Although no "expansion plan exists, and no timetable is
certain, everyone expects the NHL will go west again," according
to Kevin Allen in today's USA TODAY. Among topics that Allen
discusses in the piece: the leading cities in the west who
appear to be "early front-runners" for teams (Denver, Phoenix and
Portland), the concern of the "quality of talent pool" for new
teams, and a conflict with the IHL that "appears inevitable." On
the IHL, which has teams in cities where the NHL may expand,
Whalers GM Jim Rutherford: "They didn't have any concern about
putting teams outside Detroit and Chicago. Why should we be
concerned about going into Denver, Phoenix or Atlanta" (USA
TODAY, 2/24).
MINORS FLOURISH: The popularity of the ECHL and other minor
hockey leagues is examined by Stefan Fatsis in this morning's
WALL STREET JOURNAL. With franchises No. 20 and 21 due next
season and "at least six more by 1998," Fatsis says the ECHL "may
be the fastest-growing league in professional sports history. ...
The minors in general have come a long way from the brawl-a-
minute games depicted in the 1977 movie 'Slapshot'" (WALL STREET
JOURNAL, 2/24).
CONGRATS, MICK E.: The IHL Minnesota Moose logo "has been
rated No. 1 in all of minor league hockey" by THE HOCKEY NEWS.
According to staff writer Michael Ulmer, "Mick E. Moose is
clearly the logo of the '90's. ... The Moose won because they
managed to create a figure which is entrancing and assertive
without being obnoxious." The logo has been so popular that
merchandise "sold in the arena and in their specialty stores" has
already surpassed the $1.4M mark (Dan Barreiro, Minneapolis STAR
TRIBUNE, 2/22). Moose Dir of Public Relations Joanie St. Peter:
"Obviously it's a big honor. We're very excitied about it" (THE
DAILY).
