Macon Mayhem

The Macon Mayhem is an SPHL team based in Macon, Georgia that plays in the Macon Coliseum. The team was formerly the Augusta RiverHawks, which suspended operations for the 2013–14 season due to an ice-system failure at James Brown Arena.

Macon Mayhem
CityMacon, Georgia
LeagueSPHL
Founded2010
Home arenaMacon Coliseum
ColorsNavy, red, white
     
Owner(s)Georgia Pro Sports Ventures, LLC
Head coachNick Niedert
MediaThe Telegraph
WMAZ-TV
WMGT-TV
Franchise history
2010–2013Augusta RiverHawks
2015–presentMacon Mayhem
Championships
Regular season titles2 (2016–17, 2020–21[1])
Playoff championships1 (2017)
Current season

History

The franchise originally played in Augusta, Georgia, as the Augusta RiverHawks from 2010 to 2013. Talks of relocation began in October 2013, when the RiverHawks, the city of Augusta, and Global Spectrum failed to reach an agreement on replacing the James Brown Arena's ice system at a cost of $1.2 million; additionally, the team, city officials and arena officials could not reach a settlement regarding the eight home games lost due to the ice system's failure. Team owner Bob Kerzner had not initially considered relocating to Macon; however Macon Centreplex officials had contacted the league, showing interest in bringing a team, either by expansion or relocation, to Macon. On June 17, 2014, the Macon-Bibb Commission approved a five-year deal for the RiverHawks in the Coliseum. On June 25, the RiverHawks made their move to Macon official, unveiling their new name, colors, and logo. The team did not take to the ice until the 2015–16 SPHL season to allow the team to establish its business relations and fanbase in central Georgia. On February 4, 2015, Kevin Kerr was hired as the director of hockey operations and head coach of the Mayhem.[2][3]

In the Mayhem's second season, the team clinched the President's Cup, sweeping the Peoria Rivermen 2–0 in the championship series.[4]

After the team's third season, head coach Kevin Kerr was hired by the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL as head coach. The Mayhem then promoted assistant coach Leo Thomas as head coach for the 2018–19 season.[5] Under Thomas, the Mayhem went 27–24–5 and lost in the first round of the playoffs in the 2018–19 season. After a 2–6–2 start to the 2019–20 season, the Mayhem released Thomas and assistant coach Ryan Michel took over.[6][7]

On January 28, 2020, team officials renewed their lease with the Macon Coliseum for another five years.[8] However, the season was then curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in March. After Kerr was released by Greenville, he returned as the head coach of Macon in July 2020.[9] Team owner Bob Kerzner then sold the team to a local ownership group, Georgia Pro Sports Ventures, LLC in August 2020.[10] Kerr coached the team through the 2020–21 season and a regular season championship with a 32–6–4 record before resigning again due to personal and family reasons.[11]

In August 2021, the Mayhem named Tulsa Oilers' assistant coach Zac Desjardins as the head coach for its 2021–22 season.[12][13]

References
  1. "MAYHEM SECURE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP WITH WIN OVER FLYERS". Macon Mayhem. April 17, 2021.
  2. Seibel, Ron. "Macon Mayhem to hit ice in 2015". The Telegraph. Macon. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  3. "SPHL Approves RiverHawks' Move To Macon, GA For 2015-2016 Season". The SPHL. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  4. Harrison, Brad. "Raising Mayhem: Macon brings home SPHL title". The Telegraph. Macon. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  5. "Mayhem make history by announcing Leo Thomas as head coach". WGXA. May 23, 2018.
  6. "Mayhem Part Ways with Head Coach Leo Thomas". OurSports Central. November 19, 2019.
  7. "Mayhem Officially Name Ryan Michel Head Coach". OurSports Central. December 20, 2019.
  8. "Spectra and Mayhem Announce Five-Year Extension to Host Home Games at the Macon Coliseum". Southern Professional Hockey League. January 28, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  9. "Coach Kevin Kerr back with Macon Mayhem". WMGT-TV. July 20, 2020.
  10. "Macon Mayhem Sold to Local Ownership Group". The Sin Bin. August 2, 2020.
  11. "Head Coach Kevin Kerr Steps Down". OurSports Central. August 9, 2021.
  12. "Mayhem Tab Zac Desjardins as Head Coach". OurSports Central. August 31, 2021.
  13. "Mayhem skate into new season with new players, new coach". WGXA. October 29, 2021.
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