When one thinks of hockey, they don’t think Greenville, South Carolina. However, since their inaugural season in 2010, the Greenville Road Warriors hockey team has taken Greenville by storm. No longer is Greenville just a baseball town. The high energy hockey game has captivated upstate audiences for 4 years now and is positioned to do so more many years to come. The feeder team for the New York Rangers recently confirmed a 5 year lease to stay at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, much to the delight of their local fans.
The team’s owner cites the thriving nature of Greenville and is excited to be part of the growing and blossoming region and to provide entertainment for the fans. The area quickly took to the fast paced style of play exhibited by the Road Warriors. Businesses flocked to be partners with the team and the Warriors have embraced Greenville as their own.
The Road Warriors also have demonstrated their commitment to the Greenville community by partnering with various nonprofits in the region. The Road Warriors have been a sponsor of the Rotary Club of Greenville Evening’s Duck Derby for the past 2 years. They have provided a gift basket which included Road Warrior shirts and memorabilia, game tickets and an invitation to sit down on the ice with the team for one game! In addition, they have allowed Rotary to setup Duck Adoption tables in the arena for 2 games, including having the Rotary mascot (Quacky) on the ice with their mascot (Rowdy) during the t-shirt toss. During the games where Rotary participated, they also displayed the Rotary logo and made announcements about the Duck Derby.
The Warriors also do a holiday program where they teach kids how to ice skate during the Christmas season. Warriors come out to the rink in the middle of town and offer free instruction to children wishing to learn the ropes of ice skating.
The team’s success on the ice has grown along with its success in the community. Their first season in 2010 was one for the ages and brought a South Division title to Greenville. This success also increased interest in the team as more and more fans flocked to the then Bi-LO Center. In seasons to come, milestones began to happen for the new team. Attendance records were set and broken, their venue changed hands, but the one thing that remained was the success of the team and the support of the community. Go see the best hockey this part of the country has to offer and enjoy many of the finest parts of the city just a hop, skip and a jump from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena!
