Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503240143
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Greensboro, which this week was assailed by other ECHL owners for trying to lure teams to leave the ECHL and join the American Hockey League, apparently is going ahead with its effort to switch leagues.
Several ECHL owners confirmed the move, including Roanoke Express owner John Gagnon.
``Greensboro bought Raleigh,'' Gagnon said. ``It happened today.''
Gagnon said that Greensboro is looking for teams to join it in the AHL next season. On Wednesday, the Charlotte Checkers announced they had withdrawn their application to the AHL, leaving Greensboro as the only ECHL team linked to the AHL.
``There has been a lot of controversy about what Greensboro has been initiating,'' said John Staley, majority owner of the Knoxville Cherokees. ``Apparently, they have made a decision either based on the [Greensboro] Coliseum management's desires or from inside their own organization. It is very controversial.''
In other news in the league Thursday, Dayton owner Bud Ginger, another figure accused of dealing secretly with the AHL, resigned as the chairman of the ECHL's board of governors.
Another league source, speaking confidentially, also confirmed that there is a movement brewing among league owners to strip ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly of some of his power. Initially, there was talk of asking Kelly to step down. Now, it appears that hard-line owners are willing to let Kelly stay, but with less authority.
by CNB