peetie12
12-03-2003, 07:32 PM
A little blurb from the keyboard of Shaun Peet.
Everybody seems to be wondering...Is this the Invisible Imaginary Hockey League, or is it actually an International Independant Hockey League? Sadly to say, I don't know either, but here is what I do know:
Anybody that has been following the development of the IIHL closely has seen my name mentioned a few times in press releases, particularly those dealing with the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. Although this was nice to read a few months ago, so far nothing has happened and its starting to get just a little bit disheartening. Back in August when the first plans of the new team and league were announced, I was eager and anxious to be a part of it.
There have been times over the past few months that it looked like things were coming together. But then again, there have been times when, well, let's just say, things were less than optimistic. For example, I did travel up to Harbor Springs for the league's tryout camp. At that camp, which I attended merely for conditioning purposes, I witnessed a Northern Michigan team with a coach, a GM, and roughly 20 players. But at that same camp, which was to be a showcase for the rest of the teams in the league, I couldn't find a coach, GM, or any other front-office personnel from any other team. Made me wonder just who these players were showcasing their talents for. But I kept an open mind, and travelling up to Harbor Springs for a couple days was worth the gas I had to pay to get there and the hotel I had to pay for to stay overnight (or was it?).
After that weekend, we've been in the dark down here in Athens. I've spoken with the league organizer a few times, been promised things, been told things, and been exposed to information that is not known to the public. I actually have student-employment at Bird Arena; the supposed host arena for the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. I am good friends with the Assistant Director of the arena. What this means is that I have even more access to information that most people do not.
Most of us at Bird Arena remain highly skeptical of the league, and its founders. That being said, last week the arena was paid for the first week of ice time. Sure, that was the first time in weeks that we had heard anything about the league, but if a cashier's check isn't proof of the existence of a team, then I don't know what is.
Also, I have recently been put in contact with the person who has been appointed by the league owner to be the GM for the Ice Cats. This name is not public until tomorrow so I will not release it here. This name was just that, a name, for over a week until I finally got phone numbers that were associated with it. And finally, I was speaking with a front-office member of the Ice Cats other than the league owner. This gentleman has a reputation for being trustworthy and has told me some things that make me think there is still a possibility this league can happen.
What it all boils down to is this. Tomorrow (Thursday) there is a scheduled press conference in Athens. This has been made publicly available through press releases. The league owner, the GM for the Ice Cats, and the Assistant Director are all scheduled to be there. What I have heard is that if any of the three does not show up, there will be no team this year (and probably no league). Even if all three people show up, I also know that unless all the promises made over the past three months are put in writing, there will be no team this year (and probably no league).
So I ask all the people who read this post, and other posts on this website to keep their minds open for one more day. After tomorrow, then we can start posting about a league which really does have some potential; or we can start posting about a league that never was. At least in Athens.
Feel free to email me or post your comments or questions.
Shaun.
Everybody seems to be wondering...Is this the Invisible Imaginary Hockey League, or is it actually an International Independant Hockey League? Sadly to say, I don't know either, but here is what I do know:
Anybody that has been following the development of the IIHL closely has seen my name mentioned a few times in press releases, particularly those dealing with the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. Although this was nice to read a few months ago, so far nothing has happened and its starting to get just a little bit disheartening. Back in August when the first plans of the new team and league were announced, I was eager and anxious to be a part of it.
There have been times over the past few months that it looked like things were coming together. But then again, there have been times when, well, let's just say, things were less than optimistic. For example, I did travel up to Harbor Springs for the league's tryout camp. At that camp, which I attended merely for conditioning purposes, I witnessed a Northern Michigan team with a coach, a GM, and roughly 20 players. But at that same camp, which was to be a showcase for the rest of the teams in the league, I couldn't find a coach, GM, or any other front-office personnel from any other team. Made me wonder just who these players were showcasing their talents for. But I kept an open mind, and travelling up to Harbor Springs for a couple days was worth the gas I had to pay to get there and the hotel I had to pay for to stay overnight (or was it?).
After that weekend, we've been in the dark down here in Athens. I've spoken with the league organizer a few times, been promised things, been told things, and been exposed to information that is not known to the public. I actually have student-employment at Bird Arena; the supposed host arena for the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. I am good friends with the Assistant Director of the arena. What this means is that I have even more access to information that most people do not.
Most of us at Bird Arena remain highly skeptical of the league, and its founders. That being said, last week the arena was paid for the first week of ice time. Sure, that was the first time in weeks that we had heard anything about the league, but if a cashier's check isn't proof of the existence of a team, then I don't know what is.
Also, I have recently been put in contact with the person who has been appointed by the league owner to be the GM for the Ice Cats. This name is not public until tomorrow so I will not release it here. This name was just that, a name, for over a week until I finally got phone numbers that were associated with it. And finally, I was speaking with a front-office member of the Ice Cats other than the league owner. This gentleman has a reputation for being trustworthy and has told me some things that make me think there is still a possibility this league can happen.
What it all boils down to is this. Tomorrow (Thursday) there is a scheduled press conference in Athens. This has been made publicly available through press releases. The league owner, the GM for the Ice Cats, and the Assistant Director are all scheduled to be there. What I have heard is that if any of the three does not show up, there will be no team this year (and probably no league). Even if all three people show up, I also know that unless all the promises made over the past three months are put in writing, there will be no team this year (and probably no league).
So I ask all the people who read this post, and other posts on this website to keep their minds open for one more day. After tomorrow, then we can start posting about a league which really does have some potential; or we can start posting about a league that never was. At least in Athens.
Feel free to email me or post your comments or questions.
Shaun.