Locals Don't Have Far to Tryout with Predators

October 3, 2003 - International Independent Hockey League (IIHL)
Northern Michigan Predators News Release


Local players interested in playing pro hockey with the all-new Northern Michigan Predators won't have far to travel. The International Independent Hockey League (IIHL) will be hosting its North Division free agent tryout camp at Polar Bear Ice & Fitness in Harbor Springs.

The IIHL announced an agreement today with Bob Gergerch of Pittsburgh to become Tryout Camp Director. Gergerich owns International Hockey College (IHC) and is President of IHC Scouting and Player Placement Services. He immediately tabbed Harbor Springs for the North Division tryout camp next month.

Gergerich has plenty of connections to American talent. He runs an annual exposure camp for junior age players and conducts an annual free agent pro tryout camp in Niagara Falls that has directed many players to professional contracts on minor league AA-level teams.

Gergerich, who played pro hockey in Europe and in North America, is a Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA) certified Player Agent.

He has also instructed and directed many schools throughout North America and Europe with IHC during the past 20 years. He played his junior hockey in Canada and is a certified USA Master Hockey Coach. He has placed many of his students on college, junior and professional teams. Gergerich was a Sports Management major in college and writes many articles in hockey and fitness publications on instruction, conditioning and exposure.

The Harbor Springs free agent tryout camp will be staged Nov. 1 by Gergerich's IHC staff. Gergerich is also arranging a South Division free agent tryout camp for prospective IIHL players on Oct. 30-31 in Ann Arbor. The two tryout camps will be in addition to the new pro league's "Draft Camp" where invitees will be on display before all of the IIHL coaches and general managers in a two-day event that will conclude with a draft.

Every player drafted will be invited to IIHL training camps that begin on Nov. 24.

The IIHL is a new A-level pro league where players will be paid an average of about $500 monthly. The league restricts rosters to no more than 6 foreign-born players.

The IIHL schedule will be announced on Oct. 11 when the final list of first-year cities is revealed with the official launching of a league web site..

While the Predators will play 36 home dates at Polar Bear Ice & Fitness, other franchises so far officially revealed have been the Southern Michigan Super Wolves and the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. The Super Wolves will play games at both the University of Michigan and Chelsea's Arctic Coliseum. The Ice Cats will play their home games at Bird Arena on the campus of Ohio University.

A Lansing-based franchise has secured a lease to play home dates at Munn Arena on the campus of Michigan State University. An ownership group and the club's management staff will be announed next week.

Details on the "Draft Camp" and each of IHC's free agent tryout camps will be available within a few days. Gergerich can be reached by telephone at (412) 835-3801.

Tickets for all 36 Predators home games in Harbor Springs are currently available by calling (231) 348-8480. The Predators General Manager Joe Kolodziej is a Buffalo native who doubles as GM of the all-new Polar Bear Ice & Fitness. Kolodziej is also one of the team's owners with former Buffalo Sabres star Jason Woolley, now of the Detroit Red Wings. The other owners are prominent local businessmen Bob and Tom Constine.



International Independent Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2003


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