Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel announced today that the Evansville IceMen have been selected to be the home hockey team for the new Evansville Arena. The IceMen, who play in the Central Hockey League (CHL), were chosen after a lengthy and deliberate process in which they were competing against teams from the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the U.S. Hockey League (USHL).

“The selection of the IceMen is a significant step forward for the new Evansville Arena. We anticipate that hockey will boost overall event and attendance numbers at the arena and it will bring more than 100,000 people to downtown Evansville each year,” said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. “The IceMen already have a loyal fan base and we look forward to seeing that grow as they begin play in the arena next year.”

A Request for Proposals (RFP) for a home hockey team for the arena was issued in August. The three leagues that responded to the RFP were asked to make presentations to the hockey subcommittee of the Evansville Arena Project Committee. A series of follow-up questions were then sent to each league.

“We were very impressed with the presentations from all of the leagues. Each demonstrated a desire to have Evansville as part of their organizations, but in the end we felt that the IceMen would be the best fit for the new Evansville Arena and our community. The subcommittee also recognizes what the IceMen have done to improve their level of play with their move to the CHL and their commitment as an organization overall,” said Brian Williams, chairman of the hockey subcommittee.

The hockey subcommittee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission, which will have final approval.

The new Evansville Arena will feature a floor that accommodates a full regulation size ice sheet as well as two locker rooms specifically configured for hockey teams. The multi-purpose arena, which will be the region’s center for sports and entertainment, will open its doors in November 2011.