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 [log in to unmask]