Berkshire Battalion

The Berkshire Battalion were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League that played during the 2014–15 season. Based in North Adams, Massachusetts, the Battalion played at the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink.

Berkshire Battalion
CityNorth Adams, Massachusetts
LeagueFederal Hockey League
Founded2014
Home arenaPeter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink
ColorsFederal blue, scarlet, white
Owner(s)William Dadds
Head coachVacant
MediaThe Berkshire Eagle
WebsiteBerkshire Battalion website
Franchise history
2014–2015Berkshire Battalion
2015–2016Dayton Demolition
Championships
Regular season titles0
Playoff championships0

Its leading scorer was Michael Dolman, with 28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points. Among its prominent players was Vlad Gavrik, who has played for the Ukraine men's national ice hockey team.[1]

Dan Farrell was the Battalion's inaugural coach, but was fired mid-season after 19 games and replaced by general manager and player, Darin Lane, who had also been the rink's manager. Lane was named coach of the year along with the Watertown Wolves head coach, Brent Clarke.[2] Lane was subsequently fired from the rink for embezzling $2,200, but stated his intention to remain as the team's coach and general manager.[3] However, Lane resigned his position on June 18, 2015.[4]

The team began the season owned by the league, but was later purchased by New Jersey businessman and father of one of the players, William Dadds.[5]

On June 26, 2015, Dadds announced that he intended to relocate the team from North Adams before the 2015–16 season after lease negotiations for the ice rink fell through. The city administration asked the team to only play a maximum of three Friday night games next season and repay all current debts prior to any lease being signed by the city but Dadds decided that the demands were unreasonable.[6] On July 15, he announced via his Facebook page that he was moving the team to Dayton, Ohio to replace the Dayton Demonz. This was confirmed the next day when the Port Huron Prowlers, an expansion team, announced that it had acquired the Demonz's protected players.[7] The team lasted for a single season more as the Dayton Demolition, folding when the Hara Arena closed.

Season-by-season record
SeasonGPWLOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
2014–155525273762482435th of 6 FHLDid not qualify


References
  1. "Berkshires Gavrik represents Ukraine at 2015 Ice Hockey World Championship in Poland". Federal Hockey League. April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  2. "FHL announces 2014-15 Awards". FHL. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  3. Shanks, Adam (April 15, 2015). "North Adams fires manager who took $2,200 from skating rink". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  4. "Darin Lane resigns as Berkshire Battalion hockey coach, GM". The Berkshire Eagle. June 18, 2015.
  5. Sprague, Matthew (March 14, 2015). "Hockey strong in Berkshires, but there are still issues to face". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  6. "Berkshire Battalion owner: Hockey team will leave North Adams". The Berkshire Eagle. June 26, 2015.
  7. "Prowlers Release 2015-16 Protected List". Port Huron Prowlers. July 16, 2015. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015.
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