Reports that IHL K.C. Blades Owner Dan DeVos is
"seriously considering" a transfer of his franchise to
Oklahoma City have "caused concern," according to Barry
Lewis of the TULSA WORLD, who wrote, "Some may argue that
the IHL could help Oklahoma City attract an NHL team." The
city currently is home to the CHL Blazers. Lewis noted that
Dallas and Nashville "made it to the NHL" having hosting a
CHL franchise, and Columbus "didn't need" the IHL "to land"
its NHL team. Lewis, on a possible IHL team in Oklahoma
City: "Bigger isn't always better and hopefully, for hockey
fans statewide, Oklahoma City government officials will come
to the same conclusion." Lewis added that Oklahoma City is
"better off with the CHL" (TULSA WORLD, 11/9). USA TODAY's
Kevin Allen: "The IHL vs. CHL debate has bubbled to a boil
thanks primarily to a zealous group of Blazers' fans that
are ... loyal to their 8-year-old CHL team." OK City Mayor
Kirk Humphreys, on interest in the IHL: "We are looking at a
lot of factors, like level of talent, TV exposure. The
Blazers' large fan base will be taken into account. We will
be looking also at the financial stability of the team and
league." Allen reports that "pro-CHL backers claim the CHL
is more stable" than the IHL (USA TODAY, 11/11).
NEW TEAM: CoachSports, owned by Barry and Margaret
Kemp, has acquired membership rights from the Tucson Gila
Monsters and hopes to begin play in the WCHL in 2001. Barry
Kemp also owns the IHL Long Beach Ice Dogs (WCHL).
WELCOME HOME: In K.C., Jeffrey Flanagan reported that
ABA 2000 co-Founder Gary Elbogen, also the owner of the K.C.
franchise, has "agreed" to a three-year deal with the city
to lease Kemper Arena. The deal, which has a three-year
team option, is for "slightly more" than the $3,000-a-game
price tag" that the IHL Blades pay (K.C. STAR, 11/10).
