New owners, home ice await IceGators

LAFAYETTE, La. – When Danny Smith made the decision a year ago to bring the Louisiana IceGators back to life after a five-year absence, he knew that he had his work cut out for him. The previous incarnation of the franchise had been for a period quite a success in the ECHL. Still, he believed that he could make the team a success just as he had done with his entertainment venues around Lafayette. Tuesday afternoon, Smith announced that he had sold the franchise to a local group headed by Chuck Anselmo Jr. and his son Chuck Anselmo III. He also announced

that as a “parting gift”, he had negotiated a new two-year lease to bring the team back to the Cajundome where the franchise had set many ECHL attendance records. In a letter to IceGators fans, Smith stated that six weeks of work went into setting up the lease with the staff at the Cajundome following the team‘s inaugural season at the Blackham Coliseum. He then went on to let the fans know that he felt the sale of the team put it in a great position for the future. “The deal has been consummated and I believe that the IceGators are in great hands,” the letter said. “Chuck and his group are passionate about hockey and its existence in Lafayette. I look forward to the coming season and many to come and ask everyone to help this new group carry on the Louisiana IceGator name and tradition.” According to The Independent Weekly newspaper, Chuck Anselmo Jr. is registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office as the president and director of The North Ridge Estates Owners Association in Carencro. His son, Chuck III, is the owner of Allstates Building Systems, Inc. in Lafayette. Both are said to be avid hockey fans dating back to the original IceGators, where they struck up a close friendship with IceGators player John Spoltore who passed away this past April. Reached by phone, Smith explained that the sale to the Anselmos began as an innocent discussion during an evening out on the town. “It started off believe it or not sitting at a local watering hole. I met the guys (the Anselmos). They were talking to a friend of mine (general manager Dave Berryman). They expressed an interest in getting involved somehow in a minority capacity,” Smith said. “It started out there at a bar. We had a conversation later and that kind of spawned into those guys asking what it would take to get 100% ownership so we threw some numbers out. It made sense for me. It made sense for them. It makes great sense for the IceGators.” The lease, which was passed by the Cajundome Commission Monday evening, includes a clause that would allow the team to cancel the lease in the event that it does not meet minimum attendance requirements. In return, the new owners agreed to make a $125,000 deposit to the Cajundome to “cover any losses incurred by the Cajundome” should the team void the lease. The Advocate newspaper reported that the Cajundome staff did a financial analysis that determined it would make a profit if the team met certain attendance goals. It also reported that the building would need an estimated $324,000 worth of work to bring the ice plant and hockey-related equipment up to standard. Cajundome Director Greg Davis told the paper that two “moderately successful seasons” could pay for the necessary capital outlay. The move to the bigger Cajundome, which Smith said would have been made even if he had kept the team, will immediately give the team a leg up on playing at the 70-year old Blackham Coliseum. He said that although the Blackham was a more intimate setting, the amenities at the Cajundome were just too good to pass up. “We’re trading the better business model that the Blackham would be for the amenities that the Cajundome offers both for the players and the fans,” he said. “The Blackham sort of limited us to the core hockey fans. The business model of any minor league needs the everyday consumer. You need the family looking for entertainment, not just the hockey fan because I don’t think any market has enough hockey fans to substantiate a franchise.” Coming in as a first-time owner, Smith said that there were things he anticipated to run across. Naturally, he knew that there would be things he would experience for the first time. The biggest may have been the sport’s move from the rugged and sometimes bloody “old time hockey” that the IceGators fans remembered to a less physical and more wide-open game. “The brand of hockey is changing. The players are changing. Fans in Louisiana are going to have to get used to “new” hockey, meaning less fighting, less hitting, more finesse,” Smith said. “Hockey was gone for five years here in Lafayette and those five years brought a big change in hockey. I don‘t think it (new style) has been beneficial financially for any of the markets, especially in the South.” Smith also said there is definite difference in the marketplace from the way it was five years ago. The problems that have arisen from the BP oil spill have only accentuated that fact that people are not in a free-spending mood. “I think that the marketplace has changed a lot since the IceGators were here the first time. It is difficult to get people to spend money,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to help the new owners succeed but they’re entering into a very difficult business model in the Cajundome. We’re getting squeezed pretty hard down here.” As for the new owners, one hurdle has already been jumped. The SPHL’s Board of Governors held a conference call Tuesday morning to discuss approving the sale of the team. League President Jim Combs said that barring any last minute snafus, the sale has the league’s blessings so that the Anselmos can launch full speed into operating the team. “We’re definitely happy with Danny keeping the team going as long as he did,” Combs said. “We look forward to working with Chuck and his group. Taking the IceGators back to the Cajundome will be very exciting for the city and the team.” As for Smith, he said he enjoyed being a part of bringing hockey back to Lafayette and hopes that it stays around for years to come. “I had a great time. I don’t regret doing it at all. I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I’m glad to see hockey back in Lafayette,” he said. “Obviously we have our challenges (to keeping it going). Year one for the new ownership will be the biggest challenge. Hopefully we can all overcome it and keep hockey here.” Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com