Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Pro hockey return to Richmond area?” by John O’Connor.
Todd Parnell played a major role in the return of professional baseball to Richmond as a Flying Squirrels executive. He’s exploring the possibility of doing the same with professional hockey.
Parnell said he is in the process of learning similarities and differences of minor league baseball and minor league hockey, and additional research will determine if he can help return hockey to Richmond. Professional hockey was last played in Richmond in 2009, and it began in 1971 at the Coliseum, with starts and stops for different organizations.
“The hockey movement in Richmond is very, very strong,” said Parnell. “I’ve had several meetings with youth hockey people and hockey fans … I just have keen interest in being involved in some way, shape, or form, in bringing – eventually – pro hockey back to Richmond. There’s desire and interest and intention there.”
Venue “to be determined”
Bringing a new hockey franchise to Richmond could take several years, Parnell said, if groundwork he is currently performing signals that would be a good plan. The leadership group is “to be determined,” said Parnell, as is the venue at which a new Richmond hockey franchise could practice and play.
Parnell would not specify an ice location, but options would appear to be the new GreenCity Arena, capacity 17,000, coming to Henrico County at an undetermined time. The masterplan for GreenCity Arena lists hockey as a potential tenant, as well as use by touring shows, concerts and basketball. Or, a new facility could be developed to accommodate a Richmond hockey team, and other area hockey organizations. The Richmond Coliseum is no longer functional.
Also potentially involved in a plan to perhaps return hockey to Richmond is Lou DiBella, the managing general partner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, according to Parnell.
Parnell said the next step is continuing to explore the hockey industry. The Norfolk Admirals play in the ECHL, which was the East Coast Hockey League until 2003, when it gained a nationwide membership. The Charlotte Checkers and Pennsylvania-based teams play in the American Hockey League. Both of those leagues are attractive to Parnell, he said.
RVA’s hockey history
Richmond’s association with professional hockey on the minor-league level goes back to 1971, when the Richmond Robins played at the Richmond Coliseum, which opened that year. The Robins were succeeded by the Richmond Wildcats (1976-77) and Richmond Rifles (1979-81).
After several years without hockey at the Coliseum, the Richmond Renegades arrived in 1990 and remained until 2003. The Richmond RiverDogs took over the Coliseum ice when the Renegades left and stayed in town for three seasons. After the RiverDogs ceased Richmond operations following the 2005-06 season, the Renegades returned and played through the 2008-09 season. Richmond hasn’t had professional hockey since then. In 2008-2009, the Renegades averaged 3,302 fans at the Coliseum.
“A different world now”
“I think it’s a different world now, right?” said Parnell. “I think the hockey community has missed having a professional hockey team. That’s coming through to me loud and clear. And I think what the Squirrels have accomplished can be transferrable to something else, like a professional hockey team.”
“I think if you take that type of philosophy and the connectivity to the fan base of Richmond … Generally speaking, I think that would be a sure winner, in my opinion. But again, this is just at the very beginning stages of an idea. There’s a million things that can go wrong, and there’s a million things that can go right.”
Parnell led baseball revival
Parnell is a senior adviser for the Flying Squirrels, as of this year. He largely led the Double-A franchise from the time the organization arrived in Richmond for the 2010 season. The Triple-A Richmond Braves left the city following the 2008 season because of dissatisfaction with The Diamond. Parnell directed the Flying Squirrels’ ascension to one of the top attendance draws in the minor leagues and a year-round community presence.
Since Parnell announced last year that he would step away from his day-to-day role with the Flying Squirrels, he has continued to advise the team, is helping the organization’s drive for a new ballpark, and is also president of the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits.
He is a member of the ChamberRVA board of directors, was sworn in last week as a member of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority board of directors, is involved with Richmond Region Tourism, and recently launched a podcast.
Parnell also envisions the possibility of operating a “Parney’s Pub” in the Diamond District, the retail, residential and business area that’s expected to rise around the new ballpark on North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.