Peoria celebrates Rivermen hockey championship

Rivermen captain Alec Hagaman hoists the SPHL President's Cup as he's introduced at a public celebration for the team's championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Peoria-born player was the MVP of the SPHL playoffs in his final year of professional hockey.

Peoria Rivermen fans, including a group of enthusiastic youngsters at the front, cheer for the team as they're introduced during a public celebration for their SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Peoria Rivermen defenseman Zach Wilkie whips the crowd up with a rendition of "We Are the Champions" during the team's public celebration of their SPHL President's Cup championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

More than 1,000 fans gathered for a public celebration honoring the Peoria Rivermen and their SPHL hockey President's Cup championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The Peoria Rivermen join the crowd in applause for their captain Alec Hagaman (17) after his speech during a public celebration for the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Peoria Rivermen captain Alec Hagaman smiles as the accolades flow for him during a public celebration of the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

JM Piotrowski of the Peoria Rivermen flashes a smile as he speaks to fans during a public celebration for the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

A young fan embraces Zach Wilkie of the Peoria Rivermen after his speech at a public celebration for the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The SPHL President's Cup stands on a pedestal as Peoria Rivermen Hall-of-Famer and Peoria City Council member Denis Cyr shares his thoughts during a public celebration for the team's championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The Peoria Rivermen join Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and Peoria City Council member Denis Cyr onstage for a public celebration of the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Cayden Cahill of the Peoria Rivermen poses with fan Kelly Audi of Roanoke during an autograph session at a public celebration for the team's SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Tristan Trudel of the Peoria Rivermen autographs Joe Hart's hockey jersey during an autograph session at a public celebration for the team's SPHL championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

A large crowd lines up for autographs from the Peoria Rivermen during a public celebration for the team's SPHL President's Cup championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Fans get their photo taken with the SPHL President's Cup during a public celebration for the champion Peoria Rivermen on Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The Peoria Rivermen greet their fans from atop a Peoria Fire Department ladder truck on their way to a public celebration for the SPHL hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.