Photo Credit: Robert Keith
“I’m devastated,” said Hank Lawson, a longtime supporter of the team. “I knew there was a possibility that they might become an AHL team, but I thought we would have at least one more season.”
Indeed, the possibility existed that the team would leave the CHL for the American Hockey League sometime in the near future. It has been widely reported that the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers had been in talks with Express Sports, the owner of the Blazers franchise for some time. The Oilers own a dormant AHL franchise and have been looking for a viable market to move to for some time now.
From a financial standpoint, Express Sports hopes to benefit from the stature of owning an AHL franchise. The league is the NHL’s top developmental organization and the operating revenues and potential profits far exceed the levels that the franchise has been able to achieve in the CHL.
Center Brian Passmore, like most of his teammates, was notified of the team’s demise by telephone yesterday.
“I’m definitely shocked and sad,” Passmore said. “The Oklahoma City Blazers was a great organization. It’s tough to understand when the team led the league in attendance and it still didn’t work for them.”
But Passmore knows the decision was based on financial considerations.
“These are tough times for any business and ownership did what they needed to do,” Passmore added.
In the meantime, there will be no hockey for thousands of fans next season and the players, who have all become free agents, will be left to find somewhere new to play.
Goaltender Doug Groenestege, who led the league with a 2.10 GAA last season, has a positive attitude about an otherwise negative situation.
“I was a little shocked at first but one door closes, another one opens,” Groenestege said. “I’m more upset about the fact that I really enjoyed playing in
Groenestege has already had multiple calls from teams who are looking for the opportunity to sign a standout goaltender.
“Now I get a fresh start in a
Defenseman Justin Sawyer also thought the team would remain in the CHL for at least one more season.
“I was pretty shocked even with all the rumors going on,” Sawyer said. “I definitely figured the Blazers would be on the ice next year.”
But Sawyer doesn’t have to worry about a job as he had already made a move for himself for next season.
“I wasn’t able to sign a contract with the Blazers due to the negotiations on the lease,” Sawyer said. “I decided to sign with
Texas Brahmas head coach Dan Wildfong commented on the loss of his longtime rival.
“It’s definitely sad anytime you lose any team,” Wildfong said. “…
On the up side, there are a lot of quality players available now, which will be helpful to the expansion Missouri Mavericks and Allen Americans as well as other teams who are recruiting for the upcoming season, including the Brahmas.
“I would be happy to get a lot of their players because they play hard and they’re a good young team.” said Wildfong.
Contact the author at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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