The question of "are they or aren't they" when it comes to the Evansville IceMen moving to Owensboro finally gets an answer after both the city of Owensboro and the team announced a contract has been signed that will put the team inside the Sportscenter in time for the 2016-17 season.

The IceMen announced the deal Wednesday night on their Facebook page, and was shared by the City of Owensboro's account.

Fans of hockey in the tri-state area, we appreciate your continued support that you have so passionately shown over the...

Posted by Evansville IceMen on Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Until yesterday's official announcement, the move was in question after a post on the IceMen's Facebook page Tuesday night stated that nothing was set in stone, and that discussions between the team and the City of Owensboro were just preliminary following a press conference Tuesday afternoon that gave them impression the deal was done. That post was removed from the page shortly thereafter.

The team will play out the remainder of this season at the Ford Center, but who, if anyone, takes their place next season is still up in the air. According to Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke's office, the City is committed to finding a replacement well before then.

ICE HOCKEY UPDATE"Since early January, the City of Evansville has been working diligently to ensure professional ice...

Posted by Lloyd Winnecke on Wednesday, January 20, 2016

John Martin, who has been covering the story for the Evansville Courier-Press, reported Wednesday evening "two potential ownership groups have been identified" by Mayor Winnecke, one of which is a team from the Southern Professional Hockey League. The 10-year-old league is based near Charlotte, North Carolina, and is not affiliated with the NHL.

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