With the sell of the Oregon Ice finalized early last week, it did not take long for the new owners to stamp their mark on the team. Considering that this team has over 60 Million Dollars to try and fill its roster, it was not a surprise that there were changes made in the teams coaching staff as well.

HEAD COACH -

Gone is long time Head Coach Kendrick Upshaw who retired after the 2011 season. Enter Alex Wilt, the former Albany Crows top gun, who was looking for a fresh start after 5 seasons with the Crows. Wilt brings in a 36-44 record from Albany, but he does have a fresh new foundation to build off of. This will be his chance to shine, and prove the doubters wrong.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

JJ Cassidy returns as the ICE OC for the 2012 season. Cassidy is in his 3rd season as the OC for Oregon, this will be his make or break season. It will be up to him to rebuild the teams offense and make them competative.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Gary Blouir enters as the teams new DC for the 2012 season. Blouir has spent the 5 years as the DC of division rival Anchorage. In that time Blouir was a thorn in the side of the ICE, so now is the chance that Blouir will be able to do the same to the Wolfpack for the next 5 seasons.

SCOUT

Travis Merloni breaks into the league as the ICE's new lead scout. Merloni looks forward to making his name known in the CFL and hopes to help the ICE rebuild its dynasty.

The shake up continues in Oregon....

Despite the fact that the ICE currently only have 22 players under contract, it was no surprise that many of the seasoned veterans on the ICE roster are up for trade. There are already rumors floating that many aging vets will be moved this season, including FS Norman Buckner. Recent talks with the teams ownership group, showed that any player is available for the right price. The team is looking to reduce the combined age of the team, and older veterans will be moved for sure to give the younger guys the chances to play.

We recently talked to GM David "Iceman" Hiley after the sell of the team was announced. He passed to us "This team has alot of work to do, and we look to be super active in both the FA and trade market. We just ask that our fans give us the time to rebuild this team back into the power house they once where." While this will not be an easy task for Iceman and the owners, there is alot of hope and excitement in the teams front office.

FB SWEENEY FRANCHISED..

After much consideration, the new ownership group announced that FB Bubba Sweeney was designated as the teams Franchise Player for the 2012 season. As one of the best young FBs in the league, it was a no brainer that the team locked up the young player. The team has announced that it will spend the next few days trying to work out a long term contract with Sweeney and his agent.

REBUILD CONTINUES...

Breaking news out of Oregon is that former 1st round selection Myron Dickenson has been sent to Cleveland. In a move that has shocked many of the teams loyal fans, it is believed that Myron was not thrilled with the path the team was taking in the off-season and demanded a trade. Several front office staff members have denied that this was the case, but rumor has it that the team jumped at the chance to move the young QB.

We where unable to reach GM David "Iceman" Hiley to discuss the transaction. But this only proves that the team is looking to rebuild from scratch. But the addition of the Clevelands 1-17 pick allows the team to add another key player via the draft. The Flats also send 3rd year vet QB TJ Boyer (in return for a 3rd rounder in 2013), Boyer allows the Ice to have a QB with starting experience to lead the team in 2012.

Dickerson has a cannon and will be missed in Oregon, but Myron needed a fresh start and the team feels that he will bloom in Cleveland.

ICE ADD SS GREY

With the loss of SS Twombley to free agency. The team needed to address its hole at SS. With that on their agenda, the team sent a future 5th round selection to the Shreveport Pride for SS Warren Grey. Grey has spent much of his time in Shreveport as a backup, the move to Oregon should give him a chance to compete for a starting position in the Ice secondary.

ICE SEND BOULANGER TO BOSTON

As the youth movement continues in Oregon, Veteran RT James Boulanger was sent to Boston for a 4th round pick in this years draft. Boulanger's departure and the possible movement of Clay Compton opens the for 2nd year pro RT position Christian Dembek or a potential rookie from this years draft.

Off to a good start as a new owner. I enjoy reading the articles.

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Deep South Division Champions
2006, 2009-10, 2019, 2023-24, 2027, 2031-32, 2034-35, 2040, 2044, 2046-47, 2051-53, 2055-56, 2058-62
Eastern Conference Champions
2009, 2031, 2055
CFL Champions
2031, 2055
Hall of Fame
Joshua Mask, Douglas Hartman, Carl Bradford, Leland Wellins, Wally Wooden (#80), Brantley Gilmore (#9), Mo Kirwan, Josh Stanton, Efrain Tate