THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503240565
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Greensboro Monarchs reached a verbal agreement to buy the Raleigh IceCaps, which apparently will attempt to follow Greensboro into the American Hockey League next season, Roanoke Express owner John Gagnon said Thursday night.
``Greensboro purchased Raleigh,'' he said prior to an Express playoff game. ``It happened today.''
Sources in Greensboro confirmed the agreement to purchase the East Coast Hockey League team.
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen declined comment on that and other developments that could affect his team's future:
Hampton Coliseum director Joe Tsao said he has been contacted by somebody interested in putting an AHL franchise there. However, he said they did not discuss specifics, and he does not know if the person is serious.
The Charlotte Checkers are reconsidering their decision to remain in the ECHL, sources said. The Checkers, who had announced last week that they were going to the AHL, announced this week they were staying. Now they're apparently undecided again.
The Portland (Maine) Press Telegram reports the AHL will grant an expansion franchise next week to Lexington, Ky., which would join Greensboro, Raleigh, Hershey, Pa., and a proposed Baltimore franchise in a new division.
Dayton's Bud Ginger has resigned as president of the ECHL and has been replaced by Charlotte's Carl Scheer. Next to the commissioner, the president is the league's most important leadership position. Ginger was involved early with negotiations on a proposal by some ECHL teams to merge with the AHL.
The merger talks, initiated by some ECHL officials without league authorization, broke down, and the AHL is now trying to absorb some of the ECHL's most successful franchises, including Richmond, South Carolina and Hampton Roads. ECHL officials threatened Monday to sue any clubs that leave.
Sources say the Admirals remain undecided about moving to the AHL. Cullen has maintained a no comment policy since Monday.
Tsao declined to say who contacted him but said he is not actively seeking a hockey franchise.
``But if somebody makes us an offer, it would be irresponsible of us not to listen,'' he said.
South Carolina president Marcel Dionne confirmed he had heard ``rumors'' that Raleigh had been sold. ``This all comes at a bad time,'' Dionne said. ``Everyone's in the playoffs. It makes no sense for this to happen now, or anytime. They're raiding our markets ... It's gotten out of control.'' MEMO: Landmark sports writer Ralph Berrier contributed to this story.
by CNB