2026–27 SPHL season
(Redirected from 2026-27 SPHL season)
| 2026–27 SPHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | SPHL |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | TBD |
| Regular season | |
| Playoffs | |
The 2026–27 SPHL season is the 23rd season of the SPHL.
Rule/Playoff Changes
[edit]Following the annual Board of Governors meeting held June 15-19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida the league announced several changes pertaining to various aspects of the game play.
- The league is adopting a three point system for all games, three points for a win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and no points for a regulation loss.
- Overtime is now a seven minute 3-on-3 period and is still sudden-death.
- The shootout has been reduced from five rounds to three and if still tied it becomes a sudden-death round-by-round shootout. Every eligible player on the roster must take a shot before a player is allowed to shoot a second time (previously, a player could shoot multiple times after the initial round of five shots).
- The President's Cup playoffs will remain with the top eight teams qualifying. However, the quarterfinal round is now a best-of-five series, up from a best-of-three series
- Infractions that involve diving or embellishment by the player that was fouled are now nullified and the embellishment penalty will now be the only penalty assessed.
- In venues where replay is available, a coach’s challenge will be available to each team. If the challenge is unsuccessful, the challenging team will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game. Each team is permitted one challenge per game. The challenge criteria will remain the same as the referee’s discretionary review:
- Puck crossing the goal line
- Puck entering the net using a distinct kicking motion
- Puck entering the net before the goal frame is dislodged
- Puck directed, batted, or thrown into the net by an attacking player
Membership Changes
[edit]- On September 17, 2025 the league announced the addition of an expansion team to be based out of the new Regions Arena, in Mobile, Alabama which is planned to be opening early in 2027. The team will begin play with the 2027-28 season.[2] On June 16, 2026 the league announced the team name will be the Mobile Mysticks.[3]
- According to an online report, the Athens Rock Lobsters and possibly some other teams southeastern-US based teams in the Federal Prospects Hockey League were looking to join the SPHL for the 2026-27 season.[4] Joining the SPHL was the ownership's original plan for 2025-26.[5]On May 13, 2026 the move to the SPHL was confirmed by that league.[6]
- On May 30, 2026 the SPHL announced the conditional approval for the addition of the Pee Dee Icecats, who were members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League for the 2025-26 season.[7] On June 24, 2026 the team was fully approved for membership.[8]
Teams
[edit]Expansion 2027-28
[edit]| Team | City | Arena | Founded | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Mysticks | Mobile, Alabama | Regions Arena | 2025 | 2027 |
Regular season
[edit]To be added upon completion of the regular season.
Playoffs
[edit]Format
[edit]The top eight teams qualify. As of 2026-27 all rounds are now best-of-five.[9] The playoff champion is awarded the President's Cup.
References
[edit]- ↑ "SPHL announces 2026-2027 rule changes, playoff format | SPHL". Archived from the original on 2026-08-01. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "SPHL expanding to Mobile, AL for 2027-2028 season | SPHL". Archived from the original on 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Mobile Mysticks Announced as the Newest SPHL Member Team - OurSports Central". Archived from the original on 2026-08-01. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "If the Athens Rock Lobsters... - Brews'd & Battered Podcast". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "IceCats Nation | A few notes on things we're hearing with the FPHL lineup next season". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "SPHL expanding to Athens, GA, for 2026-2027 season | SPHL". Archived from the original on 2026-07-25. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "SPHL Conditionally Approves Pee Dee for 2026-2027 Season - OurSports Central". Archived from the original on 2026-07-25. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "SPHL fully approves Pee Dee for 2026-2027 season | SPHL". Archived from the original on 2026-08-01. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "SPHL announces expanded President's Cup format | SPHL". Archived from the original on 2026-03-12. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
