International Hockey League Folds -- A Sad
Commentary
By Dickie Dunn
Times-Herald Sports Editor
MILWAUKEE -- To see the pinstriped corporate
lawyers,the bright colors of their silk ties
reflecting in theshiny, polished surface
of the oak conference table, was to see a
work of art in motion.
And like a Hanson knuckle to the noggin,
the decision came hard, fast and furious.
After 55 years, the International Hockey
League(IHL) was no more. Can you say "Jack
Robinson"?
One hundred-plus hockey players placed on
waivers.
The era of the independent minor-league professional
hockey team is sadly coming to an end. Gone
the way of the dinosaur just like Japanese
Monster Movies.
Now, I've always been one to suggest that
people need to work things out amongst themselves.
But when halfthe league partners call the
other half "pussies" and "change
the station" i.e. join the American
Hockey League (AHL), well I just have to
tap on some shoulders and point out what
the real score is.
As for the remaining IHL teams continuing,
well I have to ask, "Who would buy a
fifth-rate league?"
The AHL will operate as what some are dubbing
"NHL-2," whose sole purpose is
to act as a developmental loop for the slick,
big-money NHL.
An anonymous, but reliable source, has informed
the Times-Herald that a certain New York
City-based hockey executive negotiated with
IHL brass to move 6 teams to the AHL community.
Now I can't name names, and everything is
hush-hush, but his initials are "G.B."
All I know is that there are a lot of shysters
in New York!
And once again, Charlestown is shut out.
The NHL expansion rumor mill has finally
closed in this fair burgh. While the Chiefs
provide entertainment for the whole family,
it can hardly boast of having "Names"
you can put up on the marquee at the Embassy
Theatre down on Main Street.
The War Memorial, although a fine facilty,
is aging. So unless some rich old geezers
from Florida build a new rink, you can forget
having an NHL team to cheer for on a Saturday
night.
A sad, sad commentary!
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