Nashville Spartans: Don’t Miss the Action as Second Season Gets Underway

Nashville has always had an electric sports atmosphere, especially for what is undoubtedly a growing and passionate hockey community. So what better way to take our local hockey fandom to the next level than to kick off another season of Nashville Spartans junior hockey? Not only is the team entering its second season, but games are being played right now in the heart of Nolensville.

With a roster brimming with talented young stars from around the world, there’s no time like the present to embark on a winning streak.

The Spartans have already begun their season with two road games against the Columbus Mavericks, followed by a trip to Buffalo to face the Stampede. Fans can eagerly anticipate their highly awaited return to the Gary Force Acura Ice Arena in Nolensville on September 22, when they face off against the Mavericks. The Spartans will certainly have their hands full as the season progresses — the USPHL features over 100 teams and is widely considered one of the top Tier 3 junior hockey leagues in North America for NCAA hockey prospects.

“I’m very fortunate for the opportunity to be here,” head coach Liam Tully said. “I fell in love with Nolensville right away — definitely my kind of pace. I’m excited for the opportunity that the ownership has given me. … I’m looking forward to building a strong, winning culture and winning our first National Championships in the near future.”

The Spartans could very well have one of the top outfits in the league in terms of their coaching staff. Beyond Tully, their personnel include former NHL and Olympic players Lubos Bartecko, Viktor Tikhonov, and Matej Ilencik. On the ice, the Spartans’ talented roster is as loaded as they come. Top players include Austin Micale, Duncan Chisolm, Cooper Walling, Khyle Flynn, Hunter Mangan, Gus Immken, and Ryan Grant.

“Last year, we got off to a great start and had a lot of really fun experiences here for the home games, but we’ve put a lot of time, money, and resources into the partnership we have here with the Nashville Warriors Youth Hockey Program,” said Jon Tuggle, owner of United Hockey Partners and Nashville Spartans. “The families and the organization have been supportive, and we have a very exciting season coming up with many fan experiences here. I think they can come and be a part of a really fun environment.”

Allie LaCombe, a former professional hockey player and the team marketing officer for the Nashville Spartans, agreed.

“It’s truly exciting to showcase the Nashville Spartans USPHL Premier team and the ice arena to the Nolensville community,” she said. “As a whole, both organizations’ staff members are by far the most professional, elite, and world-class organization I have been a part of — not only here in Tennessee but in North America.”

As the race for a championship intensifies, the Spartans will hit the road late in the season to face the Toledo Cherokee in early February and conclude the regular season with a four-game home stand against the Buffalo Stampede on February 9 and 10, followed by games against the Cincinnati Cyclones on February 23 and 24. The Spartans will face division foes Buffalo, Toledo, and Metro four times each this season and the Cincinnati Cyclones and Columbus Mavericks six times. They’ll also play four games against the Decatur Blaze and the Dells Ducks.

“My goal is to give our players the best junior hockey experience possible and develop good life habits,” Tully said. “We want to develop strong on- and off-the-ice habits and values that they’ve learned from myself and the Spartans and the organization into the next chapter of their careers.”

Tickets are on sale now for the 2023-24 season. Spartans Kids Club Memberships are also available for children ages 5-14 to enjoy exclusive savings and benefits. To explore membership options, savings, and ticket packages, visit nashvillespartanshockey.com/tickets.