TULSA becoming an ice hockey city

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa sports fans will soon be in hockey heaven. That's because another semi-professional hockey team is gearing up for operation. <br><br>T-town is already home to the Tulsa Oilers of

Thursday, July 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa sports fans will soon be in hockey heaven. That's because another semi-professional hockey team is gearing up for operation.

T-town is already home to the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. But Monte Miron, a former C-H-L commissioner, hopes Tulsa hockey fans go for his latest venture.

Miron is starting up the Tulsa Crude, a junior major team in the United States Hockey League. He says the U-S-H-L features players 20-and-under who are honing their skills for the National Hockey League.

Miron says he's not trying to compete with the Oilers. He just wants to show Tulsa fans a younger, faster brand of hockey.

Miron's coaches are out scouting for talent and will hold a camp early next month. The Tulsa Crude will play in the newly renovated Expo Square Pavilion.

The season starts in September, with the Crude's first home game scheduled for October 13th.