barry Soskin, GM Diane Short, and Danville's hockey community—- the David S. Palmer Arena has elected to replace the Danville Dashers with a new hockey team. We'll have more details for you tomorrow. Thank you all for your attention, help, love and support. We are #DasherNation". Danville Dashers Facebook. March 9, 2021.
  23. "A Message to Dasher Nation". OurSports Central. March 12, 2021.
  24. "HOCKEY: Dashers ready to return". Commercial-News . November 25, 2023.
  25. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  26. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-05-30.