Good for Jamestown...Bad for Northern Ohio.

[tops804]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3607113

Northeast Ohio ice rinks...Please read Haines track record before signing a lease.

MAHL Vikings Relocating For 2008/2009 Season

March 18, 2008 - The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) announced that the Jamestown VIkings (Jamestown, NY) will relocate for their 2nd Season starting in the fall 2008.
The team will now be known as the Lake Erie Vikings and will return to Ohio for the upcoming season.

League President Andrew Haines & League Director of Operations Larry Debnar will announce the new home arena of the Vikings next week.

"With the recent events in Jamestown and the non responsive arena management it was necessary for us to take steps to ensure the success of the team, and league." Stated MAHL Director of Operations Larry Dednar.

For more information on the Lake Erie Vikings, visit www.lakeerievikings.com (coming soon).

The MAHL will be announcing other expansion teams starting next week. For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League visit www.mahlhockey.com or call (888) 399-0347.

[AHLFAN]

Did anyone expect anything else. I read somewhere the MAHL lost the lease to the Jamestown Arena. Besides anyone in their right mind wouldn't want Haines doing business in there arena.

[notoriousap]

‘‘With the recent events in Jamestown and the non-responsive arena management, it was necessary for us to take steps to ensure the success of the team and league,’’ said Larry Debnar, MAHL operations director, in a news release issued Tuesday announcing the move.

But when it comes to severing ties between MAHL officials and the city, the ice arena beat them to it. According to Mike Ferguson, ice arena general manager, the ice arena’s board of directors voted two weeks ago to cancel the contract with Haines.

‘‘We knew there was no way he was going to be able to make it back again and get it back together again,’’ Ferguson said.

http://post-journal.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=25940

[tops804]

MAHL officials said Tuesday the former Jamestown team will now be known as the Lake Erie Vikings. They also indicated the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, which hosted the Vikings, was to blame for the team’s departure.

MAHLSPIN....Play Victim, when all that this really says is that Jamestown Arena had enough sense to get
out with limited damage.

Tuesday’s announcement regarding the newly named Lake Erie Vikings coincided with a news conference that will take place at 11 a.m. today at the ice arena. Ferguson held back most of the details, though he said it involves the future of hockey in Jamestown.

As I titled this post: Good for Jamestown...

Anyone else sense the Valley Forge ownership getting together with Jamestown
Arena to start a new league???:)

[AHLFAN]

The owner of the Valley Forge Freedom is planning to put a franchise in Danbury, Ct. He has is also planning his own league, the EPHL. I know there is a franchise also somewhere in New Jersey. I bet you can hear from the MAHL that the Freedom are relocating.

http://www.geec.net/EPHLWEBsite/tabid/86/Default.aspx

[tops804]

Thanks for the link, AHLFAN.

The Vikings "moved" mostly because Haines owns them. Valley Forge had
solid ownership (Not with initals A.H.). I would say the franchise name is
pretty much dead in MAHL land. It probably has no real value to Haines,
since it was purchased from him and he's already cashed the check.

[BreakersFan]

I wonder what the Lake Erie Monsters will think of this.......

[rams80]

The Cease and Desist letter is probably in the mail as we speak.

[tops804]

I wonder what the Lake Erie Monsters will think of this.......

...or Cleveland State Vikings???

I believe, or better yet hope that this team is pushed further South into
Summit/Wayne County.

[tops804]

From Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena web site
http://www.jamestownsavingsbankicearena.com/home.html

JUNIOR "A" HOCKEY

COMING TO J-TOWN!

Arena GM, Mike Ferguson along with Team President & Owner, Barry Soskin & Director of Hockey Operations, Dennis Canfield have announced the development of Jamestown Junior Hockey, Inc.

Play will begin with Training Camp in August with games starting in September. The team is looking for Host Families that are willing to house players ages 16-20 that will be wearing the Jamestown colors on their quest for college scholarships and professional futures.

A name the team contest will hit the streets next week.

[BreakersFan]

Wow - kind of surprised it wasn't the EPHL.....

[joe01369]

well this is a guy i know about. barry, barry, barry....if you like Haines, you will love Soskin! although the guy has money personally, he doesnt put it into his teams and he is notorious for not paying bills or coaches...just contact the people he screwed in traverse city michigan, jackson michigan, flint michigan, and several other midwest cities... need i go on?

[tops804]

March 18, 2008 - The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) announced that the Jamestown VIkings (Jamestown, NY) will relocate for their 2nd Season starting in the fall 2008.
The team will now be known as the Lake Erie Vikings and will return to Ohio for the upcoming season.

League President Andrew Haines & League Director of Operations Larry Debnar will announce the new home arena of the Vikings next week.


Next week, was 3 weeks ago. {Insert sound effects of chirping crickets here...}

However, hope does spring eternal....Maybe Ohio rinks are on to this league
and won't sign a lease with it...

[mel3476]

Next week, was 3 weeks ago. {Insert sound effects of chirping crickets here...}

However, hope does spring eternal....Maybe Ohio rinks are on to this league
and won't sign a lease with it...

There is a sucker born every minute. Someone will take the bait, I am sure...

[tops804]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3648261

Vikings name Brad Zangs as bench boss for 2008-2009 season
05/27/08 - Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL)

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - The Lake Erie Vikings of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League announced today they have named Brad Zangs as Head Coach of the club.

General Manager of the Lake Erie Vikings, Don Lewis, made the announcement from the team's offices. "The Vikings organization and I are looking forward
to Brad being behind the bench for the Vikings this year," said Lewis.

Coming from Farmington, Minnesota, Zangs served as coach most recently for Simley High School during the 2007-08 season. Prior to that position, Zangs served as general manager and coach for the Junior A Northwest Knights where they won their league title in the SJHL.

"Brad is a proven winner, and leader and I look forward to working with him for the 08-09 inaugural Vikings season in Chagrin Falls," Lewis said.
Zangs has served as an assistant coach for Northland College, Hamline College and Iowa State University and has worked successfully to develop
players' skills and ability to move up through collegiate and professional levels
of play.

Zangs has coached over 40 players that have played at the Division I level, he's also been part of winning three national titles.

Over his career, Zangs has coached 15 players who were later drafted in the NHL Entry Draft and seven players who are now playing in the NHL.

"I'm looking forward to an up tempo, in your face type of hockey. I feel good about the organization, I like the idea of giving the players an opportunity to reach their goal of playing pro hockey," Zangs said. "During the off season I will be doing alot of recruiting, trying to get out there and talk to as many
players as possible to make a strong team for the organization."

When asked about the upcoming season Zangs said with enthusiasm, "I think Don (Lewis) and I are both go-getter kind of people that like to get things done and I think we will work well together running the team. It should be fun."

Brad Zangs and his wife Sonja have three sons, Trevor, 14, Garrett, 12, and Donovan,7,who all play hockey and reside in Minnesota.

"Brad and his family will be great assets to the Vikings team," said Lewis.

The Lake Erie Vikings will celebrate their first season with Brad Zangs as head coach during the 2008-09 season. Don't miss any of the action; call the
Vikings head office to get your season tickets now. Call 1-(888)-399-0347 for
more information.

The Lake Erie Vikings have an open position for an outside Sales Representatives to work full time/part time. Interested candidates should email their resume to dlewis@lakeerievikings.com.

No mention yet on The Ponds website about their new tenant...