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AO Forum :: > Sporting Archives > LHP to expand to Mynia and Kadoatie: Report

Posted by: Pacitalia Jan 18 2006, 11:54 PM

Pacitalian hockey league to expand to Moepoeia & Amarenthe
Success of first season and interest from neighbouring countries the key

By Ando Cantoni, PSN.pc - Timiocato

The huge success of the Ligura Hockey di Pacitalia's first season, and the exterial interest of fans from Amarenthe and Moepoeia has led the LHP commissioner, Paolo Zambrotta, to announce the securing of financial backing for two expansion clubs in Mynia, the capital of Amarenthe; and Kadoatie, the capital of Moepoeia.

The move was announced today, one day after the Amita Nighthawks defeated the Mandragora Tigers three games to two (after a 4-3 overtime win Tuesday night) to take the Copa dal Soli. The Arena degli Angeli in Amita was sold out the three nights the teams played there; the case was the same in Mandragora. And as a further mark of success and interest by Pacitalian hockey fans, census found the average capacity of the eight teams in their home games was 86%, including 38 sold-out games.

And now, the Kadoatie Monarchs and Mynia Bandits have been announced and the teams will begin play next season. The two teams' respective owners have already begun interviewing potential coaching staff and will get their players through the entry draft, expansion draft and regular contract signing of talent from other countries, especially AO nations.

"Our success last season was contingent upon drawing talent from other countries," LHP consigliere Zambrotta said. "We did very well in that respect, and that's why you see us expanding after just one season. We're very positive of our ventures into Moepoeia and Amarenthe, and will support these teams as they pick up speed in their cities. We look very much forward to seeing the Mynia and Kadoatie teams become competitors in the second season of the LHP."

With the move, the Pacitalian pro league becomes the second in the world to be an "international" league. Oliverry's professional hockey league is also a three-nation organisation - it has teams in Limbrogidlia and Hockey Canada. Reports also suggest the LHP may be considering setting up teams in Izistan and Space Union to make it an even 12 teams. Any announcement on such secondary expansion will probably not occur for a while.

Posted by: Amarenthe Jan 20 2006, 02:00 AM

[ OOC: I would like Space #9 on the map. Please and thank you.

]

Mynia to get pro ice hockey team; fans ecstatic

By Kyan-Ethan Morrison, Amarenthian Sports Television Network

The Pacitalian professional ice hockey league (known as the Ligura Hockey di Pacitalia) is expanding to Mynia, the capital of Amarenthe, reports the commissioner of the league Wednesday. Following the success of the eight teams in the Pacitalian league, and huge interest in the league from Amarenthian ice hockey fans, there will be a team playing in the capital next season.

The team will be called the Mynia Bandits and will wear black, maroon and silver jerseys at home, and white, silver, black and maroon jerseys in away games. They will reportedly play at the Macro Foods Arena in downtown Mynia, a 12,599-seat indoor complex, until a larger arena can be built elsewhere.

Response from the fans is hugely positive.

"Oh, my God! I'm so excited about this," avid ice hockey fan Roger Whittaker screamed after hearing the announcement of Mynia (and Kadoatie, the capital of nearby Moepoeia) as expansion cities in the now-10 team LHP. "I was cheering for Mandragora - who wouldn't cheer for a team named the Tigers?" He winked, and added: "I am so excited about cheering for a Mynia team next year. And with [Riley Coulson] heading over from the Tigers, I feel this team's going to contend in their first season. Wow..."

That's right, folks, word has it LHP superforward Riley Coulson will be drafted by the Bandits in the mandatory expansion draft (which allows Mynia and Kadoatie to fill their rosters faster than a conventional draft, one that would see only rookies fill up the team). As well, the Bandits are already locking up international talent, signing Burgenland's Ralf Abflug to a three-year, ¤20.4-M deal. The scoring line is already looking good with Abflug and Coulson on it, and the Bandits are reportedly in the hunt for homegrown goaltender Thomas Manning, who recorded a 18-3-2 season last year in the Oliverrian league as a backup.

The Bandits are still on the market for a head coach, assistant coach and training staff, but the owners are positive on filling up those spots soon. A new era of sport has begun in Amarenthe. Hopefully this team earns its keep sooner, than later.