The Indiana Ice Miners was a professional ice hockey team formerly in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League . Based in Indiana , Pennsylvania , the team was a founding member of the MAHL, first playing in 2007. The team played at the S&T Bank Arena . When the league folded prior to the 2008 season, the team was unable to find a new league to play in, but owner Fidel Jenkins had expressed an interest in returning for the 2009–10 season.
15-548: A Mid-Atlantic Hockey League team was announced for Indiana, Pennsylvania , by the league president Andrew Haines in 2007. The league held a contest to name the team, and the "Ice Miners" nickname, a reference to the coal mining regions of Central and Western Pennsylvania , was picked in June. On June 21, 2007, the team announced the hiring of Brian Gratz as head coach. Gratz previously played goaltender at Penn State University , where he won four ACHA National Championships . In
30-624: A new head coach, the Indiana Ice Miners planned to return. In April, the league announced the team from Wooster, Ohio would relocate to Trenton, Michigan , and play as the Trenton Warriors . The league also signed a television deal with Fanz TV , a syndication service, but this was never broadcast. Expansion franchises in Battle Creek and Chelsea, Michigan were also announced. In August 2008, Andrew Haines sold
45-770: The American Indoor Football League and currently owns the United Indoor Football League ) assured that the league would return to action for the 2008–2009 season; Jim Riggs was the commissioner of the MAHL. The league hoped to expand to between eight and twelve teams, and advertised employment positions for expansion teams in Indiana , Ohio , and Michigan . Despite stating that the Jamestown and Valley Forge franchises were
60-627: The Mon Valley Thunder . Despite the successes of the Ice Miners franchise, the MAHL folded in late September 2008, ending hopes of a second season for the league and a chance for the Ice Miners to defend the only MAHL championship under Jenkins's new ownership. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League ( MAHL ) was a minor professional ice hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of
75-623: The United States . The league began play in November 2007. The league was a low-level league designed to help ex-junior and college players gain pro experience and exposure and move up to higher level leagues. The league cancelled the remainder of the 2007–2008 season and suspended operations on February 12, 2008, declaring the Indiana Ice Miners league champions. The MAHL hoped to return with teams in new locations in 2008–2009. League president Andrew Haines (the same Andrew Haines who owned
90-522: The 2009–10 season. A Mid-Atlantic Hockey League team was announced for Indiana, Pennsylvania , by the league president Andrew Haines in 2007. The league held a contest to name the team, and the "Ice Miners" nickname, a reference to the coal mining regions of Central and Western Pennsylvania , was picked in June. On June 21, 2007, the team announced the hiring of Brian Gratz as head coach. Gratz previously played goaltender at Penn State University , where he won four ACHA National Championships . In
105-588: The league ownership to Andrew Miller. But after touring league teams, Miller and his legal team sought to abandon the contract with Haines. Miller took his Battle Creek, Michigan franchise to the All American Hockey Association . The South Shore Shooters also joined the AAHA, and the league folded. The following teams were scheduled to play the 2008-09 season before the league folded. Indiana Ice Miners The Indiana Ice Miners
120-714: The most financially solvent, the league announced that Valley Forge would not return to play in 2008, and on March 18 announced that the Jamestown Vikings would be relocated to Ohio to become the Lake Erie Vikings , citing an infamous vandalism incident that made national headlines as the reason for the move. On March 11, 2008, the league announced the first expansion team, the South Shore Shooters , based in Dyer, Indiana . Under new ownership and
135-485: The ownership of the team would be acquired by Robert Eger in December. The team had been run by the league since starting play. In February, the league announced that it would immediately suspend operations, citing financial reasons. Over the course of the season, the Ice Miners recorded a professional hockey record 26-game winning streak. The team was named champions of the league, with a 31-1-0 record, 18 games before
150-426: The ownership of the team would be acquired by Robert Eger in December. The team had been run by the league since starting play. In February, the league announced that it would immediately suspend operations, citing financial reasons. Over the course of the season, the Ice Miners recorded a professional hockey record 26-game winning streak. The team was named champions of the league, with a 31-1-0 record, 18 games before
165-509: The season was scheduled to end. The team was purchased by real estate developer Fidel Jenkins on March 7, 2008. Head coach Brian Gratz left the team in March, to explore other coaching opportunities. The Ice Miners later introduced a new coach, Christian Pania. The team also made a change of General Manager, hiring Bob Yusko in April. Yusko previously served as the director of operations with
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#1732790981049180-402: The season was scheduled to end. The team was purchased by real estate developer Fidel Jenkins on March 7, 2008. Head coach Brian Gratz left the team in March, to explore other coaching opportunities. The Ice Miners later introduced a new coach, Christian Pania. The team also made a change of General Manager, hiring Bob Yusko in April. Yusko previously served as the director of operations with
195-931: The year before taking the position with the Ice Miners, Gratz served as a volunteer assistant for the Reading Royals of the ECHL . He later returned to play with the Wheeling Nailers . He was called up to the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins , and finished the year in the ECHL playoffs with the Cincinnati Cyclones . In winter of 2008, the team announced the hiring of Devon Moore to oversee its sales and marketing strategy. The league announced
210-484: The year before taking the position with the Ice Miners, Gratz served as a volunteer assistant for the Reading Royals of the ECHL . He later returned to play with the Wheeling Nailers . He was called up to the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins , and finished the year in the ECHL playoffs with the Cincinnati Cyclones . In winter of 2008, the team announced the hiring of Devon Moore to oversee its sales and marketing strategy. The league announced
225-529: Was a professional ice hockey team formerly in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League . Based in Indiana , Pennsylvania , the team was a founding member of the MAHL, first playing in 2007. The team played at the S&;T Bank Arena . When the league folded prior to the 2008 season, the team was unable to find a new league to play in, but owner Fidel Jenkins had expressed an interest in returning for
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