News - 06/17/2004

Southern Hockey League - Winston-Salem Polar Twins

Winston-Salem Polar Twins Announce Name, Logo

Winston-Salem Polar Twins Winston-Salem, NC- At a press conference Thursday afternoon, team officials formally introduced Winston-Salem’s newest professional hockey franchise as the Winston-Salem Polar Twins. The Polar Twins team colors are blue, yellow, and white and the team will play their home games at the Joel Coliseum Annex.

Representing team ownership (Winston-Salem Blazers, Inc) at the Press Conference was David and Ruth Waronker. David is President and CEO of the CBD Development Group Inc., of Mount Laurel, NJ, and Celebration, FL. CBD is a real estate development, investment and building company specializing in large tract development of single and multifamily housing. Also in attendance for today’s announcement were Director of Hockey Operations Taylor Hall and Joel Coliseum Annex Building Manager Bucky Dame.

The Polar Twins nickname was chosen for the new franchise due to its overwhelming popularity in the Winston-Salem sports community dating back to the mid-70’s. The former Winston-Salem Polar Twins competed in the original Southern Hockey League from 1973-1977.

“We feel very strongly that all necessary elements are in place for the Polar Twins to be a highly successful franchise,” said Waronker. “With the ability to get a head start on promoting the franchise in the community throughout the summer and with an excellent relationship with the Joel Coliseum Annex, the components are in place for this franchise to flourish.”

The team also introduced former Winston-Salem Thunderbirds player and fan favorite, Bryan Wells as the teams Head Coach. Wells spent three of his nine year professional playing career playing in Winston-Salem.

“I’m excited about the opportunity here in Winston-Salem,” said Head Coach Bryan Wells. “Winston-Salem has always had a strong hockey tradition and I am thrilled to be returning as a Head Coach to the City where I first started my professional playing career.”

Wells started his career during the 1986-87 season with the former Carolina Thunderbirds of the Southern Hockey League. In his 9 seasons as a player, Wells won two championships with both the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League and the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks of the Colonial Hockey League.

Wells also brings 7 years of professional coaching experience to the new Winston-Salem franchise, including five seasons with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League. With the Thunder, Wells compiled a 161-146-14 regular season record. His 161 career victories are the tenth most by a head coach in Central Hockey League history.

“I feel Bryan is the perfect person to coach the Polar Twins,” said Director of Hockey Operations Taylor Hall. “Bryan was a fan favorite during his days here as a player and knows how much hockey means to the city of Winston-Salem. We know he is going to do a tremendous job leading this team on the ice and I think the fans here in Winston-Salem are really going to enjoy the physical brand of hockey that Bryan is known for.”

The Winston-Salem Polar Twins are part of the newly formed Southern Hockey League (SHL). The SHL currently features member teams in Asheville, NC; Huntsville Al; Jacksonville, Fl; Macon, Ga; Orlando, Fl; and Pelham, Al.

The Polar Twins offices are located inside the Joel Coliseum Annex. Season tickets for the upcoming 2004-05 season are on sale now starting at just $300. For more information contact the Polar Twins front office at (336) 896-1900.