Spittin’ Chiclets hosts among part owners of Greensboro ECHL expansion team

Four co-hosts behind hockey’s popular Spittin’ Chiclets podcast have completed a purchase to become part owners of the ECHL’s newest expansion franchise in Greensboro, N.C. Not a big deal.

Per Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek, former NHLers Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, Keith Yandle, and Spittin’ Chiclets producer Mike Grinnell will share in the ownership. In October, the ECHL granted approval for Greensboro’s expansion, with the franchise owned and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. Per the podcast, the team’s official name will be unveiled later Tuesday.

“Greensboro holds a special place in the ECHL’s history and growth, and it will be a joyful moment to drop the puck once again in October 2025 and bring professional hockey back to the city for fans to once again cheer for their hometown team,” ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said in statement in October.

The franchise will begin play this fall, playing out of the First Horizon Coliseum. Greensboro’s addition brings to the ECHL to 30 franchises, and returns pro hockey to the community that last hosted the former Greensboro Generals of the ECHL from 1999 to 2004 prior to the franchise’s termination. Greensboro also hosted the ECHL’s Monarchs from 1989-95.

Greensboro’s hockey history also includes the Carolina Hurricanes, which following the franchise’s relocation from Hartford, Conn., played out of Greensboro for two seasons as it awaited construction of its new arena in nearby Raleigh, N.C.

An ECHL graduate, Bissonnette skated part of three seasons with the Wheeling Nailers from 2005-08 before seeing 202 NHL contests with the Pittsburgh Penguins and former Arizona Coyotes. With the Coyotes, Bissonnette played alongside Yandle, who also saw stops with the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers, totaling 1,109 career contests. A fellow blue-liner, Whitney saw 481 NHL games with the Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and Panthers from 2005-14.