Two Central Hockey League teams suspend operations

Two members of the Central Hockey League announced they are suspending operations for the 2009-10 season.

The New Mexico Scorpions and charter team Oklahoma City Blazers both announced they will go dark for the upcoming season. Oklahoma City was one of the leaders in minor league hockey attendance during most of the team’s 17-year existence. The team won titles in 1996 and 2001.

Blazers officials were unable to reach a lease agreement at the Cox Center or Ford Center, the two venues where the team played.

“We have the most loyal fans of any team, anywhere, and we appreciate the unwavering support they have given the team for many years,” Blazers owner Bob Funk Sr. said. “The Blazers organization has maintained its commitment to the fans for nine years. We’ve tried everything to make this model work and explored every available option. If there had been any other choice, we would not have made this decision.”

The Daily Oklahoman reports the city is in talks with ownership groups in the NHL-affiliated American Hockey League for a team in 2010-11.

“We feel hurt by this late notice and surprising announcement,” CHL commissioner Duane Lewis said. “Many times, as rumors had swirled about another league having interest in the market, we asked about their intentions and repeatedly they refuted those claims. Representatives from our office have traveled to meet with team and city officials in Oklahoma City to assist and offer advice towards the Blazers’ next lease, which turns out wasn’t for a CHL team.”

This decision did not happen overnight, and to continue to work on the schedule and wait until July to inform us is disappointing. We feel for the Blazers staff and for the team’s fans who are some of the best in hockey and who will lose their longtime and close rivals around the CHL.”

The Scorpions began play in 1996 in the Western Professional Hockey League, which merged with the CHL in 2001. The Scorpions suspended play in the 2005-06 season, but returned to play in 2006-07 when the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho was completed.

The team won the WPHL regular-season title in 1996 and reached the WPHL playoff finals in 2000.

“I want to thank the fans and corporate partners for their years of dedication to this team," team owner Dave Ellett said. “Unfortunately we were not able to secure the new ownership we had hoped for and will have to go dark for the upcoming season.”

The Rocky Mountain Rage, based in Broomfield, Colo., earlier announced it was suspending operations. The Rage began play in 2006.

The league will operate with 15 teams this season, including expansion teams in Independence, Mo., and Rapid City, S.D.

The Wichita Thunder begins its 17th season of play in the CHL this fall, moving to the Intrust Arena early in 2010.

The CHL has declared all Blazer and Scorpion players under contract are now free agents.