The 2008–09 Southern Professional Hockey League season was the fifth season of the Southern Professional Hockey League. The regular season began August 24, 2008, and ended April 16, 2009, after a 60-game regular season and a four-team playoff. The Knoxville Ice Bears captured their second consecutive championship.
Preseason The Jacksonville Barracudas franchise was suspended from the season due to lack of a search for a arena. The team would eventually fold.
Teams 2008-09 Southern Professional Hockey League Team City Arena Columbus Cottonmouths Columbus, Georgia Columbus Civic Center Fayetteville FireAntz Fayetteville, North Carolina Cumberland County Crown Coliseum Huntsville Havoc Huntsville, Alabama Von Braun Center Knoxville Ice Bears Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville Civic Coliseum Richmond Renegades Richmond, Virginia Richmond Coliseum Twin City Cyclones Winston-Salem, North Carolina LJVM Coliseum Annex
Map of teams
Regular season
Final standings Team Knoxville Ice Bears‡ 60 35 16 9 216 171 79 Columbus Cottonmouths 60 31 22 7 194 196 69 Fayetteville FireAntz 60 30 25 5 212 224 65 Huntsville Havoc 60 29 24 7 204 197 65 Richmond Renegades 60 30 27 3 215 235 63 Twin City Cyclones 60 25 29 6 208 236 56
‡ William B. Coffey Trophy winners Advanced to playoffs
Attendance Team Total Games Average Huntsville 106,848 30 3,561 Fayetteville 102,637 30 3,421 Knoxville 101,054 30 3,368 Richmond 99,071 30 3,302 Columbus 82,415 30 2,747 Twin City 33,909 30 1,130
President's Cup playoffs
Finals
Awards SPHL Award winners were announced April 23, 2009. President's Cup: Knoxville Ice Bears Coffey Trophy: Knoxville Ice Bears League MVP: Travis Kauffeldt (Huntsville) Rookie of the Year: Michael Richard (Twin City) Defenseman of the Year: Kevin Harris (Knoxville) Goaltender of the Year: Andrew Gallant (Knoxville) Coach of the Year: Scott Hillman (Knoxville) Playoff MVP: Kirk Irving (Knoxville)
All-Star selections
1st Team All-Stars F Travis Kauffeldt (Huntsville) F Donald Melnyk (Twin City) F Kevin Swider (Knoxville) D Kevin Harris (Knoxville) D Dan Vandermeer (Richmond) G Andrew Gallant (Knoxville)
2nd Team All-Stars F Tim Green (Columbus) F Beau McLaughlin (Richmond) F Rob Sich (Fayetteville) D Corey Hessler (Fayetteville) D Lawne Snyder (Fayetteville) G Ian Vigier (Columbus)
Rookie All-Stars F Sam Bowles (Columbus) F Ryan Busby (Richmond) F Michael Richard (Twin City) D Kyle Lundale (Columbus) D Travis Martell (Knoxville) G Ryan Scott (Richmond)
References