ESPN analyst, ex-coach part of ownership team

By MAURY THOMPSON
thompson@...

GLENS FALLS -- Barry Melrose, a player and coach with
the former Adirondack Red Wings, said Tuesday that he
is part of the group that is attempting to buy the
Adirondack IceHawks hockey team.

Melrose, currently a hockey commentator with the ESPN
cable network, said he is involved in the effort
because he wants to see hockey successful in Glens
Falls, whether it be with current IceHawks owners Art
and Lori Shaver or someone else.

"I live in Glens Falls," Melrose said. "I want to see
hockey strong here. I want to see the Civic Center
viable. I want to see the Civic Center the way it used
to be."

He would not identify the other members of the
potential ownership group, but he said the number of
people involved is "small." He did say that he is the
only member of the group who lives in the area.

Mayor Robert Regan and other city officials met with
representatives of the ownership group for several
hours Tuesday at City Hall.

The parties were expected to meet again today but were
likely several days away from reaching any type of
agreement, Regan said at the conclusion of the
closed-door meeting. He would not reveal any
particulars of the discussion.

"We've got, first and foremost, to get to know the
group and check them out," he said. "That takes time."


Once the two sides reach an agreement, it would still
have to be approved by the Shavers, who so far have
not been directly involved in negotiations between the
city and the potential new ownership group.

Regan said he had been funneling information to Art
Shaver through United Hockey League President Richard
Brosal. He said Tuesday he did not know Shaver's
position on a potential sale.

But the mayor said he hopes an agreement can be
reached whereby ownership would change without any
interruption in the team's schedule.

"The league very much wants that to happen," he said.

Efforts to contact Shaver for comment late Tuesday
were unsuccessful, but earlier in the day he said he
was not aware of any effort by Melrose "or anyone he's
associated with" to buy the team.

"I've never had one conversation about selling my team
with Barry Melrose or anyone else associated with
him," Shaver said.

Efforts to contact Brosal also were unsuccessful late
Tuesday.

Melrose, who was not present at Tuesday's meeting with
city officials, said in a telephone interview that he
was part of an effort to buy the team two years ago,
but he said Shaver decided at that time not to sell.

Regan said he and Civic Center Executive Director
Suzanna Bernd were aware of Melrose's previous attempt
to buy the team and contacted him in September when it
became apparent that Shaver might not be able to keep
the team afloat financially.

Shaver missed a Sept. 15 deadline to begin making
payments on more than $300,000 in delinquent debt to
the city. The debt to the city is owed by Blue Line
Concessions, a separate company owned by the Shavers
that operates food concessions at the Civic Center.
The concessions company has failed to pay a portion of
the commissions it owes the city.

The concessions company pays the city a 55 percent
commission on food sales at events other than hockey
games. It retains 100 percent of receipts from food
sales on game nights.

In another sign of financial pressures on the team, a
lawyer for a Westchester County payroll services firm
publicly threatened last month to take legal action to
collect more than $15,000 he says the team owes his
clients.

And on Friday, the Warren County Sheriff's Department
seized about $8,100 in revenues from Civic Center
concession stands to help satisfy a $50,000 judgment
for debt the Shavers owe to Michael Cantanucci,
president of New Country Motor Group in Clifton Park.
Sheriff Larry Cleveland has said that the department
likely will make additional seizures to satisfy the
judgment.

Regan said he believes the hockey team could be viable
under ownership by the Melrose group, given Melrose's
experience and contacts in professional hockey.

After coaching the Adirondack Red Wings from 1989-92,
Melrose went on to coach the Los Angeles Kings of the
National Hockey League for three seasons.

Members of the city Common Council voiced support
Tuesday for Melrose and the potential new ownership
group.

"I would think that the fact that Barry was involved
would make people feel comfortable," said 3rd Ward
Councilman Harold "Bud" Taylor, who attended Tuesday's
meeting with representatives of the ownership group.

"I think he obviously brings a great deal of
credentials to the table and a lot of creditability,"
said 2nd Ward Councilman Peter McDevitt, who did not
attend the meeting but said he was aware of Melrose's
involvement.

One way or another, city officials must try to ensure
that the team finishes its season, for the sake of
season ticket holders, said Councilwoman-at-Large Kay
Saunders, who herself is a season ticket holder.

Saunders said she had heard rumors of Melrose's
involvement but did not have any direct knowledge of
the negotiations.

Staff writer Michael Lewis and Sports Editor Greg
Brownell contributed to this report.


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