Equipment Finances

I have received a few emails asking me about the financial status of the team here in Bloomington. While I don't know everything about this team, I do have some insight to teams that are in trouble. Usually when teams are struggling the first cutbacks come in the equipment department. It is amazing that so many people think that they know what is going on in this department. If you want to email me and we can set up a time and I will take you through the locker room and show you the supplies that we have. All of which I have ordered and the team has paid for. Everything that I have ordered has shown up, if it hasn't it is because of the company not the team. Almost every guy on the team has had new skates for a while now. I talk to every equipment manager around the league and on other teams in other leagues. Trust me there are teams out there that are really struggling. There are teams that are cutting off the blades of broken one-piece sticks to use as shafts, others only have the sticks the guys are using, no new ones. Some guys are even using sticks that are not there own curves. Times are tough for everyone. Every guy on our team has 3 taped up sticks and I have a store room full of sticks. Andrew Martin just received a new set of goalie pads, glove and blocker. Not sure if you have seen the price of those, but they aren't cheap. This year we went to 3 jerseys. I am not saying that a lot of jerseys means you have a lot of money, but it does take money to buy these things. Some have jerseys that have never been seen.
I have always been paid by the team when I was supposed to get my paycheck. Not that it really matters. This team has been very good to me and my family. I have been in other places where I wondering if I would get my next pay check. That is not the case here.

Growing up my dad had season tickets to our local IHL team (Salt Lake Golden Eagles). We attended every game, we were even a host family for a couple of years. After that team left, hockey was never the same to me. Later the Grizzlies came, but they were never the Golden Eagles, and I even worked for them. Would I have done everything thing I could to keep them? Of course I would have, but I was young, not even in high school. In Utah, we were lucky. We only went one year without pro hockey. Las Vegas went 4 seasons without pro hockey. Des Moines, Iowa recently lost its team. Who knows how long it will be before they get a new one. What would you do to keep your team around? I would hate to see this great city lose its team. I am not saying its going anywhere, but you all have your chance of keeping it here. If the building is empty, wouldn't it cost taxpayers more money? This team is not going anywhere soon. Many people in this community should be thanked, not criticized.
Keep in mind that when Fort Wayne started out, they didn't have a season over .500 until their 4th year. Finally, their 11th season, they won a championship. Every young team goes through growing pains. Look at the Alaska Aces who at one time were for sale on ebay. They were at rock bottom, before local owners took over. Now they are one of the top organizations in the ECHL.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=5776

I hope this answers some of your questions.
KINCH