Mentor Ice Breakers Explained

The Mentor Ice Breakers were a professional ice hockey team based in Mentor, Ohio. The team was a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and played at Mentor Civic Arena.

History

On July 23, 2018, the Federal Hockey League (FHL) announced an expansion team Mentor, Ohio, which brought the FHL back to six teams after two teams from the previous season folded and the addition of another expansion team in Elmira, New York.[1] Dan Moon and Chris Bryniarski, who were stated to be the team's owners, also revealed the team's name, the Mentor Ice Breakers, and inaugural schedule.[2] The team also initially announced that Joe Pace Sr. had been hired as head coach, coming from the same position with the Port Huron Prowlers,[3] however, by August 9 he had been replaced by Iain Duncan[4] and Cary Ross was listed as the ownership's managing partner.[5] [6] The Ice Breakers finished with a 18–35–5, tied for last in the league in points, and failed to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.

Prior to the 2019–20 season, the league fully rebranded to Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Nick Russo took over as director of hockey operations in the offseason.[7] The Ice Breakers started the season decently, going 12–12 by the end of 2019, but lost several players to trades and call-ups to the Southern Professional Hockey League. Head coach Duncan was then fired on February 22, 2020, following a ten-game losing streak and disagreeing with the management for trading away so many of his players.[8] He was replaced by interim head coach Sebastian Ragno[9] who was named the permanent replacement after the season ended.[10]

The 2019–20 season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 16, 2020, the Ice Breakers announced it had permanently ceased operations due to the pandemic-related operating restrictions in Ohio.[11] [12]

Season-by-season results

Season !Finish Playoffs
2018–19[13] 58 17 35 1 5 58 .333 203 280 1595 5th of 6, FHL Did not qualify
2019–20[14] 48 15 30 0 3 48 .333 147 196 831 4th of 5, Eastern Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FHL Expands to Mentor, Ohio . OurSportsCentral.com . July 23, 2018.
  2. Web site: Mentor Ice Breakers pro hockey team to play at Mentor Ice Arena . . July 23, 2018.
  3. Web site: Mentor Ice Breakers: Ohio's newest pro hockey team . . July 23, 2018.
  4. Web site: ICE BREAKERS ANNOUNCE COACHING CHANGE . FHL . August 9, 2018.
  5. Web site: Former NHL player Iain Duncan of Avon Lake excited to lead Mentor Ice Breakers . The News-Herald . September 12, 2018.
  6. Web site: Staff - Mentor Ice Breakers . MentorIceBreakers.com . September 12, 2018.
  7. Web site: Ice Breakers hire veteran coach Nick Russo as Director of Hockey Operations . The News-Herald . July 13, 2019.
  8. Web site: Ice Breakers fire Coach Iain Duncan and then lose 11th straight game . The Morning Journal . February 22, 2020.
  9. Web site: RAGNO NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH . Mentor Ice Breakers . February 23, 2020.
  10. Web site: INTERIM TAG LIFTED, RAGNO NAMED HEAD COACH . Ice Breakers . April 14, 2020.
  11. Web site: MENTOR ICE BREAKERS TO CEASE OPERATIONS . Mentor Ice Breakers . November 16, 2020.
  12. Web site: Mentor Ice Breakers fold after two seasons . The Morning Journal . November 16, 2020.
  13. Web site: 2018–19 FPHL standings . November 17, 2020 . FPHL.
  14. Web site: 2019–20 FPHL standings . November 17, 2020 . FPHL.

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