A chat with USHL commissioner

First-year United States Hockey League Commissioner Ellis "Skip" Prince was in Cedar Rapids for the first time Friday night to catch Game 1 of the RoughRiders-Indiana playoff series Friday night. He was on his way to watch both Lincoln and Omaha play in their respective Game 2s Saturday night.

Had a chance to catch up to him for a chat about the future of the RoughRiders in Cedar Rapids, as well as league expansion and a couple other things.

Q: Can you tell me where the possible sale of the RoughRiders stands right now?

A: I can at least tell you that we have several good offers on the table. It's an attractive franchise. It's a stable franchise on the ice. I know that there have been issues in the past with respective relationships between the team and the Five Seasons (Facilities Commission). But that hasn't in any way adversely affected the level of interest. It's a great market, a great city, it has USHL heritage to it at this point. So our sense is we'll be able to find a very strong owner.

Q: There is only one more year on the lease with the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Do you see the team staying in Cedar Rapids after next season?

A: Yes, I do. Clearly, as you say, the two parties have to get together and make sure that there's a good place to play. But all the (things needed) from the standpoint of the league are in place here. It's a good building, it's a great market, there's growing support for hockey at every level. I see how youth hockey has grown here. There are rivalries to your east, west, north and south. So I see no reason why we would not want to be here for another 50 years.

Q: Do you have any sense when the ownership thing will be figured out? Will it be sooner rather than later?

A: Negotiations are ongoing. One of the things we've done during the playoffs is really try and quiet that talk. We want the concentration to be on the ice. We don't want to take away what these kids are (doing). But we are proceeding with negotiations with a couple of potential owners. Again, they've not just looked at the financials, but they've looked at the stability of the fan base here. The fact that there's so much interest in this, and that there's even a hint of controversy means people care. You want to tell people what you're doing when they care. You're continuing to suggest that there's a reason to stay (here). I have read in the blogs, and I have seen some of the commentary. There has never been a discussion at the league level to move this team. And there won't be.

Q: I have heard that there might be a couple more teams in the league next year. What can you tell me about that?

A: The first new team is Team USA (USNTDP Under-18 team). That has been finalized. We don't have a 14th team, yet, but we hope to have an announcement on that in the next seven to 10 days. I think we're getting there.

Q: I also have heard that there is some sort of financial arrangement between the NHL and the USHL. Is that true?

A: It's not directly with the USHL, but USA Hockey. The NHL is giving a lot of money for the first time to all of USA Hockey. We are an instrumental part of USA Hockey. So I look at USA Hockey effectively as the enterprise that interacts directly with the league. Obviously I know a lot of people in the (NHL) and I talk to them on a regular basis. The best thing that United States hockey collectively can do is recognize that USA Hockey, the USHL and college hockey are at the top of that pyramid and collectively act as one for the purpose of making the sport better. That's the way they do it in Canada, and it's easy for them. What I want to make sure is we don't do is undermine each other by virtue of all going for the NHL and arguing who should get what money.