Picture courtesy of Emily Lowery.

Per an article from Vermillion County First, it was announced this morning that the Dashers Hockey Club will not be returning to the David S. Palmer arena per an arena statement. The Dashers initially signed a multi-year lease with the city.

This move seemingly was done amicably between the league and arena and is seemingly the final time we’ll see pro hockey in Danville.

The team went through its rough patches, we detailed that earlier in the season, but this more sucks for the die hard Dasher fans.

This move puts a major hole in the league’s geographical structure between Topeka and every one else.

The FPHL site lists the Dashers average attendance as just over 1,000 fans, however that number is inflated by the four neutral site games in Topeka, where the Dashers were listed as the home team, and all four games had over 3,000 fans. The actual average attendance should be closer to 500-600.

Take that away, there’s still a rabid and die hard group of Dasher fans who will be without a team yet again.

You can stem the troubles in the city back to Ellen Tully’s desire for an SPHL team which bombed after a year and a half with so much turmoil.

Again, this is awful news for the fans in Danville who have stuck through this team no matter what. As for the players, this is tough on them as well, especially veterans like Justin Brausen, and Mo Levac, both players gave so much to that city through the years.

We wish everyone involved the best.

Tomorrow another 2025-26 domino falls with the expected announcement of the FPHL coming to Florence, SC.