IHL President Dennis Hextall, who was in Dayton today where the Gems announced their plans for next season, said the International Hockey League will return next season with six teams, including likely Flint. Hextall said he's 85 percent sure the Generals will be returning and operating in Flint under new ownership.
``I think the league is going ahead next year with six teams,'' Hextall said. ``We're still working up in Flint trying to put that all together, but once we get them set up then we're all set for six teams. We're hoping to know as soon as possible, hopefully a couple of weeks after the season is over.''
As for Flint, Hextall said, ``I think right now with everything we're doing, we're talking to different people and I would hope the team stays in Flint and operates out of Flint next year. I think Flint is a viable market, and they've gone through a lot of ups and downs with past ownership, and it's a matter of consolidating that.''
As for playing with more than six cities, Hextall said the league definitely wants an even-number of teams. ``We are talking to other cities. I'm not saying we're aggressively trying to expand, but this year we want to make sure we have six solid teams and we'll go from there.''
Comments
Way too many rumors out there right now. One being that this was a necessary step too keep hockey in the Fort for next season since they couldnt meet the conditions set by the CHL and that the ECHL flat out denied them for this upcoming season... I guess they had thier chance when K-zoo left and told them no (among other things) and this may be the ECHL way of returning the favor.
Another one is that the Generals franchise will have to be moved... No takers so far and from what I am hearing/reading Hextall has been working OT on the phones trying...
My one question is, how many times can you wipe the slate clean in a city before it bites you in the rear??? Alot of unpaid bills over the years in Flint...
It's to bad the Dayton media didn't cover this press conference with a major announcement...nothing meniton in Dayton Daily News. Savage reported the other day the new NAHL team will be the new team in Perani and the Generals are out. The only news out of Dayton was they are adding more people to the organization and that hockey will return to Dayton next season. New coach to be hired June 1st.
Here is the press release for the NAHL team Tuesday Presser. At Perani:
http://www.mlive.com/generals/index.ssf/2010/05/new_nahl_team_to_hold_press_co.html
So I take it Musky is the one out? Didn't someone say that Quad City needs to play in a league with 7+ teams or they were out of the building? (I'm sure no one would ever post something that wasn't fully true...he said with a smile)
I can live with this. Komets win=Burgee happy=more road trips. Nice to meet you Steve, sorry I only had 1 straw for the foo foo.
Burgee I took the same combination of pills and drank one foo-foo just like Dr. Burgee ordered
Keep it up Griff, I aint changed skivies yet, when we win the cup I'll throw them on the ice!
Dear Stanley,
Defense wins championships.
That's OK on the straw Burgee, it's the thought that counts.
How's that work? You buy the foo foo at the foo foo stand and then take it into the lounge and have them add some "real juice" to it?
Good show on the skivvies too, it must be working. Don't change....
When I used to drink I would sneak a flask of malibu in, at $4.50 a shot (plus tip) u gotta do that!
Man am I in a good mood, will take a while to fall asleep tonight, Thanks K's, you're my break from reality, way to go guys, way to go!
I may go to Flint tomorrow, I would rather see them than musky(I like the flint drive better)
Funny.....this whole thing is in spin and rumor mode right now. Does anyone know for sure what will happen next year?
The story I heard tonight......anyone want to hear this one???
A Franke told a fan, one who I know (the fan), the Komets will be in the ECHL next year. Why would a Franke say this, with Hextall announcing this IHL news?
What really is going on??? Anyone know? Superfan?
ok..who wants to go to Flint tonight? I'm willing to drive with 1 passenger.