Louisiana Ice Hockey

Perhaps the best way to learn how to play hockey is to watch the pros do it. Unfortunately for several years in recent memory, this was only a possibility from afar for residents of Louisiana. When the IceGators folded leaving their LaFayette home vacant in the year 2005, many local fans feared the game had left the swampland for good. However, the 2009 season saw the IceGators return to the ice in the inaugural season of the new incarnation.The original IceGators took up residence in LaFayette in 1995, entertaining fans for an entire decade’s worth of hockey. Though the new IceGators are currently only in their second season of existence, they have already recaptured the hearts of hockey fans statewide. The charge to bring a team back to the area was led by LaFayette business man Danny Smith, also having the foresight to bring back former player Ron Handy as the teams coach, immediately establishing a connection between the old and new. Short into the first season, however, Handy stepped down as coach after an inauspicious start. While he no longer maintains head coaching duties, Handy still is heavily involved with the team in terms of community relations, strategic consulting and behind the scenes operations. Handy’s role change led to one of the more controversial figures in IceGator history assuming the reins. General Manager Brent Sapergia stepped in on an interim basis, only to be banned by the Southern Professional Hockey League for his unruly behavior. While heated during a dispute, Sapergia began throwing items onto the ice including medical kits, water bottles, hockey sticks and a cooler, before giving a one-fingered salute to the Pensecola fans on his way out. Though the tirade certainly drew national attention to the small Louisiana team, Sapergia violated major conduct and moral code policies as the IceGators pride themselves on family fun entertainment. The IceGators then hired current head coach John Gibson, who is now in his second season, first-full season with the team.Over the course of year one, the IceGators never recovered from their slow start, tallying a final record of 23-31-2, good for only a 7^th place finish. Though they failed to qualify for a post-season berth, the team has shown signs of promise and growth, recently landing an affiliation with the New York Islanders of the NHL, which should only improve the quality of play in coming seasons. Win or lose, IceGator games are a great way to get to know the game of hockey and spend time with friends in the community, decked out in green, gold and black and cheering on the team to one of what should be many victories over the next few months.