[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS AS CHAMPIONS OF THE SOUTHERN 
              PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE'S PRESIDENT'S CUP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Pensacola Ice Flyers for their recent victory in the Southern 
Professional Hockey League's President's Cup Championship series and 
offer my congratulations to the team members, owners, coaching staff, 
and front office staff:
   Team members, Steve Bergin; Dan Buccella; Jordan Chong; Joe Caveney; 
Brent Clarke; Brad Cooper; Ron Cramer; John Dunbar; Nick Dupuis; Gerry 
Festa; Jeremy Gates; Mitchell Good; Patrick Knowlton; Kevin Kozlowski; 
Justin MacDonald; Mike MacIntyre; Ross MacKinnon; Ryan Salvis; Tyler 
Soehner; and Brandon Vossberg; Owners, Greg Harris; and Tim Kerr; 
Coach, Gary Graham; Equipment Manager, Mark ``Bonez'' Bradtmueller; 
Athletic Trainer, Jen Lorenzo; and front office staff, Tina Burnham; 
Patrick Casey; Kayleigh Kerr; Josh Kersh; Willa Licata; Chuck 
McCartney; and Brittany Tindell.
   The Pensacola Ice Flyers were founded in 2009 and named to honor 
Pensacola's long and proud history as the ``Cradle of Naval Aviation.'' 
From the beginning, the Ice Flyers have been strong competitors in the 
Southern Professional Hockey League, SPHL, making it to playoffs in 
each year of their existence. Last season, the Ice Flyers made it all 
the way to the championship series, before narrowly losing in the final 
game.
   After coming agonizingly close to victory last season, the Ice 
Flyers entered into the 2012-13 season with only one goal: to win it 
all. The Ice Flyers enjoyed a successful regular season, finishing with 
the third best record in the league. The team also enjoyed tremendous 
support from the Pensacola community, drawing more than 100,000 fans to 
their home games this season.
   The President's Cup series between the Ice Flyers and the Huntsville 
Havoc was a closely contested affair. In the first game, the Ice Flyers 
prevailed at home in overtime 2-1; however, the Havoc fought back just 
three days later to claim a series tying 2-1 victory, sending the 
series back to Pensacola for a third and final game.
   A passionate crowd of nearly 4,700 fans showed up at the Pensacola 
Bay Center to watch as the Ice Flyers faced the Havoc in the third and 
final game of the President's Cup series on April 14, 2013. The Ice 
Flyers took an early lead after just two minutes and seven seconds of 
play, and they never looked back en route to a 2-0 shutout victory to 
claim the crown and bring the President's Cup to Pensacola. With their 
victory, the Ice Flyers became just the third professional hockey team 
from Florida to capture a championship, and they became the first team 
from Pensacola to bring a professional sports trophy to the area.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize the players, coaches, staff, and fans of the Pensacola Ice 
Flyers for their championship winning season. The entire Northwest 
Florida area looks forward to many more winning seasons to come.

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