The 2011-2012 version of the Fayetteville FireAntz can be summed up in one word — bigger. The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) enters it’s second decade with more teams, more speed and more opponents.

Kevin MacNaught, team president and general manager, says many factors are responsible for these changes. Several other leagues at higher levels have seen a reduc-tion in the number of teams in their leagues which has increased the talent pool look-ing to play professional hockey. The SPHL has also matured as a league and college and junior players see the SPHL as a viable option to continue their playing careers and try to move to the next level.11-16-11-fireantz.jpg

Sean Gillam, the new head coach, is in his first year in the league, but he has been watching the league for a while and has seen it improve each year. He has seen many players, whom he watched for years as their careers progressed, make it to the SPHL. Five to 10 years ago, players who were capable of playing at a higher level were hesi-tant to come to the SPHL and play for fear they would not be taken seriously at those higher levels. Gillam says that is not the case anymore. Players now feel the SPHL may be their best chance to get noticed and “get their shot” at moving to the next level.

Many players on the roster this year have come from the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and Central Hockey League (CHL) training camps. In fact, several were on rosters in the ECHL or the CHL last year.

Training camp was a little more complex this year as the CHL camps opened the same week the SPHL camps opened. The filter-down of players starts with the National Hockey League (NHL). After the NHL camps break they move players to the American Hockey League (AHL). Then the AHL move play-ers to the ECHL, who in turn start releasing players. It’s at this time that the SPHL and the CHL start hearing from agents, coaches and free-agents. Coaches then have to move fast to secure the best players available.

Gillam, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and went through three NHL training camps, has been there and under-stands how the process works. Having played three years in the AHL and then playing and coaching in the ECHL and CHL has given Coach Gillam many connec-tions. Gillam has worked to assemble a big, hungry team of rookies and experienced players to create an exciting team for the Fayetteville FireAntz and the community.

After three weekends, the FireAntz are hovering around the 500 mark but Gillam said he did not come to Fayetteville to be “average.” He said his team is still coming together with a radically changed roster this year, but expects things to change by Thanksgiving.

The FireAntz have been on the road since the Oct. 29, but return to the Crown Coliseum for a home stand on Nov. 18 and 19. The FireAntz will then have their traditional home game on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, complete with turkey bowling and all of the entertaining trimmings the FireAntz provide for their home games.

Group tickets for all the home games are available by calling the FrieAntz office at 321-0123 and as always kids tickets are just $5 dollars.

Photo: Many players on the roster this year have come from the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and Central Hockey League (CHL) training camps.

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