The TaxSlayer Center will continue to host professional hockey, as the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) will place a team there for the 2018-19 season.
A search has been underway to bring a team to the Moline, IL-based venue. That was necessitated by the status of the Quad City Mallards (ECHL), who folded operations after their 2017-18 season. It has been confirmed that an SPHL club will take the Mallards’ place, with the still-to-be-named team scheduled to begin play at the arena this fall.
At a press conference held this afternoon at the TaxSlayer Center, league president Jim Combs stated that the SPHL Board of Governors this week approved the Louisiana IceGators’ majority transfer of ownership to Red Sky Sports, LLC.
In partnership with the TaxSlayer Center, the team will be headed by local owners John Dawson and Ryan Mosley, co-owner of the Harris Pizza business. Howard Cornfield, longtime owner, team president and general manager of the original Quad City Mallards, will serve as a consultant to the new SPHL franchise.
“The SPHL is excited to welcome Quad City as a new member for next season,” Combs stated. “We look forward bringing an exciting brand of hockey to long-time fans in the area.”
Information about a name the team contest for the new Quad City squad can be found on the league’s website.
RELATED STORIES: TaxSlayer Center Still Pursuing Hockey for Next Season; TaxSlayer Center Evaluating Future for Hockey; TaxSlayer Center Could Pursue New Hockey Tenant; Quad City Mallards Withdrawing ECHL Membership
