Washington, Zoldan to team up for new hockey venture

YOUNGSTOWN — Two hockey leaders in Youngstown — Herb Washington and Bruce Zoldan — have just announced they are joining forces for a new hockey product next year for the Chevrolet Center.

Below is their joint press release that shows the somewhat competitors for the area’s current hockey fans are now working buddies for the sport.

The Vindy will follow this story later tonight.

Press release:

Youngstown area businessmen Herb Washington and Bruce J. Zoldan announced today that they are working together to develop a program to ensure that a hockey team plays at Youngstown’s Chevrolet Centre next year.

Zoldan’s Youngstown Phantoms, LLC and Washington's Blue Line Hockey, LLC currently operate separate local hockey franchises, with Zoldan’s Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the North American Hockey League, a junior A league, playing at the Ice Zone in Boardman and Washington's Youngstown Steelhounds of the Western Professional Hockey League Inc.(WPHLI) dba Central Hockey League, a Class AA professional league, playing at the Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown.

Washington, currently involved in civil litigation with the WPHLI over issues related to the Youngstown Steelhounds' CHL franchise, indicated that he is not sure whether the franchise will be active as a member of the CHL in Youngstown next year. “At this point, the situation is fluid and we can't predict what will happen,” he said.

“We could field a team next year in either the CHL or the NAHL, but we have also looked at the possibility of affiliations with the Ontario Hockey League, the United States Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. At this point, anything can happen for next year,” said Zoldan.

“Bruce and I have been friends for years,” said Washington. “It's only natural that friends with similar sports interests should eventually get together, pool resources and expertise, and deliver a top-notch hockey product to the community.”

Washington's principal business is the operation of many of the local area McDonald’s restaurants, while Zoldan operates the B.J. Alan/Phantom Fireworks companies and the Ice Zone in Boardman. The two friends said “We are committed to giving back to the community that has been so good to both of us. We are pleased that we can finally join forces in order to improve operations at the Chevrolet Centre and, ultimately, add to the quality of life in our town.”

Washington and Zoldan hope to be able to announce firm plans for their combined hockey operations in the very near future.