Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ice Edge in talks to put team in Thunder Bay
Move may mark end of efforts to buy Coyotes
The would-be owners of the Phoenix Coyotes are turning their attention to the minor leagues but what, if anything, that means to the potential return of the National Hockey League to Winnipeg remains to be seen.
Ice Edge Holdings, the group that has been pursuing the former Winnipeg Jets since last year, has begun formal discussions to bring an ECHL franchise to Thunder Bay.
"Ice Edge has concurrently been focusing on several opportunities in professional sports during the past year," said its chairman, Keith McCullough, in a press release.
"We are here in Thunder Bay (Monday) because we are beginning the official process of working with the ECHL in regards to bringing an expansion team (here)."
But this move may mark the end of Ice Edge's formal efforts to buy the Coyotes and keep them in Arizona (except for five games per season, which it said it wanted to have played in Saskatoon.) Ice Edge said it continues to be involved with the purchase of the Coyotes but it understands another party is in "advanced discussions" with respect to buying the team.
"An announcement could happen soon. If this occurs, we expect to continue to be involved with the Coyotes as an adviser for the foreseeable future," McCullough said.
The Phoenix Business Journal reported Monday that an undisclosed and wealthy "mystery" buyer had stepped to the forefront of the negotiations.
The story quoted sources familiar with the situation that said the NHL and the City of Glendale could soon announce details and developments.
"The ownership group has asked for the city and league to keep negotiations private. The suitor would keep the Coyotes in Glendale and is not a household name. In addition, sources say progress on the purchase is serious and substantial," the story said.
True North Sports & Entertainment spokesman Scott Brown declined to comment on the latest developments.
Spearheaded by True North chairman, Mark Chipman, an agreement is in place to sell the Coyotes and relocate them to Winnipeg if a deal to keep them in Arizona isn't finalized by Dec. 31.
The ECHL, one of three leagues recognized by the National Hockey League's Players Association, has teams scattered across the U.S. and Canada. Most of its 20 franchises serve as feeder teams to American Hockey League teams. It has only one team north of the 49th parallel, the Victoria Salmon Kings, which is affiliated with the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks.
geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca
The buzz
Here's what a couple of bloggers following the Coyotes situation had to say Monday:
"No truth to reports out of Gong-dale that 'mystery' buyers for Coyotes include Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Dos Equis dude."
-- ESPN.com hockey columnist, Scott Burnside
"Every time there's wrong turn, NHL/Gdale try to distract with 'sale near'/ 'deal will get done'/'mystery buyer. 1 more reason to distract -- on Wednesday, Glendale starts covering up to $25 million in NHL losses on (Coyotes)."
-- Brahm Resnik, 12 News anchor and reporter
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 31, 2010 A6
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