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SPHL

SPHL is a professional independent minor league for ice hockey based in Huntersville, North Carolina.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

SPHL is a professional independent minor league for ice hockey based in Huntersville, North Carolina. Formerly known as the Southern Professional Hockey League, it was founded in 2004 and features teams mainly in the southeastern United States, with additional teams in Illinois and Indiana.

History

The league was founded in 2004 and first took the ice in the 2004–05 season. It was originally named the Southern Professional Hockey League and later shortened to SPHL.

Structure and footprint

SPHL is an independent minor league in professional ice hockey. Its teams are concentrated in the southeastern United States, with clubs also located in Illinois and Indiana.

Championships

The league's playoff trophy is the President's Cup. The Evansville Thunderbolts were the most recent champions after the 2025–26 season.

Organization

The league is headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina. Doug Price is listed as commissioner in the available sources.

Key facts

  • The SPHL is an independent minor professional ice hockey league in the United States founded in 2004 and began play in the 2004–05 season.
  • The league is based in Huntersville, North Carolina.
  • Its teams are located mainly in the southeastern United States, with some in the Midwest.
  • The league was formerly called the Southern Professional Hockey League.
  • Following the 2025–26 season, the Evansville Thunderbolts were the reigning President's Cup champions.
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Canadian context

The SPHL is an American league and does not have Canadian teams in the available sources, but it may be of interest to Canadian hockey fans following North American minor professional hockey.

Frequently asked questions

What does SPHL stand for?
SPHL originally stood for Southern Professional Hockey League.
When was the SPHL founded?
The SPHL was founded in 2004 and began play in the 2004–05 season.
Where is the SPHL based?
The league is based in Huntersville, North Carolina.
How many teams are in the SPHL?
The available source lists 12 teams.
Who are the current champions?
After the 2025–26 season, the Evansville Thunderbolts were the reigning President's Cup champions.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPHL
    Supports: basic league overview, headquarters, founded date, commissioner, team count, and champions
  2. SPHL — https://www.thesphl.com/the-sphl
    Supports: league founding history and original team lineup
  3. HockeyDB — https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/232.html
    Supports: season-by-season standings and championship results