Huntsville Havoc hockey team hosts first home game under new leadership

Huntsville Real-Time NewsHuntsville Havoc (AL.com file)AL.comBy Megan Plotka | mplotka@al.comThe Huntsville Havoc, a Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) team, is starting the season under new leadership.The team’s first home game is set for Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Propst Arena. Tickets are available here.Since the team’s founding in 2004, Keith and Becky Jeffries have held majority ownership. Zawyer Sports and Entertainment, run by Andy Kaufmann, just gained controlling interest in the team. The Jeffries are still shareholders; they are currently the largest minority partner.“The time is right to bring in a managing partner that can help take the Huntsville Havoc into its next chapter,” Keith said. “Becky and I are incredibly proud of what the Havoc has become and what this organization has meant to our family and the Huntsville community over the years. Andy Kaufmann and the team at Zawyer Sports & Entertainment share our vision for what this organization can continue to become. I will remain involved with the Havoc, and our front office staff will remain intact, while Zawyer brings additional resources, experience, and opportunities that will help us continue to grow.”Zawyer Sports & Entertainment owns several minor league hockey teams, including Jacksonville Icemen, Greensboro Gargoyles, and Savannah Ghost Pirates. They also own the UPSHOT League, a women’s professional basketball league. The team itself is also under new leadership. Forward Connor Fries is taking over as team captain for the 2026-2027 season. The 2026-2027 season will be his third with the team. He posted 30 points in his first season and followed it with 28 points and 117 penalty minutes in his second season. Fries replaces Dom Procopio, who retired at the end of the 2025-2026 season. Fries is among the returning players as the Havoc welcome 11 new players for the 2026-2027 season.“Connor is a true pro and someone our group leans on,” Huntsville Havoc head coach Stuart Stefan said. “He can play in any situation, brings a hard-nosed game every night, and leads by example. He’s the type of player who’s willing to do the little things that helps the team win.”The team’s leaders, like Voice of the Havoc Clay Sanders Coleman, create themed nights for every game to make it entertaining, especially for those who are new to the sport. “You don’t have to understand hockey to have a good time,” Sanders said. “It’s indoors, and it fills the gap between Auburn and Alabama and getting something new in the meantime, and like I said, it’s something where moms, dads, little sisters, little brothers, they all enjoy it.”Organizers put a lot of effort into creating themes for every game. New themed nights for the 2026-2027 season include Barbie Night, Shrek Night and Kiss Night, which will feature a Kiss cover band in the lobby of the Propst Arena in the Von Braun Center. The Havoc aim to give Huntsville families an affordable, fun night out. Ticket prices start at around $35. They often have sales and buy-one-get-one deals.Megan Plotka covers news for the Huntsville metro area. She is a multimedia journalist whose work stretches across digital articles, broadcast news and documentaries. She was raised in Huntsville and has been...