Williamsport Outlaws Fold

Monday was supposed to be the final home game for the Williamsport Outlaws but the ice rink on Bowman Field is now locked up and empty. Monday morning the team was called in for a meeting.  That's when the captain told the players it was time to pack up, the team had folded and the season was over.

Ian Katherine, Media Relations Director for the Outlaws says, "There was a lot of disappointment. The locker room got real quiet and everyone just looked around at each other and wondered what was next."

This was the Williamsport Outlaws second season, but their first in Williamsport. The team is associated with the Federal Hockey League, a stepping stone to the NHL.

Ian Katherine says everything was going smooth but around the time the NHL announced they where coming back, some of the players started getting calls which created tension. The team needed over one hundred thousand dollars to get through the remainder of the season and that's when they decided to call it quits. Katherine says it has nothing to do with fan support, "The atmosphere was amazing. Fans here in the Williamsport area were amazing. They came out and gave 100 percent support and made money a lot of tickets were sold merchandise sales and everything as good."

Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana who spoke with us on the phone says he was never told the team was suspending the rest of the season. He says the rink is run by a non-profit who will pay to have it removed from Bowman Field. He as well as the rest of the city hopes the team comes back because it was a huge attraction for families.

The question still remains what will happen to the players. The Federal Hockey League is currently discussing whether the players will be sent to other teams in a dispersal draft or if they will become free agents.

Players were told to meet at Bowman Field on Tuesday at 11am when they are told they will receive their final paychecks.