POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County native Pat Manning, a former county legislator and state assemblyman, has announced the birth of the Hudson Valley Vipers minor league hockey team that will be making Poughkeepsie their home. As a county lawmaker, Manning was instrumental in attracting the Hudson Valley Renegades to Dutchess County 30 years ago.
The Hudson Valley Vipers will be playing a full season of hockey at the McCann Ice Arena at the MJN Convention Center. The Vipers are part of the 16-team Union Hockey League with teams as far west as Detroit and east to Vermont. The team will play an exhibition game at McCann Ice Arena in December before league play, which will begin in January 2024 and last until April. The following season will begin in November 2024 with additional teams, according to Manning who noted that moving forward, the season will start every November.
Manning is the team’s president.
Manning sees a correlation between the Renegades and the Vipers. “The success of the Hudson Valley Renegades is a tale of wholesome, affordable entertainment that is geared to a family. I see the same for the Hudson Valley Vipers, filling a fun spot in people’s lives during the winter months.” Manning is looking to allow spectators to have fun at McCann. “We are looking to create family memories down in the “snake pit” at the McCann, but also to be another piece in the City of Poughkeepsie’s renaissance and one of the jewels on the MJN Center’s crown.”
Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Inc. Chairman of the Board Michael McCormack is embracing the idea. “We are proud to have the Hudson Valley Vipers playing in our McCann Ice Arena. Having a competitive minor-league hockey team is a major win for the MJN Center, the City of Poughkeepsie, and the Hudson Valley as a whole.” MJN Center President Zeidan Nesheiwat is also looking forward to the new venture. “We are always looking for new ways to draw people to Poughkeepsie and the Vipers are destined to do just that,” he said. “We have a great rink, a tremendous facility, and we look forward to having the minor league Hudson Valley Vipers call the MJN their home.”
The Vipers’ coach is Joey “The Bus” Bonitatibus, an assistant captain and player/coach for two years for West Connecticut State University before joining the Vipers. “I am very excited to be coaching the Hudson Valley Vipers. We are very lucky to have dedicated owners and staff, who I know will create an amazing and family-friendly environment for ice hockey. The team this year is full of some amazing talent that plan to perform at a competitive level. I know some of the other teams in the UHL come from some notoriously strong hockey locations, but they better make sure to keep an eye on the Vipers this season. We have one goal this season, to win it all, and we plan on achieving that,” said Bonitatibus.
Individual tickets will be going on sale starting next week along with season tickets (called a VIV Pass for “Very Important Viper”) at family-friendly prices so people can buy for the holiday season. Business sponsorships are available as well for the 20-game season that includes ten home games.
Manning believes the Vipers will be a hit. “The Hudson Valley has been very good to me and I am looking forward to giving back to generations of families who will remember the fun, antics, and straight-on competitive play that the Hudson Valley Vipers will be known for.”
Interested fans can follow the team on Facebook by clicking here and Instagram @HudsonValleyVipers to keep informed about tickets, apparel, and games.
