Last Updated: Monday, November 17, 2008 7:58 AM CST
Daggers in danger of folding
By Kevin Damask
DAILY NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
The Rhinelander Daggers of the Wisconsin Junior Hockey League came to town hoping to ignite a community’s love for hockey, but due to poor management, the franchise is in danger of folding.
Daggers head coach Igor Myaskovskiy hasn’t been contacted by franchise director Scott Schwendeman for more than two weeks. The last time Rhinelander played was on Oct. 30 in Eau Claire.
“Our last game was the day before Halloween and it really was like Halloween for us,” Myaskovskiy said. “We were supposed to travel to this game and three or four times, Scott called and ordered to turn the bus around, so we thought we were going back to Rhinelander. It’s hard on the kids, because they are all ready to play and then at the last minute, they are told they might not play. We felt like hostages on our own bus.”
As of Sunday, Schwendeman had not paid the Rhinelander Ice Arena for practice time, so the Daggers haven’t been allowed to use the facility.
Repeated attempts by The Daily News to reach Schwendeman have been unsuccessful.
Myaskovskiy and Rhinelander High School assistant boys’ hockey coach Steve
Watz both said Schwendeman removed equipment from players’ lockers last weekend.
“He just cleaned out their lockers. I talked to some of the kids about it,” Watz said. “Here Scott (complains) about how some of the kids weren’t paying for equipment, but I’m pretty sure they did pay for it.”
Many of the players are staying with host families who are still waiting to received payment from the league. Players also had to pay a fee to join the team.
The ordeal has left the team’s future in doubt. The players would like to continue playing for Myaskovskiy, but that may not be possible, and those who have relocated to Rhinelander from other parts of the world are now in limbo.
“Two kids have left the team, but almost everybody is staying right now and it is a great act of patriotism,” Myaskovskiy said. “The kids are very frustrated, very insecure. I don’t want to say anything about myself, but if I would not be in my place right now, I don’t know who would take care of them.”
Myaskovskiy, who was hired as head coach in August after the team's first coach resigned, said Schwendeman paid twice, but the checks were returned due to insufficient funds. Since then, Myaskovskiy hasn’t received payment.
Heading to Minnesota?
According to Myaskovskiy and general manager Chuck Stroede, the Daggers have considered relocating to the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. However, the price to join the league is $35,000.
“We will know the reality of playing in the Minnesota league by Friday,”
Myaskovskiy said. “We have to know by then, otherwise players will have to go home.”
Myaskovskiy may split the MJHL entrance fee with a private investor.
Since it’s too late for the Daggers to participate in regular season play, they could compete in exhibition games. Myaskovskiy said the prospect of joining the league is promising.
Attempts to reach MJHL commissioner Bob Breu have been unsuccessful.
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