The Topeka Capitals will be heading to a new city to play their 2015-2016 season. The team will be hitting the ice in Sandy Springs, Georgia at the Center Ice Arena. The move comes after issues with negotiating a new lease for the team. Team owner Don Stone had to make a decision in order to meet a deadline set by the league.
“While it was ideal to keep the team in Topeka, we had to make a decision on where the team would play,” said team owner Don Stone, II. “I truly believe that the Sandy Springs community will be a great location for the Capitals. The facilities we will play in are great, and I believe the city is very appealing to many junior hockey players.”
Center Ice Arena is a 36,000 square foot facility equipped with two new full size Junior Hockey dressing rooms, overhead four-sided scoreboard and fully sized to accommodate over 1,000 fans. “This building was built for junior hockey and we are excited to see this place in full swing with a great atmosphere this fall,” stated Head Coach Anthony Bohn.
The team will be the Atlanta Capitals and will continue to be led by Head Coach Anthony Bohn, Assistant Coach Ryan Terrana and a new addition, Assistant Coach Vinny Bohn. The Topeka Capitals posted an impressive 63 wins in two seasons in Topeka. The team was the South Division Champions in their first season, and made a playoff run this past season. Coach Bohn is excited about the new opportunities that the City of Atlanta brings to the team.
“Atlanta is a very hockey rich community. The great support of the Sandy Springs area combined with great facilities will help us be a very competitive team this season,” Coach Bohn stated. “Since arriving we have been welcomed warmly by the Sandy Springs community and we look forward to putting together a on and off ice product the City of Sandy Springs can be proud of.”
The Atlanta Capitals are entering their 3rd season and first in Sandy Springs. The team was originally based in Topeka, KS but has made the move to sunning Sandy Springs, GA. The Capitals participate in the North American 3 Hockey League and will play a 48 game schedule; they will play all their 22 home games at Center Ice Arena located at 5750 Roswell Rd.
The next phase for the staff, after unloading moving boxes is participating in the annual NA3HL draft. The Capitals staff is extremely excited for the upcoming event. “ It is a great time of year for us, this process started before our season actually had ended and it’s nice to hopefully see all the pieces fall into place” Head Coach/GM, Anthony Bohn.
The Capitals will have 9 picks in the 8 round draft, June 16th, and have an eye on the players they are targeting. “Every team goes in with a plan, but things happen and we need to be prepared. We really like the athletes we are targeting and excited to have them in Sandy Springs come training camp. Our goal every year is to bring in high character individuals and to develop not just hockey players but even better people” said Bohn.
Season tickets to catch the Atlanta Capitals in action will go on sale Tuesday, June 16th. Be sure to keep up to date on all Capitals social media outlets for pick by pick selections during the NA3HL draft June 16th. The Capitals staff will be holding the annual draft at Center Ice Arena, at 6:00pm; 5750 Roswell Rd. Make sure to stop by and get the chance to meet Owner Don Stone and the rest of your Capitals staff during the draft and become part of “Your Team”. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. For more information on either, please visit their website at www.atlantacapitals.com or call 404-545-6342.
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