Spin, Spin and more Spin

[freddypuck]

Wow.... amazing how hard the league elders are working to quiet the rumor mill. Between Franke, Lisman and others, they are putting in quite the effort to dispell the reality that is "the collapse of the UHL as we know it now".

Rockford is gone as confirmed by the Governors

Read between the lines of their statements, and you'll see that Elmira is done next year, too expense to travel.

How long will the city of Port Huron go down the losing road before they look elsewhere to draw downtown. Flint is probably out next season.

Indianapolis pulled back on their dealings with the UHL and renewed their lease with the USHL for 1 more year. I am sure they want to see how the future of the region shapes up and what becomes of the U next season.

Key league people have or are pulling out - Werger gone to Pittsburgh, Brosal leaving. The 2 people who know the true standing of the league and probably had the best gauge of its future. Obviously they don't want to be around for it.

UHL will be the midwest bus and beer league.

[Pounder]

That's if there's a UHL... or as the rumor goes, the IHL.

Thing about Elmira- the rumor is that Doc Afr's name is NOT on the application to the ECHL. It's kind of well know that the E wants nothing to do with Afr. Sale, anyone?

The Quad City owner hedges greatly on the Franke statements... and there are rumors that Taylor is promising some season ticket holders that they're jumping to the E.

Bloomington owner offers cautious support for Franke, but manages to mention that they'll also jump if there's no more than 6 teams left.

At this point, I wouldn't have a cow on "spinning." Franke knows he has to "sell" just to keep a league- it's obvious by the spin. This one's become a mere curiosity compared to most of the brouhaha on OSC. Since the E presents its own challenges, there aren't any empty nets here.

[radiodavel]

I can't let you pick on the owners about this, we asked sportswriters from around the UHL what the future for the U would be. As you can see below the writer's did a great job in getting responses...below are some of the articles about this, plus our initial email to them...plus an article from Toledo today in the Blade about a possible UHL team in that city...living in Rockford we had heard all of the rumors going around, that is why we did this information to search...


Commissioner wants ECHL to stay active in Toledo

By MARK MONROE
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Pat Pylypuik, the Storm's current general manager, said he has a group of investors, including 10 locals, who are putting together a deal to bring a new hockey team to the area. Pylypuik said the team would play in the Sports Arena until it is torn down.

The group also would build a new 3,500-seat facility estimated to cost $5 million for the team to play in after the Sports Arena is razed, according to Pylypuik. He said the group is looking at a few locations, but that it would not be built in Lucas County.

"I guarantee you there will be hockey here next season," Pylypuik said. "Mayor Finkbeiner has assured us that the Sports Arena will be available."

Pylypuik said his new franchise could play in the United Hockey League or be a junior league team.


Bloomington - Rumors flying about future of UHL

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/03/28/prairiethunder/doc460a03d4e06e8491254903.txt

see below from QC

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/03/28//sports//doc4609f2de8c192482797362.txt

Ft Wayne story
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/16980424.htm

Port Huron - Future in the UHL

http://www.thetimesherald.com/news/blogs/paulontheflags/index.html

Lisman: UHL will play on
http://www.mlive.com/sports/chronicle/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1175174106137000.xml&coll=8

The Senior Reports
http://www.bright.net/~wkki/sreport.htm


email to writer's -
UHL in 2007-08: The Senior Reports

http://www.bright.net/~wkki/sreport.htm

We are contacting sports writers from around the UHL...

* - will the UHL be around in 07-08?

* - how many teams will still be a part of the UHL?

* - is your franchise considering the ECHL, SPHL or possibly the OHL?

* - or will a new International Hockey League (IHL) be in business?

all results will be compiled and forwarded back to you...rumors are continuing to grow among fans and sports folks

[radiodavel]

One thing is constant: K’s will be on the ice
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/hockey/16998012.htm

[sportsguy12]

I can't let you pick on the owners about this, we asked sportswriters from around the UHL what the future for the U would be. As you can see below the writer's did a great job in getting responses...below are some of the articles about this, plus our initial email to them...plus an article from Toledo today in the Blade about a possible UHL team in that city...living in Rockford we had heard all of the rumors going around, that is why we did this information to search...

I can't let you pick on the owners? What does that mean?

Wouldn't the owners have more info on what the future of the league is than a group of sportswriters? Sportswriters can only write what information they receive ... usually from GMs or owners. I don't follow the logic here as far as the owners being picked on.

[radiodavel]

what was meant by this was when owner's were asked the tough question about the UHL they gave some tough answers, they were not out looking to "spin" the issue...I have a lot of respect for those that own any minor league franchise, it is there money that allows us as fans to have that form of entertainment. I think if you ask any of them they would rather have no problems such as this...the U has provided me as a "fan" a lot of entertainment, when we worked with the sportswriters they asked the questions, got the answers and cleared up some items...some gave there thoughts as a writer as well...they did there jobs, otherwise some of the rumors would not been answered...

plus now Toledo is surfacing as a possible UHL franchise

Commissioner wants ECHL to stay active in Toledo

By MARK MONROE
BLADE SPORTS WRITER


Pat Pylypuik, the Storm's current general manager, said he has a group of investors, including 10 locals, who are putting together a deal to bring a new hockey team to the area. Pylypuik said the team would play in the Sports Arena until it is torn down.

The group also would build a new 3,500-seat facility estimated to cost $5 million for the team to play in after the Sports Arena is razed, according to Pylypuik. He said the group is looking at a few locations, but that it would not be built in Lucas County.

"I guarantee you there will be hockey here next season," Pylypuik said. "Mayor Finkbeiner has assured us that the Sports Arena will be available."

Pylypuik said his new franchise could play in the United Hockey League or be a junior league team.

[Pounder]

Can't pick on the owners? So what?

Thing is, think about an owners meeting where this might be discussed. Even the semi-dim amongst humanity recognizes the possibility that one or more of the lads across the table could be lying when the lips move.

That's what's on my mind when I suggest the strong possibility that WE know more or at least as much about what's going to happen next as those owners do. There's probably no difference between interviewing sportswriters and owners. Of course, owners being human and all, what's the beef about picking on them?

[radiodavel]

UHL governor says it will be 'business as usual'

http://www.star-gazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070330/SPORTS0301/703300324/1002

[freddypuck]

Why does it matter who gets picked on? As in anything, thats life.

Because the league is privately held, their requirement to tell reporters anything is limited. But I have always found plenty of people around the league to chat with and almost all of them have loose lips.

The UHL has a large problem and is the result of a combination of factors that have over time festered and compounded.

In the league's efforts to grow over the past decade many poor decisions have been made. The commissioner of the league was allowed to be the analyst for the league's market area decisions, all the while with a contract in place that pays him bonuses for each new team he brings into the league, regardless of whether or not the team remains a viable team or market. (Not Good for anyone but the Commish).

Ownership approvals are a joke. There is absolutely no accountability on these owners and most of them do not have a stake in the market they own rights to. EXCEPT: the handful of owners that actually do this because it is their business... those markets are the successful year over year and have owners that belong to the communities they serve. Hmmm.... can you guess them? Rockford (ultimate success), Muskegon, Kzoo, Fort Wayne... The owners that do this as a hobby or status symbol, usually hire management staff that is compiled of retired players, ex-coaches and interns. Who is running the ship? Where is the business professional? business manager? These are multi-million dollar budgets managed by people who have no professional training in running a company. Ownership oversight is from hundreds of miles away. Just look at Utica, Adirondack, Richmond, Columbus, Roanoke, KC, Missouri, Motor City... and most recently Chicago

Among the hundreds of players that take their career seriously and conduct themselves as professional atheletes, there are a couple of handfuls of players that have these incredibly timely injuries right at the end of the season and file claims against the team's workers compensation insurance. These same players collect all summer while they work under the table doing other jobs and then amazingly are cured just before the next season starts. Thereby taxing the WC insurance to the point that the owners have to pay huge premiums for their annual coverage. This is completely unfair to everyone including the players that do truly get hurt and deserve the coverage. The CHL used to have the same problem and changed the way they conduct player in and out physicals to minimize this.

Mix up all the ingredients and brew the "perfect storm"

years of poor market selection causing insatbility and added expense to team ops

years of allowing anyone with a fat checkbook to be an owner - this has led to many of the league's current financial woes.

Owners counting on ex-athletes to run their company - back door deals with vendors, under money, management using corporate sponsorship for personal gain, ineffective and weak business operations...

Incredibly high insurance, league dues and fees - Someone has to pay for the commish's car and perks that go with the big chair and Worker's Compensation that has been so abused that many owners pay 3X what they should

stir these all together and you have the current UHL

When the league finally gets a new commissioner and as long as he is not from within the league, that person will have a huge mess to clean up.

While the rumors fly, keep a few simple things in mind: I believe the UHL holds the record for the most teams that have come and gone in a decade than any other sports league in history. The first league in hockey history to have its own Mafia team. Have left more cites holding huge debts than any minor league in any sport. The first league to have the commissioner of the league participate in a conspiracy to cover up the assault of a referee without any sanction or punishment (almost incomprehensible that the governors allowed this).

I am sure some of these problems plague other leagues to some degree, but the U has mastered the art of combining them all.

Its time for the UHL to create some standards for its front end operations, return integrity and proessionalism to its reputation. Although I fear it is too late to recover from the storm.

Who pays the price for all of this? The hockey players that work so hard to make it, the fans who put their heart, soul and pocketbook out for the team, the hard working employees of these arenas and teams and in many cases the local businesses and citizens are also indirectly affected.

[indy legend]

I believe the UHL holds the record for the most teams that have come and gone in a decade than any other sports league in history.

Sorry but I'm sure the ABA holds that record and it has only taken 6 years for them to reach the level of incompetence they have attained. The ABA lost at least a dozen teams this season alone and I would guess at least 60 oin the last 3 to 4 years. The UHL(although a mess) in comparison to the ABA is very well run.

[mvhcpa]

Sorry but I'm sure the ABA holds that record and it has only taken 6 years for them to reach the level of incompetence they have attained. The ABA lost at least a dozen teams this season alone and I would guess at least 60 oin the last 3 to 4 years. The UHL(although a mess) in comparison to the ABA is very well run.

...SUCH an aberration that we shouldn't compare it to ANYTHING (including the NIFL--at least not until the end of this Niffle season).

In any case, do we have any states for teams coming and going from the UHL--I'd like to see just how much turnover is going on.

Michael Val
(who doesn't follow hockey that much, but probably would if there was a minor league team near him)

[radiodavel]

WTVO Rockford
UHL On Shaky Ground
http://www.wtvo.com/content/fulltext/?cid=3145

video link

http://www.wtvo.com/media_player.php?media_id=1416

did not know they had this on there web site

[Pounder]

I actually believe the ECHL has lost more teams than the U.

ABA...NIFL...A-League/USL-1. That's probably not a complete list of leagues that have lost more teams.

Thing with the UHL is that they're so pathetic that Richard Brosal couldn't even add the teams he tried to add, especially given that benefit. The good owners mostly knew to stay away.

[sportsguy12]

I actually believe the ECHL has lost more teams than the U.

ABA...NIFL...A-League/USL-1. That's probably not a complete list of leagues that have lost more teams.

Thing with the UHL is that they're so pathetic that Richard Brosal couldn't even add the teams he tried to add, especially given that benefit. The good owners mostly knew to stay away.

1) They're bigger and ...
2) They've been around longer.

But ECHL teams generally move and re-surface. They don't just fold like the UHL teams.

[freddypuck]

Found out a bit more. Fact not rumor and some of the news will shake the tree a bit. This came from peeps in both the U and the E.

First we all know Rockford is AHL bound

New Facts that;
Elmira will be joining the ECHL (Dr. Afr will be forgiven his past sins, Market is good for the ECHL)
Quad City will be Joining the ECHL (This may push a couple of other teams the same way) They want to guarantee pro hockey in Quad for the fans.

Bloomington and Flint are going to be sold; so their future now becomes clouded
Chicago will go ECHL once the announcement of Elmira and Quad come out.

There are no expansion cities ready or willing to take the U right now.

Port Huron will probably not play, they're on the fence right now but Elmira, Quad and Chicago will probably push them over.

Next year will be a 3 team UHL Kzoo, Muskegon, Fort Wayne. unless Bloomington, Port Huron and Flint stay in the league (highly doubtful)

Looks to me like the end of the U. lets see what the governors have to say after their meeting next week.

[Pounder]

I'd seen a rumor that ECHL isn't even offering Chicago. I can't help but think that the location is kind of hidden in plain sight and the market might be saturated, and if I were the E, I'm not sure I'd want them.

Still, anything can happen in negotiations.

[radiodavel]

Found out a bit more. Fact not rumor

can you tell us where these facts came from? UHL official, team owner or management?

[radiodavel]

There are no expansion cities ready or willing to take the U right now.

What's the future of the UHL?

http://www.arenadigest.com/

from Toledo Blade -

Pat Pylypuik, the Storm's current general manager, said he has a group of investors, including 10 locals, who are putting together a deal to bring a new hockey team to the area. Pylypuik said the team would play in the Sports Arena until it is torn down.

The group also would build a new 3,500-seat facility estimated to cost $5 million for the team to play in after the Sports Arena is razed, according to Pylypuik. He said the group is looking at a few locations, but that it would not be built in Lucas County.

"I guarantee you there will be hockey here next season," Pylypuik said. "Mayor Finkbeiner has assured us that the Sports Arena will be available."

Pylypuik said his new franchise could play in the United Hockey League or be a junior league team.

[rams80]

Found out a bit more. Fact not rumor and some of the news will shake the tree a bit. This came from peeps in both the U and the E.

First we all know Rockford is AHL bound

New Facts that;
Elmira will be joining the ECHL (Dr. Afr will be forgiven his past sins, Market is good for the ECHL)
Quad City will be Joining the ECHL (This may push a couple of other teams the same way) They want to guarantee pro hockey in Quad for the fans.

Bloomington and Flint are going to be sold; so their future now becomes clouded
Chicago will go ECHL once the announcement of Elmira and Quad come out.

There are no expansion cities ready or willing to take the U right now.

Port Huron will probably not play, they're on the fence right now but Elmira, Quad and Chicago will probably push them over.

Next year will be a 3 team UHL Kzoo, Muskegon, Fort Wayne. unless Bloomington, Port Huron and Flint stay in the league (highly doubtful)

Looks to me like the end of the U. lets see what the governors have to say after their meeting next week.

To add to the other criticism, I've heard rumors that Elmyra's entry into the ECHL involves Afr not owning them.

[freddypuck]

I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow took Afr out of the team, but he controls the arena. Its a good market for the ECHL, regionally speaking.

To RadioDave: why would I discuss the sources of my information? It was deepthroat that told me. LOL!!!
People that have been reading them for the last year can tell you that I am pretty accurate and true in my posts.

How does Toledo expect to play in the U if it no longer exists?

[radiodavel]

I didn't ask for names just what type of source, your thoughts sound like rumors to me...we all enjoy that, but it doesn't make it the truth...easy to make a rumor, hard to justify it

[freddypuck]

When the Board of Governors meet next week, we'll see how much of my information is rumor and how much is truth. To be honest I hope its all wrong, I don't like the idea of hockey suffering in any way, whether its this league or another. its my favorite sport. The innocent are the ones to pay the price if the league folds, players, office staff, fans, arenas and their workers, local businesses for all of these cities. High price to everyone.

FYI - my sources are directly connected to the league and if anyone has the information it would be these sources. Not everyone is forthcoming with info, many times it takes asking the right questions and others have no loyalty to the league anymore and the info just spills right out.

Lets see how the Governors decide next week

[radiodavel]

my sources are directly connected to the league and if anyone has the information it would be these sources. Not everyone is forthcoming with info, many times it takes asking the right questions and others have no loyalty to the league anymore and the info just spills right out.

Lets see how the Governors decide next week

so you have no inside sources, just rumors...you were surprised by the Toledo story and the comments about Elmira...it's all right to give your thoughts just don't base them on sources you don't have...did you read any of the articles that were posted on all of this...

[sportsguy12]

Found out a bit more. Fact not rumor and some of the news will shake the tree a bit. This came from peeps in both the U and the E.

First we all know Rockford is AHL bound

New Facts that;
Elmira will be joining the ECHL (Dr. Afr will be forgiven his past sins, Market is good for the ECHL)
Quad City will be Joining the ECHL (This may push a couple of other teams the same way) They want to guarantee pro hockey in Quad for the fans.

Bloomington and Flint are going to be sold; so their future now becomes clouded
Chicago will go ECHL once the announcement of Elmira and Quad come out.

There are no expansion cities ready or willing to take the U right now.

Port Huron will probably not play, they're on the fence right now but Elmira, Quad and Chicago will probably push them over.

Next year will be a 3 team UHL Kzoo, Muskegon, Fort Wayne. unless Bloomington, Port Huron and Flint stay in the league (highly doubtful)

Looks to me like the end of the U. lets see what the governors have to say after their meeting next week.

I think they would have fared better, especially with the AHL's Midwestern loop of teams (Chicago, Iowa, Peoria, GR, etc.)

[nksports]

Elmira will be joining the ECHL (Dr. Afr will be forgiven his past sins, Market is good for the ECHL)

More than likely, and only if the ECHL thinks the market is viable, they would let the UHL franchise fold and award a different owner a new franchise.

[freddypuck]

Here comes the ECHL

The ECHL's board of governors met Wednesday in Pittsburgh and did not adjourn, leaving their meeting in continuance. (http://www.star-gazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/SPORTS0301/704060317/1002)

The Market fits well for the E. Elmira will have local rivalry and far less travel than in the UHL.

[radiodavel]

freddy - at least you are using the sportswriter I work with, that is a good source...

[Nikola_Tesla]

Why does it matter who gets picked on? As in anything, thats life.

Because the league is privately held, their requirement to tell reporters anything is limited. But I have always found plenty of people around the league to chat with and almost all of them have loose lips.

The UHL has a large problem and is the result of a combination of factors that have over time festered and compounded.

In the league's efforts to grow over the past decade many poor decisions have been made. The commissioner of the league was allowed to be the analyst for the league's market area decisions, all the while with a contract in place that pays him bonuses for each new team he brings into the league, regardless of whether or not the team remains a viable team or market. (Not Good for anyone but the Commish).

Ownership approvals are a joke. There is absolutely no accountability on these owners and most of them do not have a stake in the market they own rights to. EXCEPT: the handful of owners that actually do this because it is their business... those markets are the successful year over year and have owners that belong to the communities they serve. Hmmm.... can you guess them? Rockford (ultimate success), Muskegon, Kzoo, Fort Wayne... The owners that do this as a hobby or status symbol, usually hire management staff that is compiled of retired players, ex-coaches and interns. Who is running the ship? Where is the business professional? business manager? These are multi-million dollar budgets managed by people who have no professional training in running a company. Ownership oversight is from hundreds of miles away. Just look at Utica, Adirondack, Richmond, Columbus, Roanoke, KC, Missouri, Motor City... and most recently Chicago

Among the hundreds of players that take their career seriously and conduct themselves as professional atheletes, there are a couple of handfuls of players that have these incredibly timely injuries right at the end of the season and file claims against the team's workers compensation insurance. These same players collect all summer while they work under the table doing other jobs and then amazingly are cured just before the next season starts. Thereby taxing the WC insurance to the point that the owners have to pay huge premiums for their annual coverage. This is completely unfair to everyone including the players that do truly get hurt and deserve the coverage. The CHL used to have the same problem and changed the way they conduct player in and out physicals to minimize this.

Mix up all the ingredients and brew the "perfect storm"

years of poor market selection causing insatbility and added expense to team ops

years of allowing anyone with a fat checkbook to be an owner - this has led to many of the league's current financial woes.

Owners counting on ex-athletes to run their company - back door deals with vendors, under money, management using corporate sponsorship for personal gain, ineffective and weak business operations...

Incredibly high insurance, league dues and fees - Someone has to pay for the commish's car and perks that go with the big chair and Worker's Compensation that has been so abused that many owners pay 3X what they should

stir these all together and you have the current UHL

When the league finally gets a new commissioner and as long as he is not from within the league, that person will have a huge mess to clean up.

While the rumors fly, keep a few simple things in mind: I believe the UHL holds the record for the most teams that have come and gone in a decade than any other sports league in history. The first league in hockey history to have its own Mafia team. Have left more cites holding huge debts than any minor league in any sport. The first league to have the commissioner of the league participate in a conspiracy to cover up the assault of a referee without any sanction or punishment (almost incomprehensible that the governors allowed this).

I am sure some of these problems plague other leagues to some degree, but the U has mastered the art of combining them all.

Its time for the UHL to create some standards for its front end operations, return integrity and proessionalism to its reputation. Although I fear it is too late to recover from the storm.

Who pays the price for all of this? The hockey players that work so hard to make it, the fans who put their heart, soul and pocketbook out for the team, the hard working employees of these arenas and teams and in many cases the local businesses and citizens are also indirectly affected.


I was right there with you, brah. Right up to the point that you called Rockford the "ultimate success". The ultimate success is a combination of on the ice success as well as off the ice. And that my friend, describes the Fort Wayne Komets. Championships on the ice and solid business off of it. Rockford has been solid but success on ice is measured by the number of banners hangin' your barn. Tradition and history are written over many years. You're just not there yet. Outstanding post, though. Very good read! Good luck in AHL, you'll enjoy the level of play!

[freddypuck]

I agree, the Komets are a grade A team both on the ice and at the office level. Frankes take what they do seriously and it shows. What I meant by ultimate success, is that most teams on and off ice strive to make it to the next level. Komets could easily accomplish the same, specially since they have the sweetest rent deal in the league. I have no doubt that the Komets would be successful in any league, due to the ownership, management and fans. Successful does not necessarily mean profitable.

But I think the handful of teams that I mention all take it seriously and its not just a rich man's hobby for them.

[radiodavel]

I grew up on FW Komets hockey before I moved to Rockford, you have to give them credit for surviving for over 50 years. The K's do not want to be an affiliate for an NHL team, they don't send players up and down, they like being in control. Altough during there last days in the IHL they did have players assigned from the NHL. Hey I grew up with players like Eddie Long, Len Thornson, Lionel Repka and even enjoyed the days of Steve Fletcher. The K's have a great history, no doubt...

As good as the Frankes are, they also operated the KC Outlaws of the UHL, how long did that last.

This week should let us know how the U will look next year, also keep an eye on the ECHL talks...if teams do leave how many can leave and survive?

[Nikola_Tesla]

I grew up on FW Komets hockey before I moved to Rockford, you have to give them credit for surviving for over 50 years. The K's do not want to be an affiliate for an NHL team, they don't send players up and down, they like being in control. Altough during there last days in the IHL they did have players assigned from the NHL. Hey I grew up with players like Eddie Long, Len Thornson, Lionel Repka and even enjoyed the days of Steve Fletcher. The K's have a great history, no doubt...

As good as the Frankes are, they also operated the KC Outlaws of the UHL, how long did that last.

This week should let us know how the U will look next year, also keep an eye on the ECHL talks...if teams do leave how many can leave and survive?

Both of your previous posts were outstanding!! Obviously, you're an extremely knowledgeable fan. You just had to bring up the Kansas City deal though, didn't ya?? :mrgreen: At this point, it doesn't look good for the "U". Minor league hockey as a whole has suffered from the "hockey hobby syndrome" that you mentioned and that's a shame. It seems to me that for the business side of all the minor leagues and its continued economic health, a major realignment on the AA level may be in order. Unfortunately, for many cities in the minor league market, deep pocketed owners who want to dabble in franchise ownership have really hurt the stability of the game. As has been previously mentioned, the owners with a real vested interest from a business standpoint are consistently successful franchises. Maybe a massive shake-up is the best option in the long haul. Anyway, good luck to the Icehogs in the AHL. They'll be sorely missed by the "U"!

[radiodavel]

http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/ice_chips_0607/

No news from meeting

Komets president Michael Franke confirmed there was a conference call among team owners Tuesday -- the rumor is that it regarded what teams will remain in the UHL for next season -- but Franke declined to comment on the agenda or any decisions from the meeting.

I don't get the impression anything has formally been decided. And I'm sticking to my belief that the Komets and about six other teams will remain in the UHL, while adding some clubs from other circuits, only it will be called the International Hockey League. (The Frankes own the rights to that moniker.) But as I've said, that's just my belief because they're guarding this stuff as if it were a state secret.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

[freddypuck]

I think KC was to fail no matter who ran it. However, I think the Frankes only bankrolled the team and I believe Adler ran it.

The market choices of the league have been poor, showing just how weak the due diligence is in the UHL. Had the proper homework been done, I dont think that there would have been teams in KC, Columbus, Richmond, Roanoke, or Motor City.

Problems with these markets? Richmond is not a hockey town, more baseball and racing. Motor City, KC, and Columbus had too many other sports teams fighting for the limited entertainment dollars that fans have available to spend. Roanoke is a Racing city and pure NASCAR.

[radiodavel]

The Senior Reports
http://www.bright.net/~wkki/sreport.htm

K-Wings' Pickard: `Some league would want us'
http://www.mlive.com/sports/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/117628324358620.xml&coll=7

UHL board of governors meets
http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/SPORTS0301/704110336

[radiodavel]

Jackals have permission to join ECHL
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/UPDATE/304110024

[qcmallards5]

My first post. I found QC to be very under-represented on this board, so I felt "behooved" to join.

I really hope radiodavel is correct that the "U" will come back as the "I" next year, but with a few more stable teams from other leagues. A league of 6 or 7 teams would be quite lame.

[rams80]

My first post. I found QC to be very under-represented on this board, so I felt "behooved" to join.

I really hope radiodavel is correct that the "U" will come back as the "I" next year, but with a few more stable teams from other leagues. A league of 6 or 7 teams would be quite lame.

I'm pretty sure that you won't be able to talk other teams into joining this league.

[freddypuck]

Well a couple of days after the league meeting and whispers are starting to be heard around the league.

So now that we know Elmira is going ECHL and Rockford AHL

I have also heard that Quad and at least one other team have already submitted their applications to the ECHL as well. That is why the E is holding out on closing their meeting, they are waiting for a couple of more teams to make their final decision.

[Nikola_Tesla]

My first post. I found QC to be very under-represented on this board, so I felt "behooved" to join.

I really hope radiodavel is correct that the "U" will come back as the "I" next year, but with a few more stable teams from other leagues. A league of 6 or 7 teams would be quite lame.

What's up, QC? Good to see more fans of teams in the U comin' to represent! Playoff time!!! The Mallards are going to have their hands full with K-zoo. Should be an awesome series. I'm going to B2 some of those games if they are available for the playoffs. Keep on postin'!!

[radiodavel]

Port Huron, Chicago and Fw seem to think UHL is in business next year., by being on the search committee..interesting since they have 21 candidates in hand

One thing that could quell a lot of the rumors would be if the UHL could name its replacement for outgoing President Richard Brosal. Franke said the league received 21 resumes from applicants.

“I’d like to have a commissioner in place 30 days prior to Richard leaving,” Franke said. “If we could have somebody by May 1, that would be great.”


UHL ANNOUNCES SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR NEXT COMMISSIONER



LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO --- The United Hockey League (UHL) announced on Thursday that a search committee has been put in place to interview candidates for the next commissioner of the UHL. Due to current President/CEO, Richard Brosal leaving at the conclusion of this season, the 16th-consecutive season of play, there is a need to fill this position.



Mark Neal of the Port Huron Flags, Craig Drecktrah of the Chicago Hounds and Michael Franke of the Fort Wayne Komets have been selected by the board of governors to begin the process of finding a new commissioner. There have been numerous résumés and calls from perspective candidates, and the committee will start the search process immediately.



“I believe that the UHL is primed and ready to commence its 17th-consecutive season of play in the fall, and I truly wish the next commissioner the best of luck in leading this fine group of owners,” stated Richard Brosal, President/CEO.

[freddypuck]

I would think that it is fast becoming too late to have a new commissioner before the league meetings in June at the earliest.

If the committee only formed this week, they still have to review the candidates, narrow it to a list of interviewees. after that they will have to conduct background checks, second interviews, narrow down to a few prime candidates and then make the hire. I am sure the BOG will still have to approve the choice. This takes time and we all know the league isn't known for its quick reactions or ability to get things done. Its already halfway to May 1 and they haven't even held a single interview yet.

I believe the statement that a committee has been formed was to quiet the rumors of the league's demise. I still think that the UHL is finished after this season and may return as a much smaller, 4 or 5 teams, Michigan league (IHL) in 2007-08. I don't see any new markets wanting in until the league stabilizes.

[radiodavel]

Elmira would be good fit for Martinson
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/SPORTS1907/104130057/1001

[freddypuck]

League announced that only Elmira was given permission to join the ECHL. Yet, Martinson is quoted as saying "ECHL headed teams" notice the plural.

As in my earlier post. I have only been able to confirm that QC has applied to the ECHL and was told another team from Illinois had also applied. Who could that be? Chicago? (why would Craig waste time looking for a replacement commissioner?) Motor City? Bloomington?

[radiodavel]

Motor City is in Michigan

[qcmallards5]

I don't have any sources, but I would guess that the other team besides Quad City that may have applied for the ECHL is Bloomington. They did pretty well attendance-wise this year and, with only 1 year of history, it wouldn't be a big change for them.

I was glad to see Bloomington draw well in their first year, despite being in the basement. I wasn't sure how the UHL was going to sell in that market. The Peoria Rivermen have a following there, only a 1/2 hour from Bloomington. I can tell you firsthand that when Peoria was in the ECHL, their fans and newspaper regularly bad-mouthed the UHL, at least partially due to all the success the Mallards were having 100 miles away at that time. Sorry, my bias is showing.

I have mixed feelings if QC goes to the ECHL. My sentiments are a lot like some of the Komets fans' I've read on here: by far the most important thing is to keep a team here for the long haul, regardless of the league. I was nervous when the AHL rumors were flying here the last couple years. I'm not sure we could "hang" in that higher-cost league for the long run. I wish Rockford luck in that endeavor.

[radiodavel]

The Senior Reports
http://www.bright.net/~wkki/sreport.htm

Not the Frankes
http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/ice_chips_0607/
There is a compilation of rumors from www.prohockeynews.com that suggests the Franke family will be taking over the Bloomigton Prairie Thunder.

Michael Franke, president of the Komets, told The Journal Gazette this is completely untrue. While he has helped "to broker a new ownership deal to keep Bloomington in the UHL," Franke said his family will not be a part of the ownership. New ownership will be announced in the coming days.

The prohockeynews.com story read:

"Many rumors indicated that Bloomington was the nexus of a lot of activity, with possible dissention within the current ownership group as to direction, and UHL stalwarts like (Tony) Lisman in Muskegon and the Frankes in Fort Wayne attempting to broker situations that would entice Bloomington to stay. The tug-of-war seems to have been resolved at this point – it’s completely unofficial and unconfirmed, but the chatter indicates that the Bloomington UHL franchise has been bought by the Frankes, which if true would nail them down to the UHL (or the “IHL” concept) ..."

Stay tuned Friday for more news out of Bloomington.

[radiodavel]

The Senior Reports
http://www.bright.net/~wkki/sreport.htm

Thunder restructuring or selling?
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/04/25/sports/doc46302011e47bf625268103.txt

Teams have until Tuesday to declare whether they will return to the UHL, which will hold a Board of Governors meeting that same day in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“We’re going to go up on Tuesday and see who will be playing in the league this (coming) season,” said Nelson, who co-owns the Thunder with John Butler. “I’m confident we will have 10 teams in the league.

We definitely want at least eight teams. But I don’t see that being a problem.”

[Callie04]

Does anyone know of players who are set to return and play for the Prairie Thunder this upcoming 07-08 season?

[radiodavel]

Mallards’ answers delayed until Friday

Quad-City Mallards fans will have to wait at least a few more days to know their team’s plans for next season.

Mallards president Tim Taylor said Monday that a critical United Hockey League Board of Governors meeting originally scheduled for today in Kalamazoo, Mich., has been postponed until Friday.

That is a meeting where remaining members of the UHL are scheduled to declare their intent to return to the league next year.

Taylor and members of the Quad-City Sports Ventures ownership group will make no such declaration without a minimum of seven additional teams. Furthermore, Taylor said Monday, the Mallards are waiting for answers regarding a workable UHL group rate for workman’s compensation insurance in 2007-2008.

“Until those criteria are met, (the UHL) is not something we are interested in being a part of,’’ Taylor said. “If it is a viable league and we get a workman’s comp group rate, we will entertain the idea of moving forward.’’

At Friday’s meeting, the Mallards expect to learn whether embattled Michigan franchises in Port Huron and Flint will return, with Flint under new ownership, and whether any additional expansion franchises will join the UHL next season.

If the league falls short of eight teams, other existing UHL franchises might join the Mallards in a late appeal to become part of the ECHL, Taylor indicated.

ECHL owners already have rejected a Mallards’ application to join their league without other Midwest-based UHL teams coming along. Taylor said that was a simple matter of geography and economics on the part of ECHL Northern Division teams, the closest of which is located eight hours east in Dayton, Ohio.

“They didn’t want us as a standalone,’’ Taylor said, but he added, “If — and it is a huge if — there are a number of teams looking at another option, I think the (ECHL) Board of Governors would take another look.’’

For now, the Mallards are members of the UHL. But, again, depending on answers supplied Friday in Kalamazoo, that is subject to change.

“We are still weighing all options,’’ Taylor said. “We want to do what is best for our fans and this team. We’ll see what transpires in the next 72 hours as regards the state of the UHL. Then we’ll see what happens from there.’’

[radiodavel]

PrairieThunder ownership transferred
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/01/sports/doc4637bdf71acdd257855204.txt

[rams80]

PrairieThunder ownership transferred
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/01/sports/doc4637bdf71acdd257855204.txt

Anything to save the UHL!!

[Pounder]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/05/04/sports/doc463ac574dfec2678576389.txt

I tend to think the Bloomington purchase worked... for the moment.

[radiodavel]

Quad-Cities still in UHL for now
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/05/04//sports//doc463ac574dfec2678576389.txt
Flags tell league they're returning
Quad City president claims Port Huron team actively pursuing new ownership
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/SPORTS/705040334/1006

UHL to return next season

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/SPORTS07/105040057/1001/SPORTS

Then there were eight
http://www.mlive.com/sports/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/117827041468340.xml&coll=7
Lisman takes over 2nd UHL franchise
http://www.mlive.com/sports/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/117828273388470.xml&coll=8

[frog]

our local newspapers say we are staying in the uhl and there are 8 teams and they are looking at more team options for next season.

[radiodavel]

Leave IHL in past for new league name
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/hockey/17194650.htm

Justin Cohn has a great article!

[qcmallards5]

Yet another rumor about Quad City getting an AHL team. I'll believe it when I see it. The latest rumor is that the Omaha team would move here. Here is the article:

Report: AHL hockey team moving from Omaha to the Quad-Cities
Quad-City Mallards president Tim Taylor would not confirm a Tuesday report on the Omaha World Herald Web site that said the American Hockey League’s Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights are relocating to the Quad-Cities.

“That is a speculative report,’’ Taylor said. “We have no comment.”

The Mallards, though, previously expressed interest in moving up a notch or two next season from the shrinking ranks of the United Hockey League, a league that has been their home since the team debuted in 1995.

Furthermore, as recently as two weeks ago, when the UHL announced the Mallards would be among eight teams returning to what had been a 10-team league next season, Taylor would not rule out a change of plans, saying the Mallards would consider an offer to move up.

“I think any business would always look at the options that are presented to them,” he said then.

According to the World-Herald report, that opportunity now is at hand, with the NHL’s Calgary Flames ready to move their AHL operation from Omaha to The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

The newspaper said two sources close to the Omaha team confirmed the Knights would not return after two seasons at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, and the report said the team was “expected” to land in the Quad-Cities.

Adding possible credence to the report was the Tuesday morning sighting of Flames general manager Darryl Sutter at downtown Moline hotel by a pair of Chicago newspaper reporters who knew Sutter when he coached the Chicago Blackhawks from 1992-1995.

Taylor declined comment when asked if Sutter was in the Quad-Cities Tuesday.

The Flames owned 50 percent of the Knights franchise and Calgary executive Michael Holditch told the World that the Knights had suffered “serious operating losses” the last two years.

Despite finishing first in the Western Division with 49-25-5 record, Omaha finished 25th among the AHL’s 27 teams in attendance this season, with an aveage of 3,474 fans.

The Mallards finished sixth in the 10-team UHL with an average of 3,120.

The Mallards and their first-year ownership group, Quad-City Sports Ventures, did apply for admission to the ECHL earlier this year but that application was denied because the closest ECHL team was 8 hours east in Dayton, Ohio.

In the AHL, the Mallards would join nearby teams in Rockford, Chicago and Peoria, Ill., as well as Des Moines, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, Mich.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Omaha thinks it's a done deal..................

Published Tuesday | May 15, 2007
Knights are leaving for the Quad Cities
BY MIKE PATTERSON AND TOM SHATEL
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITERS

The World-Herald has learned that the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights franchise of the American Hockey League will relocate and is expected to play next season in the Quad-Cities area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

Two sources close to the situation confirmed that the Knights, who have struggled in attendance since coming to Omaha in the summer of 2005, will not be back. The top farm team of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames has struggled to carve out its own identity as one of three hockey teams in the Omaha area.

The Knights, who played their home games at the Civic Auditorium, recently completed a successful season that saw them capture the West Division of the AHL. Omaha then was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Iowa Stars.

The potential departure of the Knights would leave the Omaha area with two hockey teams - the NCAA Division I University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League.

Knights team President Ren Smith said Tuesday night that Calgary officials had not informed him of any move. He added that his staff was busy selling season ticket packages for next season.

"As far as I know, nothing has been determined," Smith said. "I know we've done everything we possibly can to make this franchise work, so we'd all be very disappointed if it ends this way."

But sources who requested anonymity said the move is a done deal, in large part because of the losses incurred by the Calgary organization.

In a memo obtained by The World-Herald, Calgary team President Ken King outlined several reasons why the Knights would be leaving. Among those reasons:

• Operating losses over the two-year period in excess of $4 million.

• Season ticket renewals falling behind projections.

• Lagging attendance for the second straight year.

• The inability for the Omaha market to sustain three hockey teams.

The Calgary Flames and the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben were 50-50 business partners in the Knights, with Calgary holding controlling interest. In King's memo, he said the Flames would like to proceed with repurchasing the 50 percent interest from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben.

He concluded in the memo that it was "likely in the best interest for us to leave the Omaha market."

When contacted Tuesday night, King would neither confirm nor deny the move.

"I'd love to help you with it," he said, "but it would be inappropriate of me to say anything at this time. What's most important is the development of our players."

The Knights, who missed the playoffs in their first season of play, bounced back to have a successful second season on the ice under head coach Ryan McGill. Omaha finished the regular season 49-25-5-1 to win its division, but still struggled at the gate.

In their first season of AHL play, the Knights finished last in the league with an average attendance of 3,271. This past season, Omaha was 25th out of 27 teams with an average of 3,543.

But those numbers improved during the playoffs as the Knights averaged 4,621 for their three games, the fourth-highest of the 16 teams in the playoffs.

Several media outlets in the Quad-Cities area contacted The World-Herald on Tuesday to address rumors about the possible move of a team to that area. The only current professional team there is the Quad-Cities Mallards of the United Hockey League, which would be replaced by the AHL franchise if a move is imminent.

[qcmallards5]

An AHL team has been a done deal in the Quad Cities 2 or 3 times before. That's why I'm skeptical.

[Pounder]

Don't blame you for the skepticism... but on Omaha's side, you could see this coming from New Year's 2006 on. Perhaps another city will get targeted, but don't be surprised if this is it.

More to the point... there's arguably a phenomenon where promising a "higher level" team becomes a trigger for fans to stop buying tickets the longer the promise evolves without fulfillment. It's sort of a way of kissing off the UHL team (in this instance). Once that toothpaste is out of the tube, it's awful hard to put back in. The move has to be made soon if you want any hockey in that building in 2 years.

[qcmallards5]

You're exactly right. I don't think those AHL rumors helped ticket sales the last couple years. It also doesn't help when nearby (and smaller) markets like Peoria and Rockford get AHL teams.

[radiodavel]

Six teams or not
http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/ice_chips_0607/

Komets president Michael Franke said the UHL will have at least seven teams next season, "with the possible addition of other cities."
Under a gag order from the league, he wouldn't elaborate or say much else. He did promise there's no chance the Komets won't play next season.
I can tell you, I've been hearing that Port Huron's demise is far from a certainty and that something to bear in mind with the American Hockey League going into Quad City is that it would require an expansion to the ice surface. The cost of that alone would be a hindrance.
There is some mention of that in this article from Quad-Cities Online.
Still, it's tough to remain optimistic about this league when the only thing for sure -- at least given today's events -- is that there will be six teams next season. But I'm being told by reliable people that in the coming weeks, things will settle and we'll see improvements to the membership, geography and rules governing the league, so I guess we have to give it some time.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

[freddypuck]

Latest

Quad is definitely going AHL and looks like they have most of the deal done.
Chicago is going to be closing its doors by the looks of it.
Port Huron is on the virge of announcing that it wil be going dark

can't have a five team league

Also heard, and this may be rumor, but heard the remaining teams will be merging with the CHL. Bloomington, Muskegon, Kzoo, and Flint

[radiodavel]

www.theuhl.com has the story -

it does say they have a buyer, but why would you cease operations, not good pr!

Flags are at half mast

[freddypuck]

No one is going to step in and buy a losing proposition. The league is going to crumble over the next 3 weeks.

Heard they were in discussions with Toledo as well. Would you as Toledo, buy into a league that is on its way out. I am sure they will cease the negotiations with the league. I bet Perani in Flint is second guessing whether he should buy FLint at this point as well.

With all the teams leaving, who is paying the bills. We dont even know how bad the financial situation of the league is. My bet is that it is as ugly as the current team status.

UHL - RIP

[Geoff]

Toledo? WHere would they play? There's not enough time to get a new arena and the Toledo Sports Arena is slated for destruction in December.

[Ellis05]

Just saw this on another board, but you can't access the UHL's website.

[sportsguy12]

Just saw this on another board, but you can't access the UHL's website.

http://www.theuhl.com/

Don't know what the problem is.

[qcmallards5]

Also heard, and this may be rumor, but heard the remaining teams will be merging with the CHL. Bloomington, Muskegon, Kzoo, and Flint

I'm assuming the Komets would also go to the CHL?

[Ellis05]

CHL always could use a few more teams.

[qcmallards5]

From the Mallards' web site:

QC Sports Ventures, Inc. announced today that a press conference will be held tomorrow morning at The MARK at 10:30 a.m. The organization will make an announcement regarding the team’s future plans. Media and fans are invited to attend.

[Ellis05]

Whatever happens Justin Chewdorak has a place to play in OKC :D

[qcmallards5]

It's official:
QC Flames Step Up to AHL (http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/05/24/news/local/doc4655b49586b66111164666.txt)

I was sad to see the Mallards name go, but overall this should be a better situation for hockey in the Quad Cities. The AHL is actually better geographically here than the UHL was. If Port Huron folds, then things aren't looking too good for the "U".

[freddypuck]

Chicago will announce that they are ceasing operations today.

That leaves 5 teams with Flint as one them. I still dont see Bob Perani wasting his money on a UHL league of 5 teams. Toledo can't get a venue open fast enough and without Flint the league becomes 4

So I bet that Kzoo, Muskegon, Bloomington, and Fort Wayne all end up in the CHL. The UHL ceases operations.

Brosal will move on to take B2 networks down......

[Geoff]

I'm hearing a lot of stuff and Chicago folding is not envolved in any of it. I've heard that there is a merger/takeover emminent. Someone said they called the Hounds office and it was confirmed the aren't folding and when they asked about a possibility with the CHL, they got a "no comment."

[BreakersFan]

Chicago will announce that they are ceasing operations today.



Ok, it is 9:20 CST and no announcement.....So I guess the Hounds still live

[freddypuck]

I heard that the Sears Center won't forgive the huge debt that Margenau left for Craig and that they gave him crappy dates for next year as well as huge rent for UHL level team.

Craig is no dummy, he won't do it. so unless he has a new place to play next season, then the Hounds will go bye-bye.

It will come out this week or next, The UHL hasn't even hired a commish, Dick is gone after tomorrow. If there will be no commish then there will be no league.

Also heard that they cancelled their meetings in Detroit for the end of the week. Don't need to hold a coaches, GM and marketing meeting if there is no league.

[radiodavel]

ask your sources about the change of managers at the Sears Centre?
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/cookstory.asp?id=318758&cc=c&tc=&t=

Wrong people are gone...

Detroit meetings?

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/06/02/prairiethunder/doc465f7d4e50315317732688.txt
McBurney said the Thunder will continue to be a member of the UHL, the league will have a minimum of six teams and possibly as many as eight, and that a final decision will be made before the league’s annual meetings June 18-21 in Las Vegas.

maybe it's bye bye freddy and not the Hounds!

[radiodavel]

Freddy -

I should have not doubted you, my source informed me today about the Hounds and that they may have closed the doors today...when I am wrong, I say I'm sorry, I'm sorry

[BreakersFan]

Sitting down to a meal of crow:

Freddy was right. The Hounds have indeed been euthanized.

So the United League is down to five, including a shaky Flint franchise whose sale has not yet been completed.

[freddypuck]

Not looking for anyone to eat crow.... hard to tell on these boards what is real and what is not.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/17329124.htm

I only try and post what I hear and see. I do talk to people in the leagues regularly and as I have said before, I have worked with many of them over the years. I don't go to the league media director for info. He works for the league why would he give me anything good to go with. Gotta talk to the people who make the decisions.

Only thing left is the announcement that the UHL and CHL will be merging. Actually probably more like the CHL has decided to absorb the remaing teams.

Is actually sad for the cities losing out but is probably better in the long run since the CHL has been much more stable than the U in recent years.

[freddypuck]

What does everyone think of the possibility of merging?

Who gets the best new chance for success if they do? Kzoo? Fort Wayne? Muskegon?

CHL only allows half as many vets as the UHL? Lot of guys will be going out to pasture...

Rivalry?

[Pounder]

Do we know that the CHL will take them?

If they do, will they take all of them? Flint need not apply? Bloomington's location? (Bloomington really shouldn't be a problem, but there's a perception issue the further east you go...)

[sportsguy12]

Do we know that the CHL will take them?

If they do, will they take all of them? Flint need not apply? Bloomington's location? (Bloomington really shouldn't be a problem, but there's a perception issue the further east you go...)

they better do it fast. There's only 5 UHL teams left. Who knows how many will be left next week.

[freddypuck]

Looks like Bob Perani is satisfied with the CHL merger plan, enough to put his money on Flint.

http://www.mlive.com/sports/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1181478007154330.xml&coll=5

So the only one left to me as questionable about next season is Bloomington.

We know Kzoo, Muskegon, and Fort Wayne are good to go, now Flint looks likes its good.

If they remain named the U next season, the fans are gonna get sick of palying the same 3 or 4 teams over and over again. Wonder if they'll play a few CHL teams to start the process and keep things a little more exciting for the fans.

[radiodavel]

You may be right on that CHL merger,

Bloomington will follow whatever Muskegon does (same owner)

Still waiting for big U announcement, BOG is suppose to approve Flint sale today, maybe they might give us a little insight or they could be waiting for the meetings in Las Vegas.

PH arena is on the city council agenda tonight, even talks of tearing it down, plus CIFL football team looks to be leaving PH as well

I'm to the point, nothing will surprise me now.

Keep an eye open

[freddypuck]

Latest from the rumor mills

The U will play as the IHL next season operating under the guidance of the CHL. 6 teams involved in several year plan to merge into one league.
As for the 6th team, probably Port Huron but have heard that Toledo is applying to the league and another un-named city. Although its my opinion that it is too late for anyone other than Port Huron. You need almost a full year to put the resources in place to get a team of to the right start. If they allow another franchise in for next season, its doomed to fail and will just be following in the same footsteps as Brosal, a model of failure and poor business.

anyone else hear anything new?

who is the un-named city? Maybe Utica..... HaHaHa!!!

June 20th should be an interesting day for minor league hockey