SPHL Peoria Rivermen/Bloomington Thunder owners tout Blackhawks partnership

[hisgirlfriday]

Blackhawks push presence with Peoria Rivermen

By Dave Eminian
of the Journal Star
Posted Dec. 10, 2013 @ 9:48 pm

PEORIA — The NHL is back in central Illinois.

Sort of.

Illinois Pro Sports, the five-man group that owns the Peoria Rivermen and Bloomington Thunder in the SPHL, has finalized a business partnership with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks want to push their presence in a central Illinois market abandoned by the St. Louis Blues when the latter sold the AHL Rivermen and ended a nearly 30-year relationship last spring.

"This is an exciting day for the Peoria and Bloomington organizations," Rivermen co-owner Bart Rogers said. "We're thrilled to partner with such a strong brand and successful organization.

"I think the Blackhawks value the central Illinois market. They never came into it in the past because the Blues were here. But they know our tradition in Peoria, know the fanbase is passionate, and they see great value in us."

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[Cyclones Rock]

Seems like a marketing coup for the new SPHL teams.

Congrats to the ownership for making this happen

 

[hisgirlfriday]

Probably doesn't hurt their relations with the Blackhawks that Eddie Olczyk Jr. plays for the Bloomington Thunder.

Edzo has given them and the SPHL shoutouts during several Hawks broadcasts this year.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Makes sense. Know plenty of Peoria fans the are beyond livid at the Blues for selling the AHL Rivermen to the Nucks when it was obvious that they wanted to move the team.

Probably view this as a chance to completely dominate the hockey market share down here rather than share it like is the case for the Cubs/Cards and Bears/Rams.