TEAM LOOKS TO BUILD ON STRONG FOUNDATION FOR ANOTHER CLARK CUP RUN

ONE PUCK~ONE PURPOSE

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Ice saw season number eight come to a close last night as the number one seed Green Bay Gamblers claimed the Eastern Conference finals series three games to none.

Despite the setback, the Ice continued their winning tradition this past year with the second best regular season record in the USHL at 36-15-9, while improving their record in their last five seasons to an impressive 184-92-24.  The .655 winning percentage is equal to their nemesis up north in Green Bay and like the Gamblers, Indiana also has three Eastern Conference final appearances during the stretch and a Clark Cup championship (2009).  Only Omaha (.677) has a higher winning percentage the last five years in the USHL.

“We certainly deserved a better fate in this series, but the better team won,” stated Ice CEO Paul Skjodt.  “Green Bay has been our number one rival and we both have won a (Clark) cup over the last four years.  We do not expect that to change and I have plans to make the necessary changes in the Hockey Operations department that will allow us to continue knocking on that Clark Cup door.”

The 2012-2013 season will mark the beginning of a new era of hockey in Indianapolis as the Indiana Ice will move to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the bulk of their home schedule.  The two-year deal lasts through the end of the 2013-2014 season and will add a new level of excitement to the already bustling downtown sports market.

“We are extremely excited about the 2012-2013 season and our move to Bankers Life Fieldhouse as our primary home, which may be one of the top minor hockey league facilities in all of North America,” Skjodt said.  “Our plan is to keep ticket pricing in line with this season, but offer a whole new level of entertainment for our fans and partners.  On behalf of the entire Indiana Ice organization, we thank our fans and corporate partners for your support this year and over the last eight years in the USHL.”

The last five years under the direction of head coaches Jeff Blashill and Charlie Skjodt has seen the team explode positively in many directions.

77 players have earned Division 1 scholarships the last five seasons and 12 players have been selected in the NHL Draft including Washington Capitals stalwart defenseman John Carlson.  Two other players have made their NHL debuts during that time including former star defenseman Torey Krug who signed with Boston and made his NHL debut with the Bruins in April.

“We have many things to be thankful for,” Skjodt said.  “We have the league’s best fans and community partners who continue to support the Indiana Ice year in and year out.  We are already eager to get started for next season.”

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The Indiana Ice is a member of the United States Hockey League, America’s only Tier One League.