Not sure what to think of this, but I got this email today saying potential owners are negotiating with the IHL.
If you are really serious, you 1.) do not send out a press release; 2.) do not send it out the week of the finals; 3.) before you have all your ducks lined up; 4.) mention anything at all about maybe playing at Conseco. Please, do you want to go bankrupt?; 5.) do it before talking to anyone officially, in person, from the league, such as say, the president of the Board of Governors who happens to reside in Fort Wayne. The league got the same email
That said, good luck to them.
Here it is:
The Indianapolis Ice is the name of a former hockey team in Indianapolis, Indiana that played in the IHL (International Hockey League) from 1988-99 and then the Central Hockey League from 1999-2004. In 2004, a new team named Indiana Ice came into existence in the United States Hockey League, after the Central Hockey League moved to Topeka. The former Ice won the 1991 Turner Cup, and the Ray Miron Cup in the CHL in 2000. Now it may seem that the IHL is getting Indianapolis back.
The Indy Ice Hockey Group, owned by Richard Bruner and Ryan Yerrick, have initiated talks with the IHL about bringing the team back. During the 1990's, Indianapolis Ices' major rival was 2008 Turner Cup Champions, the Fort Wayne Komets. The Komets have long been one of the oldest teams in minor league hockey since it's conception in 1952, having won 5 championships in the IHL. Bruner and Yerrick, who happen to be avid Komet fans, as well as the Owners of the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Buddy's Pizza Buffet chain, desire to revive the Indianapolis team to promote the IHL and bring back the spirit of "1990 hockey" with state-wide rivalry, fair competition, and minor league presence.
"The IHL is great minor league hockey ... period." says Bruner, who has also reached out to Chicago Steel, a Tier 1 junior hockey team from the United States Hockey League hoping they will follow suit and join the IHL. Bruner said, "I hope this move will help bring the Chicago Steel to the IHL, increasing the 6 team league, and reviving a Midwestern professional minor league organization that is far superior than any other hockey league out there." He continued with, "The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league around, I don't dispute that, but they are amateur. And cities like Indianapolis and Chicago should have teams represented in professional minor leagues for players who are done with college, or are moving on to the next level. That's what college teams are for."
The "new" Indianapolis Ice, being called Indy Ice, is in talks now with Conseco Fieldhouse and Pepsi Coliseum to find out where they're home may be. Both venues have expressed interest in having professional minor league presence, it's just a matter of what's a better fit for the team, and the contractual side of things with present teams, schedules, and venues.
Indy Ice "Blue & Gold" will launch a new website May 20, 2009 at www.indyicehockey.com.
