THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 20, 1995 TAG: 9503200138
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen will fly to Charlotte today for what might be the last meeting he attends for owners in the East Coast Hockey League.
Cullen volunteered either not to attend or not to vote because he is considering jumping next season to the American Hockey League.
Greensboro and Charlotte have announced that they are going to the AHL, and both were asked not to attend today's meeting. But Cullen's offer to ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly was declined. He will vote, as will 15 other owners, on matters ranging from marketing to expansion.
Cullen acknowledges that the AHL will be a major topic of discussion. South Carolina, Raleigh and Richmond also are contemplating a move to the AHL.
Cullen spoke with AHL commissioner Dave Andrews over the weekend and has been in touch with owners in the other ECHL franchises that might move up. He declined comment on the discussions.
He says he'll know before March 29, when the AHL is scheduled to vote on expansion, whether the Admirals will try to move up.
``I have not made up my mind yet,'' he said. ``We've gathered a lot of information, but I have not made a decision and don't know when I will.''
Among the items up for a vote in Charlotte is a proposed change in ownership of the South Carolina franchise. A group led by former NHL star Marcel Dionne wants to sell the franchise. But Dionne is known to favor staying in the ECHL, and the league is unlikely to approve the change if it is thought the new group is disposed to bolting to the AHL.
Cullen said he will vote for the change.
``I've never voted against an ownership change and never will,'' he said. ``If an owner wants to sell his franchise, that's his business, as far as I'm concerned.'' by CNB