FOX 21/27 – WFXR Roanoke/WWCW Lynchburg News, WeatherHockey Could Return to Roanoke Valley

Hockey Could Return to Roanoke Valley

After a six year hiatus, minor league hockey could make its return to Roanoke this year.

This week, the Northern Professional Hockey League announced Roanoke was on its final list of cities for its inaugural season.

Commissioner Chuck Harrison says that was largely based on the response he got from fans in the Roanoke Valley.

He says he knows teams have failed here in the past, but believes this one would be different.

"I'm fairly confident because anybody who looks at our business plan, it is different," Harrison says. "It does take into account the economic situation we're all in."

The league says its in the early stages of working out a lease with the Roanoke Civic Center, and as long as a lease and an owner fall into place by July, the team will launch this fall.