05/12/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summit City Distillers Announce Move to the Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL)
FORT WAYNE, IN — The Summit City Distillers are proud to announce that the organization will be joining the Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL) beginning with the upcoming season, marking an exciting new chapter in franchise history.
Since joining the American Premier Hockey League (APHL), the Distillers have been honored to compete alongside passionate organizations and talented players throughout the league. The organization would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the APHL, its leadership, fellow teams, and supporters for the opportunities and experiences shared over the past two seasons.
“Our time in the APHL helped lay the foundation for our organization,” said team leadership. “We are especially proud that in just our second and final season in the league, we were able to cultivate a championship-caliber team that represented our city and fans with pride.”
The move to the MIHL is one the organization believes will position the team for long-term success both on and off the ice. With a regional footprint focused heavily throughout Michigan and surrounding markets, the transition is expected to create more manageable travel opportunities for players, staff, and supporters while continuing to provide a competitive semi-professional hockey environment.
Established in 2020, the Michigan Independence Hockey League has grown into a respected platform for competitive hockey in smaller markets, helping players continue developing their careers while serving as a pathway to higher-level leagues, including the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL).
“The MIHL presents an exciting opportunity for our organization,” the team stated. “We believe this move is the most beneficial for us from a travel and operational standpoint while still allowing us to compete at a high level and continue growing hockey in Summit City.”
