Evansville IceMen Awarded Rights to Play in New Arena
IceMen to Call the Evansville Arena Home in 2011 

TEMPE, AZ (November 10, 2010) – After an extended Request for Proposal process that began in early October, the Central Hockey League’s Evansville IceMen, led by owner Ron Geary, have been awarded the hockey rights to play in the new Evansville Arena that opens in downtown Evansville in 2011.  Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.



The decision was made by an arena project hockey subcommittee who provided recommendations to the for the ultimate determination.

“We are very excited about this announcement today and the impact it will have on the league,” said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner.  “Ron Geary and his staff have worked very hard to establish the IceMen brand in Evansville and deserve to continue to build on the tradition while moving into this first-class facility.” 

The IceMen joined the CHL during the off-season after competing in the All-American Hockey League in previous seasons (2010 AAHL Champions).  The team currently plays in the Swonder Ice Arena and will continue to do so throughout the 2010-11 campaign.

“We are so pleased to be presented this opportunity to be the hockey tenant of this extraordinary building,” said Geary.  “We understood the overall process with the full knowledge of the competitive nature of this project.  The IceMen organization is both thrilled and at the same time well-prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead in making Evansville IceMen CHL pro hockey a top-flight going concern in our wonderful community.  Our many, many fans love IceMen hockey and the love will grow even deeper in this great facility which all of Evansville will be proud of.”

"We felt that the IceMen would be the best fit for the new Evansville Arena and our community," said Brian Williams, chairman of the subcommittee.  "The subcommittee also recognizes what the IceMen have done to improve their level of play with their move to the CHL and their commitment as an organization overall."
 
The Evansville Arena is still under construction and is slated to open in November/2011.  The 11,000 state-of-the-art facility will be one of the finest in professional hockey and the team will share with athletics from the University of Evansville (namely the men’s and women’s basketball teams).  For more information about the new arena, visit www.evansvillearenaproject.com.