Jacksonville Rockets
| Jacksonville Rockets | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Jacksonville, Florida |
| League | Eastern Hockey League |
| Operated | 1964–1972 |
| Home arena | Jacksonville Coliseum |
| Colors | Orange, white, and blue |
Coordinates: 30°19′28″N 81°38′27″W / 30.3245°N 81.6409°W
The Jacksonville Rockets were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1964–1972, when they folded. They were the first professional hockey team to be based in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida. They played most of their home games at the Jacksonville Coliseum; from 1966–68 they were known as the Florida Rockets, reflecting that they played some of their home games outside of Jacksonville in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Rockets joined the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) in 1964, becoming Jacksonville's first professional ice hockey team and the first truly professional team in Florida. The league decided to expand into Florida and other Southern states after the unexpected success of the Charlotte Checkers in Charlotte, North Carolina. Organizers chose Jacksonville as the Jacksonville Coliseum was one of the few arenas in Florida equipped for ice hockey. For most of their existence the Rockets were coached by Bob Sabourin, who initially joined the team as a player and subsequently became the head coach and general manager.
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