History
The first IIHL game was played in December 2003 at Polar Bear Arena in Harbor Springs, Michigan. It featured the Northern Michigan Predators and Lansing Ice Nuts (the Ice Nuts won 3-2). Former National Hockey League (NHL) star Craig Coxe was the coach for the Predators. He went on to manage the rink in Harbor Springs after the IIHL ended.
Another former NHL star, Darren Banks, was general manager and head coach of the Motor City Snipers and obtained a lease at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The team was owned by Kilbreath, but discontinued after a few games because of unpaid bills.
The Soo City Mavericks played out of the historic Pullar Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Shane W. Kelley owned the team and was general manager and head coach. Jason Rapcewicz was his associate coach.
The Ohio Valley Ice Cats played out of Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio, on the campus of Ohio University. Their first general manager/head coach resigned after fewer than a dozen players showed up for training camp and the original ownership group from Florida never paid franchise fees or league fees. The league named a college student to help the team captain manage the Ice Cats while seeking a new owner. None was found.
The Lansing Ice Nuts played at Michigan State University's Munn Ice Arena. Because they operated a no-alcohol policy, they never drew more than 350 fans to a game, but the ban on drinking by players produced the IIHL's best club. General manager and head coach Chris Blaisius resigned after a New Year's Eve game after his and the players' payroll checks bounced and Kilbreath failed to pay bills with the rink and team hotel. The Ice Nuts were on a tally of 11-0 at the time.
Read more about this topic: International Independent Hockey League
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