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2006 NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament: questions and answers

March 2, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release


How is the location for the North American Hockey League Robertson Cup Championship Tournament determined?

Each year, the NAHL allows teams from one of its four divisions to bid on hosting the league's championship tournament. The privilege of hosting year's event was open for bids from teams in the North Division. The NAHL Board of Governors selected the Mahoning Valley Phantoms as the tournament's host team. The 2007 Robertson Cup Championships will be bid on by teams from the West Division.

What is the economic impact for a city or town hosting the NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament?

It is difficult to determine an exact figure. However, past events have consistently injected revenue in excess of half a million dollars into local businesses. This amount is a conservative estimate for this year's event. More than 1000 team personnel, family, friends and fans of the five competing teams will stay in local hotels, use local transportation, dine at local restaurants and shop with local merchants -- not to mention attending games and buying concessions at the host arena over the five-day tournament.

Why didn't the NAHL make a decision on a location for this year's tournament sooner?

As mentioned previously, this year's tournament was awarded last year to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms by the NAHL Board of Governors with the hope of playing tournament games at the new Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown. After the Chevrolet Centre opened, Bruce Zoldan, owner of the Phantoms, commenced discussions with the Chevrolet Centre management with a view to holding the tournament there. The Phantoms and the Chevrolet Centre came to terms on a lease agreement in January, which was subject to approval by Herb Washington, owner of the Central Hockey League Youngstown Steelhounds. Only recently - in late February -- was the NAHL notified that Mr. Herb Washington, along with the Global Entertainment Company (who operate the Central Hockey League and manage the Chevrolet Centre) would not permit the event to take place at the Chevrolet Centre.

Since being informed, the Executive Committee of the NAHL Board of Governors worked diligently to make a well-reasoned decision about the location of this tournament. That decision is in the best interest of the NAHL, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms and the hockey fans in the Mahoning Valley, who have been eagerly anticipating this event.

When and how did the NAHL learn it would be prohibited from holding this year's Championship Tournament at the Chevrolet Centre?

The NAHL first learned there might be an issue with staging the tournament at the Chevrolet Centre in mid-February. The Phantoms contacted the league office and informed the league that Mr.Washington was attempting to block the event from occurring at the Chevrolet Centre. The NAHL never received any direct information from Mr. Washington, the Steelhounds or the CHL about their opposition to the NAHL's use of the Chevrolet Centre. It was not until February 25 that the NAHL learned through a story in the Youngstown Vindicator newspaper that Mr. Washington would, in fact, exercise an alleged clause in his lease agreement with Global Entertainment to block this event from taking place.

Did the NAHL offer any concessions or make any adjustments in an effort to schedule the event at the Chevrolet Centre?

Yes. The NAHL and Bruce Zoldan made several attempts to accommodate the remote possibility that the Steelhounds would qualify and advance far enough in the Central Hockey League playoffs to create a conflict with the proposed dates for the NAHL Tournament. The NAHL and Mr. Zoldan offered to a) re-schedule the event to another time altogether, or b) play any NAHL Tournament games that would potentially conflict with Steelhounds playoff games' at the Ice Zone in nearby Boardman, Ohio. Neither offer was accepted.

What other locations were considered as alternatives for this year's Robertson Cup Championship Tournament? Was the location for this year's event ever changed after it was awarded to the Phantoms?

The league investigated many alternative locations for this event in a very short time frame. All of the locations that received serious consideration were relatively close to Mahoning Valley out of respect for the fact that the Phantoms were awarded the opportunity to host this event and faced opposition through no fault of their own.

Does the NAHL have any concerns that the Ice Zone can accommodate a championship event of this caliber?

The NAHL is aware that the Ice Zone, in its present state, does not meet the qualifications for an event of this magnitude. However, Mr. Zoldan has pledged to the league that he will make every accommodation to the facility including, but not limited to, increasing the seating capacity to 1,500 and that there will be first-class amenities as part of the event.

How does the NAHL feel about Mr. Washington's and the CHL's Steelhounds prohibiting the NAHL from holding this years Robertson Cup Championship Tournament at the downtown arena in Youngstown?

Of course, the NAHL is disappointed and does not understand why Mr. Washington would oppose the further development of hockey in Youngstown. Aside from the Chevrolet Centre forfeiting five days of business, the Youngstown business community will also not be able to enjoy the positive economic impact this event will have on the city.

What is the primary difference between the CHL and the NAHL

The CHL is a professional league, also referred to as "minor pro hockey," and their players are paid to play the game. The NAHL is an amateur hockey league and, unlike minor pro players, NAHL players are not compensated in any way to play the sport they love.

Although the NAHL is not a professional league, our accomplishments during 30 years of operation as the oldest and largest junior hockey league in the United States are anything but minor. The NAHL has had over 70 alumni play in the National Hockey League, such as Eric Lindros, Doug Weight, David Legwand, Todd Marchant, Brian Holzinger, Ken Morrow (who also played on the 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle On Ice" team), Craig Wolanin and Chris Tamer.

Three NAHL graduates have captured the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's version of the Heisman Trophy -- -- Kip Miller (1990), Brian Holzinger (1995) and Ryan Miller (2001). Plus, many others have been finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, including Kelly Miller, Mike Donnelly, Denny Felsner, Brian Rolston, Mark Mowers, Jordan Leopold, Andy Hilbert, R.J. Umberger, John-Michael Liles and, last season, David McKee. Thirty NAHL alumni are on the preliminary list of nominees for this year's Hobey Baker Award.

In addition, 27 current NAHL players have been cited by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau as potential choices in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft this summer. Nine former NAHL players were named to the recent U.S. Olympic team -- Rick DiPietro, Jordan Leopold, John-Michael Liles, Mike Knuble, Aaron Miller, Ryan Miller, Brian Ralafski, Brian Rolston and Doug Weight. And, each year, more than 100 NAHL players consistently move on to play college hockey. Finally, NHL name stars such as Brett Hull, Rob Blake, Nelson Emerson, Andy Murray, Glenn Murray, Mike Modano, Mike Stapleton and Corey Millen are involved in the NAHL at the ownership, management and the coaching level.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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