Central Illinois Flying Aces

The Central Illinois Flying Aces were a Tier I junior hockey team that played as a member of the United States Hockey League. Based in Bloomington, Illinois, the Flying Aces played their home games at the Grossinger Motors Arena, located in downtown Bloomington.

Central Illinois Flying Aces
CityBloomington, Illinois
LeagueUnited States Hockey League
Founded2014
Home arenaGrossinger Motors Arena
ColorsRed, navy, light blue, white
       
Owner(s)CSH International Inc.
General managerMike Watt
Head coachMike Watt
MediaWJBC-FM (93.7 FM)
Franchise history
2014–2017Bloomington Thunder
2017–2019Central Illinois Flying Aces

History

From 2006 to 2014, Bloomington was home to various minor league professional hockey teams in the International Hockey League (IHL), Central Hockey League (CHL) and then the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The SPHL's Bloomington Thunder folded in April 2014 when new owners obtained the expansion rights to a Tier I junior team in the United States Hockey League.[1] The new Bloomington USHL team obtained the rights to the name from the previous teams and became the Bloomington Thunder.[2] Initially they kept the SPHL team's logo but rolled out a new logo and color scheme at the USHL Draft.

In 2017, the team rebranded and became the Central Illinois Flying Aces.[3] On February 28, 2019, the Flying Aces announced they will suspend operations for at least the 2019–20 season.[4]

Logo history
  • Bloomington Thunder primary logo
  • Bloomington Thunder alternate logo

See also

References
  1. "USHL Approves Expansion to Bloomington, Illinois". USHL. April 4, 2014.
  2. "USHL conditionally accepts Bloomington team". The Pantagraph. April 1, 2014.
  3. "It's Official: Thunder Hockey Team Becomes Flying Aces". WGLT. August 24, 2017.
  4. "Statement on Central Illinois Flying Aces". USHL. February 28, 2019.
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