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* Forward [[Ned Cod]]; retired from the Pilots in 1998 saying, "I can't do it anymore, I just can't play this stupid, pointless, boring game anymore."{{fact}}
→Former players
[[Image:PensacolaIcePilotsLogo.png|right]]
The '''Pensacola Ice Pilots''' are a defunct minor league [[Wikipedia:ice hockey|ice hockey]] team located in [[Pensacola, Florida]].
The Ice Pilots were formerly the [[Wikipedia:Nashville Knights|Nashville Knights]] but moved to Pensacola following the 1995-1996 season. The team is was owned by Henley Sports, Inc., headed by [[Mario Forgione]], and was previously affiliated with the [[Wikipedia:Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto Maple Leafs]] until [[July 10]], [[2006]]. Three weeks later, on [[July 31]] [[2006]], the team announced a new affiliation with the [[Wikipedia:New York Islanders|New York Islanders]] and its [[Wikipedia:American Hockey League|AHL]] partner, the [[Wikipedia:Bridgeport Sound Tigers|Bridgeport Sound Tigers]].
The home of the Pensacola Ice Pilots is was the [[Pensacola Civic Center]], which is referred to as "The Hangar", and has a capacity of 8,150.
The team announced on [[March 26]], [[2007]] that [[Escambia County]] had agreed to release them from the final year of their lease in the [[Pensacola Civic Center]], and as such that the team would not return for the 2007-08 season. After renewed negotiations, an agreement was reached on [[April 12]], [[2007]] to keep the team in Pensacola for at least next season. Negotiations for a longer-term deal are were reportedly underway.
On [[June 23]], [[2008]], the ECHL terminated the Ice Pilots' membership in the league, citing the owners' decision not to field a team for the 2008-09 season as grounds for termination. Team management is was reportedly investigating the possibility of joining a less expensive league, like the CHS or the SPHL.<ref>"Hockey comes to a halt in Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', June 24, 2008.</ref>
==Notable achievements==
* [[George Dupont]] (2006; over two seasons)
* [[Joe Clark (hockey coach)|Joe Clark]] (2006-2007)
* [[John Marks]] (2007-present2008)
==2007/08 roster==
==Former players==
* Forward [[Glen Metropolit]] went on to play in the [[Wikipedia:National Hockey League|National Hockey League]] for the [[Wikipedia:Washington Capitals|Washington Capitals]]. He is currently with , the [[Wikipedia:St. Louis Blues (hockey)|St. Louis Blues]]. Boston Bruins, and currently with the Montreal Canadians.
* Forward Ryan Craig played 5 games with the Ice Pilots before going on to play for the NHL ([[Wikipedia:Tampa Bay Lightning|Tampa Bay Lightning]]).
==External links==
* [http://www.allsports.com/echl/icepilots/index.html Pensacola Ice Pilots Booster Club]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/9775/ Pilot Pride: An Unofficial Fan Site]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHL ECHL info site]
==References==
