Former Rivermen Rival Transitions to SPHL for 2026-27 Season

PEORIA — The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) is expanding its roster with the recent announcement of the Pee Dee Ice Cats joining the league for the 2026-27 season. The Ice Cats, previously part of the low-A Federal Professional Hockey League (FPHL), have received conditional approval from SPHL owners, pending the completion of necessary procedural steps.

This move follows the recent addition of the Athens Rock Lobsters, who transitioned from the FPHL to the SPHL last month. Additionally, a new franchise is set to debut in Mobile, Alabama, during the 2027-28 season, further increasing the SPHL's teams to a potential 12 for the upcoming season and possibly 13 or more by the following year.

Bart Rogers, co-owner of the Peoria Rivermen and a member of the Rivermen Hall of Fame, remarked on the influx of teams, stating, “There are many factors driving these teams to join us. Our league is stable with 10 teams, and we could reach 12 or even 13 eventually. We aim to expand within our geographical area to ensure our operational efficiencies are maintained with strong ownership and viable markets.”

The Pee Dee Ice Cats are a historical rival of the Rivermen from their days in the ECHL nearly three decades ago. Similarly, Mobile has a legacy as a former ECHL city. As the ECHL faces rising operational expenses—partially due to a new collective bargaining agreement with its players' union—more teams may consider moving down to the SPHL, which offers a more favorable operating model.

Reports suggest that the struggling ECHL market in Iowa City is of interest to SPHL officials, while NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates and The Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, both of which have hosted professional hockey before, could also be potential sites for SPHL teams. The minor-league hockey scene appears to be undergoing a significant reorganization, with the possibility of more FPHL teams making their way to the SPHL in the coming years.

The exit of Pee Dee from the FPHL has not been amicable, as the league publicly questioned the team's readiness for the upcoming season. This shifting landscape in minor-league hockey reflects a broader trend of realignment within the sport.