CHL-WPHL Merger

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Central Hockey League is no more. <br><br>Wednesday, the CHL announced it's merging with the rival Western Professional Hockey League to create a bigger and better league.

Thursday, May 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Central Hockey League is no more.

Wednesday, the CHL announced it's merging with the rival Western Professional Hockey League to create a bigger and better league.

The new league will have between 18 and 24 teams. No specific franchises have been mentioned, though the teams are to be finalized within a few weeks.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa each have a CHL franchise.

WPHL president Brad Treliving says the two leagues have positioned themselves to be the strongest Double-A hockey league in the nation.

Both leagues have lost teams in recent years, but Tulsa Oilers spokesman Calvin Roberts says he does NOT think the merger is the result of any problems.