Jacksonville’s minor league hockey team, the Icemen, has been sold to a Jacksonville owner.
El Acquisitions announced Tuesday afternoon it sold the Icemen organization to SZH Hockey LLC, led by Jacksonville resident Andrew Kaufmann. The sale was announced at a news conference at JAX Chamber’s Downtown headquarters.
In 2010, Kaufmann bought UST Brands, which provides survival and camping gear to retailers including Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, West Marine, Advance Auto Parts and Meijer. Terms of the sale were not announced.
“We look forward to growing Icemen Nation to new heights in the years to come. My role will be serving as a steward for what is the community’s team,” Kaufmann said.
The Icemen are an ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose. In a statement Tuesday, Icemen President Bob Ohrablo said he has high hopes for what Kaufmann will bring to the team.
“From the beginning, our priority was to have a team locally owned,” Ohrablo said “The addition of Andy Kaufmann completes that vision.”