THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300519
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GULFPORT, MISS. LENGTH: 67 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals' new owners have signed a so-called oath of allegiance that locks them into the East Coast Hockey League for two years, but say they did so with no regrets.
The ECHL voted in February to require each team to give two years' notice before it could leave the league or move to another market. Penalties included fines up to $500,000. Blake Cullen, who sold the Admirals to Mark Garcea and Page Johnson last weekend, was so upset over the clause he briefly threatened to jump leagues.
Cullen maintained that the ECHL is the right place for his team, but wanted to keep his options open in case a proposed 20,000-seat arena is constructed in downtown Norfolk. City officials might want the Admirals to move to a higher league in a larger arena and thus he had to have the freedom to move or jump, he said.
But the agreement signed this week apparently was amended to be more flexible. Teams are obligated to remain for the next two years, then have the option of renewing for two more years or leaving the league without penalty.
The ECHL instituted the loyalty clause to try to prevent the American Hockey League from raiding its markets. The AHL attempted to persuade six ECHL franchises, including the Admirals, to jump leagues last spring. Only Greensboro left.
Garcea and Johnson say they plan to keep their options open for 1998-99. Garcea acknowledged they briefly considered jumping to the AHL, and said they would consider it again ``if the circumstances dictate.''
``We're locked into them for two years and feel very comfortable with them,'' Johnson said.
``I am very impressed with (league president) Rick Adams. I think he's good for the league. We're satisfied that we're in the right league.
``But we also had some concerns (about the proposed arena). The city of Norfolk would not make a long-term commitment to us. That was part of the holdup in the sale of the team.''
Before they would agree to buy the Admirals, they insisted the ECHL allow them to move from Hampton Roads with no penalty if an NHL team moved into a new arena.
MEETINGS ADJOURNED: The league's spring meetings adjourned Wednesday, two days early, with no major controversies and few major changes.
Officials agreed to have four veterans per team next year, basically the same as least year, when each team had three vets and could also have a veteran goaltender. Sixteen of 23 teams will make the playoffs - the top five teams in each division and a wildcard.
Training camp opens Oct. 6 and the Admirals open Oct. 18 at home against Charlotte. The Admirals schedule won't be released until late summer.
BIG EASY IN ECHL? ECHL officials took advantage of meeting just 70 miles from New Orleans to visit a business group there interested in purchasing an expansion franchise for 1997-98.
The franchise would be housed in an old civic arena that has been used as a gambling casino but is being converted back into an arena. It will seat about 8,000.
Lafayette, La., entered the league last season, and Baton Rouge enters next season. Biloxi and Pensacola, all within a short drive of the Louisiana teams, also join the league next season.
EASY SELL: Greg Griffith, president of the Peoria Rivermen, said he's having little trouble selling fans on his team's jump from the International Hockey League - considered minor hockey's top league - to the ECHL.
``We're telling people that they score more goals and drop their gloves faster in the ECHL,'' he said. ``For most people, that's all they need to hear.'' by CNB