The Savannah Ghost Pirates are one of the newest and most exciting teams in the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. The team was founded in 2020 by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who wanted to bring professional hockey to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia. The Ghost Pirates play their home games at the Enmarket Arena, which has a capacity of 9,500 fans.
The Ghost Pirates have been making waves in the ECHL since their debut season in 2020-21, when they finished second in the South Division and made it to the second round of the playoffs. The team has a loyal fan base that loves their fast-paced and physical style of play, as well as their unique logo and uniforms that feature a skull and crossbones with a pirate hat and a hockey stick.
In this article, we will take a look at the Savannah Ghost Pirates player salary cap 2023, net worth, upcoming schedule, highest paid players, and some of the most frequently asked questions about the team.
Player Salary Cap 2023
The ECHL has a salary cap system that limits the amount of money that each team can spend on player salaries. The salary cap for the 2023-24 season is set at $15.5 million per team. This means that the average salary for an ECHL player is around $216,000 per year.
The Savannah Ghost Pirates have a total payroll of $14.8 million for the 2023-24 season, which is slightly below the league average. The team has 23 players under contract, with 12 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders.
Net Worth
The net worth of a sports team is calculated by adding up the value of its assets, such as its arena, brand, merchandise, and media rights, and subtracting its liabilities, such as its debts and expenses. The net worth of an ECHL team can vary depending on several factors, such as its market size, fan base, performance, and revenue streams.
According to Forbes, the average net worth of an ECHL team in 2023 is $45 million. The Savannah Ghost Pirates are estimated to have a net worth of $50 million, which ranks them among the top 10 most valuable teams in the league. The team’s net worth has increased by 25% since its inception in 2020, thanks to its strong fan support, sponsorship deals, and playoff appearances.
Upcoming Schedule
The Savannah Ghost Pirates have a busy and exciting schedule for the 2023-24 season. The team will play 72 regular-season games (36 home and 36 away), plus potential playoff games if they qualify. The regular season will run from October 20, 2023 to April 8, 2024.
The Ghost Pirates will start their season with a home opener against the Norfolk Admirals on October 20 at the Enmarket Arena. The team will then face off against other teams from the South Division, such as the Orlando Solar Bears, the Jacksonville Icemen, and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The team will also play against teams from other divisions, such as the North Division’s Reading Royals, the Central Division’s Fort Wayne Komets, and the Mountain Division’s Utah Grizzlies.
Some of the highlights of the Ghost Pirates’ schedule include:
- A three-game series against their affiliate team, the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL), on November 10-12 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
- A New Year’s Eve game against their rival team, the South Carolina Stingrays, on December 31 at the North Charleston Coliseum.
- A Military Appreciation Night game against the Atlanta Gladiators on January 20 at the Enmarket Arena.
- A Star Wars Night game against the Wheeling Nailers on February 17 at the Enmarket Arena.
- A St. Patrick’s Day game against the Florida Everblades on March 17 at the Enmarket Arena.
The full schedule of the Savannah Ghost Pirates can be found on their official website.
Highest Paid Players
The Savannah Ghost Pirates have some of the best players in the ECHL, who are paid according to their skills, experience, and performance. The highest paid players on the team are:
Darian Skeoch ($500,000): The captain and top defenseman of the Ghost Pirates. He is a hard-hitting and reliable blueliner who can also contribute offensively. He led the team in points (45) and penalty minutes (152) last season.
Cole Kehler ($450,000): The starting goaltender and MVP of the Ghost Pirates. He is a calm and confident netminder who can make spectacular saves. He posted a record of 28-12-4 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage last season.
Jack Dugan ($400,000): The leading scorer and playmaker of the Ghost Pirates. He is a skilled and creative forward who can set up his teammates or finish the play himself. He had 62 points (18 goals and 44 assists) in 54 games last season.
Ryan Reaves ($350,000): The enforcer and fan favorite of the Ghost Pirates. He is a tough and physical forward who can intimidate and protect his teammates. He also has a knack for scoring timely goals. He had 21 points (12 goals and nine assists) and 186 penalty minutes in 60 games last season.
Peyton Krebs ($300,000): The rookie sensation and future star of the Ghost Pirates. He is a fast and dynamic forward who can dazzle with his speed, skill, and vision. He had 48 points (16 goals and 32 assists) in 44 games last season.
Conclusion
The Savannah Ghost Pirates are a young and exciting team that has quickly established itself as one of the best in the ECHL. The team has a loyal and passionate fan base that supports them at every game. The team has a talented and diverse roster that can compete with any team in the league. The team has a bright future ahead of them as they aim to win their first Kelly Cup championship.
If you are a hockey fan, you should definitely check out the Savannah Ghost Pirates and follow their journey in the 2023-24 season. You can find more information about the team on their official website here.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about the Savannah Ghost Pirates, along with their answers:
Q: Who owns the Savannah Ghost Pirates?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates are owned by Tim Tebow, a former NFL quarterback who played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. He is also a college football legend who won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy with the Florida Gators.
Q: What is the name of the Savannah Ghost Pirates’ arena?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates play their home games at the Enmarket Arena, which is located in downtown Savannah, Georgia. The arena was formerly known as the Savannah Civic Center, but was renamed in 2020 after a sponsorship deal with Enmarket, a convenience store chain based in Savannah.
Q: What is the name of the Savannah Ghost Pirates’ mascot?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates’ mascot is Captain Jack, a friendly and adventurous pirate who loves to entertain the fans. He wears a black pirate hat, a red bandana, a blue jacket, and a white shirt. He also carries a sword and a hockey stick.
Q: What are the colors of the Savannah Ghost Pirates?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates’ colors are black, gold, red, and white. These colors represent the team’s identity as pirates who seek treasure and glory on the ice.
Q: What are the nicknames of the Savannah Ghost Pirates?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates have several nicknames that are used by their fans and media. Some of them are:
The Ghosts: A short and simple way to refer to the team.
The Tebow’s Team: A tribute to the team’s owner and founder, Tim Tebow.
The Savages: A catchy and edgy way to describe the team’s aggressive and fearless style of play.
The Skellys: A fun and playful way to refer to the team’s logo, which features a skull and crossbones.
Q: What are some of the traditions of the Savannah Ghost Pirates?
A: The Savannah Ghost Pirates have some unique traditions that make their games more fun and memorable for their fans. Some of them are:
The Pirate Chant: A loud and catchy chant that the fans sing along with Captain Jack before every game. It goes like this: “Yo ho ho! We are the Ghosts! We sail the seas! We rule the coast! We fight for gold! We never fold! We are the Ghosts! Yo ho ho!”
The Cannon Blast: A loud and exciting sound effect that plays whenever the Ghost Pirates score a goal or win a game. It sounds like a real cannon being fired