The Blaze average 2,500 fans per game. (WJBC File Photo)

By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - Bloomington Blaze officials are denying a report that the Central Hockey League is on the verge of taking over the team.

A report Wednesday from the hockey blog The Junior Hockey News reported the CHL has stepped in to run the team in owner Sandra Hunnewell's absence and that General Manager David Holt is now the owner of the Blaze's Midwest Junior Hockey League team.

"Well, I don't know who wrote the blog and I never received a phone call from anyone researching it, but the CHL has not taken over the Blaze and I don't have any ownership role in the junior Blaze," Holt said.

According to Holt, Hunnewell had been unreachable earlier this year but the CHL and the team has been able to reestablish communication with her son Bobby Vitale.

The Blaze average 2,500 fans per game and Holt said he has yet to think about the team's fate next year.

"If you're asking me whether hockey will be here next year, absolutely it will," he said. "I don't know what the lease is going to be I'm just trying to get through all the injuries that we've gone through the last few weeks."

The Blaze's lease at U.S. Cellular Coliseum expires at the end of the season.

The Blaze are currently 25-25-2 and sit in 8th place in the CHL's Berry Conference. 

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.