New Hockey League Set to Award Its Six Franchises

Officials of the proposed North American Hockey League decided during weekend meetings in Atlanta to award six franchises, starting next month.

Attending the two days of meetings were representatives from Miami, Detroit, Cleveland, Orlando, Fla., Tampa, Fla., and Atlanta, plus Jack Robillard and Bob Willson, owners of the London Knights of the junior Ontario Hockey League.

“We had some serious discussion with (player) agents about player availability and getting an idea what it will cost to field a team, with some marquee players,” league organizer Gord Stenbach of Cleveland told the London Free Press on Sunday.

“There is a concern over player availability.”

One of the incentives behind the formation of the new league, Stenbach said, is the $50-million price tag the NHL has put on its expansion franchise.

“No. 1, we’re looking for hockey people,” he said. “We’re looking for people who were looking for expansion franchises and didn’t get one or don’t want to pay $50 million.”