BILOXI, Miss. � Due to Hurricane Katrina, which has been called the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States, Mississippi Sea Wolves operating owner Mike Rogers announced that the team would not be able to operate in 2005-06 but that it would return to action at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in the 2006-07 season.

The Sea Wolves have submitted a request to the ECHL Board of Governors for a Voluntary Suspension for 2005-06, a request that will be presented for approval at the ECHL Board of Governors Preseason Meeting on September 22.

The inside of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum was extensively damaged by flooding, including the team offices, locker rooms, ice-making equipment and two Zambonis.

�We�re just going to have a longer offseason than usual,� said Mike Rogers, Sea Wolves operating owner. �We are very appreciative of the City of Mobile, Mayor Mike Dow and SMG for their willingness to work with us. The organization also looked into alternative housing, but the short timeframe before the start of the season made it impossible to pull together. We will maintain a presence on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and look forward to celebrating our �Decade In The Den� beginning in October 2006.�

�The Sea Wolves organization wants to acknowledge Commissioner Brian McKenna and the league office for their assistance and patience while we explored all options,� Rogers added. �And we want to thank the ECHL member teams, the ECHL fans and the entire hockey community for the tremendous outpouring of support we received in such a trying time.�

Rogers said that payments already made for 2005-06 season tickets can be used toward the 2006-07 season or will be refunded if requested.

The Sea Wolves plan to announce a new front office location and contact information in the near future.