STOCKTON, Calif. – The Chicago Express has announced today that they have ceased operations and are withdrawing from the EHCL effective immediately.
The website has posted the following on their webpage.
“Although the Chicago Express are ceasing operations, on behalf of staff and players, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the support we received from the Village of Hoffman Estates, Global Spectrum, our business and community partners, our corporate sponsors, and especially, our fans,” said team owner Craig Drecktrah. “I would also like to thank our ECHL partners and wish good luck to those teams participating in the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs.”
The Express completed their first and only season with a record of 34-26-8-4 for 80 points. They tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference, but were eliminated by the Reading Royals, due to tiebreaker rules.
The players that had ECHL contracts under the Express became unrestricted free agents with the termination of the organization.
The ECHL granted expansion to the San Francisco Bulls and the Orlando Solar Bears, who plan to begin the 2012-13 season. All other current members of the ECHL are planning to continue operations into the next season too.
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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