With summer already more than half-over, and ice hockey season only a few months away, its appearing more and more likely the area has seen the last of the Youngstown "Steelhounds" at the Chevrolet Centre downtown.  However, mayor Jay Williams says there "is still a distinct possibility" that hockey will be played this season.

At least one interested party is the owner of the Valley's other minor league hockey franchise.

Bruce Zoldan, who's team, the Mahoning Valley "Phantoms," now plays its home games at the "Ice Zone" in Boardman tells me he's been talking with management at the Centre, as well as City Hall.  He calls the prospect of losing ice hockey a giant step backward from all the effort put into building a fan base in the area.

The mayor admits maintaining a hockey presence is important not only to fans but also those who've paid thousands to have club seats, suites or to be Centre sponsors, telling us he's also concerned about the arena's future beyond this coming season.

As for "Steelhounds" owner, Herb Washington, he's not saying much about his team's future.  Other than that he may make an announcement of one sort or another at what he called, simply "the appropriate time"; adding that Friday was not it.

In the meantime, the mayor says he and his administration continue talking with Washington, Zoldan and others who might figure into future hockey here.  He also added that executives with the Chevy Centre are also looking ahead to filling dates now set aside for the "Steelhounds" with other acts.

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