Whalers Owner Peter Karmanos has narrowed the choice
for a new home for his team to either Raleigh, NC, or
Columbus, OH, according to a report in the CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER. Karmanos told Raleigh TV station WLFL in a phone
interview yesterday that he will visit both cities again
next week before deciding (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/18).
Senators CEO Ray Mlakar, on the Raleigh area: "I've reviewed
that market myself and it's definitely major league. All
that's been missing is the building. Get the building done
and it's major league -- no doubt" (NEWS & OBSERVER, 4/17).
MEANWHILE, BACK IN HARTFORD: AHL President David
Andrews and former Whalers Owner Howard Baldwin met this
week with the CT Development Authority, which operates the
Hartford Civic Center, about relocating Baldwin's dormant
AHL Cornwall, Ontario franchise to Hartford to serve as the
top minor league affiliate for the Penguins. The AHL's
Andrews: "We really want to be there. It's one of the most
important locations we've considered for a long time"
(HARTFORD COURANT, 4/18). Wednesday, IHL Commissioner Bob
Ufer met with the CDA, but said he would "prefer" to wait a
year before bringing a team into the area. Ufer: "The
community needs a period of time to just emotionally work
through the grieving process" (HARTFORD COURANT, 4/17).
