From a Kalamazoo Wings release:
The Kalamazoo Wings announced that we submitted a letter to the International Hockey League to voluntarily withdraw from the league.
For 35 years, the K-Wings have created a long and honored history of producing great hockey that we and our fans take great pride in.
It is with that tradition, and after substantial due diligence, that the franchise has decided to exercise our right to voluntary withdrawal from the IHL, per league bylaws.
The K-Wings commend the IHL's Board of Governors, front office and member clubs for their valiant efforts to create stability in the league; however, while struggling with this decision, it was the K-Wings' commitment to our individual and corporate season ticket holders, loyal fans, corporate partners and the southwest Michigan community that mandated our efforts to enhance the franchise's ability to follow through with the inherent promise we make to our fans for affordable family entertainment.
In the near future, the K-Wings will be announcing our plans for next season, which include competing in our 36th consecutive season of hockey.
For more information about the K-Wings withdrawal from the IHL, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.
Comments
Didnt see that one coming!
I have to give a nod to Primis, he/she called this one, as well as some others that I cannot remember. Well, now the rumors will really start flying!
I'd like to say "I told you so" and mock, but instead I'm just really, really sad.
I didn't want the rumor to be true.
Alan, it's already posted. I had to approve it and have done so.
My dad posted earlier on another thread that it is sad that we have been continually told that all six franchises will return for the upcoming season. By doing this, we have obtained false hope for the league as we know it. As season ticket holders, we would ask that an honest forecast of the upcoming season would be provided to us. Obviously, that is not the case in this situation. It is hard to believe that the powers that be did not have some knowledge of the facts that are present today. Season ticket holders are asked to invest their money for the next season four months in advance. The league has to take shape in another form because there are only five franchises now. The loss of Kalamazoo is a terrible blow to the league because it was a strong franchise. The big disappointment is we are now buying something that has never been honestly presented. The question we all should have today is, where do the Komets fit in the hockey world - is it the IHL, the ECHL, or even the AHL? The future of the IHL is somewhat in question. The ECHL only allows four veterans, and we have continually heard that AHL prices are too high. Where does this franchise go and how do you present it to the many fans who support the team. It is time that the Frankes step out of the background and give their season ticket holders and fans some clear information.
So much for blasting bloggers fro posting what they hear talked about....
This sucks!!!!
The IHL is doomed. It is. You can't deny it now.
Muskegon will now leave, as will Flint, as will Port Huron, as will Bloomington. I guess it is the Komets versus Buddy's Pizza.....Go Komets!!!
I knew that there was some bad things coming when I started looking into things this past weekend and talking to people around the league that were hearing some odd stories going around.
The sky is falling in the IHL.
Well I think the Frankes need to explain to the K's fan what there intensions are with the sever blow to the IHL. One of the most stable team's has bolted and will more than likely join the ECHL. One could draw a conclusion that Pickard "saw the writing on the wall" after he resigned from the IHL top level. He knows that the IHL's chances of making it our silm to none now. It forces the hands of Muskegon/Flint/PH to make a decision. Stand with Kzoo to create a greographic footprint in the ECHL or roll the dice on the IHL.
"Game over, man! Game over!" Lol. Sorry. This is very sad news. :( But me being me, I just couldn't resist.
I just love business mumbo-jumbo, don't you? Kind of like when a company says, "We're changing our name to serve you better!" :S I'm sure that an "inherent promise" for "affordable family entertainment" was foremost in their minds on this. What garbage.
WOW....I must admit I never saw that coming. Kalamazoo leaving that just doesn't seem right some how. I may have to take several days to let that sink in. If it's true and I really trust Blake's work, than it would appear Paul Picard took a huge dump on the IHL. I guess that goes to show ya what he turned out to be. I just would have not have figured him for that kind of a person. Now I am not sure about Muskegon, PH or Flint. We will just have to wait out the Governors meetings in several weeks. Holy Crapola!!!!
This is totally unexpected news. Unless some of the other teams in Michigan leave the IHL with Kalamazoo.....this does not appear to be a wise business decision.
Granted, I am making this comment based solely on what I have already read and not having any inside information at this time.
I would like to know if this has any tie-in to the discussions of a new arena in downtown Kalamazoo. A few years ago, my brother in law introduced me to an old college buddy who told me that a new building was going to be built, but I never heard anything else about it until recently....
I know you Fort Wayners won't want to hear this, but I really do think it's about 2 things:
1... K-zoo wants a new downtown arena (or.. the K-zoo owners anywas... Wings fans not so much form the talk I'm seeing). An IHL team wasn't goig gto convince them. An ECHL or maybe (it's crazy but possible) an AHL team (Iowa Chops are in lombo still)? Maybe they feel it would have a betetr shot to get their arena.
2... there are *real* problems between Franke and the rest of the league and it's now come to a head. The commish doesn't let his contract expire, return to his team, and then immediately have his team pull out without *something* having been viewed as the last straw. Who knows.. maybe Franke quite literally bullied teams one too many times.
The combo of the two seems to have driven the Wings out. Now it's just a matter of if the Muskegon rumors are true, because they predate the Kalamazoo ones by a week or two.
We've discussed it elsewhere, and I truly believe this is the first step in some teams trying to force Franke's hand in order to continue -- either be the big dog in a tiny league that means nothing anymore with few or no rivals for fans to care about, or move to a league where they can't call as many shots but that would have way more meaning.