WICHITA, KS – The Evansville IceMen will be no more after this season.
A short time ago, Owensboro, KY mayor Ron Payne and IceMen owner Ron Geary announced the team will be moving there after this season.
You may remember that the IceMen and the City of Evansville engaged in a two-month long stare down over a lease agreement, that ended with no deal and the city pursuing other teams for the Ford Center next season.
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports that the IceMen will make a significant upgrade to the Owensboro SportsCenter, to the tune of a $4 to $6 million dollar upgrade. They also report the arena will be a 7,200 seat facility when the renovations are completed. In addition, Geary will build a restaurant nearby with an off-track betting parlor, according to the Messenger-Inquirer.
The Sin Bin reached out to the ECHL, but they would not comment on the situation. It should be stressed that this move has NOT been approved by the league at this moment. The league’s board of governors are scheduled to meet early next month in Kalamazoo, MI during the league’s Hockey Heritage Week.
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke came out with the following statement:

Through media accounts, @EvansvilleINGov has learned of the @EvvIceMen plans to relocate to the City of Owensboro. (1/4)
— Mayor Lloyd Winnecke (@MayorWinnecke) January 19, 2016

Throughout process, @EvansvilleINGov has been adamant that taxpayers won’t subsidize the reported $600k loss by @EvvIceMen ownership. (2/4)
— Mayor Lloyd Winnecke (@MayorWinnecke) January 19, 2016

City has been in contact w/ Commissioner of another league & hopeful that prof hockey will be played in @TheFordCenter next season. (3/4)
— Mayor Lloyd Winnecke (@MayorWinnecke) January 19, 2016

City will now put all efforts into securing a new professional ice hockey team & wishes @EvvIceMen the best of luck going forward. (4/4)
— Mayor Lloyd Winnecke (@MayorWinnecke) January 19, 2016

Shortly after the news broke this evening, I spoke with Evansville Eyewitness News Sports Director Randall Parmley about the move and its implications for both sides. Here is that conversation in its entirety:

The IceMen had this message to fans late Tuesday night:

Stay with The Sin Bin for continuing coverage of this big story.