Don't pack up the Zamboni yet; there could still be hockey in Springfield

May 4, 2016 | Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com

The MassMutual Center Box Office may be selling hockey tickets for the 2016-17 season

SPRINGFIELD – There may be hockey in Springfield come fall after all.

Attorney Frank Fitzgerald, legal representation for a group of local investors, confirmed that a letter of intent to purchase the Portland Pirates has been signed with the intention of moving that franchise from Maine to the City of Homes.

“We are currently working on a definitive agreement that would bring the team to Springfield,” he said.

The sale would be subject to league approval and an agreement with the Florida Panthers, the Pirates’ NHL affiliate. Those approvals would clear the way for AHL hockey at the MassMutual Center for the 2016-17 season.

The Panthers released a statement in which they did not commit to agreeing to an affiliation or sending the organization's developmental prospects to Springfield.

"I was informed by Portland CEO Ron Cain today that he has signed a letter of intent to sell the Pirates pending league approval," Panthers Executive Chairman Peter Luukko said. "We will be in contact with the American Hockey League regarding the sale process. In the meantime, Florida will begin exploring all our options to put our players in the very best developmental situation. We have enjoyed the city of Portland, the venue and the incredible fan support.”

Per AHL regulations, every team must have an NHL affiliate.

The news of the potential sale comes just weeks after Springfield found itself without a professional hockey team when Falcons owner Charlie Pompea agreed to sell his organization to its parent club, the Arizona Coyotes, in order to relocate it to Tucson, AZ.

Fitzgerald said the situation has been “fast-moving” and the purchase of the Pirates has been a “rapid transaction” that was initiated shortly after the announcement of the Falcons’ departure.

Fitzgerald said he couldn’t identify the members of the investment group because the final agreement had not yet been signed.

In an April 21 meeting with Mayor Domenic Sarno and the press, former Falcons President and Director of Hockey Operations Bruce Landon pledged to do what they could to maintain AHL hockey within the city, and later reiterated to Reminder Publications his belief that a professional franchise could thrive in the market, but when contacted, he would not comment on the potential purchase.

Fitzgerald also said the group of investors would be looking to expand.

“In the coming weeks, this group will continue to identify local investors and raise funds to ensure that professional hockey remains in this great city,” he said.

Sarno, who was a Falcons season ticket holder, expressed his excitement and appreciation for the efforts of the local investors in a statement, saying, “While we understand there are still some hurdles to overcome, we are encouraged by this news and hopeful that professional hockey will be back in Springfield this upcoming season. I look forward to sharing more information on this announcement in the very near future. I am very thankful to the broad-based local investor group for once again stepping up for our Springfield.”

The Pirates finished the 2015-16 regular season with a 41-26-6-2 record, good for fourth in the Atlantic Division.  They fell in a best-of-five Atlantic Division semifinal series with the Hershey Bears to end their playoff run.

Despite the success, Portland drew only slightly better than the Falcons with an average attendance of 3,363 fans per game. The Falcons posted the worst attendance in the league, in team history and one of the worst in Springfield hockey history during the 2015-16 season.

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