Van Boxmeer Looks to Win IHL Title With the Ice Dogs

Everybody was happy--the boss, the coach, the players.

That’s what playing hockey in Los Angeles is for members of the International Hockey League.

Happy.

Good weather. Good players. Good contracts.

Good luck.

There are already two NHL teams in town, and the Dogs failed financially in San Diego where there was no hockey competition.

But the Southland’s third hockey team is confident it can carve a niche into a hockey fan base.

Where will it come from?

The Ice Dogs say it’s not “minor” league hockey, and that it is hockey that the family can afford--say, as opposed to the NHL.

Minor details aside, it will be more affordable in that tickets range from $5-16 for games. The Sports Arena offers a major league venue and although the players might not be of NHL quality, they’re not far off.

The Ice Dogs are not affiliated with an NHL team, so players can’t be called up during the season. An NHL team can buy a players’ contract from the IHL team.

“Well, I’m very happy with what I see. The guys came in here in great shape and that’s really what you want,” said John Van Boxmeer, the Ice Dog coach.

“I expect to win a championship. I expect to win. It’s not like we have to draft a team, we just go out and sign them. I expect to win.”