Grizzlies Join The WPHL

August 23, 2024

The Western Professional Hockey League decides to move forward to solidify its relationship with the California Grizzlies as an official franchise of the league later on today.

The California Grizzlies ownership group, which consists of former minor professional and college athletes, felt it was in the best interest for the team to affiliate with the league and become a formal franchise member in efforts to facilitate the organizations vision of growing the game in beautiful sunny SoCal. 

"What it does is it creates a platform to operate from" said team co-owner Frank Santelli, a former pro himself who saw time in the Federal Prospects Hockey League as well as internationally overseas in Turkey. "it is intended for us to develop youth program eventually out of the with the Grizzlies."  The California Grizzlies look to fully immerse themselves within not just the hockey community of Orange County but the very fabric of the Orange County community as a whole. That will be accomplished by the Grizzlies outreach efforts to all the local school districts, community events, and attendance in local government meetings. 

It is very evident that the west coast is very much ready for a Single A calibur of minor professional hockey. All research points to support of profesional franchises in carefully considered markets. "USA hockey memberships have skyrocketed to all time highs in the past few years and the big leagues have responded by expansion with new franchises all over the west."  Co-owner Kyle Kabacinski remarked. "What that means is that there is market for the sport and with those membership numbers proving the popularity has significantly grown, there is now an uptick of future players on the rise. Not every player is going to the make it to the NHL but what this will provide is an oppotrunity for players to continue playing in pursuit of higher levels." Kabacinski concluded. Kabacinski, a graduate from Rochester College, now Rochester Christain University with a bachelor of business management with a focus of sports management, played his college hockey at RC and then spent time signing ptos around the Federal Prospects Hockey League before eventually transistioning to semi-pro and then minor professional arena football for the past couple of seasons. 

The Grizzlies brought on ex-professional Tyler Maxwell to serve as head coach. With an decorated resume himself, Coach Maxwell will be putting both veteran experience as well as upcoming talent on the ice for hockey fans to watch and enjoy. Combined with a marketing intiative that the Grizzlies are employing through their professional administrative staff,  the Grizzlies anticipate success in their soft opening. 

For more news and updates, stay tuned into and follow  The WPHL and The California Grizzlies on Instagram and Facebook!