PREMIER TO ASSIST NEW ARENA? IHL TEAM CLOSER TO AIR CANADA

          Ontario Premier Mike Harris said that the provincial
     government "is ready to do what it can" to get the Maple
     Leafs and Raptors into a new arena at Union Station,
     according to Girard & Maloney of the TORONTO STAR.  Harris
     said he's had discussions with officials from both teams. 
     Harris: "We stand ready to facilitate if they need our
     assistance" (TORONTO STAR, 7/11).  In Toronto, columnist Don
     Wanagas writes, "How badly have the Leafs bungled their six
     weeks of bargaining with the city?  Well, the NHL squad's
     top brass have been so pathetic in their dealings with City
     Hall they've actually managed to make city council look like
     a cohesive political force" (TORONTO SUN, 7/11).
          RAPTORS, ROADRUNNERS AND OTHER RASCALS: IHL Phoenix
     Roadrunners Owner Lyle Abraham has obtained tentative
     approval from the IHL to move the team to Toronto, "and
     talks are under way to have the team play out of the Air
     Canada Center" (Harris & Hornby, TORONTO SUN, 7/11).