Yes, I still haven't done a write up of the fucking play-offs. So sue me.
Anyways, whats going on then? Well, Th has continued to build the squad, adding 2 more to the squad in the shape of newbies (to the Phoenix at any rate) Ciaran Long and Josh Ward. Both seem to be pretty useful pick ups, and reaction has been positive to their arrival. The announcement of Long in particular laid to rest an very, erm, long running rumour (it started somewhere around the play-offs) about his joing us for 2011-2012.
Anywyas, not much else has happened really in Phoenix land. Spread out wing a little further however, and all manner of stuff has been happening...
First up, Paul Ragan the 'Saviour of British Ice Hockey' (tm) has managed to do something that only bob Phillips has previously managed. yes, he managed to bankrupt both clubs. Although more impressively (if that is the word) Ragan managed to do it to both clubs on the same day. On what would ahve been pay day in June he rather callously wound the operating company for both clubs (Rink Corp) up leaving significant 6 figure debts. Mysteriously (or not if you prefer) just before this, he awarded licences to 2 different companies to run the respective franchises. The Steelers are now 'owned' by the guy who owns Rhino (and whose name escapes me for the moment). I say 'owns' as allegedly PR still has a 50% stake in the Steelers, but no one seems to be able to completely confirm or deny this. The Devils? AFAIK, Ragan is still the owner. The saga continues...
And speaking of the Devils, come December they very well might have no rink to call home. Again. It seems that Cardiff City Council has gotten cold feet about awarding the tender to Planet Ice regarding the permanent replacement for the WNIR, and has pulled the rug from under them. Problem is PI own the current rink, but only have a lease on the land it is built on (which is owned by CCC) until December.Cue PI threatening to dismantle the building and ship it elsewhere come xmas time. Naturally the Devils fans are up in arms about this... even though may of them actively campaigned against PI getting the tender in the first place. The Devils fans, you see baulked at PIs intention to construct what would effectively be the Coventry Skydome (2500 seats)with a nicer exterior, demanding instead a 4000 seat twin pad facility. Well, now the council looks set to give them their wishes (assuming anyone has the moeny to build something like that anymore as the only previous bidder with that on the table was...Paul Ragan) they are upset at PIs business decision to move on. Truthfully, I think that what the Devils want could turn out to be a 'white elephant' (the much smaller twin pad facility iceSheffield has struggled to turn a profit from day one), which would bankrupt whoever wished to run it, and PIs plan was more sustainable in the long run. This has legs yet, though, as I'm sure there will be a few more twists before the fat man in a red suit comes 'ho-ho-ho-ing'. (as an incidental deal, it has emerged that the newly bankrupt Devils got/get free ice time, significantly reducing over heads. Interesting).
And a piece of good news.. The Coventry Blaze have finally retired the 'Worst Logo In British Ice Hockey, Ever!' (tm) in favour of a new one. About fucking time! The old one looked like it had been drawn by a bored 10yr old in art class at school. The new one looks much, much more professional.
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