From Sunday's scab paper
(The Detroit New & Free Press)
 
SILENT CONCERTS
Insiders insist it was the Central Collegiate Hockey
Association that forced the Jr. Wings from Joe Louis
Arena into the welcoming hands of The Palace.
 
The CCHA, which is competing for top players with
the Ontario Hockey League, apparently was threatening
to pull some of its events, including the Great Lakes
Invitational, from Joe Louis Arena if the Jr. Wings
weren't evicted.
 
There is a feud between Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch
and Pete Karmanos, owner of the Hartford Whalers
and Jr. Wings/Whalers.  But it doesn't make much sense
that Ilitch would let the Jr. Wings go without some outside
pressure.  Here's why:
  1. Ilitch loses money from rent and concessions.
  2. He no longer can give Red Wings season-ticket
holders the free seats for the Jr. Wings that were a
benefit of having Wings season tickets.
  3. It can't sit well with Mayor Dennis Archer.  The Jr.
Wings drew at least 5,000 people downtown 33 times
a season.  The city received tax money from ticket
sales, and the game provided the city with a badly
needed draw.
 
The lame excuse from the folks who run Joe Louis Arena
is that they need the dates to put on more concerts.  Maybe
we're missing something, but Joe Louis has seemed
vacant every day since the Stanley Cup Finals ended.
(end quoted material)
 
 
John Haeussler
Univ of Michigan
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