CHLA Returns Five of Original Eight

FISHERS, IN (AP)- The Continental Hockey League of America announced today that 5 of the 8 original teams that first founded the league will be around for the beginning of the league's inaugural season, starting Fall 2009. League commissioner Alex Carson stated that the Albuquerque Gilas, Birmingham Iron, Seattle Reign, Winnipeg Jets, and the Youngstown Steelhounds (formerly Central Indiana Blue Jackets) will play this year, while the owners of the Kansas City Scouts, Quebec Nationals, and Richmond Rebels will not return their teams. The league is looking for one or three more owners to replace these teams. If the league has 6 teams Carson says that the two folded teams' rosters will be dispersed in a dispersal draft that would likely take place Friday, September 18th.

Blue Jackets Relocate to Youngstown, Ohio

Today the Central Indiana Blue Jackets announced they were relocating to Youngstown, Ohio's Covelli Centre effective immediately. The Jackets said they failed to reach an agreement with the Capital Improvement Board and Pacers Sports and Entertainment to lease Conseco Fieldhouse. The Covelli Centre opened in 2005, and holds 5200 people for ice hockey. Earlier this year, the Centre impressed many in the boxing world during a fight featuring local star Kelly Pavlik.