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Athens Rock Lobsters

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Athens Rock Lobsters
CityAthens, Georgia
LeagueSPHL
Founded2024
Home arenaAkins Ford Arena
ColorsCrimson, Sapphire, Norfolk Sky, White
       
OwnersBarry Cohen and Nancy Peters[1]
Head coachScott Burt
Websiterocklobstershockey.com
The Athens Rock Lobsters warming up before a game.

The Athens Rock Lobsters are a professional ice hockey team based in Athens, Georgia. Their home is at the Akins Ford Arena and they are a member of the SPHL. Their inaugural season was the 2024–25 FPHL season;[2] however, on May 13, 2026, they announced their move to the SPHL where they will begin play in the 2026-27 SPHL season. [3]

History

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Clawdius, the mascot for the Athens Rock Lobsters.

On March 28, 2024, officials at Athens Pro Hockey and the Classic Center announced that the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) would expand to Athens and begin play in October, 2024.[4][5] In May 2024, voters chose the name Rock Lobsters in honor of the debut single, "Rock Lobster", by The B-52s, a new wave band formed in Athens in 1976.[6][7] On June 27, 2024, Steve Martinson, former head coach of the San Diego Gulls, Rockford IceHogs, Elmira Jackals, Chicago Express, and Allen Americans, was named as head coach.[8]

The mascot, named Clawdius, is a red anthropomorphized lobster wearing a blue shirt, red shorts, and dark sunglasses. The name of the mascot was decided by the results of an online fan poll conducted in October 2024.[9] Clawdius made his first appearance at the game against the Wytheville Blue Ridge Bobcats on February 22, 2025.[10] The team concluded its inaugural season by dropping a three-game Commissioner's Cup Playoff quarterfinal series to the Columbus River Dragons.[11][12] The FPHL named Steve Martinson its Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 season.[13]

On May 12, 2025, the Allen Americans announced Martinson had rejoined their team as head coach and general manager, leaving those positions vacant with the Rock Lobsters. On June 3, 2025, Garrett Rutledge, former head coach with the Carolina Thunderbirds of the FPHL, and assistant coach with the Saginaw Spirit and Flint Firebirds of the OHL, was named general manager and head coach for the 2025-26 season.[14] After a successful second season in which they clinched the top spot of the Continental division[15], the Rock Lobsters finished with a 0-2 loss to the Pee Dee IceCats in the playoff quarterfinals.[16] The team announced on April 24, 2026 that it was parting ways with Rutledge.[17][18]

On May 13, 2026, the Athens Rock Lobsters announced that they would be leaving the Federal Prospects Hockey League and joining the SPHL, citing lower travel costs and higher competition. [19] On May 29th, they revealed Scott Burt, former head coach of the Greensboro Gargoyles in the ECHL, as the new head coach and general manager. [20]

Season-by-season results

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Season League GP W L OTL Pts GF GA PIM Playoff Result
2024-25 FPHL 56 43 10 3 121 220 137 1141 L, 3-2 Columbus River Dragons (Round 1)
2025-26 FPHL 56 44 11 1 124 275 180 1207 L, 2-7 Pee Dee IceCats (Round 1)

References

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  1. ↑ "Rock Lobsters' home opener put on ice after new Athens arena fails to receive occupancy permit". AP News. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. ↑ Newberry, Paul (May 16, 2024). "It's not a rock, it's the Athens Rock Lobsters. New minor league team honors B-52s". AP News.
  3. ↑ "ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE MOVE TO THE SPHL BEGINNING IN 2026–27". Athens Rock Lobsters. May 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Page, Fletcher. "Athens, welcome to the ice your ... Rock Lobsters?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. ↑ "News: FPHL Announces Athens, GA - Federal Prospects Hockey League". www.federalhockey.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ "New Athens Pro Hockey Team Name Honors The B-52s". Gwinnett Daily Post. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  7. ↑ Tochterman, Leo (May 15, 2024). "New Georgia hockey team's new name to pay homage to B-52′s". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Rock Lobsters ink head coach Steve Martinson". The Red & Black. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ "News: Introducing Clawdius! - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. October 18, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ "News: Clawdius' Birthday - Sunday Funday - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kule, Ben (April 14, 2025). "Rock Lobsters split final series with River Dragons, will face them in playoffs". The Red & Black. Athens, GA: redandblack.com. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kule, Ben (April 21, 2025). "Athens Rock Lobsters lose 4-2, eliminated from FPHL playoffs". The Red & Black. Athens, GA: redandblack.com. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Steve Martinson, FPHL Coach of the Year". April 18, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  14. ↑ "News: Athens Rock Lobsters Appoint Garrett Rutledge as General Manager and Head Coach - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Athens - Continential Division Champions - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Athens Exit from Commissioner's Cup Playoffs - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. April 19, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Rock Lobsters Part Ways with Head Coach & General Manager Garrett Rutledge - Athens Rock Lobsters". www.rocklobstershockey.com. April 24, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ Doppel, Kira (April 24, 2026). "Rock Lobsters, head coach Garrett Rutledge split ways". The Red & Black. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ "ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE MOVE TO THE SPHL BEGINNING IN 2026–27". Athens Rock Lobsters. May 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ templateghost (May 29, 2026). "Athens Rock Lobsters Name Scott Burt General Manager & Head Coach". ATHENS ROCK LOBSTERS. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
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