Denied use of arena, loop eyes other sites

The NAHL is considering the Ice Zone and Wheeling Nailers, among other rinks.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Here is another chapter of what has become known as The Ice Wars.
Because the North American Hockey League tournament in April is not going to be held at the Chevrolet Centre, the league now is looking at other sites to conduct the amateur meet for 16-20-year-old players.
The NAHL had awarded the tournament to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms and owner Bruce Zoldan, who wanted to use the Chevrolet Centre as the site for the meet April 24-29.
But Friday, Herb Washington, owner of the Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League, declined the request made by Zoldan. Washington has exclusive hockey rights at the Chevrolet Centre through his contract with Global Entertainment which manages the city-owned facility.
Ed Romero, Washington's attorney, says that the SteelHounds owner has a 10-year lease with Global that gives him the right to deny all hockey events at the Chevrolet Centre for the duration of the contract.
League wants to help
"The [NAHL] is stepping in and will try to find the proper location [for the tournament]," said Stu Hackel, director of information and communication with the NAHL, on Saturday. He said the league owners want to help Zoldan.
"We have contacts outside of the area that [Zoldan] doesn't have, so we are stepping in to help out. Youngstown is still the host team. I don't know where it is going to be. We will make that announcement when we know what it is."
Hackel said that the Ice Zone in Boardman, which is owned by Zoldan and is the Phantoms' home rink, is a possibility, as is the Wheeling (W. Va.) Nailers' rink. The Nailers are members of the East Coast Hockey League -- similar to the CHL, and a farm team of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Hackel said that Zoldan wanted to use the Chevrolet Centre for the tournament, but he doesn't know if that was a condition attached to his bid that had to be met to be host team.
Phantoms still hosts
But Hackel said Zoldan and the Phantoms still are the hosts for the meet, no matter where it is held.
"They won the bid. We made a commitment and they made a commitment and we are going to honor that commitment," said Hackel.
Zoldan said the Nailers, who have an excellent chance to make the ECHL playoffs, are interested not only in holding the NAHL tournament, but also to bringing an NAHL team in Wheeling.
"They are begging us to come to Wheeling to play there and they will give us all the support that we want," said Zoldan. "They want us to have an NAHL team in Wheeling."
Hackel believes the NAHL tournament, with eight or more games, could be a good draw in Youngstown.
"I don't think 2,000 people is too much [of a prediction] by any stretch, but you don't know until you start selling tickets."
kovach@vindy.com