Wildcatters postpone 2005-06 season
October 6, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Texas Wildcatters News Release
BEAUMONT, TX (October 6, 2005) - Texas Wildcatters Managing Partner Rick Adams announced today that the team has postponed the 2005-2006 season following notification from Jefferson County that Ford Arena will not be available for play.
At this afternoon's Commissioner's Court meeting, Jefferson County Commissioners provided the team a letter reading as follows:
"We regret to inform you that due to the continuing recovery efforts taking place at Ford Park as it relates to Hurricane Rita, Jefferson County is exercising its rights outlined in Section 17 of the license agreement dated the 10th day of December, 2001 and hereby notify you that Ford Arena will not be available for the 2005-2006 ECHL season."
"On behalf of the Wildcatters organization, our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of this devastating hurricane," stated Adams. "We are extremely disappointed that all of the hard work and effort both on and off the ice in preparation for this season has been lost."
"We will immediately begin preparations for a successful 2006-2007 campaign, beginning with the retention of Head Coach Tony MacAulay for next year," continued Adams. "We intend to use the momentum we had going into this season and come back from this setback even stronger."
The ECHL also announced the 2006-2007 ECHL playing rights of all current Wildcatters under contract will revert to the team, regardless of where the player signs this season.
"While the ECHL is extremely disappointed with this announcement, we fully understand the devastation that has been caused by Hurricane Rita and the important function that Ford Park provides in the continuing recovery efforts," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "On behalf of all of our member teams, our best wishes go out to all citizens of the Gulf Coast and Southeast Texas as they deal with this extremely difficult situation."
The Wildcatters offices will reopen once recovery efforts permit. Payments already made for 2005-2006 season tickets can be used toward the 2006-2007 season or will be refunded if requested.
The Wildcatters would like to thank their fans, sponsors and the entire Southeast Texas community for their support and patience though this difficult time.
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