4-on-4 league a go
By TERRY KOSHAN -- Toronto Sun
As the NHL and NHL Players' Association dicker, it's full steam ahead for the Original Stars Hockey League.
The four-on-four league is set to begin next Friday with a game at the Molson Centre in Barrie, with a second game two days later in Sarnia.
"It's a go and we are very excited," OSHL president Randy Gumbley said. "We want to keep hockey in the public eye while (the NHL and NHLPA) negotiate an agreement."
Gumbley said the league will hold a player draft by phone tomorrow with the club rosters to be announced Monday.
No fewer than 113 full-time NHL players have submitted applications to play in the league, Gumbley said, but not all will be drafted.
The league will be made up of six teams, with 12 players and one goalie on each side. Each club will be named after one of the NHL's Original Six organizations.
One hopeful is Maple Leafs forward/defenceman Wade Belak, and others who have publicly backed the league include Mike Comrie and Dominik Hasek.
FREAKIN' OUT
What will Belak he do if he is not drafted?
"I don't know ... freak out?" Belak said with a laugh. "I think it would be fun. If not, there will be ice somewhere and I'll just skate with some of the other guys not playing."
Each game will have three 17-minute periods. There will be no red line, no-touch icing and teams will be allowed to change only on the fly.
Many other Ontario cities with OHL teams -- Toronto (Ricoh Coliseum), London, Kitchener, Guelph, Owen Sound, Brampton, Windsor, Sudbury, Peterborough -- are lined up to play host to games.
Other cities involved include Hamilton, Quebec City, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.
Gumbley has lined up sponsors as well as charities, including Raise-a-Reader, which will receive donations from league revenues. The players also will get a share of revenues, with 3.5% earmarked for the league.
"We'll cease and desist once there is an agreement (between the NHL and NHLPA)," Gumbley said. "We want to create a name and make some money in this venture, but also give players another way to stay in shape."
