RIVERMENPeoria celebrates Rivermen hockey championshipThe 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARRivermen 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARPeoria 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARPeoria 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARMore 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARThe 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARPeoria 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARJM 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARA 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARThe 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARThe 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARCayden 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARTristan 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARA 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARFans 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARThe 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.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STARPeoria Rivermen fans celebrate as the team drives by atop a Peoria Fire Department ladder truck during a public celebration for their SPHL President's Cup hockey championship Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR