Mentor Ice Breakers

The Mentor Ice Breakers are a professional ice hockey team based in Mentor, Ohio. The team is a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League and plays at Mentor Civic Arena.

Mentor Ice Breakers
CityMentor, Ohio
LeagueFederal Prospects Hockey League
Founded2018
Home arenaMentor Civic Arena
Owner(s)Hockey Unlimited
Head coachSebastian Ragno
WebsiteMentorIceBreakers.com
Franchise history
2018–presentMentor Ice Breakers

History

On July 23, 2018, the Federal Hockey League (FHL) announced an expansion team Mentor, Ohio, which brought the FHL back to six teams after two teams from the previous season folded and the addition of another expansion team in Elmira, New York.[1] Dan Moon and Chris Bryniarski, who were stated to be the team's owners, also revealed the team's name, the Mentor Ice Breakers, and inaugural schedule.[2] The team also initially announced that Joe Pace Sr. had been hired as head coach, coming from the same position with the Port Huron Prowlers,[3] however, by August 9 he had been replaced by Iain Duncan[4] and Cary Ross was listed as the ownership's managing partner.[5][6] The Ice Breakers finished with a 18–35–5, tied for last in the league in points, and failed to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.

Prior to the 2019–20 season, the league fully rebranded to Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Nick Russo took over as director of hockey operations in the offseason.[7] The Ice Breakers started the season decently, going 12–12 by the end of 2019, but lost several players to trades and call-ups to the Southern Professional Hockey League. Head coach Duncan was then fired on February 22, 2020, following a ten-game losing streak and disagreeing with the management for trading away so many of his players.[8] He was replaced by interim head coach Sebastian Ragno[9] who was named the permanent replacement after the season ended.[10]

References
  1. "FHL Expands to Mentor, Ohio". OurSportsCentral.com. July 23, 2018.
  2. "Mentor Ice Breakers pro hockey team to play at Mentor Ice Arena". The Morning Journal. July 23, 2018.
  3. "Mentor Ice Breakers: Ohio's newest pro hockey team". WOIO. July 23, 2018.
  4. "ICE BREAKERS ANNOUNCE COACHING CHANGE". FHL. August 9, 2018.
  5. "Former NHL player Iain Duncan of Avon Lake excited to lead Mentor Ice Breakers". The News-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  6. "Staff - Mentor Ice Breakers". MentorIceBreakers.com. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  7. "Ice Breakers hire veteran coach Nick Russo as Director of Hockey Operations". The News-Herald. July 13, 2019.
  8. "Ice Breakers fire Coach Iain Duncan and then lose 11th straight game". The Morning Journal. February 22, 2020.
  9. "RAGNO NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH". Mentor Ice Breakers. February 23, 2020.
  10. "INTERIM TAG LIFTED, RAGNO NAMED HEAD COACH". Ice Breakers. April 14, 2020.
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