Gulls of IHL Will Play in Sports Arena in ‘95-96

Hoping to find the audience in Los Angeles they couldn’t attract in San Diego, the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League announced Thursday that they will move to the Sports Arena for the 1995-96 season.

Owner Fred Comrie had hoped for a long contract extension in San Diego and first crack at the city’s proposed, state-of-the-art arena. He got neither and instead signed a three-year deal with the Coliseum Commission.

The Gulls, the Mighty Ducks’ top minor league affiliate, average fewer than 5,000 in San Diego, down from 7,600 three seasons ago. Their attendance ranks 16th among 17 IHL teams.

IHL tickets average $10. Comrie hopes the low cost will lure an average of 8,000-10,000 fans to the Sports Arena despite the presence of the Kings and Ducks.

“I want to be the first to congratulate you, and the first to order four season tickets,” L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan told Comrie at a news conference.