become the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. One of the inaugural SPHL teams, the Columbus Cottonmouths, suspended operations in 2017 after failing to find a buyer while an expansion team called the Birmingham Bulls were accepted into the league as the tenth team. Following the 2017–18 season, the Mississippi RiverKings suspended operations while the league searched for new owners. With the acceptance of the Quad City Storm, the league was able to remain at ten teams for the 2018–19 season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 season was curtailed and no champion was named. The following season, the league announced it would only play with five of the ten member teams due to pandemic-related capacity restrictions barring fans from attending games. During the season, the league approved of the Vermilion County Bobcats as a 2021–22 expansion team based in Danville, Illinois. Teams 2022–23 members Note Timeline Defunct and relocated teams Asheville Aces (2004–05) Augusta RiverHawks (2010–13) Moved to Macon, Georgia, as the Mayhem for the 2015–16 season. Bloomington Thunder (2013–14) Membership terminated to make way for a team in the United States Hockey League. Columbus Cottonmouths (2004–17) Inaugural member of the SPHL, suspended operations when ownership could no longer fund the team; could return under new ownership; in 2019 Columbus moved to the FPHL league and became the Columbus River Dragons. Florida Seals (2005–07) Membership terminated in the middle of the 2006–07 SPHL season. Jacksonville Barracudas (2004–08) Suspended for the 2008–09 season and dissolved. Louisiana IceGators (2009–16) Suspended operations for the 2016–17 season claiming the arena needed the year for renovations but later dissolved. In 2018, the franchise was sold and became the Quad City Storm. Macon Trax (2004–05) Mississippi RiverKings (2011–18) Joined from the Central Hockey League in 2011, ownership suspended operations in 2018 while the league searches for new owners. Mississippi Surge (2009–14) Moved to Roanoke, Virginia, as the Rail Yard Dawgs for the 2016–17 season. Pee Dee Cyclones (2005–07) Moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Richmond Renegades (2006–09) Twin City Cyclones (2007–09) Vermilion County Bobcats (2021-23) Ceased operations on February 9, 2023 after 88 games played. Winston-Salem Polar Twins (2004–05) Key rule differences As per minor leagues, there are some rule differences between the SPHL and the NHL (and even the ECHL and the AHL, the two official developmental leagues regulated by the Professional Hockey Players' Association). A team may dress eighteen regular players to a game. Two