columbiainferno.com

The Columbia Inferno have been put on ice for another season.

For the second season in a row, the Inferno have been granted a voluntary suspension from the East Coast Hockey League for the 2009-10 season as the franchise continues to try to build a privately financed arena.

Inferno co-owner Dr. Ezra Riber said the franchise is finalizing financing for the arena, which would be built off Saint Andrews Road in Irmo, and hopes to make an announcement soon.

“The reason we asked for a voluntary suspension is we have every intention of playing in a new arena in the 2010-11 season,” Riber said. “We have a superb financing team that may actually acquire all of the financing even in this economy, which really speaks volumes for that team.”

ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna said he is confident the franchise will be ready to go for the 2010-11 season.

“The ownership group there ... has been a terrific part of our league for a long time,” McKenna said. “Our commitment is to continue to work with them on their plans.”

The Inferno spent five seasons at the Carolina Coliseum but took a voluntary suspension for the 2008-09 season rather than play at the Coliseum again, citing an undesirable lease.

Riber said playing at the Coliseum in 2009-10 is not possible because the Coliseum sold its ice equipment to a company in Peru.

A new Irmo arena would seat approximately 5,300 for hockey and up to 6,500 for other events. Riber said season-ticket holders have been given periodic updates on the franchise’s status.

Riber has stayed in contact with the Inferno’s NHL parent club, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also made a presentation to the ECHL board of governors during the league’s all-star break.

“The league has always felt that Columbia is a great market, and we have unanimous support to continue professional hockey here,” Riber said. “Myrtle Beach, which was the former Florence team, is getting ready to do the same thing we are and get a new facility there. There is interest in Greensboro (N.C.) to put a team back there, and (the league is) also getting some signals from the Greenville area. We hope that a beautiful Columbia facility will enhance the development of the league’s activities in the region.”

The Inferno employ three full-time people to deal with the franchise’s operations. Troy Mann remains the team’s coach but is spending this season with the Charlotte Checkers as an assistant.

As far as the team goes, ECHL players are on yearly contracts. Riber said when the Inferno resume play, several players will be allocated to the team from the Maple Leafs.

“They’re excited about the prospect of a new building,” Riber said of Toronto, “and like everyone else are just waiting to see it get completed.”