The Story of Massillon's Hockey Team, the Arctic Express... .
When we left last time, hockey fever was raging in Massillon, the team had just been re-named, and a new 6,500 seat arena was about to join the downtown skyline. All was well in Hockeytown, or was it?
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In April, 2000, The then Ohio Gears, now Arctic Express, ended their season at the Center Ice Arena in Jackson Township. Attendance was about 100 people. Not a typo. 100. In May of 2000, The Repository announced (5/13) that the Massillon Arctic Express had petitioned the United Hockey League to take a year off without playing. The UHL consented. The players were all let go. The Arctic Express would not start playing hockey in Massillon until the 2001/2002 season, when they would play in Massillon's 6,500 seat arena.
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In June, 2000, the Arctic Express hired a head coach, Keith Gretzky, younger brother of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
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On January 20, 2001, The Repository published an article implying that all may not be well in Hockeytown, USA. Ground had not yet been broken for the arena project, and head coach Keith Gretzky had jumped ship. Mayor Cicchinelli was still optimistic the arena would be ready for the Fall.
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By the end of January, the cat was out of the bag - the developers could not get financing to build the arena. The State of Ohio did not cough up the TEN MILLION DOLLARS Mayor Cicchinelli had asked them for. Really? They must be "anti-Cicchinelli." Unfortunately, the State did pony up one million dollars of our tax money to assist with the project, which Mayor Cicchinelli agreed to give to the developers for "site preparation."
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The Express, which had yet to play a game in Massillon, were already in serious financial trouble, and were seeking new investors.
