PALMER — The Arctic Predators are hosting a press conference Monday at 3 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard II Sports Complex to officially announce the arrival of indoor professional football to the Mat-Su Valley.

Hans Deemer, a local youth and prep football coach and former leader of the Alaska Wild indoor squad, will be introduced as the Predators’ first head coach.

Predators president and co-owner Chris Kokalis will also attend the press conference, which is open to the general public. Wasilla resident Jim Dukes, who won an Internet contest by suggesting the franchise be dubbed the Arctic Predators will also be featured.

In March of 2010, the Arctic Predators will take the field as a member of the Indoor Football League. The IFL, which already includes teams in Anchorage and Fairbanks, officially improved the bid to expand to the Mat-Su Valley last week.

The Predators will play their home games at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Arena.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.