Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Founded 2007 Folded 2008 Head Office Canton, Ohio Commissioner Jim Riggs Current champions Indiana Ice Miners Official Web site MAHLHockey.com The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) was a minor professional ice hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of 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.
First season 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.Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Suspends Play 80 Games Into Initial Season The Post-Journal. 13 February 2008. League president Andrew Haines (the same Andrew Haines who owned the American Indoor Football League and the United Indoor Football League) assured that the league would return to action for the 2008–2009 season;Fanelli, Patrick. Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Officials Say Hockey Will Return To City . The Post-Journal. 24 February 2008.Jim Riggs was the commissioner of the MAHL.
Off-season activity The league hoped to expand to between eight and twelve teams, and advertised employment positions for expansion teams in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.MAHL Employment Opportunities mahlhockey.com Despite stating that the Jamestown and Valley Forge franchises were 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.Vikings relocate for 2008-2009 season mahlhockey.com On March 11, 2008, the league announced the first expansion team, the South Shore Shooters, based in Dyer, Indiana.South Shore Shooters announced as 1st MAHL expansion team mahlhockey.com Under new ownership and a new head coach, the Indiana Ice Miners planned to return.Ice Miners retain general manager indianaiceminers.com In April, the league announced the team from Wooster, Ohio would relocate to Trenton, Michigan, and play as the Trenton Warriors.Warriors relocating to Trenton, Michigan mahlhockey.com 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.
MAHL folded In August 2008, Andrew Haines sold the league ownership to Andrew Miller. After touring league teams, however, 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.MAHL folds
2007–08 teams TeamCityArenaOutcomeIndiana Ice MinersIndiana, Pennsylvania S&T Bank ArenaLeague championJamestown VikingsJamestown, New YorkJamestown Savings Bank Ice ArenaRelocated as Lake Erie VikingsMon Valley ThunderBelle Vernon, PennsylvaniaRostraver Ice GardenFoldedNo second year for Thunder - PittsburghLIVE.com Valley Forge Freedom Oaks, Pennsylvania Oaks Center IceFoldedWooster WarriorsWooster, Ohio Alice Noble Ice ArenaRelocated as Trenton Warriors
2007–08 season
Standings GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Pts Indiana Ice Miners 32 31 1 00 238 88 62 Wooster Warriors 30 14 14 02 159 158 30 Jamestown Vikings 31 13 18 00 145 170 26 Mon Valley Thunder 31 11 17 03 153 206 25 Valley Forge Freedom 30 8 20 20 131 204 18
2008–09 teams The following teams were scheduled to play the 2008–09 season before the league folded. TeamCityArenaOutcomeBattle Creek RevolutionBattle Creek, MichiganThe Rink Ice ArenaTransferred to the All American Hockey LeagueChelsea TornadoesChelsea, MichiganArctic ColiseumLeague foldedIndiana Ice MinersIndiana, Pennsylvania S&T Bank ArenaLeague foldedLake Erie VikingsAuburn Township, OhioThe PondLeague foldedPittsburgh IronMount Lebanon, PennsylvaniaMount Lebanon Ice CenterLeague foldedChi Town ShootersDyer, IndianaMidwest Training & Ice CenterTransferred to the All American Hockey LeagueTrenton WarriorsTrenton, MichiganKennedy Recreation CenterFolded
References
External links MAHL Hockey.com Fanz-TV Official Broadcaster