Stevens joined the Ice Flyers ahead of the 2025-26 season and quickly became an integral part of the team’s success. Working alongside Head Coach Jeremy Gates, Stevens helped guide Pensacola to a 28-21-9 regular-season record, finishing with 65 points and earning a spot in the President’s Cup Playoffs.

“Justin made a wonderful impact on our organization from the day he arrived,” said Head Coach Jeremy Gates. “His work ethic, hockey insight, and ability to connect with our players helped our culture shift and made us competitive every night. While we’re certainly going to miss having him in our organization and on the bench, this is a tremendous opportunity, and wish him and his family nothing but success and the very best.”

Before arriving in Pensacola, Stevens built a reputation as a dedicated coach with a strong understanding of player development. His attention to detail, preparation, and passion for teaching made him a valuable asset throughout the season.

“On behalf of the entire Ice Flyers organization, we’d like to thank Justin for everything he brought to our team this season,” said Ice Flyers Owner Greg Harris. “His commitment to our players and our organization helped lay the foundation for a successful year. We wish him nothing but the best with the Reading Royals and know he’ll continue to make an impact.”

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He leaves on the highest note of his career. This spring the SPHL named Chesnut its 2025-26 Equipment Manager of the Year, making him the first three-time winner of the award, an honor voted on by the league’s own equipment managers and athletic trainers.

Chesnut’s road started in 1998-99 with the Topeka Scarecrows of the Central Hockey League and his career ran nearly three decades. Across that span, he worked for 12 different teams in five professional leagues. He reached the American Hockey League, one rung below the NHL, with the Lowell Lock Monsters, spent two seasons in his hometown with the Oklahoma City Blazers, and carried the head equipment manager title at stops in Mississippi, Norfolk, and Jacksonville before settling in with the Ice Flyers.

Ask him which stop shaped him most, and he goes straight to Lowell. It was there he found a mentor in Wally, a longtime AHL and NHL equipment man who passed away a few years ago. “He taught me a lot,” Chesnut said. “I learned so much more about skate steel and balancing skates from Wally. I already knew how to balance skates, but the method he taught me was tremendous. It took my skate work to another level.” His first mentor, years earlier, was Stevie, the equipment man in Tulsa, who taught him the trade from the ground up. “I’m forever grateful to Stevie and Wally for their guidance and friendship for so many years.”

That obsession with skates became the standard Chesnut would never let slide. “I had to be very meticulous with sharpening the players’ skates,” he said. “You can have the best hands in the world on the ice, but if you can’t get up and down the ice, it doesn’t matter.”

Players knew him for more than his edges. Chesnut is a practical joker, a guy who keeps the room loose when it needs it. Down a goal between periods with a quiet locker room, he was the one who would walk in and crack something just to get the boys’ heads back up.

He has the stories to match. His favorite is the morning Oklahoma City head coach Doug Sauder, a cowboy from Saskatchewan, walked a horse into the locker room during a commercial shoot. Sauder, twisting his handlebar mustache, told the room he was just showing the boys his horse. Chesnut looked at him and made the terms clear. “She’s a beauty, but if she makes a mess, you’re the one cleaning it up.” That, he says, is hockey life. There is always something.

The coaches and teammates who stuck with him share a thread. Tom Rowe, his Coach and General Manager in Lowell, showed him how the game was run at the highest levels and helped him earn three NHL exhibition games. Sauder was a character he will never forget. And in Pensacola, head coach Jeremy Gates is the kind of old school hockey man Chesnut connects with, someone who has seen the game change the same way he has.

What he will not miss is easy. “I am definitely not going to miss three or four hours of laundry.” What he will miss is harder to say out loud. “I will miss the camaraderie with the boys,” he said. “It is coming into the office every morning and saying, hey, how you are doing. When you have been doing this as long as I have, that stands out. That I will miss.”

He is not disappearing entirely, and there is unfinished business. Chesnut sits two games short of 1,600 for his professional career, so the Ice Flyers are bringing him back for two games next season to reach the milestone in a Pensacola unifrom. He also plans to be around for training camp to help the next Equipment Manager get to know the ropes in Pensacola. In between, retirement means time with his wife Cindy, trips to see their grandson in Ireland, and a little travel through Europe. After six-to-nine-month seasons for most of his life, he is ready for the quieter stretch.

Asked what he would say to Ice Flyers fans, Chesnut didn’t need long. “If I could only have two words, it would be thank you. They have shown me respect for what I do and the hours I put in. I was not an afterthought here. None of us would be here without the fans.”

He wanted to thank a few people by name: owner Greg Harris, his wife Cindy, the entire front office, the players, and the two mentors who made him, Stevie and Wally.

Ice Flyers owner, Greg Harris, stated, “Jim is a pro among pros. With him, I always knew our players were always taken care of extremely well. I never had to worry about anything with Jim as I always knew he had our players’ backs and the organization’s back. He exemplified what it meant and what it took to be a professional and a class act every day, and for that and many more reasons, I will be forever grateful to have Jim as an Ice Flyer. From the Ice Flyers organization, all the staff, players, fans and supporters who have ever been a part of this organization, we want to wish Jim an extremely relaxing, fulfilling and blessed retirement. Thank you, Jim.”

The post The Man Behind the Room: Jim Chesnut Retires After Nearly 30 Years in Professional Hockey first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Forwards protected by Pensacola include Tyler Burnie, Matt Allen, Tyler German, Andrew Poulias, Andrew Kurapov, Jack Suchy, and Sam Rhodes.

On the blue line, the Ice Flyers protected Jonathan Ziskie, Cooper Jones, Laudon Poellinger, Max Ruoho, Amedeo Mastrangeli, and Nicholas Aromatario.

Protection lists allow teams to retain SPHL rights to selected players heading into the offseason while roster construction continues for the 2026-27 campaign.

Additional player announcements, signings, and roster updates will be released throughout the offseason on IceFlyers.com, in the Ice Flyers app and the team’s social media channels.

The post Ice Flyers Announce Protected List for 2026-27 Season first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Rhodes led all rookies in points (38) and power play goals (six – tied), while ranking second in goals (24) and third in power play points (10). A native of Powhatan, VA, Rhodes recorded six multi-goal outings, including his first professional hat trick on March 5 against Peoria.

Henry, who spent time with Macon and Peoria this season, ranked fifth among all SPHL players with 26 goals, including eight multi-goal games, despite playing only 35 games. Among rookies, the Markham, ON native tied for the league lead with five game-winning goals, was second in points (36) and power play goals (five – tied), and ranked third with a +13 rating.

Previous SPHL Rookie of the Year Award Winners

2024-25 – Carson Gallagher, Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs

2023-24 – Simon Boyko, Fayetteville Marksmen

2022-23 – Austin Alger, Fayetteville Marksmen

2021-22 – Marcel Godbout, Peoria Rivermen

2020-21 – Jake Wahlin, Pensacola Ice Flyers

2019-20 – Austin Plevy, Evansville Thunderbolts

2018-19 – Ben Blasko, Peoria Rivermen

2017-18 – Jacob Barber, Birmingham Bulls

2016-17 – Mike Moran, Mississippi RiverKings

2015-16 – John Lidgett, Huntsville Havoc

2014-15 – Bryce Williamson, Columbus Cottonmouths

2013-14 – Joe Caveney, Pensacola Ice Flyers

2012-13 – Matt Gingera, Columbus Cottonmouths

2011-12 – Kiefer Smiley, Mississippi Surge, and Jordan Chong, Pensacola Ice Flyers

2010-11 – Chris Wilson, Pensacola Ice Flyers

2009-10 – Jesse Biduke, Fayetteville FireAntz

2008-09 – Michael Richard, Twin City Cyclones

2007-08 – Taylor Hustead, Twin City Cyclones

2006-07 – Tim Velemirovich, Fayetteville FireAntz

2005-06 – Rob Sich, Florida Seals

2004-05 – Chad Collins, Fayetteville FireAntz

The post Sam Rhodes Named SPHL Co-Rookie Of The Year first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

Jones appeared in 48 games for Pensacola, recording 9 goals and 21 assists for 30 points. He ranked 3rd among all SPHL defensemen in scoring and was a key contributor on both ends of the ice throughout the year.

The veteran blueliner averaged 0.63 points per game while logging significant minutes in all situations, including special teams.

The post Cooper Jones Named to All-SPHL Second Team first appeared on Pensacola Ice Flyers.

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.

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