NAHL announces relocation of Rio Grande Valley to Aston, PA
June 9, 2015
In the continuing move to the east, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) along with Texas Sports Partners, LLC (TSP) is pleased to announce that the NAHL Board of Governors has approved the relocation of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees to Aston, Pennsylvania becoming the Aston Rebels starting with the 2015-16 season.
“While is not without regret that we are leaving the Rio Grande Valley and the South Division, it is with great excitement that we embrace this opportunity to be part of the new Eastern Division of the NAHL,” stated Ken Dennis, Managing Director of TSP.
The Rebels will be coached by Joe Coombs with Rocky Russo becoming the team’s Director of Player Development. TSP’s principals Ken Dennis and Mike Woodley will continue in their current capacity, with John Giacobbo taking control of day to day operations in Philadelphia.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to expand hockey in the Philadelphia suburbs” stated Giacobbo. “This area has a strong commitment to the sport and this is another example of bringing a quality and competitive team to the region”.
“In their time in Rio Grande Valley, the Killer Bees put together a team that had success on the ice and advancing players to the next level and that is something that we expect to continue in Aston,” said NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “Aston inherits a team that has quality coaching and committed ownership. The relocation provides the team with the best option to be successful on and off the ice moving forward in a quality venue with enhanced access to scouts and a deep player pool.”
The Rebels will be having an open tryout camp July 24-26 at the Tam-O-Shanter arena in Sylvania, OH while the main camp will be August 5-9 at Ice Works in Aston, PA. Additional information regarding the camps, ticket information and more will be forthcoming.
IceWorks Twin Rinks of Aston opened its doors to the public in October of 1997. The building consisted of two ice surfaces, a full-service restaurant, full-service pro shop, arcade, and banquet/party rooms. Since opening, IceWorks has been busy with games from local school teams, in-house teams and the Philadelphia Little Flyers of the NAPHL. IceWorks is the only public rink in the United States or Canada that has a professional coaching staff. In the fall of 2001, the IceWorks Skating Complex opened two more ice rinks to accommodate more hockey teams and figure skaters.
