This column from the Flint Journal sure paints a bleak picture for the IHL. Kalamazoo left last year (and their top guy had served as IHL commissioner), Muskegon's leaving after this season, Flint continues to have off-ice problems, Dayton's ownership situation is shaky at best, and Quad City has a clause in its arena lease that requires the league to have at least 7 teams. Yikes.

Also saw in the Muskegon Chronicle that the Lumberjacks' owner was asked why the 'Jacks felt the need to be among the first to "bail out" of the IHL. The owner's reply? "You want to be the first one out of a burning building, not the last." Ouch.

As for the USHL...I suppose it's worth noting that 7 members of Team USA in the Vancouver Olympics are USHL alums. Food for thought...