Friday Jan. 29, 2010

It was almost a year and a half ago since we last saw hockey in Augusta, but News 12 has learned it could be within a month that a deal is finalized to bring the sport back.

The commissioner of the Southern Professional Hockey League has told News 12 an ownership group has stepped forward and the only real hurdle left to clear is to finalize a lease with the James Brown Arena.

Jim Coombs is the commissioner of the league and says once that's done, the S.P.H.L. board of governors would vote on final approval, which they are all for.

Right now there are seven teams in the S.P.H.L. and Coombs said ideally they'd like to have 10 to 12 teams. Average ticket price is around $11 and they try to play most of the 56 game schedule on weekends. Coombs wouldn't say who the ownership group is but did indicate a deal could be in place within 30 days.