Developing Jax ~ Andy Kaufmann

Jacksonville’s Iceman: ANDY KAUFMANN, Owner of Jacksonville Icemen

DEVELOPING JACKSONVILLE: A SPECIAL REPORT BY BRIAN LUNSFORD

THE IGLOO PROJECT

Big dreams, hard work, and a love for Jacksonville are netting big wins for Northeast Florida.

ORIGINS OF SPORTS OWNERSHIP Before becoming the owner of the Jacksonville Icemen, Andy Kaufmann owned a successful survival and camping equipment company. But his dream had always been to be in sports ownership. That dream turned into a reality when publicly traded Smith & Wesson came calling with enough cash to fill up multiple Zamboni machines. The iconic gunmaker’s purchase of Andy’s outdoor gear business allowed the longtime Jacksonville resident to begin laying the groundwork to buy a team. “Now we are living the dream of sports ownership in our dream hometown. I don’t know if words can express how joyful it truly has been,” Andy says.

Brian Lunsford, Andy Kaufmann, Kristin Lunsford

Andy owns not only the Icemen, but also the Savannah Ghost Pirates, a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Savannah, GA. “The Savannah Ghost Pirates is an expansion team in the same league as the Icemen, affiliated with the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights,” explains Andy. Growing up in Long Island, NY. Andy was thrilled to partner the Icemen with the NHL's New York Rangers as an affiliate

BUILT FROM THE ICE UP: COMMUNITY FIRST IGLOO If sports ownership was Andy listening to his inner 8-year-old self, then surely his next big move is taking advice from his future 80-year-old self. “The genesis of the Igloo was due to the shortage of ice in Northeast Florida,” Andy explains. “The demand far exceeded the supply, which was for us a concern because we really want to continue to grow the sport and the passion for hockey in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”

Andy bought the facility formerly known as the Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex located in the San Marco East Plaza at I-95 and Emerson Street, and immediately began drawing up plans for the Igloo and its future. “We bought the building and the operation that had one sheet of ice and have entered a $23 million renovation to make sure it is the best of the best and the premier facility of its kind in the state,” Andy says. The Igloo now has two sheets of NHL-sized ice, a 210-seat state-of-the-art sports bar–complete with a “frost bar” of ice around the bar’s perimeter to keep beer cold on–as well as an executive chef kitchen. The 104,000-squarefoot facility also includes a restaurant, pro shop, locker rooms, corporate offices, party and event space, and an Esports arena where guests can play NHL Live against Icemen players, Madden NFL, and even non-sports games.

CARVING OUT A LEGACY ON ICE Andy Kaufmann is married with two teenage sons who were born and raised in Jacksonville. His drive to always improve this area goes beyond wins and losses on the ice. “For us, having a passion for hockey, the city of Jacksonville, for the community, and having the platform and ability to bring kids in who otherwise couldn’t afford to skate was one of the main reasons for the Igloo,” Andy shares. The Igloo will have programs allowing kids to develop skills on the ice free of charge. Whether it is a future in hockey or another profession, Andy’s vision is that kids will pick up valuable skills for life and one day pay it forward themselves.

Set for full completion in October of this year, the Igloo will also be home to the Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame, containing six-foot bobbleheads representing the inductees. Its initial four inductees are well-known Jax athletes: Tim Tebow, Daniel Murphy, Reggie Hayward, and Myles Jack. “We will ultimately have the largest collection of sixfoot bobbleheads in the world right here in Jacksonville,” Andy says. The Icemen will practice at the Igloo and continue playing games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The Igloo is currently open to the public for ice skating, lessons, and other amenities.

...HAVING THE PLATFORM AND ABILITY TO BRING KIDS IN WHO OTHERWISE COULDN’T AFFORD TO SKATE WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE IGLOO”

A HEART FOR COMMUNITY The Jacksonville Icemen are routinely ranked near the top in league attendance, have a passionate fan base, and recently made a strong run in the playoffs. They have a great young coach and emerging NHL players. But when Andy bought the team, there was a lot of work to be done. One of the first things he wanted to improve was player housing. So he purchased 13 new townhomes for the Icemen players and visiting referees to live and stay in. Culture matters to Andy, and his players are like an extension of his family. The Icemen now have the best player housing in the league.

Andy is also passionate about Jacksonville. “We really love the people of Jacksonville; it’s a special place,” he says. Andy still has big dreams, and much of his story is still being written. One thing is for sure, this is his home, and he will do whatever it takes to keep making it better. “When we sold our last business, we had a chance to live anywhere and said, ‘You know what? This is exactly where we want to live.’ Even though we could’ve lived anywhere, this is where we want to be.”