Sharkbait
TPF Noob!
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- Nov 4, 2003
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Just had a friend send me this. They're killing pro (albeit minor league) hockey here in Indy. Guess that's the end of my dreams of becoming team photographer someday. :-( :cry: :cry:
Indy to lose pro hockey team
Ice will remain in name only; CHL plans to move franchise
No more pros
The history of professional hockey in Indianapolis:
1988-2004 -- Ice
1979-87 -- Checkers
1974-79 -- Racers
1955-62 -- Chiefs
1939-52 -- Capitals
April 13, 2004
Indianapolis will be without a pro hockey team next season for the first time since 1973.
The Indianapolis Ice will still be skating, but not as a Central Hockey League franchise, thus ending a pro legacy of 16 years with the Ice, eight with the Checkers (1979-87) and five with the Racers (1974-79).
The Ice's assets have become the property of Carmel land developer Paul Skjodt, who struck a deal with franchise owner Horn Chen of Chicago that will become official on May 1. Terms were undisclosed. The assets include the team nickname and the remaining three years of a five-year lease with the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where the Ice play at Pepsi Coliseum and have their office next to the Fall Creek entrance.
Citing contractual conflicts, Skjodt on Monday declined to divulge what team he is bringing in to replace the CHL franchise. The most likely candidate is the Danville (Ill.) Wings of the United States Hockey League, a 12-team development league for 20-and-under amateurs.
"The CHL franchise is leaving town, but there will be a new franchise playing in Pepsi Coliseum," said Skjodt, 45, who came to town in 1987 to play with brother Charlie on the Indianapolis Checkers. "The name is going to continue. It's just that the other stuff isn't done yet."
USHL president Gino Gasparini said he has heard the speculation about Danville, which is still competing in the playoffs. He expects the league board to meet in the near future about as many as three possible team relocations after this season.
"That's a possibility," he said of Danville, "but nothing is final yet. Honestly, nothing can be said at the request of (Wings owner) Lou Mervis."
Mervis could not be reached for comment.
The Ice office is undergoing renovations this week and employees, most of whom have signed confidentiality agreements, were given the week off. Skjodt said he intends to retain most of the Ice staff. Two who won't be back are general manager Larry Linde and coach Ken McRae.
"It's difficult for all of us," said Linde, whose Ice run began as an intern in the team's second season. "There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears poured into the organization, from the employees to the fans to the corporate sponsors. It was a labor of love.
"Paul brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion for the game and resources that haven't been available in the past. But at the end of the day, it wasn't something that Ken McRae or I chose to be a part of."
The Ice have drawn criticism since 1999, when Chen left the now-defunct International Hockey League after $3 million in losses over four seasons and moved to the CHL. The IHL was affiliated with the National Hockey League. The CHL was not. Before that next season, Chen sold the Ice to a local ownership group led by auto entrepreneur Gary Pedigo. After two seasons, Pedigo sold the team back to Chen.
"I want to thank all of our loyal fans and corporate partners for their great support during my 14 years of ownership," Chen said in a release distributed by Skjodt. "I'm excited about the future of hockey in Indianapolis. Hockey has a terrific 65-year history in this great sports city. With Paul Skjodt's commitment and passion for the game, I know fan and community support for hockey is going to grow in Indiana."
But Skjodt faces a challenge. Even when the Ice won the 1999-2000 Miron Cup in their inaugural CHL season, the Ice lost money after performance bonuses were paid. While the losses were minimal compared to the IHL days, they continued through the past two seasons, when McRae led the Ice to the playoffs.
"I have a real passion for the sport of hockey and I know the Ice have great fans. I'm one of them," said Skjodt (pronounced Scott).
Skjodt, the son-in-law of Pacers co-owner Mel Simon, spent 10 years as a volunteer youth hockey coach and has also coached at the pro level in Europe.
At least one of the Ice's 1,500 season ticket holders was shocked to learn of his favorite team's fate.
"This is not going to go over well with the fans," said John Maxey, a season ticket holder since 1996 and Ice booster club vice president. "It would be nice if they let the fans know. A lot of us have credits toward next season."
Maxey suggested he will go elsewhere to see pros play.
"I'll be willing to drive two hours to Fort Wayne," he said of the United Hockey League's Komets, "to see real hockey."
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