The Savannah Ghost Pirates Bring Hockey to the Hostess City

What’s better than ghosts or pirates? Ghost Pirates, of course!

Known as one of America’s most haunted cities, Savannah has had its fair share of ghost sightings. The City also had a pirate presence back in the day. When the Savannah hockey team was founded in 2022, the Ghost Pirates was the perfect name. Three years later, they are now our beloved minor league. They quickly gained popularity among locals and visitors alike with their exciting games and talented players.

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are a professional minor league hockey team. They compete in the ECHL ((formerly the East Coast Hockey League).  As part of the ECHL, they serve as a farm system to the AHL and National Hockey League. Founded in the 2022–23 season, the Savannah Ghost Pirates’ home games are played at the Enmarket Arena.

History of the Savannah Ghost Pirates

Savannah became home to the Ghost Pirates following an agreement in January 2021 between the City and Jacksonville Icemen majority owner Andy Kaufmann. This deal secured an expansion team for the new Enmarket Arena. The ECHL officially approved the team’s membership on January 27, 2021, paving the way for their debut in the 2022–23 season. On October 27, 2021, the franchise announced its official name, the Savannah Ghost Pirates.

The team formed a one-year affiliation with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, in May 2022. At the same time, Rick Bennett, a former NHL player and coach of the Union Dutchmen, was introduced as the team’s first head coach. The Ghost Pirates joined the ECHL’s South Division, sharing it with the Atlanta Gladiators, Florida Everblades, Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Jacksonville Icemen, Orlando Solar Bears, and South Carolina Stingrays. Expanding its affiliations, on June 17, 2024, the team partnered with the NHL’s Florida Panthers and their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, ensuring continued growth and collaboration within professional hockey.

See the Ghost Pirates play

The team’s season lasts until mid-April. Many home game nights are themed or community-oriented, such as honoring local healthcare heroes, youth sports and Alzheimer’s Awareness. For season, single or group tickets to see the Ghost Pirates play, go to https://ghostpirateshockey.com/tickets.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_Ghost_Pirates, https://ghostpirateshockey.com/#schedule

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