Breaking News WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The expected turbulent off season in minor league hockey has apparently begun. In a letter posted to the team website, Twin City Cyclones owner Robert Kerzner announced that the team was “ceasing operations” as of March 31, 2009. ” This was a personal, difficult decision to make for me and the entire organization,” Kerzner was quoted in the letter. “My wife and I will miss all the great people we met and got to know in Winston-Salem over the past two years.” The question now on the table is whether the Cyclones are in the process of being relocated or if Kerzner is through with team ownership. Reached via telephone Tuesday afternoon, SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs told ProHockeyNews that Kerzner is searching for a city to relocate to. The Cyclones moved to Winston-Salem prior to the 2007-2008 season following two seasons in Florence, SC. “He’s (Kerzner) disappointed that it didn’t work out,” Combs said. “We all are.” The Winston-Salem Journal reported in its online edition that the Cyclones had informed the Winston-Salem Entertainment Sports Complex that they would be “suspending operations” for the 2009-2010 season. Bucky Dame, director of the W-S ESC, which includes the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Complex where the Cyclones played their home games, said he was told that the team would be asking for a suspension of operations. In their two season in Winston-Salem, the Cyclones have had a difficult time drawing people to their games while under the shadow of Wake Forest University athletics and other entertainment options. The open letter on the website said that the team had spent over $100,000 over two seasons to advertise in an attempt to draw more people to games. Kerzner stated that the team had set a goal of 2200 to 2300 fans per game to financially survive but had failed to meet the self-imposed numbers. “It just came down to money lost. And please, if you are angry, do not take it out on the Annex complex. They also tried their best to make it work,” Kerzner said. “All we needed was another $150.000.00 in corporate support and 1200 more fans in the seats for each game. I did not see this occurring in the future, especially with the recent economic downturn.” Combs said that Kerzner is “still commited to owning the team” and being involved in the SPHL next season. Combs also said that no official discussion of the Twin City situation – including a suspension of operations – would be held before the league meetings in June. There has been talk all season about the SPHL looking to expand for next season. One potential location is Augusta, Georgia, the former home of the ECHL Augusta Lynx who folded in December. Discussions have also included Pensacola, Florida, another former ECHL city. The league has stated that any new cities would need to be within its geographic footprint to be considered. The Cyclones are the third SPHL team to fall on financial hard times in the past year. The Jacksonville Barracudas were granted a suspension prior to the just finished 2008-2009 regular season and are still seeking a new home. Just last month, the Richmond Renegades announced their desire to seek a suspension at the SPHL league meetings. Stay with Pro Hockey News for updates. Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
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