New London Bees

New London Bees. The New London Bees were a professional ice hockey team based in New London, Connecticut, that competed in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Founded in 2015, the franchise served as a primary tenant of the RoseGarden Ice Arena and was known for its community-focused initiatives during its brief operational history. The team ceased operations in 2017 after two seasons, leaving a mark as one of the early franchises in the evolving landscape of minor league hockey in New England.

History

The franchise was established in 2015 by owner Domenic DiCicco, joining the Federal Prospects Hockey League as part of a league expansion into the Northeastern United States. The team's creation was aimed at reviving professional hockey in the New London area, which had previously been home to teams like the Connecticut Clippers of the Eastern Hockey League. Led by general manager and head coach David MacIsaac, a former player in the United Hockey League and ECAC Hockey, the Bees sought to build a competitive roster while engaging with the local community. Their inaugural season faced challenges typical of a start-up, including building a fan base in a market also served by the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolf Pack and the ECAC Hockey's Connecticut College Camels. Financial difficulties and arena issues ultimately led the organization to suspend operations following the 2016-17 season, with the league terminating the franchise shortly thereafter.

Franchise timeline

* **2015:** The franchise is awarded by the Federal Prospects Hockey League to owner Domenic DiCicco, with David MacIsaac named head coach. The team announces its nickname and begins assembling a roster for its inaugural campaign. * **2016:** The Bees complete their first season, failing to qualify for the FPHL playoffs. During the offseason, the league sees the departure of the Dayton Demolition and the addition of the Elmira Enforcers. * **2017:** The team concludes its second season, again missing the postseason. Following the season, the franchise ceases operations and is dissolved by the Federal Prospects Hockey League, which subsequently expands with the Carolina Thunderbirds.

Season-by-season record

A complete season-by-season record for the franchise, highlighting its performance within the Federal Prospects Hockey League:

* **2015–16:** The inaugural season saw the team finish with a record below .500, placing near the bottom of the league standings. Key players included forwards like Michael Dolman and defenseman John Scorcia, but the squad struggled defensively, allowing one of the highest goals-against totals in the FPHL. * **2016–17:** In their final season, the Bees showed modest improvement but remained non-competitive for a FPHL playoffs berth. The roster experienced significant turnover, with goaltender Joey Spagnoli seeing considerable action. The team played its final game in March 2017 against the Danbury Titans at the RoseGarden Ice Arena.

Notable players

Several players for the Bees had prior professional experience or went on to play in higher-level leagues following their tenure in New London, Connecticut. * **David MacIsaac:** Serving as head coach and general manager, David MacIsaac also occasionally suited up as a defenseman, bringing experience from the United Hockey League and ECAC Hockey. * **John Scorcia:** A defenseman known for his physical play, John Scorcia was a roster mainstay who later played for the Elmira Enforcers in the FPHL. * **Michael Dolman:** An offensive forward, Michael Dolman was among the team's scoring leaders during its first season before moving to other clubs in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. * **Joey Spagnoli:** The primary goaltender during the team's final season, Joey Spagnoli faced a high volume of shots and later continued his career in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Home arenas

The team's sole home venue was the RoseGarden Ice Arena, a multi-purpose facility located in Oakdale, Connecticut. The arena, with a limited seating capacity, presented challenges for generating sufficient revenue and attracting large crowds, factors that contributed to the franchise's financial strain. During the team's existence, the RoseGarden Ice Arena also hosted games for the Connecticut Oilers of the Eastern Hockey League and various amateur tournaments. The facility's location, situated between Hartford and Providence, Rhode Island, placed it in a competitive regional sports market.

Category:Federal Prospects Hockey League teams Category:Sport in New London, Connecticut Category:Defunct ice hockey teams in Connecticut Category:2015 establishments in Connecticut Category:2017 disestablishments in Connecticut