[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS AS 2013-14 SOUTHERN PROFESSIONAL 
                HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESIDENT'S CUP CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Pensacola Ice Flyers on winning their second consecutive Southern 
Professional Hockey League President's Cup Championship. This 
outstanding achievement is evidence of the hard work and dedication of 
the entire Ice Flyers' organization.
  Northwest Florida has a long and storied history as the ``Cradle of 
Naval Aviation,'' and the Ice Flyers name was chosen to honor this 
legacy. Since joining the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2009, 
the Ice Flyers have been consistent contenders--reaching three straight 
President's Cup Championship finals and bringing two championships home 
to Pensacola.
  This season, the Ice Flyers experienced unparalleled success also 
winning the Coffey Trophy as the league's best regular season team. En 
route to these titles, the Ice Flyers set several Southern Professional 
Hockey League records, including the most wins, most points, highest 
winning percentage, most road wins, fewest regulation losses, and 
longest road winning streak. The Ice Flyers boasted the league's best 
offense scoring more than 200 goals, while also allowing the fewest 
goals in the league. The Ice Flyers regular season was so outstanding 
that they posted a better regular season record on the road than any 
other team in the league had on home ice.
  The Ice Flyers did not allow their regular season dominance to 
engender complacency, and when the playoffs began, the Ice Flyers 
raised their game to another level. The team averaged four goals per 
game while giving up just over one, and the deeper that they went into 
the postseason, the better the Ice Flyers performed. They posted an 
impressive 6-1 postseason mark, setting the playoff record for the 
highest road winning percentage. The Ice Flyers, however, proved to be 
truly clutch performers, saving the best for the President's Cup 
Championship, where they set the playoff record for most goals in one 
game, most goals in one series, and largest winning margin.
  In addition to their tremendous success on the ice, the Ice Flyers 
fans also proved that they are the most dedicated fan base in the 
Southern Professional Hockey League. The team shattered the league's 
attendance record, with more than 114,000 fans attending games at the 
Pensacola Bay Center, and three busloads of fans made the trip to watch 
the Ice Flyers defeat the Columbus Cottonmouths to clinch their second 
straight President's Cup Championship.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, it is my privilege to 
congratulate the Ice Flyers players--Ryan Salvis, Steve Bergin, Shaun 
Arvai, Brett Lutes, Ross MacKinnon, Malcolm Lyles, Tyler Amburgey, Drew 
Baker, Keegan Flaherty, Paul Rodrigues, Joshua Turnbull, Mitchell Good, 
Steve Whitely, Joe Caveney, Adam Pawlick, Corey Banfield, Peter Di 
Salvo, John Dunbar, Jeremy Gates, and Joe Bueltel--and their staff of 
Majority Owner Greg Harris, Head Coach Rod Aldoff, President Chuck 
McCartney, Group Sales Manager Patrick Casey, Merchandise Manager Josh 
Kersh, Communications Manager Geoff Nichols, Director of Ticketing Tom 
Reading, Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Fan Experience Brittany 
Tindell, Athletic Trainer Jen Lorenzo, and Equipment Manager Mark 
Bradtmueller on a fantastic season and another championship success. My 
wife Vicki and I are proud to have the Ice Flyers call Pensacola home 
and to honor our long and proud history as the Cradle of Naval Aviation 
with their name, and we wish them continued success and many more 
championships to come.

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