Professional Hockey in Mississippi

 

 

Dear Dartmouth Brethren,

An effort is underway to bring back the Mississippi SeaWolves professional hockey team (ECHL) to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As many of you know, I have become involved in this effort with a major push since that nasty lady (Katrina) wiped out our 2005-06 season and rendered the Coast Coliseum (by report of the Director) unavailable for the 2006-07 season. A commitment to suspend operations for two years and then return is not a simple undertaking but the ownership made the commitment and has publicly stated that no revenue will be taken out of the team for the first two years. This event (Sea Wolves Celebration Night on Sept. 5 th, 2006 at Mississippi Coast Coliseum) will raise money to start re-equipping the office and team needs - everything was washed away in the storm and not insured.

Bruce Boudreau was our first coach and took the team to the Kelly Cup in 1999. Bob Woods was a defenseman on that team, assistant coach, became head coach, and then left prior to Katrina to be Bruce's assistant at Hershey (AHL). If you follow hockey, Hershey won the Calder Cup this year. Our current coach, Steffon Walby, was Bob's assistant and was a member with Bob when they won the Calder Cup at Hershey when both were in the AHL. Small world but shows that we have a tradition to uphold and not let die.

Not sure why I am sending this to you but maybe it will give you a flavor for the adversity we continue to face on the Mississippi Gulf Coast . Hockey in September in Mississippi is a strange phenomenon but there are over 900 season ticket holders still on our rolls in anticipation of the 2007-08 season. If you want to send a donation (not tax-deductible since the team is not a non-profit), feel free to do so. If you send funds, make the check payable to Wolf Pack LLC and send to me at P.O.Box 1877 , Ocean Springs , MS 39566 .. One of the things that happens when you are faced with the situations we have over the past year is that you lose your bashfulness in asking for help. I can assure you this cause is one that the residents of this area will enjoy in the future and enthusiastically support our team.

At the risk of boring you, I'll keep you informed of what is happening on the coast both with the team and the area. We are presently tearing down more than we are building but those empty spaces have started to be filled. Come on down and visit if you are so inclined. Seeing this area is impressive and not appreciated from any media format you might encounter. Kathy and I will provide a warm welcome to our home (intact by the way) and guide you so you can relate to your friends what the nasty lady hath done. As I mentioned to some in the class, my hope is that in a few years, our class will stage a mini-reunion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (we are now at four casinos open and have four about ready to come back on line - the Beau Rivage re-opens on August 29, 2006 - one year to the day) so you can see the recovery and enjoy the many benefits we offer.

F. J. (aka Duck)