Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a news conference at the Roanoke Civic Center, Gagnon and general manager Pierre Paiement introduced the five other investing partners in the area group bringing hockey to the Roanoke Civic Center for the first time since 1976.
The other partners are Cassandra Bell, a certified public accountant from Covington; Richard Macher, a Roanoke restaurateur; Joe Steffen, a Blacksburg lawyer; Mike Stevens, a Galax furniture executive; and Richard Yancey, a Harrisonburg CPA.
"As you can see, we have a diversified team," Gagnon said. "We not only will have a team on the ice, but one off the ice, too. One person simply cannot do all this alone.
"I think our team is representative of the entire area, and that's the way we want to market this hockey team. Our group is composed of people who have a marketing background. Each member will help us sell this club.
"We'll be a very successful team, I guarantee that."
Macher, who owns 11 restaurants in the area, said he joined the group "because I think Roanoke is starving for an affiliation with some kind of sports team."
"The Salem baseball team is great," Macher said. "I think Roanoke needed to come up with something to do in the wintertime and get excited about. Now everybody can go see a hockey game."
Steffen, a former Galax city councilman, said he has received some 600 commitments for season tickets from the Blacksburg area.
"There are 24,000 college students in Blacksburg, many of whom are from the North, and no one has ever made an effort to get those people to games," Steffen said. "A lot never knew they played hockey here. I expect a large presence at games from [the New River Valley]. It's only a 35-minute drive for most."
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, one of numerous city officials at the new conference, told Gagnon "that Roanoke is very happy and proud to have you."
"Hockey is back in Roanoke, and," Bowers said, slamming his fist on the podium, "we're proud of it.
"We were going to pull out all stops to bring this team to Roanoke. Roanoke City wants to put out the red carpet to make for a strong, successful hockey franchise here."
Bowers gave Gagnon a small crystal star and suggested that maybe the team should be named after "the great star up on the mountain."
Gagnon said the group plans to conduct a "nickname contest" soon that will allow the public to come up with a team moniker.
The group's most immediate concern is hiring a head coach, Paiement said.
"We want the coach in before June 1st," Paiement said. "The NHL draft is June 26 in the Quebec City, and the coach will need to be there."
As far as NHL affiliation goes, Paiement said: "It's pretty much a done deal. We hope to announce a deal with one, possibly two, NHL teams very soon."
Gagnon said season tickets will go on sale later this week at the civic center box office. The price hadn't been determined Monday. Anyone interested in season tickets can sign up by writing to Hockey Season Sales, Roanoke Civic Center, P.O. Box 13005, Roanoke, Va., 24013.
General-admission tickets, all reserved seating, will range from $4 to $8. The civic center's 900 lower box seats at rinkside will be $8. Tickets on each side of the rink from goal to goal will be $7, with all other seats selling for $6. Students and senior citizens will be admitted for $5, and tickets will be $4 for children 12 and under.
The ECHL's 1993-94 schedule, which is expected to be released in June, will include 68 regular-season games, up from last season's 64. Gagnon said the club will play 36 games at the 8,372-seat civic center, including two preseason games.
The Roanoke entry will compete in one of four divisions in the 19-team ECHL. Roanoke most likely will be grouped with Richmond, Hampton Roads, Greensboro and Raleigh, Gagnon said.
Gagnon said the league is expected to announce its new expanded four-division, two-conference setup sometime next week.
The 1993-94 ECHL season will begin Wednesday, Oct. 20. Gagnon said it is likely the Roanoke club will play its two home preseason games the weekend of Oct. 16-17.
Gagnon said the club will open temporary offices at an undisclosed site in the next week. The club's permanent offices are expected to be housed at the Vinton LancerLot, where the team plans to practice when ice time is not available at the Roanoke building.
by CNB