No plans to sell Jr. Blues

I found this interesting about the Jr. Blues. Also the inside info they let out to their fans.


Russell says he has no plans to sell Jr. Blues


By DON TRELLO
STAFF WRITER
Published Wednesday, January 04, 2006


The Springfield Junior Blues are in their 13th season as members of the North American Hockey League, and all indications are the team will stay in Springfield next season.


Rumors that the financially strapped team would be sold to out-of-state investors and moved have been in the wind the past few seasons.

"We had an offer to sell the team to a Texas businessman for between $75,000-$100,000 during the past two weeks," Blues president BRIAN RUSSELL said last week. "We have until Jan. 15 to notify the league where we will operate next season. I don't have any plans to sell the team."

Russell's longtime commitment to keep Junior A hockey in town, along with a new business plan that has given the Blues increased revenue, are major reasons for optimism despite at least $50,000 in debt carried over from past seasons.

"We are negotiating to settle old debts," Russell said. "Some people say we ought to consider bankruptcy, but I don't want to do that."

The Blues, who have 501c status with the Internal Revenue Service as a not-for-profit corporation, operate all concessions at home games and have agreements with Pepsi and the House of Brews to provide soft drinks and beer for the first time this season.

"The goal is to break even, and this is the best financial shape we've been in during my time here," said fourth-year coach and general manager NICK POLLOS. "It's a huge plus running our own concessions, and advertising might be up a little bit. This is the most efficient (business) year we've had since I've been here."

The Blues played just 11 home games in the first half of the season and are averaging in excess of 1,100 per game to rank sixth in the NAHL in attendance.

"We are close to breaking even, and the bulk of our home games are in the second half of the season," Russell said. "I'm real impressed with the way things have gone."


PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Defenseman DAVIDE NICOLETTI was named Blues Player of the Month for December. Nicoletti, who is an assistant captain, had one goal and seven assists to lead the team to a 4-2 record.

THE SANTA FE TRAIL: The Blues leave tonight on a 21-hour bus trip to Santa Fe, N.M., where they play Thursday, Friday and Saturday against the Roadrunners. The team traveled to Santa Fe by air last season.
"This is the longest bus ride the players and I have been on," Pollos said. "We should arrive in Santa Fe about 5 or 6 Thursday night."


SWITCHEROO: The Blues' home game Jan. 15 against Texarkana has been moved to the Summit Center in Chesterfield, Mo. Game time is 6 p.m., and all season ticket holders and other paying fans from Springfield will receive a voucher good for free admission to a St. Louis Blues game.
"There are nine players from the St. Louis area between us and Texarkana," Pollos said. "(Former St. Louis Blues player) KELLY CHASE is part owner of Texarkana and had the idea to bring a hockey game to the area."


WEDDING BELLS: Blues assistant coach CHRIS WYLER was engaged to CASIE BLUE on Christmas Day. No date has been set for the nuptials.

MORE WEDDING BELLS: Longtime Blues public address announcer KEITH PIERCE and his wife, KATHY, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary last Friday night at Nelson Center.

WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR: The Blues have signed center RYAN KRETZER to a tender contract for next season. The 17-year-old Kretzer, who plays for the St. Louis Junior Blues, leads the Central States Junior B Hockey League in scoring with 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists).

Don Trello can be reached at 788-1550.

Are all the teams set up under 501c? I thought that was interesting.

Nuts,
A lot of teams are going that way. I understand why. There are some serious tax advantages by doing so. Most teams do not operate in the black. But, the same can be said of most sports teams. Most people get into the game as a hobby, not for actual return on investment. There are situations where money can be made. The situation in Springfield sounds very good. Team operates concessions, has free soda and beer? That is like a Hooters girl whispering into my ear about the back room tour. Moving the Jr Blues to Texas would not be good. Actually, it would make more sense to put a new Danville Wings club into Illinois. Why is Springfield having to play in the south division?

I have been to the dump that the Blues play in and didn't see no free sodas and beer. If they were giving free beer, it would be sold out every game. Why is Springfield in the South? I have wondered that many times. Kinda like why the Nado only play them 4 times this year. One of them unknown things.

While it may be a dump, it is one of the toughest rinks to play in. Heck we average about the same attendance as the Wildcats if you dont count the games we played in the showcase. I must ask are we a little upset that the cats moved into 4th place.

Pepsi and the House of Blues GIVE the TEAM the soft drinks and beer to sell to the fans. The team saves a butt load of money by not having to buy the product. All profit.

Not true. It is purchased for resale.

My bad, I'm just going on what Mr. Heisler had to say. I just misread his post. I don't mean anything by that.

slasher wrote:

While it may be a dump, it is one of the toughest rinks to play in. Heck we average about the same attendance as the Wildcats if you dont count the games we played in the showcase. I must ask are we a little upset that the cats moved into 4th place.

No, not upset. In fact, I thought it would have happened sooner than it did with the way we have been playing. I called the rink a dump cause that is what I think it is. 2 stall bathroom for 1000 fans, net so low over the ice you can't clear the puck on a power play, 1 concession stand, etc etc. Definitely a tough place to play in judging by our record there. Last set of games was the only time I remember winning there. Blues have a good team, but there is still alot of season left so I wouldn't be worried about what place anybody is in right now.

wrencher wrote:

I have been to the dump that the Blues play in and didn't see no free sodas and beer. If they were giving free beer, it would be sold out every game. Why is Springfield in the South? I have wondered that many times. Kinda like why the Nado only play them 4 times this year. One of them unknown things.

Can you be "sold out" if its free? Inquiring minds.

I think that would be "gave out"!

I have failed to make any sense of the NAHL schedule. It is not balanced at all.

It looks more like "here is your NAHL schedule, You will play this many NAHL games this season, Have a nice day."

However....it sure beats the dog out of having to come up with your own schedule. I'll take "whatever the NAHL has to offer" schedule over that bag of coyote poop again anyday.