Officials announce new hockey team for Evansville arena

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Evansville officials have announced that a new hockey team will move into the Ford Center next season to replace the departing Evansville Icemen.

Officials announced Monday that local businessman Mike Hall is investing to bring a new Southern Professional Hockey League team to the Evansville arena. The Evansville Courier & Press (http://bit.ly/1SFFEtr ) reports the lease was officially offered Monday.

The ECHL's IceMen franchise said last month that they've signed contracts to move to nearby Owensboro, Kentucky, for the 2016-17 season. Negotiations broke down between Evansville officials and the IceMen on a new lease agreement to keep the ECHL team at the Ford Center.

Hall plans to hold a public contest to determine the new team's name.

___

Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com