-- TOO SMALL FOR NHL, AND TOO SMALL FOR THE "I"?

Fred Comrie, owner of the IHL L.A. Ice Dogs, was in Winnipeg last
week to discuss potential IHL franchise ownership with three
local groups, but the WINNIPEG FREE PRESS's Scott Taylor writes
the league's $8M expansion fee "is a rather large investment."
Taylor notes that crowds of under 5,000 and 6,000 have attended
Jets preseason games as fans have had an attack of "sudden
indifference."  Taylor adds potential IHL owners may want to
analyze if Winnipeg's burned fans will support second-tier
hockey.  Comrie says the IHL is talking with six cities about
expansion, including Winnipeg and New Orleans (FREE PRESS, 9/27).