WHKA (.006) Receives Eighth and Ninth Expansion Franchise Forms -- Ownership Groups Representing Teams From British Columbia and Alberta Apply to Join WHA
Market Wire "US Press Releases "
VANCOUVER, BC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/28/07 -- The World Hockey Association (PINKSHEETS: WHKA) announced today that league officials have received expansion franchise forms from two additional ownership groups representing teams from the British Columbia and Alberta provinces of Canada.
League Commissioner Bobby Hull's office stated that a combined total of nine new and existing teams currently playing in other leagues have now submitted forms to join the WHA. The application tally currently contains four teams from Washington State in the USA, four teams from the Alberta Province of Canada, including the announced Edmonton area franchise, and one team from the British Columbia Province.
The WHA expansion effort ultimately should result in an expansion from six to sixteen teams for the 2007-2008 hockey season. Commissioner Hull recently revealed that the expansion will result in a restructured divisional format for the league once all the ownership groups for teams in the new cities have been approved. Discussions remain ongoing with additional investment groups who have shown interest in backing teams for the new season.
WHKA CEO Ricky Smith, commented, "Things are going according to plan. Bobby Hull and I have always envisioned the WHA will eventually cover the western half of Canada and the northwestern region of The United States. The reception we have received thus far puts our second year business plan for expansion on track to meet these goals. This is quite an accomplishment under the circumstances."
Smith added, "The league has suffered enormous damages which we expect to be addressed in court very soon, but we have forged ahead nevertheless. The WHA is here to stay and we believe our players, our shareholders, and our hockey fans will all benefit from what we are doing."
About the World Hockey Association:
The WHA created the WHA Junior West Hockey League to promote the sport of hockey. The Junior West Hockey League is an alternative, community-based league for highly skilled junior players, and is designed to promote high standards of sportsmanship in hockey. The 2007-2008 season will feature an expansion from six to sixteen teams and will see the WHA firmly established in British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwestern United States.
As a listed company on the Over-The-Counter Pink Sheets our mission is to provide a financially sound economic model that is responsible to WHA investors, coaches and staff, and the junior hockey players participating on each team. Fan satisfaction is a primary consideration in our decision making process.
Forward-Looking-Statements
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the company's operations, markets, products and prices and other factors discussed in the company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
V. Ackland
416-996-1789
