Post by hawker14 on Feb 27, 2005 17:41:04 GMT -5
worldhockeyassociation.net/topstory/index.php
well, the WHA has finally updated their site with this info, so what are the chances of this tournament getting off the ground ? or will this be another failure in what has become a laughingstock ?
NHL legend Esposito to chair inaugural WHA invitational tournament
Canadian Press
TORONTO (CP) - The World Hockey Association announced Friday it has hired former NHL great Phil Esposito to chair the league's inaugural Bobby Hull Invitational.
Esposito, a Hall of Famer, will begin meeting with event organizers, player agents and sponsors as early as next week as the WHA aims to launch the tournament in late-spring.
He joins Bobby Hull, who will serve as commissioner, as high-profile hockey stars the WHA hopes will generate interest in the fledgling league.
"Having Bobby Hull as commissioner and Phil Esposito as tournament chair gives us a fantastic one-two punch," WHA owner and vice-president Mark McKelvie said in a statement. "Player recruitment is the key to a successful tournament and with two megastars leading the charge, we should have no problem filling the rosters quickly."
Esposito said he's optimistic about the tournament, which comes on the heels of Wednesday's cancellation of the NHL season.
" What hockey needs right now is a shot in the arm," Esposito said in a statement. "It needs to be fun again, and showcase the stars without all the political distractions."
The proposed tournament would feature up to eight teams, and would include a round-robin qualifying series, a wild-card game and a final-four semifinal round. The event would also feature significant rule changes designed to speed up play and increased scoring. Changes include fewer timeouts, no centre red line, "no touch" icing and smaller goaltender equipment.
Organizers have targeted Toronto as the likely host city for the mid-June tournament.
Canadian Press
TORONTO (CP) - The World Hockey Association announced Friday it has hired former NHL great Phil Esposito to chair the league's inaugural Bobby Hull Invitational.
Esposito, a Hall of Famer, will begin meeting with event organizers, player agents and sponsors as early as next week as the WHA aims to launch the tournament in late-spring.
He joins Bobby Hull, who will serve as commissioner, as high-profile hockey stars the WHA hopes will generate interest in the fledgling league.
"Having Bobby Hull as commissioner and Phil Esposito as tournament chair gives us a fantastic one-two punch," WHA owner and vice-president Mark McKelvie said in a statement. "Player recruitment is the key to a successful tournament and with two megastars leading the charge, we should have no problem filling the rosters quickly."
Esposito said he's optimistic about the tournament, which comes on the heels of Wednesday's cancellation of the NHL season.
" What hockey needs right now is a shot in the arm," Esposito said in a statement. "It needs to be fun again, and showcase the stars without all the political distractions."
The proposed tournament would feature up to eight teams, and would include a round-robin qualifying series, a wild-card game and a final-four semifinal round. The event would also feature significant rule changes designed to speed up play and increased scoring. Changes include fewer timeouts, no centre red line, "no touch" icing and smaller goaltender equipment.
Organizers have targeted Toronto as the likely host city for the mid-June tournament.
well, the WHA has finally updated their site with this info, so what are the chances of this tournament getting off the ground ? or will this be another failure in what has become a laughingstock ?