LAFAYETTE, LA – In 1995, ice hockey fever plagued the most unlikely of places – Cajun Country. For the next decade, “The Chomp” of 2,507,496 fans echoed through the swamplands of Southwestern Louisiana for one of the most successful minor league sports franchises in history, the Louisiana IceGators of the East Coast Hockey League. The numbers were staggering: 475 wins, 2,643 goals, four ECHL attendance records, four capacity crowds in the 11,000-plus seat Cajundome. Seven division titles.
Then in 2005, the fever broke, the Frozen Swamp thawed and the franchise 
closed its’ doors on some of the most passionate fans ever known.
In 2009, Lafayette entrepreneur Danny Smith announced he would be reopening the IceGators’ franchise, giving the community a reason to take their beloved jerseys off the wall and wear them once again. This time, however, the IceGators would play as a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League instead of returning to the ECHL. In addition, the team would play in the older Blackham Coliseum instead of returning to its original home at the Cajundome.
Many wondered why Smith chose the SPHL and the Blackham over the league and building that the fans were familiar with. His answer was simple: better financial stability.
“The timing seemed right and the Blackham finally became available. The SPHL provides a better business model combined with reduced building costs. The downside risk was less than at any time before,” Smith said. “The first time money and effort put into the installation of the rink was substantial. The proudest moment, however, was when we had the arena ready for opening night. My father performed miracles to make that happen.”
Uncertain of what to expect on opening night, old and new fans poured into the Blackham Coliseum to find old IceGators memories plastered over the newly installed jumbo video screen. With a new found passion, the fans were ready to watch the new IceGators pick up where the old IceGators left off. Unfortunately that night, Louisiana was outplayed and out-disciplined, leaving fans scratching their heads wondering what the rest of the season would have in store for them. Four coaches, two general managers and numerous player transactions later, the IceGators ended the season one point shy of qualifying for the SPHL playoffs.
“The most disappointing moment probably was falling one point shy of the playoffs after a great stretch run. There were so many games you could point to where we should have gotten another point,” Smith said. “Parts of the season were very difficult. Then there was the up-hill climb created by poor personnel decisions on my part.”
The IceGators were at the bottom of the SPHL in terms of attendance levels for the 2009-2010 season with a total of 54,779 fans attending their 28 home games. On average, there were 1,956 people at each game. Smith attributed the low numbers to a myriad of factors.
“I think the average attendance was probably disappointing to everyone,” he said. “It would be great to know the effect the on-ice performance, building conditions, economy and ECHL comparisons played on the ticket sales.”
By the end of the season, fans were divided into two factions: those who believed the revamping of the franchise was a failure and those who believed it was a success. The common argument from the disappointed fans was that the essence of the original IceGators was never fully revitalized because the venue was different and the talent among the players was lacking tremendously compared to previous seasons.
“Initially, I was excited to have the IceGators return but as the season went on, I became very upset,” local fan Jordan Attales said. “They have a long way to go to be anything close to what their predecessors were.”
On the other side of the argument, fans were happy to have the IceGators return despite their record and where the games were played.
“It felt very awkward not having hockey in Lafayette. It was very sad to see the IceGators leave after all the success they had,” fan Brandon Broussard said. “I’m glad they are back and hope they are around for a long time. It doesn’t matter if they play in the Blackham Coliseum or the Cajundome because the IceGators are back.”
The positive vibes were felt by the players who had the opportunity to stay in Lafayette all season. Tobias Karlsson, one of those few who went start to finish in an IceGators uniform, was duly impressed with the response from the community.
“I feel that Danny brought back the IceGators. It didn’t matter if it was in the Blackham or in the Cajundome,” Karlsson said.
Following the 2009-2010 season, rumors about the IceGators returning to the Cajundome for year two began circulating. In mid-August, Smith announced that he had sold the franchise to local businessman Chuck Anselmo Jr. and his son.
In the process of transferring ownership, Smith had one last gift for the IceGators’ faithful – he helped ink a deal allowing the team to play in the Cajundome starting with the 2010-2011 season. Smith worked long hours to secure terms that would be financially possible to accomplish. The terms of the new agreement included a $125,000 deposit which would cover all losses that the Cajundome would endure if the IceGators chose to cancel the contract due to low attendance levels. In addition, to the deposit, the new owners agreed to spend $324,000 to modify the ‘Dome to be suitable for the upcoming season.
While the ownership and building changes were going on, head coach Dave MacIsaac had begun to revamp the playing roster into one that would be competitive from the get go. MacIsaac shocked the fans by announcing his first signing was going to be Shawn McNeil, a member of the ECHL IceGators and a fan favorite. The other two veteran spots (more than 224 pro games played) will be filled by last year’s leading scorer Trevor Karasiewicz and veteran forward Ryan Fultz. MacIsaac continued his work by signing a mix of returning players and acquiring others such as former Huntsville enforcer/scorer Dennis Sicard through trades.
The roster moves have energized the fans for the upcoming season, regardless of how they felt at the end of last season. The excitement has even reached into the halls of the Lafayette Consolidated Government offices.
“We have heard that many people are excited and hope the interest builds to what it once was in Lafayette,” Councilman William Theriot said.
Despite the buzz, some fans are still worried that the franchise may close if the team does not improve in several ways this season. Smith, now looking at things from the outside, admits that the Anselmos have a tough road to travel but thinks that they are prepared to do what is necessary to keep the IceGators going.
“It’s not [going to be] easy. I believe the current owners are aware of the task before them,” he said. “If they make the necessary investment of money and allow the franchise to grow, it can certainly be a sustainable product.”
With the energy produced by the numerous changes off the ice and the promising roster being built by MacIsaac, IceGators fans are now impatiently awaiting the upcoming season, hopeful that 2010-2011 will be the season that their beloved IceGators regain the fearsome chomp of years past. If that happens, they may just see something that the old IceGators never could produce: a parade celebrating a championship season.
Ryan Bonin is co-author of the “Frozen Chomp” blog.
Contact the author at ryan.bonin@prohockeynews.com
