The Fresno Falcons are set to return to Selland Arena after folding in 2008.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer announced the return of minor league hockey on Wednesday.
The backstory: The Falcons have played in several leagues throughout their history, dating back to the Pacific Coast Hockey League in 1946 when the club was originally the Flyers.
- The team played as the Aces during the 1968-1969 season and has held the Falcons moniker ever since.
- In 1995, the Falcons became a charter member of the professional West Coast Hockey League and joined the ECHL in 2003 when the leagues merged. That led to the Falcons being an affiliate for the San Jose Sharks from 2004 to 2008 and the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2008-2009 season.
- The team folded in December 2008 due to financial issues.
What we’re watching: The Falcons will relaunch as part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL), an independent professional minor league.
- While the league currently does not have any teams west of Topeka Kansas, an Oceanside-based team is slated to join the league alongside the Falcons. League officials said during a press conference that the league could also expand to Stockton as it aims to grow from 18 scheduled teams in 2026 to 30.
- The Falcons will open their 28-game schedule in October and will make their return to Selland Arena, where they played for decades. The team has a five-year deal with the FPHL.
What they’re saying: “Having the Fresno Falcons right here at Selland Arena with a 28-home-game schedule – it’s something that should excite everyone in Fresno, as I know it does me,” Dyer said.
Zoom in: Visit Fresno County is helping to make the return of the Falcons possible by committing $700,000 to install a new scoreboard in Selland Arena.
The post Professional hockey returning to Fresno with the Falcons resurrect appeared first on The San Joaquin Valley Sun.
