Dreams of bringing minor league hockey back to Roanoke are even closer to becoming reality.
Between the city’s hockey history, a fan-run facebook page with nearly 1,700 followers, and a recent charity game that more than 6,000 people showed up to, the Northern Professional Hockey League says it’s plain and simple.
“Roanoke is a hockey city,” said Mike Chighisola, Director of Franchise Development for the NPHL.
It was the fan support that first caught the attention of the startup league, and ultimately led to Roanoke being included on its list of franchise cities, which it announced back in January. Now, a month and a half later, league officials say the logistical and financial support for the team is quickly catching up.
“I’ve only actually made one phone call,” said Chighisola. “The rest of the meetings I have, people emailed me and said we want to get involved, which is awesome.”
Chighisola is spending time in Roanoke this week and next week to meet with city leaders, the Roanoke Civic Center, and businesses interested in becoming sponsors. He says the meetings are going well and the chances of Roanoke getting a team are looking good.
“I said last night that I’m about 90% confident,” said Chighisola.
He says the league has found two owners for the team so far, and is looking at a possible third. Ownership groups have also started popping up in the league’s other franchise cities. They hope to release their names soon.
“We do have people in place in these cities,” said Chighisola. “We’re keeping that cautious, optimistic approach.”
The league says it won’t make anything final until July, when it plans to officially announce the teams and the 2012 schedule.
“In today’s economy we have to be realistic and we have to make sure that everything is in place so we don’t make the same mistakes past owners may have made,” said Chighisola.
The NPHL plans to host a public meeting next week to give fans the chance to meet them and ask them questions about the league. A specific day, time, and place are still being worked out. 10 On Your Side will post that information when it becomes available.
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