In a move that could mark the end of professional hockey in the city, the Springfield Falcons are selling the American Hockey League franchise to the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes.
Confirmation of the sale comes two days after the Falcons concluded their regular season. In a statement, the Coyotes say the deal, if approved by the AHL, would relocate the team to Tucson. Bruce Landon, a former owner who helped establish the Falcons in 1994, says conversations are underway to field another team in Springfield, possibly in time for next season. But he adds nothing is guaranteed.
“These things take time to put together. But every effort’s being made not just by myself but by the mayor and others as well, to see what we can do make sure hockey stays here. We’re up for the challenge, but some things may be out of our control,” he says.
Landon says he believes professional hockey can survive in Springfield which, despite being a charter member of the AHL, has had trouble attracting fans. That’s in apparent contrast to the rest of the league, which set an attendance record this season. Mayor Domenic Sarno says he’s looking at ways to keep professional hockey in Springfield. Sarno says he will use his office to facilitate potential partnerships that will continue and expand hockey’s legacy in the city.
“We want to thank all the Falcons fans, many of them who have followed the Indians and Kings from over at the Coliseum at the Big E. And they’ve been very faithful. It’s about growing the ticket base now,” says Sarno.
Current Falcons owner Charlie Pompea has cited low ticket sales as contributing to his decision to sell the team.
Click the audio player above to hear New England Public Radio’s Susan Kaplan interview Ron Chimelis, the Springfield Republican reporter who broke the news.