FORMER NHL EXECS EYE NEW NICHE WITH HOCKEY CONSULTING FIRM

          Four former NHL executives have announced the formation
     of the Goal Group, a new, full-service consulting firm
     specializing in all aspects of the hockey business.  The
     start-up company was founded by former Sabres Exec VP/GM
     Gerry Meehan, former Stars VP/Business Ops & General Counsel
     Len Perna, IHL Long Beach Ice Dogs President Greg McElroy,
     and Blackhawks VP/Marketing Peter Wirtz & his Bismarck
     Consulting group.  The Goal Group will provide consulting on
     a variety of hockey-related issues, including arena
     development; facility management; employee sales training;
     executive search for the hockey business; food & beverage
     consulting; hockey operations & player personnel consulting;
     consulting on merchandise operations; hockey marketing and
     sponsorship sales; player promos & endorsements; hockey
     special events; and practice rink opportunities.  The Goal
     Group will be based out of four offices, with staff in
     Toronto, L.A., Washington, DC, and Chicago (Goal Group).