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When I pulled up to Ophelia’s on the Independence Square, and couldn’t find a parking space within a block of the fashionable eatery, a funny notion popped into my head.
“They can’t all be here for this news conference, can they?” I asked myself as I was about to attend the announcement of Kansas City’s new Central Hockey League franchise, that would become the “prime tenant” of the new Independence Events Center.
My initial thought was correct, as I walked into a conference room that was packed with more than 200 hockey-hungry Independence fans, city officials and members of the new hockey team.
“I had no idea what to expect,” said the team’s president, Bob Lund. “I heard there was no parking in the area and the news conference could be a disaster. And then I walk in here and see all these people and know that we made the right choice in coming to Independence.”
A producer from a Kansas City television station marveled at the size of the crowd.
“I just got back from Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs were holding their pre-draft news conference, and there have to be 200 more people at this news conference than there were at Arrowhead.”
The expansion franchise will play 32 home games at the Independence Events Center starting on the weekend of Nov. 13-14.
“I don’t know if area hockey fans know what they’re getting with this team and a president like Bob Lund,” said longtime metro area hockey supporter Paul McGannon, the chairman of NHL 21, a group that is trying to lure a National Hockey League team to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City. “He’s won three executive of the year awards in the CHL, and his teams have won the franchise of the year award three times. He’s the best, the absolute best.”
And on this bright and sunny Thursday afternoon, Lund was speechless.
“I really don’t know what to say, except thank you to everyone,” Lund said as he accepted resumes from folks who want to be a part of the team and hearty thank yous from hockey fans who have to travel to St. Louis to get their pro hockey fix.
“From the first day I came here, there hasn’t been a nay-sayer or negative person,” Lund said. “Everyone involved with the process of bringing the team to Independence has been supportive beyond my wildest dreams.
“I don’t care where I go, someone comes up and asks, ‘What can I do to help?’”
Almost as if it was planned – and it wasn’t – a member of the Independence City Council approaches Lund, sticks out his hand, and says, “Whatever you need, I want you to know we’re here for you.”
Lund glanced my way and smiled.
“See what I mean?” Lund said. “I almost took a job in Dallas, but decided to make the trip to Independence to see what it was like. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.”
When asked about a team philosophy, Lund said his was simple.
“This team will belong to the fans,” he said emphatically. “It’s not the owner’s team, it’s not the political fathers’ team, it’s the fans’ team. And I want the fans to know that we are here for them.
“This is their franchise and we are going to do everything possible to make their experience a great one.”
Parking at the Independence Events Center will be free. Fans can get a season ticket for as low as $352 – or, about the cost of a floor seat at a Britney Spears concert.
Independence Mayor Don Reimal was on hand, sporting an “INDEPENDENCE PRO HOCKEY” jersey and an ear-to-ear grin.
“I’m so proud to be here today, to welcome this team to Independence,” Reimal said. “This is not only going to be a great thing for Independence, but also for the surrounding area.
“We are so pleased that they took a liking to us, because we sure took a liking to them.”
When I pulled up to Ophelia’s on the Independence Square, and couldn’t find a parking space within a block of the fashionable eatery, a funny notion popped into my head.
“They can’t all be here for this news conference, can they?” I asked myself as I was about to attend the announcement of Kansas City’s new Central Hockey League franchise, that would become the “prime tenant” of the new Independence Events Center.
My initial thought was correct, as I walked into a conference room that was packed with more than 200 hockey-hungry Independence fans, city officials and members of the new hockey team.
“I had no idea what to expect,” said the team’s president, Bob Lund. “I heard there was no parking in the area and the news conference could be a disaster. And then I walk in here and see all these people and know that we made the right choice in coming to Independence.”
A producer from a Kansas City television station marveled at the size of the crowd.
“I just got back from Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs were holding their pre-draft news conference, and there have to be 200 more people at this news conference than there were at Arrowhead.”
The expansion franchise will play 32 home games at the Independence Events Center starting on the weekend of Nov. 13-14.
“I don’t know if area hockey fans know what they’re getting with this team and a president like Bob Lund,” said longtime metro area hockey supporter Paul McGannon, the chairman of NHL 21, a group that is trying to lure a National Hockey League team to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City. “He’s won three executive of the year awards in the CHL, and his teams have won the franchise of the year award three times. He’s the best, the absolute best.”
And on this bright and sunny Thursday afternoon, Lund was speechless.
“I really don’t know what to say, except thank you to everyone,” Lund said as he accepted resumes from folks who want to be a part of the team and hearty thank yous from hockey fans who have to travel to St. Louis to get their pro hockey fix.
“From the first day I came here, there hasn’t been a nay-sayer or negative person,” Lund said. “Everyone involved with the process of bringing the team to Independence has been supportive beyond my wildest dreams.
“I don’t care where I go, someone comes up and asks, ‘What can I do to help?’”
Almost as if it was planned – and it wasn’t – a member of the Independence City Council approaches Lund, sticks out his hand, and says, “Whatever you need, I want you to know we’re here for you.”
Lund glanced my way and smiled.
“See what I mean?” Lund said. “I almost took a job in Dallas, but decided to make the trip to Independence to see what it was like. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.”
When asked about a team philosophy, Lund said his was simple.
“This team will belong to the fans,” he said emphatically. “It’s not the owner’s team, it’s not the political fathers’ team, it’s the fans’ team. And I want the fans to know that we are here for them.
“This is their franchise and we are going to do everything possible to make their experience a great one.”
Parking at the Independence Events Center will be free. Fans can get a season ticket for as low as $352 – or, about the cost of a floor seat at a Britney Spears concert.
Independence Mayor Don Reimal was on hand, sporting an “INDEPENDENCE PRO HOCKEY” jersey and an ear-to-ear grin.
“I’m so proud to be here today, to welcome this team to Independence,” Reimal said. “This is not only going to be a great thing for Independence, but also for the surrounding area.
“We are so pleased that they took a liking to us, because we sure took a liking to them.”
