Thoughts on the new IHL

It's embarrassing.

I've tried to look at it from their point of view. I've tried to be positive.

I can't.

The new International Hockey League is a joke.

A farce.

It's dumb.

What are they thinking?

The hockey world already refused to recognize the United Hockey League as a credible circuit. Sure, the league successfully lobbied to have its logo included on the little drop down menu at the top of NHL.com, where the league lists its other hockey affiliates. Aside from that, all the UHL did was provide high comedy -- remember the Jim Galante/mob/Danbury fiasco? -- and terrible hockey. It wasn't developmental. It was a bush league that tried to put on its best outfit, but never could.

So when the rumblings began about the UHL's possible demise, I wasn't heartbroken (even though my name appears on the Colonial Cup, which will now be retired and (I hope) sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame). It was time.

The transition also provided UHL leadership with a perfect opportunity to make the hockey world pay attention. Ultimately, the hope was that the revamped league would bring with it a sense of credibility and attention from hockey's higher levels.

This was it! This was their chance!

They bragged that they were going to create a model that would be the envy of the minor hockey world.

But then the idiots went out and stole the naming rights to the International Hockey League (sure, the Frankes bought the rights, but that doesn't make it any better). These guys are like the Bush Administration.

Just when you think they'll get it right.

Just when you think they'll make the obvious decision, the choice that everyone sees...

They invariably do something worse.