Professional hockey league eyes Salisbury for expansion team

The Federal Professional Hockey League is eyeing Salisbury as a potential home for an expansion team.  Including the NHL, there are only 5 professional leagues in the country, and the FHL is a single A league. In April, Governor Larry Hogan signed a bill allowing the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center to apply for a liquor license.

It did, and with alcohol set to be sold at future events, it has made the Civic Center a more attractive landing spot for the professional hockey team.  For months, County Executive Bob Culver has been “putting out feelers” for hockey teams to come as he stated in an interview with 47ABC in April.  Those efforts coming to fruition with the FHL, whose Vice Commissioner Andrew Reynolds says Salisbury is a good fit due to its geographic location.  With teams from New Hampshire and Vermont, stretching down to North Carolina (whose team will have their inaugural season this year), Salisbury’s location “work’s out pretty good” according to Reynolds.

While their is certainly interest on both sides, Normandy Arena may be a great home for the expansion team, but 47ABC is told one of the tougher parts of expansion, is filling the arena with fans.

47ABC spoke to some folks in Salisbury, and it wasn’t tough to find some people who were eager to watch some hockey.  David Alston has lived in Salisbury for over 2 decades.  He says he knows plenty of people who would be interested in having a team come.  Alston himself says “it’s so action packed live, when you watch it live it’s a fast fast game and if you’re brave enough to sit up front you’re going to see, maybe some blood and guts, who knows?” As appetizing as that sounds, another Salisbury resident who is admittedly not a hockey fan even like the idea.  Tommy Timlin says “It’s just something to do” which he says Salisbury needs. 

While catching the game would be something to do, there could be benefits for young hockey players too.  The top 2 league officials say they are well connected in the tight knit hockey world, and think they can develop raw talent on Delmarva into future stars. “We can help develop the youth along with this too you know we know everything that has to be done.” Richards says.  He’s not just talking the talk either, he and Commissioner Don Kirnan have both been closely involved with the development of talent that has gone on to the NHL.

For now, the plan is in it’s infant stages, both parties have not yet began talks to bring a team to the Civic Center.  A spokesperson for the Civic Center says they are interested in any leagues who want to pitch bringing a team to a new home on Glen Ave.

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Correction: the team in Vermont no longer exists.  There are currently teams in
New Hampshire, New York, Connnecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and New York, along with the inaugural season coming up for the team in Winston-Salem, NC.