Minor league officials meet to work on strengthening leagues

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Commissioners of three of the seven minor hockey leagues are talking about how to deal with trends in the sport including rapid expansion. Officials in the leagues are seeking ways to maintain and strengthen their leagues. Leagues in the discussions are the Central Hockey League, United Hockey League and West Coast Hockey League. They make up 33 of the remaining 109 minor-league teams.

Some cross-scheduling is being discussed, but travel logistics provide a stumbling block. C-H-L communications director Lisa Peppin says the all-star game between the rival leagues is a good step toward better relations. Peppin says all-star games are an opportunity to showcase other league teams and offer more variety. She says rapid expansion in the minor leagues has made it hard to determine their goals as a league.