Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Jacksonville Lizard Kings

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Division
  
Southeast Division

Colors
  
Black, Green, Purple

Founded
  
1995

Conference
  
American Conference

Home arena
  
Color
  
Black, Green, Purple


Affiliates
  
Location
  
Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Affiliate
  
Chicago Blackhawks (National Hockey League)

Jacksonville Lizard Kings were a professional ice hockey team based in Jacksonville, Florida. Formerly known as the Louisville Icehawks, they played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) from 1995–2000. They played their home games in the Jacksonville Coliseum.

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings hockey jersey Google Search Hockey

History

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings SKREENED

The Lizard Kings began play in the East Coast Hockey League as the Louisville Ice Hawks, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played in Louisville from 1990 until 1994, but suspended operations after the 1993–94 season, and the organization decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Lizard Kings jacksonville lizard kings hockey jersey Hygiea

The team, now rebranded as the Jacksonville Lizard Kings, promoted themselves in their new city with a substantial marketing campaign, including television ads featuring a goalie catching a puck with a lizard tongue. They faced some competition from another local hockey team, the Jacksonville Bullets, but were able to secure a lease to the Jacksonville Coliseum, and became Jacksonville's only professional hockey team when the Bullets folded in 1996. Despite their advertising the Lizard Kings were not able to cover their operating costs, and lost $2.2 million over four years. The management determined they would not be viable in the aging Jacksonville Coliseum, and decided to suspend operations in 2000 in anticipation of the construction of the new Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. They never returned; in 2002 a new team, the Jacksonville Barracudas, began play in the Coliseum and secured a contract for the new Arena, completed in 2003.

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jerseys

The Lizard King General managers were Jeff Brubaker, Larry Lane, and Shawn Hegan. The head coaches were Jeff Brubaker, Mike LaZazzera (1996), Bruce Cassidy (1997–98), Brian Curran (1998–99), and Alain Lemieux (1999–2000). Past players over the years included Brad Federenko, Andy MacIntyre, Eric Cloutier, Kurt Mallett, Rick Bennett, Tobias Ablad, Jason Clark, Mike Hall, Doug Evans, David Cunniff, Ronald Ozolinsh, Tim Chase, James Mooney, Steve Vezina, Marc Yakabuski, Marc Salsman, Craig Lutes, Patrick Clement, Ross Earl, Shane Doyle, Mick Kempffer, Joe Bonvie, Jason Smith, Johan Slirg, Stan Dovan, Brian Massa, and Dan Carney.

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jerseys

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Jacksonville Lizard Kings Commercial YouTube

References

Jacksonville Lizard Kings Wikipedia