More changes possible for CHL in 2010-11

TEMPE, AZ – Despite the loss of the Amarillo Gorillas and the Corpus Christi IceRays, the footprint of the Central Hockey League may have an opportunity to grow this off-season due to a possible dissolution of the International Hockey League.   
 

The IHL, based in Rochester, Michigan consisted of six member teams located in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. But one team, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, folded at the end of the 2009-10 season and will become a Tier I Junior A developmental team, joining the United States Hockey League (USHL) next season.
 
Another team, the Flint Generals, ran into financial problems this year (for the second straight season) and needed financial help from other IHL clubs to make it through the season. They are currently seeking new investors, but at this time it’s not known if the Generals will live to play another game.
 
There are plans for another team based in Evansville, Indiana to join the league next season, but the owners are waiting on the completion of a new arena to play in.
 
Several IHL teams have an agreement that states the IHL must have at least six member teams for them to participate. While anything can still happen, the likelihood remains that the IHL will dissolve.
 
Rumors of a possible merger between the CHL and the IHL have been floating around for some time now and while a league merger may be unlikely, it is possible that one or more teams may be integrated into the CHL.
 
IHL teams in Illinois and Indiana are closest geographically to CHL teams playing in Missouri, Mississippi, Kansas and even South Dakota. While it’s not out of the question for all of the remaining IHL teams to join the CHL, operational and travel costs would become a major factor in the decision for teams used to traveling within their current four-state footprint.
 
However, an inevitable re-alignment of CHL conferences could help, along with creative scheduling which could reduce the amount of distant travel for all teams throughout the season.
 
Although there has been little public comment by the CHL on the IHL’s situation, sources say that member teams have been kept advised of discussions between the two leagues. CHL Commissioner Duane Lewis broke the league’s silence on the matter today.
“There is obviously interest in the International Hockey League for the CHL,” Lewis told the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette’s Justin Cohn. “We have had conversations with them, but I can’t comment beyond that, other than to say we do think it will work for them within our business model.”
 
“We’re centrally located in the middle of the country and have the opportunity to expand on the Global Entertainment model,” Lewis said. “We want to be a strong league with quality teams and continue to expand within our geographic footprint.
 
“We think we bring a lot to the table…. We have a lot of infrastructure in place to assist franchises and we think it would be a good opportunity for (IHL owners) to look at.”
 
Cohn, who covers the IHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, also reported that according to ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna, there is no dialogue between any of the IHL’s teams about joining his league next season, a further indication that the CHL would be the likely candidate for teams that wish to play next season.
 
There would be an obvious transition for IHL teams who choose to join the CHL. Besides operational and travel costs, there are differences between the two leagues. The first is the salary cap, which is estimated at $13,000.00 per week in the IHL and $10,450 in the CHL. The veteran rule in the IHL allows a maximum of eight players; the CHL allows only four (with both leagues recognizing a veteran player as one who has played 300 professional games). The IHL schedule accounts for 76 games in a regular season; the CHL plays 64. In addition, CHL players are represented by a union, IHL players are not.
 
While those differences would require an adjustment, either for teams who join the CHL or for the league in general, they are not great enough to prevent an expansion.
 
The CHL will hold its 15^th annual summer conference and meetings at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa on June 3-5 in Chandler, Arizona. The conference, which serves as the primary off-season gathering for all CHL member teams, provide an opportunity for team owners, staff, coaches, vendors, and clients to have meetings about various topics for the 2010-11 CHL regular season.   There’s no doubt that this year’s conference will be a busy one, as the league has a tremendous opportunity to expand its brand in the central United States.
 
Contact the author/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com