— Peoria to join SPHL under former Rivermen management team
Just minutes after the Vancouver Canucks announced that they would not operate in Peoria next season, former longtime owner and executives of the Rivermen announced that they have applied for a Southern Professional Hockey League franchise for next season. In addition, the nearby Bloomington Blaze, who played in the Central Hockey League last season will join Peoria in the SPHL.
The Peoria team is expected to keep the Rivermen name.
