Walpole, MA – After spending fourteen hours behind closed-doors, both the NESHL and the Provo Penguins representatives emerged tired, but happy. When the captain of the Penguins, Chris Eighmy, announced his retirement, the league mandated that the Penguins disband the team. This of course immediately drew criticism from the Penguins front-office, and closed-door meetings began early yesterday morning. On behalf of the Penguins, Bruno, Nick, Chris, Steve and Lou Palmero, Provo Liquors attorney, were all in attendance. The NESHL was represented by Jim Mowler, Paul Rubenson, and Andrew Campbell, attorney for the NESHL.
“We were prepared to fight this with everything we had,” commented Bruno after the proceedings. “We can understand why they [NESHL] instated this rule, but it was just not a case of bringing in ‘ringers’ as far as we were concerned. This was merely a case of a player, who happened to be the captain, stepping down and moving on. Although we did not get everything we wanted, we were happy with the compromise.”
Based on the league ruling the Penguins will be forced to disband the team. However, since the placement of all players across the division would not be possible at this time, it was agreed that the old team would come together as a completely new team in the division.
“In the end all parties are happy,” stated Mowler as he left the proceedings. “A rule is a rule, so the team has to disband. The good news is that they can form a new team with all the same players.”
According to the statement released by the attorneys, all players for the former Penguins team will be forced to immediately disband, and re-join the league as a new team. One sticking point was the naming of the team, which was finally settled just before midnight.
“It is important for Provo Liquors to feel it is getting the full marketing potential out of this sponsorship,” said a tired Lou Palmero. “It was finally decided that the new team would retain the original name of Provo Liquor Penguins, which made everyone on this side of the table very happy.”
The new Provo Liquor Penguins team will make its debut this summer, with the start of the summer season slated for sometime in May.
“We had to disband,” Tragakis commented from his car in the parking lot. “But within twenty-four hours the new team will come together with all the same players, making it a partial victory for us. Additionally, we get to keep our original name, so in the end we can once again play as Penguins.”
Also reported during the late hour, ex-Penguins captain Hombre Del Huevo (HDH) will become the new team captain. Del Huevo had stated under no uncertain terms that he would not make a comeback, as it was against everything he stood for.
“Since we are now a new team, it makes a lot of sense,” responded the team captain from his home in Plainville. “I did not want to be a Brett Farve-like person, retiring and un-retiring every season. I was looking for a new challenge, and now I have it. Since this is a new team, I am officially not making a comeback, but instead I’m becoming the captain on a new team in the division. This will provide a new challenge for me, and I’m looking forward to being captain of a new team with all the same players!”
There is an excitement in the air, as this new team bonds and merges into the NESHL. With it will come new challenges and obstacles, which could prove to be tough for any new team. But since this new team will be comprised of all the same players, and will retain its original name and captain, they are positioned better than most to make it in the division. Only time will tell if the new Provo Liquor Penguins are up for the challenge.
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