- "I think the league has stabilized quite a bit%2C" FHL commissioner Don Kirnan said. "I think we have turned the corner. As far as owners not losing a ton of money. A lot of owners will break even in the coming season."
- "It's a young league and it has survived until this point%2C which is a good sign%2C" 1380 AM Sports Director Dennis Stuckey said. "A lot of little leagues like this don't survive. They have managed to fight through it despite losing some teams in their early history.
- "I thought it was great news for McMorran and the city%2C" Scott Harris said. "A five-year commitment is a big plus for us and our town. But like any organization you need support. The same 800 or 900 people will support it and we hope others get on board. "It takes a commitment from the ownership and also from the community. Everyone says there is nothing to do. Now you have something to do. I'll get my same season tickets I've had since the Bordercats days and hopefully others will follow."
The announcement came with lofty expectations and promises were made, including a five-year pact.
But what should local hockey fans expect from Port Huron's newest team?
Many are asking, will this time be different than all of the others?
Trending up
Many details are still being worked out, but this is what we know: Port Huron's yet-to-be-named hockey team will play out of the Federal Hockey League and will be owned by Barry Soskin, who already owned a pair of teams in the league.
The season will begin in October and currently has six teams based in Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and Ohio. League commissioner Don Kirnan said he is working on finalizing more teams for the upcoming season.
"We will know in another week or so," Kirnan said. "Then we will know if there will be seven or eight teams. We would prefer eight. That would be better.
"I think the league has stabilized quite a bit. I think we have turned the corner. As far as owners not losing a ton of money. A lot of owners will break even in the coming season."
Kirnan started the league in November 2010 after a successful stint in junior hockey. He still runs the Syracuse Junior Hockey Club. The club was formerly of the Empire Junior Hockey League, which Kirnan also started and eventually merged with the United States Premiere Hockey League with over 30 teams.
"I was approached six or seven years ago and thought the FHL might be a great thing to do," Kirnan said. "We have had some teams come and go. The major thing that hurt us over the first two or three years was owners that went over the salary cap."
Kirnan said some teams exceeded the weekly cap two to three times over. The current salary cap sits around $6,000 a week for the 56-game season.
"(Port Huron owner) Barry (Soskin) was not one of those owners," Kirnan added. "He has always lived within the rules and paid everyone what they were supposed to make. I think (Soskin) looks at things in the proper respect. He takes historical analysis of everything he gets into. He starts the first year and evaluates the second year how things have changed.
"If he sees steady growth he sticks with it. Danville is a good example. The first year was pretty bleak but he went ahead with the second year and the third year and it all improved. If you go to a game in Danville you see fans that were developed the first year and the second year and it builds on each year. It's important to start with a fan base and other fans are added."
Finding support
Most fans of hockey in Port Huron could find a reason to be pessimistic. They have come to games and bought merchandise only to see their favorite teams eventually leave.
But there is a hope that this time will be different. Soskin appears to have the steady personality it would take to overcome any rough patches.
"The work you do in the summer is so important to you finishing the season," Soskin said. "That's why I wanted to come in and sign the lease.
"In Danville it took two years before the 500 people turned into 1,100 and that town is half the size of this. (People in) advertising and ticket holders were burned. I couldn't make a step without having to clean up someone else's (mistakes)."
In Port Huron, Soskin could have a few scorned people to overcome. But it appears most fans are willing to give the team a chance.
"I am anxious to see what comes of it," Victor Frandsen of Marysville said. "I have seen a whole lot of teams come through here. I have been following hockey here 35 years. I don't know what will be the difference. I'm waiting to see what will happen.
"I think they need to really promote the hockey. I don't think the (Fighting) Falcons did a lot of promotion which makes a big, big difference."
Scott Harris was one of the members of the East Upper Rowdies that formed a unique fan section during games. They developed lasting bonds with players over the years and became known for their exuberance during games.
Will they find their way back to games next season?
"Most of us have already talked about it," Harris said. "We are excited for a team to come back. It's Class A professional hockey, but it's still a pro team. I believe people will be more involved."
The 1,700 fans that showed up at McMorran Arena to watch the Danville Dashers defeat the Danbury Whalers 4-1 was enough for Soskin and Kirnan to take a chance on Port Huron.
"It's a young league and it has survived until this point, which is a good sign," 1380 AM Sports Director Dennis Stuckey said. "A lot of little leagues like this don't survive. They have managed to fight through it despite losing some teams in their early history.
"Geographically it's right. I think the size of the teams match Port Huron and I think it may be the right formula."
Now Port Huron will have to support the team to keep it around.
"I thought it was great news for McMorran and the city," Harris said. "A five-year commitment is a big plus for us and our town. But like any organization you need support. The same 800 or 900 people will support it and we hope others get on board.
"It takes a commitment from the ownership and also from the community. Everyone says there is nothing to do. Now you have something to do. I'll get my same season tickets I've had since the Bordercats days and hopefully others will follow."
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @jhayes1136.
FHL YEAR-BY-YEAR
• 2010-11: Six teams, one dissolved
• 2011-12: Nine teams, two dissolved
• 2012-13: Six teams, five dissolved
• 2013-14: Four teams
• 2014-15: Seven teams, one dissolved
• 2015-16: Six teams, one pending, one possible
CURRENT FHL TEAMS
•Berkshire Battalion (1,000 seat capacity)
•Danbury Whalers (3,005 seat capacity)
•Danville Dashers (2,350 seat capacity)
•Dayton Demonz (5,500 seat capacity)
•Port Huron (3,400 seat capacity)
•Watertown Wolves (1,500 seat capacity)
Name the team
•Want to help the new Port Huron hockey team come up with a team name? Send them an email of your ideas to info@porthuronhockey.com.
•Find the new team on Twitter @PortHuronFHL
