Blue Ridge Bobcats
| Blue Ridge Bobcats | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Wytheville, Virginia |
| League | Federal Prospects Hockey League |
| Division | Continental |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Home arena | Hitachi Energy Arena |
| Colors | Blue, gold, black |
| Owner(s) | Apex Drive Holdings LLC (Barry Soskin and Chris Bryniarski) |
| General manager | Jimmy Milliken |
| Head coach | Vojtech Zemlicka |
| Website | blueridgebobcats.com |
The Blue Ridge Bobcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Wytheville, Virginia. They play at the Hitachi Energy Arena and are a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Their inaugural season was the 2023–24 season.[1]
History
[edit]On November 7, 2022, it was announced that the Appalachian Regional Exposition Center (APEX Center) was to host to an expansion Federal Prospects Hockey League team to start in the 2023–24 season and owned by APEX Drive Holdings LLC, which is led by Barry Soskin.[2] On July 27, 2023, the team announced its name, the Blue Ridge Bobcats. Vojtech Zemlicka was named inaugural head coach during the press conference.[3] In December 2023, former President GM of the Carolina Thunderbirds and former VP of Operations of the Binghamton Black Bears, Jimmy Milliken joined the Bobcats as Executive Vice President of Operations.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "News: Wytheville Announces The Blue Ridge Bobcats - Blue Ridge Bobcats". wytheville.federalhockey.com. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ Owens, Charles (November 8, 2022). "Professional hockey coming to Wytheville, Va". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ "News: Introducing Coach Vojtech Zimlicka - Blue Ridge Bobcats". wytheville.federalhockey.com. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ "BOBCATS HIRE MILLIKEN AS EXECUTIVE VP OF OPERATIONS". December 18, 2023.
