HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – If there’s a current king of the mountain in the SPHL, it’s the Huntsville Havoc. Winners of the past two President’s Cup titles, the Havoc will now try for three in a row.
Initial Schedule (Home games in BOLD) and all times Central:
Dec. 26 – Knoxville at HUNTSVILLE, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 – Macon at HUNTSVILLE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 2 – Huntsville at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m.
Jan. 3 – Pensacola at HUNTSVILLE, 5 p.m.
Jan. 9 – Huntsville at Macon, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 15- Knoxville at HUNTSVILLE, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16- Huntsville at Knoxville, 7:35 p.m.
Jan. 18 – Huntsville at Birmingham, 1 p.m.
Jan. 23 – Huntsville at Birmingham, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Glenn Detulleo comes into his ninth full season as Huntsville’s head coach with a record of 218-191-46, but a more impressive 93-46-18 in the past three seasons. Other than last year’s shortened season, he has guided the Havoc to the postseason all but one season and failing to get past the first round only once.
Last Season: 27-14-5, finished third in SPHL standings.
2019-20 Season Summary:
Last year was shaping up in a familiar pattern for fans of the Havoc. While other teams slugged it out for the best overall record, the Havoc were building momentum to hit on all cylinders just in time for the postseason. Would it have happened again? Nobody will ever know, but at the time of which remainder of the season was called off, Huntsville was at the top of a logjam for third place overall, helped in great part by the play of Max Milosek in goal and his 2.34 goals-against average. Huntsville has a locker room that knows how to win a championship, and the cresting late-season momentum showed that.
Hot or Not?
You know the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? That’s Huntsville for the most part. Ten players return from last year’s team along with Josh Bowes from two years ago, a season after playing in France. To supplement Milosek, Huntsville has added Jason Pawloski in goal.
Who’s Back?
- Rob Darrar – Brings back scoring balance after leading the offensive efforts of the Havoc last season.
- Max Milosek – Was one of the SPHL’s top netminders last year, and also knows who to step up with the spotlight is the brightest.
- Nolan Kaiser – One of six defensemen back from a group that was fourth in goals allowed last season. Huntsville believes that defense wins championships, and guys like Kaiser are a great illustration.
Who’s Through?
- Kyle Sharkey – Retired
Who’s New?
- Kyle Rhodes – Will supplement the Havoc defensively as he also brings ECHL experience from his time with Tulsa.
- Tommy Besinger – Will being some offensive muscle after having 20 goals and 15 assists while playing in France for Mulhouse last year.
What to Watch For?
It’s not how one starts, but how they finish. That’s exactly how to look at the Havoc. They’re the team that shows it does not matter how they get to the postseason, but if they are there, they’ll be a tough out. If Milosek stays healthy and the existing leadership can surge ahead with the on and off the ice void left by Sharkey’s absence, the odds of a title are good in Rocket City.
Brad Harrison is the SPHL editor and covers the Macon Mayhem for The Sin Bin. Follow and interact with him on Twitter @SinBinMayhem!
