Rhodes skated in all 58 games for Pensacola, recording 24 goals and 14 assists for 38 points. He led Ice Flyers rookies in scoring and made an immediate impact offensively, adding 6 power-play goals and 2 game-winning goals.

The rookie winger averaged 0.66 points per game and was a consistent contributor throughout the season.

Rhodes’ performance did not go unnoticed, earning him league recognition as one of the top rookies in the SPHL.

The post Rhodes Named to SPHL All-Rookie Team first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Chesnut was selected in a vote of the league’s equipment managers and athletic trainers, becoming the first three-time winner of the award.

Chesnut began his professional career as an equipment manager for the Topeka Scarecrows in the Central Hockey League. His career has taken him across 12 different teams in five different professional leagues, and he joined the Ice Flyers staff ahead of the 2020-21 season. He then spent some time in the ECHL with Jacksonville before returning to Pensacola during the 2021-22 season.

Chesnut worked his 1,000th professional game during the 2015-16 season, the same season he won his first SPHL Equipment Manager of the Year award. Last season, Chesnut was honored by the Ice Flyers for working his 1,500th professional game.

The post Jim Chesnutt Named Equipment Manager of the Year first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

FRONT ROW (Left-to-Right)
#35 Troy Kobryn, #11 Tyler German, #55 Laudon Poellinger, #42 Cooper Jones (A) , Assistant Coach Justin Stevens, Head Coach Jeremy Gates, Owner Greg Harris, Sr. Director of Operations Brenden Arney, #74 Ethan Price (C), #91 Zack Bross (A), #12 Shane Bull, #4 Nicholas Aromatario, #30 Christian Propp

BACK ROW (Left-to-Right)
Equipment Manager Jim Chesnut, Merchandise and Community Relations Coordinator Lauren Brown, Executive Assistant To The Owner Kelby Porter, Athletic Trainer Bailey Walker, #20 Andrew Kurapov, #83 Zack Jones, #10 Matt Allen, #24 Brody Tallman, #15 Jonathan Ziskiei, #44 Samson Mouland, #6 Tyler Burnie, #8 Porter Schachle, #23 Jordan Stock, #21 Jack Suchy, #17 Amedeo Mastrangeli, #67 Tyrone Bronte, #16 Andrew Poulias, #79 Sam Rhodes, Intern Brendan Reeder, Account and Operations Executive Eric Kagdis, Digital Content Creator Brandon Hines, Digital Content Creator Josh Gamonez, Group Sales and Game Presentation Manager Carson Barlow

FAREWELL GATHERING

PENSACOLA, FLA. – Ice Flyers team gathered with fans to give one last heartfelt goodbye as the 2025-2026 season comes to an end.

The post 📸 Ice Flyers’ Team Photo & Farewell Gathering 4.15.26 first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

PENSACOLA, FLA. – The joyous chants and celebratory claps reverberated through the walls and hallway, leading to the Ice Flyers dressing room.
You could feel the scene just by hearing it.

In what became one of their most complete games, the Ice Flyers solved the Evansville riddle, producing in a 3-1 victory Friday night against the defending champion Thunderbolts at the Pensacola Bay Center in Game 2 of their SPHL quarterfinal round playoff series.

The win was the Ice Flyers first playoff game victory in four years. It forced a deciding game on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Evansville, Indiana where the Ice Flyers will seek their first playoff series win since 2021 when they won their fourth SPHL President’s Cup championship.

“Satisfying to win, that’s for sure,” said Ice Flyers coach Jeremy Gates, whose team lost four regular-season games against the Thunderbolts and the playoff opener April 8 at the Ford Center in Evansville. “(Ice Flyers players) played hard and in the right way. It was good.

“To have our team play the way they did shows we can do it. We can play with anybody in this league. And the good news is that we get to play again on Sunday and try to prove that all over again.”

Both teams left Pensacola on Friday night for the 600-mile bus trip to Evansville. For the Ice Flyers, the all-night journey was their third trip to southwestern Indiana in nine days.

They finished the regular-season last weekend in Evansville, returned to Pensacola, traveled back to Evansville on Tuesday, then back again Friday night.
But Sunday presents a chance to make it all enjoyable. Neither team had practice availability on Saturday due to an event at the Ford Center. Gates preferred his team get right back on the bus for the long ride, as opposed to leaving Saturday morning.

“What happens is after these games, it’s really hard for hockey players to fall asleep,” Gates said. “So sleep on the bus…. we’ll get some breakfast, we’ll get there, rest and get to bed early. This time of year, we need the rest.”

The Ice Flyers breakthrough playoff win Friday was embraced by a crowd of 4,772, which by far was the largest crowd of the four SPHL quarterfinal games that night.
It adds to the Ice Flyers setting another attendance record – their third year in a row – after drawing 168,493 fans in 29 home games this season. Attracting large crowds for a playoff game is difficult, because of an uncertain schedule and little time to sell group outings or advance sales.

But Gates sensed the enthusiasm earlier Friday afternoon when he went out for lunch.

“I had people I never met before in my life, saying they were coming to the game,” Gates said. “They recognized me and that’s impressive. Everyone is just so supportive. It just shows the passion here and this community has something to cheer for and support.

“Our front office does a heckuva job promoting it and I just want us to do our part as a team in putting the right guys on the ice and win a hockey game.”

With the crowd chanting, “Let’s Go Flyers!” moments after the opening faceoff, the Ice Flyers produced the game’s first goal, less than five minutes into the game, when Tyler Burnie got a pass from Tyler German and rifled home a wrist shot from inside faceoff circle.

After Evansville tied the game in the second period, Ice Flyers defenseman and enforcer Laudon Poellinger scored on a wrist shot with 45 seconds left in the period. Earlier in the period, he engaged with Evansville’s Cameron MacPhee in a mid-ice fight after the two instantly left the penalty box for roughing.
Poellinger had a huge night. Two scraps, a goal, an assist and chosen as the game’s No. 1 star.

“He had a Gordie Howe hat trick” said Gates, referring to the legendary Detroit Red Wings’ Hall of Famer known for his scoring and brawling. “He had a goal, an assist and a fight.

“(Poellinger) was involved all over the ice. Heckuva game by him. But everybody played well. The level of experience we’re gathering from this is just one step at a time. We got three more periods to play (on Sunday) and we’ll see what happens.”

The Ice Flyers got a pivotal final goal Friday when Matt Allen perfectly timed the carom off the back boards from a teammates and sent the puck into the net before Evansville’s talented goaltender Kristian Stead had time to react. Those are the kind of bounces you need in a playoff game.

Evansville coach Jeff Bes pulled Stead with four minutes remaining, following a timeout, to give the Thunderbolts an extra attacker. But Ice Flyers goaltender Christian Propp won his fourth game in seven starts by finishing an outstanding performance between the pipes.

It included stopping Evansville on a wide open breakaway in the first period. Propp is playing with his fifth different team this season after joining the Ice Flyers in late March.

“He was focused from the start,” Gates said. “He provides the type of leadership that has experience. He has played in big games before.”

Evansville has an 18-8 home record with three overtime losses. Gates knows it figures to be another hard-checking, hard-grinding type of game on Sunday for the chance to reach the semifinals.

No matter what happens, the Ice Flyers were able to re-establish themselves this season in the league with an upper-tier finish in the standings and getting a playoff win.

“We are a learning group that is just kinda chugging away at it,” Gates said. “Sometimes being naïve to things is great. It’s step by step. I’m proud, but not satisfied.
“We work our butts off, everyone in this organization to just keep inching away at it. Maturing, being professional every single day.. and giving our guys the best opportunity.

“(Evansville) have a lot of experience over there. They won last year and have a lot of guys who have come back and know how to do those little things. But we are a better hockey team when we play the game the right way.”

The post After Playoff Win, Big Crowd, Ice Flyers Seek More Breakthrough In Deciding Game At Evansville first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Facing elimination following a 4–1 loss in Game 1, the Ice Flyers came out with urgency and energy from the opening puck drop. Tyler Burnie ignited the crowd in the first period, netting the game’s opening goal and sending the Ice Flyers Faithful to their feet. The early strike proved to be the lone goal of the period, giving Pensacola a 1–0 lead heading into the intermission.

Evansville answered early in the second period, evening the score and briefly shifting momentum. But Pensacola responded late in the frame, as Laudon Poellinger found the back of the net to restore the lead. The Ice Flyers carried that 2–1 advantage into the second intermission, fueled by a strong forecheck and consistent offensive pressure.

The Ice Flyers continued to push in the third period, refusing to let up. Midway through the frame, Matt Allen extended the lead to 3–1, giving Pensacola breathing room and sending the Hangar into a frenzy. From there, the Ice Flyers locked things down defensively and closed out the win to force a decisive Game 3.

With the series now tied, Pensacola will turn its focus to Evansville, where the winner-take-all Game 3 is set for Sunday at 3 p.m.

Fans can bid on autographed goal pucks from tonight’s game on DASH.

Scoring Summary

First Period

EVV 0, PEN 1

4:43 Tyler Burnie (1) – German

Shots on Goal: EVV 11, PEN 17

Second Period

EVV 1, PEN 1

2:51 Aiden MacIntosh – Lund, Kirton

EVV 1, PEN 2

19:15 Laudon Poellinger (1) – Kurapov, German

Shots on Goal: EVV 12, PEN 10

Third Period

EVV 1, PEN 3

10:06 Matt Allen (2) – Poellinger, Rhodes

Shots on Goal: EVV 5, PEN 8

Total Shots on Goal: EVV 28, PEN 35

The post Recap: Thunderbolts 1, Ice Flyers 3 – April 10, 2026 first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

The post 📸 ARRIVALS 4.10.26 first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Jersey Sale: Noon

Parking Lots: 4:00 p.m. CT

Doors: 5:30 p.m. CT

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT

Watch: FloSports

Listen: Fox Sports-Pensacola (101.1 FM, 1450 AM), Radio Voice of the Ice Flyers Paul Chestnutt broadcasting.

TONIGHT’S PROMO INFORMATION

Wear White

Get ready to turn the Hangar white. Fans are encouraged to wear white as we create a full Whiteout atmosphere for playoff hockey on April 10. From puck drop to the final horn, we need every seat bringing energy and every fan dressed for the moment. Be part of one of the most electric environments of the season and help give the Ice Flyers a true home ice advantage.

PLAYOFF SHIRTS & JERSEY SALE

Get playoff ready before puck drop with two great deals on the Plaza. From 12 PM to 3 PM, stop by the front plaza to grab your official Playoff Shirts and gear up for the postseason. Then stick around for our Jersey Sale running from 12 PM through puck drop, where you can score youth jerseys for $25 and adult jerseys for $35 while supplies last. Don’t miss your chance to rep the Ice Flyers and be ready for playoff hockey at the Hangar.

We’ve added even more to our Jersey Sale on the Plaza, giving fans even more ways to gear up before puck drop. Shop a wide selection of items including bears for $10, toddler and youth hats for $15, and 2026 Playoff T-shirts for $20. Toddler and youth replica jerseys, including all theme and primary styles, are available for $25, while adult replica jerseys are just $35. Specialty adult jerseys, including 30th Anniversary, Blue Angels, and Military 250 designs, will be available for $60. Stop by and take advantage of these limited-time deals while supplies last.

Beré Jewelers Raffle

This is your last chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree to Beré Jewelers. Limited raffle tickets are still available, but they won’t last long. One lucky fan will be selected and announced at Friday’s game, so don’t miss your opportunity to walk away with an unforgettable prize. Secure your entries now before it’s too late.

Purchase Raffle Tickets

50/50 RAFFLE

Don’t miss your chance to get in on the action during our home playoff game with the Ice Flyers Foundation 50/50 raffle! The jackpot has been growing all week with one lucky fan the opportunity to take home half the pot while supporting programs that make a real impact right here in our community. 

The earlier you enter, the bigger the prize can grow. Purchase your tickets online at iff5050.org (available anywhere in Florida) or stop by our sellers above Sections 120 and 105 through the 2nd intermission. Get in now and be part of something bigger while cheering on the Ice Flyers!

SHIRT-OFF-HIS-BACK RAFFLE FEATURING Tyler Burnie

Take your shot at winning an authentic season-worn jersey during tonight’s game with our Shirt Off His Back raffle! One lucky fan will win the season-worn jersey right off the back of #6 Tyler Burnie.

Entries are available online through DASH, so fans can participate from anywhere, and you do not need to be present to win. The winner will be selected at the end of the 2nd intermission and announced on the ribbon during the 3rd period.

The winning fan will have the opportunity to take a photo with Sam after the game and will receive the jersey at the end of the season. Season Ticket Holders can redeem vouchers for free entries at the Coca-Cola Concierge above Section 111.

Purchase Raffle Tickets

JOIN IN ON OUR LIGHT SHOWS! 

Fans can participate in tonight’s light shows using the Ice Flyers app! Download the app to sync your phone’s flashlight with the arena’s exciting new light displays throughout the game. Join thousands of other fans in creating an unforgettable atmosphere as we light up the Hangar together. Make sure to have your app ready before puck drop! Download on the App Store or Google Play. Please double check to make sure you have the latest version installed on your phone.

Tonight’s game notes

The post Game Preview: April 10 vs Evansville first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

A total of 168,493 fans attended Ice Flyers games during the 2025–26 regular season, surpassing last year’s total of 152,702 and continuing a steady rise in support from the Pensacola community.

“When you look at attendance numbers like these, it really speaks to the connection between our organization and the Pensacola community. It’s easy to focus on the number itself, but what stands out more is what it represents. Over the last four seasons, this has become something people here really care about and want to be a part of. That kind of support doesn’t happen everywhere. We don’t take it lightly, and we are extremely grateful,” said owner Greg Harris.

The season included five sellout crowds, highlighted by both 5 Dollar Nights, Wiener Dog Race Night, and two Military Appreciation Nights, including the final regular season home game this past weekend.

Night after night, the Hangar provided an environment that has become a consistent advantage for the Ice Flyers and a central part of the game night experience.

“There’s a lot that goes into creating that kind of atmosphere. Our staff puts in a ton of work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly, from the fan experience to the details people may not even notice. When you combine that with the way our fans show up and the energy they bring, it creates something that players feel and respond to,” said Senior Director of Operations Brenden Arney.

The Ice Flyers have now increased their total attendance in each of the past four seasons, marking one of the strongest stretches of sustained growth in franchise history.

With the regular season set to complete this upcoming weekend, the focus now shifts to the postseason.

“You build toward this time of year from day one. The regular season gives you a foundation, but everything changes once the playoffs start. Having this kind of environment behind us going into the playoffs is important, and we’re looking forward to seeing how our team responds,” Harris said.

The Ice Flyers will host their first home playoff game on April 10 or 11, with a potential second home game on April 12 depending on the series.

Further details on playoff scheduling and ticket information will be announced once matchups and dates are finalized, with strong demand expected for playoff games at the Hangar.

The post Ice Flyers Set New Attendance Record For Fourth Straight Season first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

PENSACOLA, FLA. – The Pensacola Ice Flyers closed out their regular season home schedule with a weekend that reflected both the excitement of the moment and the urgency of what lies ahead.

A dominant 5 to 2 win on Friday during Crawdaddies Night, presented by Fiesta Pensacola, was followed by a tightly contested 2 to 1 shootout loss on Saturday during Military Appreciation Night, presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, played in front of the team’s fifth sellout crowd of the season.

Saturday night also marked a historic milestone as the Ice Flyers set a new franchise season attendance record of 168,493, surpassing last year’s total of 152,702 and continuing a four-year trend of growth while reinforcing the atmosphere that has made the Hangar one of the toughest environments in the SPHL.

“The fans at this arena beat every other arena we go to in my opinion,” said Ice Flyers head coach Jeremy Gates. “They have been showing up all season long. From the start where we were red hot at home to times where we struggled a bit, they’ve stayed with us. It gives our guys a boost every night.”

Friday’s performance matched that energy. Skating as the Pensacola Crawdaddies for one night only, the Ice Flyers controlled play and delivered one of their most complete efforts of the season in a 5 to 2 win over Quad City.

“We are trying to play our best hockey late in the year,” Gates said. “This is the time where everything needs to come together. It’s about details, execution and being consistent.”

On Saturday, the Ice Flyers found themselves in a playoff style battle. The two teams traded chances throughout regulation and overtime before the Storm edged Pensacola in the shootout.

“There are still games where the details and execution can break down a little bit,” Gates said. “But overall the speed of the game now is noticeable. There are guys that can really fly and it makes for tight, competitive games like that one.”

With the home schedule complete, the focus now shifts entirely to playoff positioning.

The Ice Flyers enter the final weekend of the regular season tied for third place with Roanoke and Evansville at 65 points. Huntsville sits just ahead in second with 66, while Peoria leads the league at 78.

Behind them, Birmingham sits at 59 points, Knoxville at 58, Quad City at 55, Macon at 54 and Fayetteville at 51, with multiple teams still battling for position.

“What I’ve noticed is teams are continually adjusting in an effort to improve,” Gates said. “Teams at the bottom make moves to get better and teams at the top lose players to call ups. That creates parity across the league and brings everyone closer together.”

That balance has defined the Ice Flyers’ season. After a strong start, the team navigated roster movement and mid-season challenges before finding its footing again down the stretch.

“We lose some of the players that helped put us at the top early,” Gates said. “At the same time, other teams are improving. That’s just how this league works and why it’s so competitive.”

The Ice Flyers now head to Evansville for a two-game series to close out the regular season, with playoff positioning on the line.

“We tell the guys and they believe it, we can play with any team in this league,” Gates said. “At the end of the day it’s about how we play. If we put our best game together, we can beat anyone.”

With just a handful of points separating multiple positions, the final weekend will determine where the Ice Flyers land heading into the postseason.

“We know what’s in front of us,” Gates said. “Now it’s about being ready, playing the right way and carrying that into the playoffs.”

After a record setting home season and a weekend that showcased both their potential and resilience, the Ice Flyers now turn their attention to the road with everything still to play for.

The post Ice Flyers Close Record Breaking Home Schedule, Eye Playoff Positioning in Final Weekend first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

The night was electric from the start, as Pensacola recorded its fifth sellout of the season and officially set a new franchise attendance record of 168,493 fans. A physical opening period set the tone, with both teams exchanging heavy hits and playing with playoff-like intensity. Pensacola broke through late in the first when Andrew Poulias found the back of the net to give the Ice Flyers a 1–0 lead heading into the intermission.

Quad City responded in the second period as Jesper Tarkiainen evened the score at 1–1. Despite Pensacola controlling much of the period and outshooting the Storm 14–7, the game remained tied heading into the final frame.

The third period delivered a tense, back-and-forth battle, with both teams generating chances but unable to capitalize. The physicality ramped up as the Hangar crowd stayed on its feet, but neither side could find the go-ahead goal, sending the game to overtime.

Overtime brought more of the same, with both teams trading opportunities but ultimately unable to break the deadlock, forcing a shootout to decide the outcome.

In the shootout, Quad City converted twice while Pensacola was unable to find the back of the net, resulting in a 2–0 shootout loss for the Ice Flyers.

Despite the result, the night marked a memorable sendoff for the home crowd, highlighted by record-setting attendance and a playoff-like atmosphere inside the Hangar.

The Ice Flyers now turn their attention to the final weekend of the regular season, as they hit the road for Evansville looking to build momentum heading into the postseason.

Fans can bid on autographed goal pucks from this weekend on DASH.

Scoring Summary

First Period

QC 0, PEN 1

13:48 Andrew Poulias (10) – Ziskie

Shots on goal: QC 10, PEN 6

Second Period

QC 1, PEN 1

03:40 Jesper Tarkiainen – Perez, Roginski

Shots on goal: QC 7, PEN 14

Third Period

No Scoring.

Shots on goal: QC 9, PEN 13

Overtime

No Scoring.

Shots on goal: QC 0, PEN 0

Total shots on goal: QC 27, PEN 33

Shootout

Quad City Storm

Jack Lee – Yes

Jesper Tarkiainen – Yes

Leif Mattson – No

Pensacola Ice Flyers

Andrew Kurapov – No

Jack Suchy – No

Andrew Poulias – No

Sam Rhodes – No

The post Recap: Storm 2, Ice Flyers 1 (SO) – March 28, 2026 first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.