Unfortunately, pro hockey collapsed in the West after the 1925-26 season, but he continued to play minor-league hockey.

Minor League Malarkey focuses on the goofy world of minor-league hockey; from the characters to the fights to the promotions to the die-hard fans that half-fill the stands.

"I'd like to see minor-league hockey expand in the area," Mr. Seeger said.

Kennedy had played minor-league hockey in North America, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany and Austria before moving to coaching.

It is expected to accommodate at least 160 events a year, key among them minor-league hockey and basketball games.

And minor-league hockey, the fans say, is not the Devils.

The Sovereign Bank Arena, which opened in October as home to minor-league hockey and basketball teams, is expected to have combined attendance of about 600,000.

What Ridley does instead is invite Jonathan to join him on the Rollerball circuit while Jonathan tries to figure out whether he wants to play minor-league hockey.

It also presented minor-league hockey featuring the now-defunct Atlanta Knights, which was affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For his successes, The Sporting News named him the top coach in minor-league hockey in 1979.