Dubuque USHL Team to be Called 'Fighting Saints'
Team Introduces Familiar Name with New Logos in Preparation for 2010-11 Season
Today, Northern Lights Hockey, LLC, the ownership group that was recently awarded the USHL team in Dubuque, Iowa, announced that the team will be called the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The team unveiled its official team nickname, colors and logos at the Dubuque Sports & Recreation Festival this morning at the Dubuque Grand River Center.
"As part of the naming process, we conducted a poll of Dubuque hockey fans. The overwhelming choice of name was Fighting Saints," said Brad Kwong, Managing Director for Northern Lights Hockey, LLC. "Clearly, it's a name with which fans can identify. Many associate the name Fighting Saints with a history of success, the positive relationships they had with many popular players and the numerous great hockey memories."
The original Fighting Saints competed in the USHL for 21 seasons (1980 – 2001). The Club won the Clark Cup as playoff champions on three occasions (1981, 1983, 1985) under head coach Jack Barzee and produced a number of players that moved on to NCAA Division I hockey and the National Hockey League. One of the most well-known alumni of the original Fighting Saints was Gary Suter, a 17-year NHL veteran, two time Olympian and Stanley Cup winner. Suter participated in today's unveiling and signed autographs for the crowd on hand following the unveiling ceremony.
The new Fighting Saints primary logo is a bold, stylized 'D' bisected by a battle-ready sword which has for a handle a fleur de lys, a well-known icon in Dubuque. A tilted halo sits above the sword. The secondary marks include other local iconography such as the Julien Dubuque Monument. The Fighting Saints new colors are Red and White with Silver accents. "With the logos, we strived to create an identity that would represent the great City of Dubuque in a traditional, classic hockey look", added Kwong.
The Fighting Saints will have further announcements about the new USHL team in the coming weeks including how fans can reserve the very best seat locations in the new 3,200 seat Mystique Ice Center currently under construction on Chaplain Schmidt Island in Dubuque. Fans are encouraged to visit www.dubuquefightingsaints.com today to sign up to receive the latest news about the team including information on how to get the first shot at the best seats available for all the exciting USHL action returning to Dubuque for the 2010-11 season.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 31st season of junior hockey in 2009-10. With over 185 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on NHL League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com
Northern Lights Hockey, LLC is the company that will own and operate the new USHL franchise in Dubuque, Iowa. The owners of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC collectively provide an extensive background in both business and hockey, and represent interests on a national and local level. Philip Falcone, Chief Investment Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners and part owner of the NHL's Minnesota Wild is the company's principal owner. The ownership group also includes Peter Chiarelli, General Manager of the Boston Bruins, Mark Falcone and Brad Kwong, Managing Director of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC. Philip Falcone, Chiarelli and Kwong all played hockey together at Harvard University in the mid- 1980's. The group also includes local Iowan partners Mark Falb and David S. Field, M.D. Falb currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Westmark Enterprises, Inc and Kendall / Hunt Publishing Company. Dr. Field has practiced orthopedic surgery for 30 years and has been the driving force behind hockey in Dubuque. He currently owns the Dubuque Thunderbirds which competes in the Central States Hockey League.