Jacob Panetta, player accused of making racial gesture, returns to Icemen following suspension
Jacob Panetta, who was suspended following claims that he used a racial gesture directed at a Black player during a game in Jacksonville, has accepted an offer from the Icemen and was expected to rejoin the team Friday evening.
Former Jacksonville Icemen player Jacob Panetta responds to ECHL suspension for alleged racial gesture
Jacob Panetta used social media Friday to respond to his ECHL punishment after he was accused of using a racially motivated gesture toward a Black player on the opposing team during a game last Saturday.
Icemenโs road game at South Carolina on Wednesday night postponed
Jacksonville Icemen forward Pascal Aquin (26) looks for an opening to score against Orlando Solar Bears goaltender Clint Windsor (38) during the second period of an ECHL hockey game at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. [Gary Lloyd McCullough/For the Jacksonville Icemen]JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Jacksonville Icemenโs away game at South Carolina scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed for league safety protocols, the ECHL announced. The game has been rescheduled for April 21 at 7:05 p.m. The Icemen are in sixth place in the ECHLโs Eastern Division with a 14-14 record with two overtime losses. The Icemenโs next game will be Friday when Greenville comes to Jacksonville for a 7 p.m. game.
Icemen ownership group will be part of new ECHL franchise in Savannah
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Three members of the Jacksonville Icemenโs ownership group will have a hand in a the ECHLโs newest franchise in Savannah. The league announced that the Savannah Professional Hockey Team will begin play in the ECHL in 2022-23 season. The team will play in the new Savannah Arena. Icemen owner Andy Kaufmann, team president Bob Ohrablo and executive vice president Scott Einhorn will serve in various capacities with Savannahโs new ECHL entry. Ohrablo will be the Savannah franchiseโs governor and Einhorn as the executive vice president.
Icemen postpone next 3 home games due to COVID-19 protocols
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Jacksonville Icemenโs next three games at home have been postponed due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The Icemen were scheduled to face the Florida Everblades in Jacksonville on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those games are now off the team announced. โThe safety of our fans, players, staff and working personnel will always remain as our top priority,โ said Icemen President Bob Ohrablo. โAs a precaution, and to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols set by the ECHL, as well as state and local officials, the decision has been made to postpone this weekendโs games.โThe Icemen (4-7, 1 OT loss, 1 shootout loss) are in sixth place in the ECHLโs Eastern Conference.
Icemen extend lease agreement with city, eye start to season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The seats at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena are still empty but soon hockey fans in Jacksonville will be welcomed back as the Icemen drop puck to start their 2020 season. The Icemenโs season came to an abrupt end back in March when the ECHL suspended play and canceled the rest of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Icemen, who ranked third in attendance last season in the ECHL, will be back out on the ice on Dec. 11 for their first match. The team, along with Mayor Lenny Curry, announced a lease extension for the team at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena that will keep the Icemen in that venue through the 2030-31 season. โI have got 36 pages of safety protocols sitting on my desk and that is just for the players,โ said Icemen team president Bob Ohrablo.
Iceman, ECHL will beging 2020-21 season in staggered format
For the 2020-2021 season, that means not every team will play the same number of games. The league announced Friday that the Icemen and many other ECHL teams will begin the season on Dec. 11. โIt is important for our fans and for our organization, but also for our players,โ Icemen president Bob Ohrablo said. Other teams in cities with limitations on large group gatherings will begin the season on Jan. 15 and play a 62 game season. One team, the Atlanta Gladiators, will skip the season under what the league is calling a โVoluntary Suspensionโ for the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Icemen hope for word on ECHL All-Star game Thursday
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The season hasnt been canceled for the Icemen but the start has been moved back. The ECHL announced Wednesday that the season, originally scheduled to start in October, is not anticipated to begin until at least December 4. One of the goals that we have is not to start until its safe to start, said Icemen president Bob Ohrablo. And we wanted some more time.The Icemen were scheduled to host the ECHL All-Star game on Jan. 18, but with the start of the season being pushed back, the all-star festivities will be, as well. The league is very excited about bringing the all-star showcase here.
Let's help make 'Fang' the ECHL Mascot of the Year
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Icemen are asking for your help voting for the team's mascot as the "2018-19 ECHL Mascot of the Year." Fans voted to name the team's new mascot "Fang" last year in honor of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office K-9 which was killed in the line of duty. Jacksonville Icemen's new mascot named in honor of fallen JSO K-9Voting ends Sunday at 8 p.m. Be sure to click on the "Jacksonville Icemen - Fang" video before you vote. We need your help to vote for our beloved Fang for #ECHL Mascot of the Year! Cast your vote here https://t.co/lawOkMiULk pic.twitter.com/7cYoNc1TiD Jacksonville Icemen (@JaxIcemen) July 31, 2019Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.