Savannah Ghost Pirates

Savannah Ghost Pirates
CitySavannah, Georgia
LeagueECHL
ConferenceEastern
DivisionSouth
Founded2022
Home arenaEnmarket Arena
ColorsBlack, white, green
     
MascotDavy
Owner(s)Andy Kaufman
Head coachJared Staal
AffiliatesFlorida Panthers (NHL)
Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Websiteghostpirateshockey.com
Franchise history
2022–presentSavannah Ghost Pirates
Current season

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Savannah, Georgia. The team began play in the 2022–23 ECHL season with home games at Enmarket Arena.

History

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In January 2021, the city of Savannah, Georgia, was reported to have come to an agreement with the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen majority owner Andy Kaufmann to place an expansion team in the new Savannah Arena for the 2022–23 season.[1] The team was the first tenant announced for Enmarket Arena, which was planned to be completed in January 2022.[2] The ECHL approved the membership of the expansion team on January 27, 2021, to begin play in the 2022–23 season.[3] On October 27, 2021, the team name was announced as the Savannah Ghost Pirates.[4]

On May 19, 2022, the Ghost Pirates announced a one-year affiliation for the 2022–23 season with the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. Additionally, former NHL player and Union Dutchmen head coach Rick Bennett was announced as Savannah's first head coach.[5] The team was placed in the South Division with the Atlanta Gladiators, Florida Everblades, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Jacksonville Icemen, Orlando Solar Bears, and the South Carolina Stingrays.[6]

On June 17, 2024, Ghost Pirates announced an affiliation agreement with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.[7]

Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Regular season Playoffs
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA PIM Standing Year 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2022–23 72 28 34 9 1 66 207 258 928 7th, South 2023 did not qualify
2023–24 72 30 34 7 1 68 218 243 928 6th, South 2024 did not qualify

References

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  1. ^ "Minor league ice hockey coming to Savannah's new arena". Savannah Morning News. January 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Construction of New $165 Million Georgia Arena on Track". U.S. News & World Report. November 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "ECHL Approves Expansion Membership For Savannah". ECHL. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "Updated: Savannah Ghost Pirates unveiled as the name of Enmarket Arena's pro hockey team". Savannah Morning News. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  5. ^ "VGK Announce ECHL Affiliation Relationship With Savannah Ghost Pirates". NHL.com. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "Savannah Ghost Pirates drops inaugural game schedule". wsav.com. May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  7. ^ "Ghost Pirates announce affiliation with Florida Panthers and Charlotte Checkers". Savannah Ghost Pirates. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
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