Pensacola Hockey: New Era, Familiar Leader As Ice Flyers Ready For Season-Opener Thursday
The team’s first couple days of practice developed the way Pensacola Ice Flyers coach Rod Aldoff expected.
“A lot of nerves, jitters and a lot of work that needed to be done,” he said.
That has changed. A team has formed.
“We’ve had two excellent practices where the puck was really flowing around well and it looked good,” Aldoff said.
After their shortest training camp, the Ice Flyers begin the 2022-23 season with a first time, Thursday opening night, against the Huntsville Havoc at the Pensacola Bay Center in a game that ushers a new era of sorts.
Without worries of spaced, or reduced seating, limited fan interaction, or other past coronavirus protocols, it’s a return to the way it was three years ago for teams in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Pensacola Hockey: A return to normal as the Pensacola Ice Flyers begin training camp, new season
Pensacola Hockey: With Ice Flyers as host, SPHL meetings on Pensacola Beach a welcome respite
“This is what we have been waiting for,” Aldoff said, following the team’s practice Tuesday. “It is exciting to get started and mold the team. Our goal here is always to win a championship and it starts from day one.
“It has been a short camp. I look forward to seeing what happens (Thursday). It should be a great game and great weekend.”
The Ice Flyers will return to the Bay Center on Saturday for their first major theme night, “Pink In The Rink,” with the players wearing custom-made, pink decorated jerseys and proceeds from the jersey auction and sales that night going toward Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Pensacola.
The game Saturday against the Macon Mayhem and the promotional event Saturday brings awareness to a cause that Aldoff said hits home with everyone.
“Each specialty night jersey we wear has a meaning to it. And obviously with Pink in the Rink with cancer, you realize that cancer has touched everyone somehow, whether family or personal friends,” Aldoff said. “Wearing a jersey like that is always touching. You think of people you may know who have had cancer. It is special.
“Some of the other theme jerseys we do, whether Star Wars or whatever it may be, are always neat to see as well. We have some great designs. Some of those nights, like with Star Wars and (movie character) ‘Chewbacca’ with the Ice Flyers logo, those are fun.
“Ones we do like Pink in the Rink and Autism Night, are ones that have a little more meaning and touches the heart a little bit. They are great nights and fans enjoy them.”
Aldoff was waiting to announce his team captains. He emphasized the training camp roster remains fluid for the season-opener with potential of players from ECHL camps be signed to join the team. Those positions include goaltender, where two goalies remained Tuesday, but it’s possible another change could occur.
The one player, however, who is expected to be an Ice Flyers leader is veteran forward Garrett Milan, 31, who has played parts of four seasons for the Ice Flyers, but played last year in Sweden.
“I think this is the first time Garrett has played with anybody on our team, including the returning players on our team last year,” Aldoff said. “This is the first time everyone has seen Garrett and met him and they are obviously learning how he plays the game and how he approaches the game.
“They will see the effort he gives every day, practice or game. He is someone who has played here and won here. So he sets a great example for everybody. Sets a tone for everybody. He comes in ready to play, he is a leader and has a smile on his face and rarin’ to go.”
ICE FLYERS NOTABLE
The Ice Flyers organization is the title sponsor of “Barktoberfest,” an event on Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Maritime Park grounds in front of Blue Wahoos Stadium. The event benefits the Pensacola Humane Society.
Admission is free. A $5 registration fee applies for each contest with your dog.
“It is a big adoption event for the Pensacola Humane Society,” said Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris. “There will be a lot of vendors there. We will be there. Ranger, our future service dog will be there. This is part of our increased community initiatives. We have been a part of this event for years, but now we are the title sponsor.
People can bring their dogs or cats and just hang out. Should be a lot of fun. Some of the advantages we have, is that we can use our platform to promote the event., I am a big dog fan and this is helping out a great cause.”
Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Ice Flyers Season-Opening Weekend
WHEN: Thursday and Saturday, both games have 7:05 p.m. start
WHO: Huntsville Havoc vs. Ice Flyers (Thursday); Macon Mayhem vs. Ice Flyers (Saturday)
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
PROMOTIONS: First 1,000 fans on Thursday receive a magnetic calendar. Saturday is Pink In the Rink Night with all fans encouraged to wear pink.
TICKETS: Prices range from $15 to $28 with discounts applied for military and student tickets, provided those seats are purchased at the Bay Center box office.
INFO: www.iceflyers.com
RADIO: Fox Sports Pensacola (101.1 FM, 1450 AM).
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Hockey: Pensacola Ice Flyers host Huntsville in first-ever Thursday opener
