Connecticut Whale to stay in Simsbury

By Paul Palmer

Staff Writer

SIMSBURY – The Connecticut Whale and the International Skating Center of Connecticut have agreed to an extension of the deal to keep the women’s professional hockey in Simsbury.

The Whale just completed their inaugural season in the building and advanced to the Premier Hockey Federation playoffs.

Under the new deal, the Whale will not only hold all home games at the ISCC, but also the team’s practices, which had been taking place elsewhere this past season.

In addition, team events will be hosted at the facility and the Whale’s administrative and support staff will have office space on-site at ISCC. In a statement released by the team and the ISCC, Whale owner Tobin Kelly said the three-year deal will help make the facility one of the best in the league.

“ISCC bent over backwards to create a great experience for our players, fans, and staff in our first season in Simsbury,” said Kelly. “This long-term partnership with the rink means that our players and staff can really put down roots and allows us to be fully engaged in the local community while holding all of our practices, games and team events at ISCC.”

The building, which is now locally owned, has gone through a series of upgrades. As part of the new deal with the Whale, owners are also looking for ways to expand seating for home games.