Maddox Hockey gave RiverKings hockey fans the opportunity to voice their opinion and that opinion has been heard. At a news conference at the DeSoto Civic Center today, the RiverKings announced that the team will adopt “Mississippi RiverKings” as its new name beginning with the 2007-2008 season.

“Not only does that reflect where we play now, but we feel that it also includes the entire region,” RiverKings Director of Business Operations Dave Mattice said at the news conference. “We think all of the choices have their own unique qualities and would have served the organization well. But, we are excited that the fans chose Mississippi. We think the Mississippi RiverKings is the best possible name for the future of the franchise.”

The team was the “Memphis RiverKings” for the previous 15 seasons of playing hockey in the Mid-South. The RiverKings played their first eight seasons at the Mid South Coliseum in Memphis before moving to the DeSoto Civic Center in 2000. The DCC has been the team’s home for the past seven Central Hockey League seasons.

RiverKings Director of Business Operations Dave Mattice announced the results of the fan voting during the news conference. The choices that fans had to choose from during the almost month-long voting on the RiverKings’ website were to keep the name “Memphis RiverKings” or change to: “DeSoto RiverKings”; “Mid-South RiverKings”; “Mississippi RiverKings”; or “Southaven RiverKings.”

It ended up being a close race between keeping the “Memphis” name and the “Mississippi” option. After the voting ceased on Sunday morning at midnight, a total of 1,667 votes had been registered at riverkings.com. “Mississippi” edged out “Memphis” by 116 votes. “Mississippi” received 813 votes (48.8%) while “Memphis” received 697 votes (41.8%). The complete results are listed below.

Mattice made it clear during the announcement that the name is changing but the team’s records and history will remain intact and a part of the franchise. “This will continue to be the franchise that had the likes of Derek Grant, Dan Brown, Don Parsons, Scott Brower, Doug Shedden and so on write its record book,” Mattice said. “We look forward to continuing that on-ice tradition with the leadership of current Head Coach Kevin McClelland.”

Also, the team’s commitment to being active in the communities of both North Mississippi and Southwest Tennessee will continue. A jersey with the new logo attached was modeled by RiverKings veteran center Louis Dumont at the news conference. For next season, the team’s primary jersey and colors will be the same as last season. The only change is the addition of “Mississippi” to the primary logo.

On hand at the news conference, were political representatives from north Mississippi including District One State Senator Doug E. Davis, Horn Lake Mayor Nat Baker and Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. The Mississippi RiverKings will begin the 16th season of CHL hockey in Mid-South in October. The RiverKings are coming off a season where they finished the regular season with 39 wins, the most since 02-03 and the third most in the franchise’s history. The team also made a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and advanced to the Northern Conference finals before falling to the eventual President’s Cup champion Colorado Eagles.

The on the ice success was accompanied by off the ice success. The team was awarded as the CHL’s “Most Improved Franchise of the Year” for 2006-2007. The attendance at the DCC increased 18% from 2005-2006, the fifth largest increase among all 87 minor pro hockey teams in North America. The team averaged 4700 fans in the final 12 regular season home games.

RIVERKINGS NAME RESULTS

1667 Total Votes
Mississippi RiverKings - 813, 48.8%
Memphis RiverKings - 697, 41.8%
DeSoto RiverKings - 78, 4.7%
Mid South RiverKings - 52, 3.1%
Southaven RiverKings - 27, 1.6%

Makes much more sense. It'd be like if the Gorillas relocated to Tucumcari, NM and kept the name as the "Amarillo Gorillas."

good point.
i actually had forgotten they were in southaven for a minute.

although, it is a better sounding name.