Joe K trying to place another team

[Global-Hockey]

Just got this in a few minutes ago. It seems that Joe K has talked to Traverse City Michigan Officials about placing an IHA team in the Centre Ice Arena. The city lost its hockey team when the Continental Hockey League abruptly folded last week. Traverse City Officials stated that Joe told them he was Associated with MCS Associates, he offered a $50,000 line of credit. These talks have been ongoing for the past week, and the City attorney through his back ground check came up with his guilty plea and nixed the deal. Seems strange that the league website has been down, no further mention of this league in the past 2 weeks, but as early as last week Joe is talking to yet another city to place a team in a league that for all purposes, is no longer. The City officially turned down his request to place an IHA team in their City.

[major league]

I don't know about this Joe K. guy and I relly don't care . But I hope all goes well with th IHA. I spoke to the coach of the team that is in York,PA and he seams like he knows alot a down to earth guy and he seems to know alot about the game. I hope everything goes well for him and the league. :D

[BCRantzilla]

Frankly I am suprised that the CEHL lasted as long as it did considering that it's original idea was a Mike Killbreath dreamed up scam.

As for the IHA, in all honestly, I really hope that they play this year and that they can finish an entire season. Even if Joe does indeed end up in the slammer, (which we won't know for a while anyway,) I'd like to see him sell off any and all existing franchises to responcible owners who can afford to make it work. What A-League hockey needs to succeed is a small but committed group of owners who know their own backyards, and know the community and are willing to put in the grunt work to make the operation work.

[joek]

well, I again am here to defend myself. so, here is the deal. MCS Inc. is a state registered corporation that has been in business for over 3 years. I own this corporation, and it is well funded. I went to TC to help them when the CEHL folded. They approved the deal. We opened an office in the Arena last week. Someone and i wont point fingers on here but they will be served shortlywho is a poster on this board, contacted the TC paper. They ran a story and the short version is the arena kicked us out. This may hurt me financially, so congrats to the jealous people out there that want to see this fail. The people it really hurts are the fans and the players that would have had games to watch and jobs. Now I ask you, is that whats good for hockey? It is illegal in this country to discriminate against a legitimate operation which this is. It is also tortious to interfere with an ongoing concern. The people in this league are working very hard to make things happen, but there are cowards contacting the press thrying to put a stop to the league becasue they have a personal vendeta against me. Well I am sorry people, this league doesnt happen with out me for a few simple reasons. First of all I have done all the set up work and have the only money invested in the set up of the league. Second, if I dont fund at least one team no one plays, because there simply arent enough people out there willing to own teams. I would gladly sell off all of my interests in the league if it would make things easier for everyone else. Who has the money to make the purchase, I will even take some loses for the benifit of the group. Until someone steps to the plate I have to finish what I started. I find it very nteresting that everyone wants to complain about not having hockey in alot of their cities, but when someone, and I mean anyone trys to do something in a city that has either lost or never had hockey in some of these cities, everyone wants to beat up on the person. This just doesnt happen to me, it happens to alot of people. My personal leagal issues with Tom are just that, they are mine and they are personal. They do not effect the product on the ice, unless someone with o money invested and no risk interfers and then there is no product to worry about. There are basically 3 people out there trying to see this fail, Jim C, Tara B and Mike K, even Tom wont interfere. All of whom have no interest in the league, no investment and no business sense. So there wont be hockey in TC this year. The rink loses about 20 grand in ice revenue, the lady who owns the snack bar loses about 20 grand in revenue, the four sales people I hired dont have jobs, the pro shop loses about 10 grand in business, the fans have no hockey to watch, the kids get no help from players with skills camps, the hotels get no additional room night revenue from visiting teams, the apartment complex loses 10 rental units, resturants lose money and I could go on. So yes this hurts me personally, great job to those who sent the news on to TC, I hope you can sleep at night knowing how many other hundreds of people will lose money and entertainment because of your actions. Thats the real news.

[joek]

Oh yeah, by the way globalhockey, we have had a site up sense 2 days after Jim C pulled his stunt. We just havent announced it yet because of the people contacting Arenas to make sure we get bad press. So we wont make the announcment on the site until camp starts. Again another example of people talking that dont know anything. It is amazing to me why other people dont put their real names out on the posts, its easy to hide behind a screen name. Now, if anyone wants to talk business, and I mean speak on an educated level of how hockey as a business works, let me know, for those of you that just want to guess and toss rumors around dont waste my time.

[hunter49770]

well, i can tell you all that the press has been all over joe k up here. i for 1 am glad he has said his side of the story. as a fan, i realy dont care who owns the team, i realy dont care who makes money, i would just like some hockey. the funny part of all of this is the economy here is driven by tourism, and when someone develops a business that stays at home and the press does this, they should not wonder why we have one of the highest rates of unemployment and menial labor positions in the country. not to compare joe k but isnt martha stewart still making money? everyone is entitled to work and own a business arent they? just as much as we have the freedom of the press and of speech isnt it our responsibility to use those freedoms constructively? trust me ladies and gentlemen, there is alot more to this story breaking soon watch the papers for Tom C's name, the firworks are only begining.

[4thechief]

Well here we go again. Joe I'm done with you. Unless you would like to cut me a check for the 5k I'm out after moving to NY for a job that didn't exist. The damage that was done was all you. I only spoke the truthabout what I knew period. It is funny to me how just a few post ago you said you stepped down and now the league can't do without you. I don't care anymore I've moved and your going to jail. End of story for me. Lesson learned, at a big cost. I'm sure you like that. I did however find this interesting.

10/08/04 Semi-pro hockey unlikely in Hockeytown

By ROB ROOS/The Evening News
SAULT STE. MARIE -- The City of Sault Ste. Marie has a check for $500 from a proposed semi-pro hockey team.

Other than that, there has been no sign of a team called the Sault Mariners, and a plan to bring another brand of "pro" hockey to the Sault appears to have fallen through.

The Mariners were reportedly going to be a new franchise in the the fledgling International Hockey Association, which was to include teams in Ohio, Pittsburgh, York, Pa., and Jamestown, N.Y. The Dayton franchise is reportedly trying move to Traverse City and hopes to play its home games at Centre ICE.

A press conference announcing the Traverse City franchise was cancelled Thursday, and information about the league president's legal troubles surfaced -- casting a shadow of doubt over the future of the IHA.

The president of the league, Joseph Raymone Kolodziej, 37, is scheduled for sentencing on felony forgery charges in Emmet County on Nov. 1, and faces up to 14 years in prison. Kolodziej also has a criminal record which includes convictions for car theft, grand larceny and check fraud.

Meanwhile, in Sault Ste. Marie, no representative of the league or the Sault Mariners has ever visited with city officials. Other than a couple of phone calls from other people claiming to be league reps, Sault Parks and Rec. Director Dan Wyers said he has not heard from Kolodziej or anyone associated with the IHA.

"As of right now, there is no pro hockey coming to the Pullar," Wyers said. "I have never actually met anyone from the league face-to-face. If someone representing this team shows up with a certified check, then we can talk. Until then, it's just talk."

Information on the league has been released over the past two months through a series of e-mail news releases, and a league Web site. The proposed owners of the Sault Mariners franchise, Michael Barkatt and Alex and Norm MacLean, say they are no longer pursuing a team in the Sault.

"Given the circumstances surrounding the league, we decided to get out," Barkatt said. "It's too hot of a potato to touch right now. We felt it wasn't prudent at this time to get involved. We wish Joe and the league well."

The Sault Mariners were advertised on a International Hockey Association Web site, listing the "historic Pullar Stadium" as their home ice. Kolodziej sent a check for $500 in August as a good faith down payment to reserve ice time at the Pullar. In a letter, Kolodziej also proposed renting ice time at the Pullar for 20 home games, and was supposed to come to the Sault and announce plans at a city commission meeting. Kolodziej did not show up for city meetings, however, and has not been heard from since his legal troubles became public.

With no signs that the Mariners will actually ever show up, the Pullar has already rented ice time to Sault Michigan Hockey Association and Hiawatha Skating Club.

"We've fielded calls from around the country -- from people before who have wanted to start hockey leagues," Wyers said. "If someone wanted to bring a pro team to the Sault, that would be great. We would be happy to listen."

"Right now, all we have is a check for $500, which is non-refundable. If this is a scam, or falls through, it didn't hurt the city."

Alain Lemieux, the brother of Mario Lemieux, is listed as the commissioner of the IHA. Season tickets were reported to be on sale through the league Web site for only $189.00, with no regular season single game seat costing more than $10.

Wyers said the Mariners' proposed 20-game home schedule, and practice time, would cost approximately $20,000.

Plans for the IHA's Traverse City franchise were reported in the Traverse City Record Eagle Wednesday. The Traverse City team hopes to play a 40-game schedule, with its home games at Centre ICE.

Traverse City Centre ICE executive director Terry Marchand on Thursday said he was "disturbed" to hear about Kolodziej's criminal past, and would have to check into the matter further.

"I guess everything's on hold right now while we check into the situation," Marchand said. "This league came along and seemed too good to be true -- right after we lost the Traverse City Enforcers hockey team. I just hope it really wasn't too good to be true."

[joek]

well tara, you are entitled you your opinion. what you arent entitled to do is interfer with other peoples legitimate business. you also shouldnt post other peoples copywritten material. believe what you want, but there was a lease in buffalo, and you did have a job, until people there found out that jim was involved, then they wanted me to pay 50% of the whole year ice up front. i wouldnt do that. keep hangin with jimmy, believe what you want, but dont believe everything you read in the paper.

[4thechief]

Just to let ya know I'm not hanging with Jim!!! I'm not even in New York anymore. And you mean to tell me all the newspaper articles are wrong. The reporters are wrong, the folks at Puller are lying. ok. You did wrong by lots of folks but it was never you all us . ok. The courts are wrong and all these people are out to get you. I'm sorry but if I asked you what color the sky was I'd still check with 50 folks before I believe you. End of story. I've got nothing else to say to you or about the league. You know I wish you'd just dig a hole in the sand and put your head in it. Whatever happens to you and the league happens, I don't care. Whatever I say or do will not effect your dreams of a hockey league. Enjoy you cell, I hope you never have a moments peace.

[joek]

now thats mature. it scares me to think of what you may have done if someone didnt purchase advertising from you.

[BCRantzilla]

I should just scrap my A-League rant next week and just cover the war or words here in wake of the IHA fallout. :twisted:

Seriously though, Joe, posting articles has always been done on this board weather the idiots at SDN liked it or not. The press is protected by Freedom Of The Press so I wouldn't begrudge them that right or it will bite you on the rear end. (One of my don'ts in my 'How NOT to run a sports league or team' rants.) When you start going after the media, you are screwed. You should have learned that from how Killbreath handled the press all these years.

As for the situation in the Soo as well as Traverse City, they will host pro minor league hockey eventually but definately not today. Joe, if you ARE able to get this thing off the ground and have a season then maybe those folks will listen to you again. You will have to prove them wrong to get into their cities with all the bad publicity surrounding you at the moment.

Or you could just buy a team in an existing league and run it as you see fit for a while before starting another league.

Rant's over, end of line.

[ksanford33]

Dear Fellas,
I am one of the players who attended the camp in Pittsburgh for the IHA. I was drafted by the Sault team and our camp is supposed to open the 25th. Since I've seen Joe K. post on this board I figured this would be the best place to ask: I just want to make sure everything is still on. I have kept in contact with another player taken by Sault in the draft and read an article about the team in Dayton already signing one of the players from the free agent camp. So I'm hoping I can get some input from Joe or anyone else who may know something I don't. Thanks fellas.

[BCRantzilla]

Tough call, your best bet is to get in touch with the arena operator. If nobody but Joe is involved at this point, it is safe to say that there won't be much to display your skills to. You would be best suited to get in touch with someone who may be able to help you find a spot in a SPHL roster or something like that.

If you don't have to spend any money and aren't going out of your way to be at this camp you may as well go and get your skating time in. Free ice time never sucks. However, I doubt that the IHA is going to fly at this point.

Email me and I will send you some contact info and some ideas on where to go from here.

[joek]

Well, contrary to all the info that is out there. The IHA will be playing this year, with 4 teams. All leases are secured, some of the dates have had to be changed unfortunately do to the bad press my personal issues have brought upon the league. The league will announce eveything within the next few weeks, and they will also announce their new website. Do to people contacting the press and trying to bring the league down based on my personal legal issues, nothing is being announced until the league has served those individuals responsible with the appropriate restraining orders. This is not me suing anyone or the league suing anyone, it is simply the prevention of unlawful interference in a business operation. None of these people will be sued, because they cant be collected upon. However violation of a restraining order can get them locked up. So, let me clarify, I am not running the league anymore, so those of you out there doing these things are only hurting the players who could end up losing jobs do to these actions.

[ksanford33]

Thank you for responding to me Joe. You said the league is down to 4 teams now. Will there still be a team in Sault? And if not, is it possible for the players drafted by them to get invited to another team's camp? Thanks again Joe, I respect the way you're dealing with this.

[Karl]

hey Joe just curious to what is going on with the IHA. Good luck with everything.

[davyd83]

The fact that "offcials" of the proposed teams and/or leagues would air their dirty laundry on message boards says alot about their level of class and professionalism. A note to any arena manager out there, giving these groups a lease without a solid business plan and deposit in place is foolish. If these "owners" can't spend six months to a year in the market preparing and promoting their product before the first training camp opens, then they are doomed to failure. You cannot walk into a town, open your doors and expect the sponsors to come running with checks in hand, nor can you expect fans to buy season tickets without some assurance that all of the games that they have paid for will be played. Minor pro hockey has had too many fly by night operations that have left fans, sponsors and vendors, not to mention arena managers holding the bags of unpaid bills, unplayed games and unfulfilled contracts. Blind faith is a recipe for financial ruin.

[shinny19]

WOW, i cant believe that some of these idiots are still involved in hockey, lol, and this kid paying respect to a dirtball like joe k, who could'nt put togeather a street hockey game, let along a league. I just have a question, where the hell does this money come from? i mean these guys bounce around, from league to league, failing time and again, but still they are popping up with jokes!!!! I mean this really is starting to piss me off, the next thing you know they are going to have kids flying themselves out to Nigeria, and then telling them, " hey it'a a NHL tryout!!! Get a real job PUNK!

[BCRantzilla]

Word out of York is that the Giants are out. Their owner has pulled out for this year. This leaves the IHA with 3 teams with November beginning tomorrow. Personally I feel that this puts the IHA out for the count in 04-05.

[ksanford33]

Our GM in Sault Ste. Marie has contacted all of his players saying the league is not going to play until next year. Also, on the website, the schedule for 04-05 has been taken down. So that's all for the IHA this year. Our GM has told us that it is going to take off in full-swing next season.