Report: New Perani Arena owners looking for OHL franchise?
By @MichaelCaples –
When a new ownership group was announced for Flint’s Perani Arena, it appeared that the USHL was the league targeted for a new franchise in the building.
Now, it looks like an OHL franchise might be coming to town.
According to ABC 12 in Flint, IMS USA, Inc. – the Florida-based company that purchased Perani Arena and announced widespread facility upgrades would be coming – has interest in bringing an OHL team to the city.
“We have an interest in the Ontario Hockey League,” IMS owner Costa Papista told ABC 12. “We have been talking with the league, it is one of our options and we are looking at it carefully.”
Could that team by the Plymouth Whalers? It certainly appears to be a possibility. If the sale of Compuware Arena to USA Hockey goes through, the team will need a new home for the 2015-16 season.
Here was MiHockey’s original report on the purchase of Perani Arena and their intentions to bring a USHL team to Flint:
IMS USA announces plan to renovate Flint ice arenas with goal of landing USHL franchise
Video from the ABC 12 report: