The puck stopped here.
Toledo Storm fans stood in a long line at the Sports Arena yesterday to buy T-shirts, pennants, game-worn uniforms, souvenir pucks, and other memorabilia from the defunct hockey team.
It was a close-out sale for the team that played its final game in Toledo on April 14.
“We got here an hour early so we could get in line,” said season-ticket holder Jody Sohnly, 55, holding a hockey stick used by Storm player Paul Crosty; “stinky real” game gloves used by T.J. Sakaluk and Ken Magowan, and other merchandise bearing the Storm logo.
Ms. Sohnly, known as “Mama Jody” by many fans who attended regularly, called it a sad day for Toledo hockey fans.
She had bought season tickets for 2007-2008. When Storm officials announced last month that there will be no more hockey here until 2009, Ms. Sohnly used the credit from her tickets to stock up on discounted Storm memorabilia.
The ECHL team is being sold to a nonprofit group, Toledo Arena Sports, Inc., run by the Toledo Mud Hens.
When hockey returns to Toledo in the fall of 2009, it will be played by a new team with a new moniker in a new downtown arena. The 60-year-old Sports Arena will be demolished to make way for the Marina District project.
“I’m hooked on hockey,” said Sarah Janowiecki, 20, of South Toledo. She and several other fans traveled to Dayton, Cincinnati, and Port Huron and Grand Rapids, Mich., to watch the Storm play away games.
“I’m upset. I’m disappointed,” said Ms. Janowiecki, who bought a Magowan practice jersey. “I didn’t have much experience with hockey. This is the first time I had season tickets. Mama Jody befriended me and now it’s become like my second family here.”
Jim Foust, 56, of Toledo wore a red Storm ballcap with two black ribbons pinned to it.
“I’m in mourning,” he said. “I’ve had season tickets since ’75-76. This is sad that all this is happening.”
Like many Storm fans, Mr. Foust said he will “wait and see” whether he goes to games when the new team debuts.
“It all depends on the prices and how well we’re treated,” he said. “I’m afraid they’re going to try to turn a blue-collar town into a white-collar town.”
Danelle Bunce, 16, of Toledo broke down and cried when the person in front of her bought the last game jersey of her favorite player, Tim Songin.
Ms. Janowiecki gave her a long hug in consolation. After Danelle wiped away the tears, she bought a pair of game-worn hockey pants, stepped into the sweaty, oversized garment, and posed like a fashion model.
She and her friends, sisters Olivia Keil, 16, and Caitlyn Keil, 18, walked out of the Sports Arena with arms full of gear — helmets, gloves, jerseys, T-shirts, foam fingers, key chains, and more — from their beloved Storm.
“We were kind of cheerleaders,” Olivia said. “We always wore shorts to the games and different colored socks ... We love this place.”
The Sports Arena’s marquee bid farewell to fans with this sign: “1947-2007. Thanks for the Memories. 60 Seasons.”
Since minor-league hockey came to Toledo in 1947, the city has had a number of franchises and team nicknames, including the Mercurys, Buckeyes, Blades, Hornets, Goaldiggers, and, from 1991 to 2007, the Storm.
Kent Nusbaum, 11, of Temperance was buying marked-down hockey gear for practical reasons. He plays for the Monroe Ice Hawks and needed shoulder pads, knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet with visor, and even a case of 60 rolls of athletic tape.
“We’ll never have to buy tape again,” said his mother, Kathy Nusbaum, adding that the family spent about $500 on hockey equipment yesterday.
John Marsh, 55, of Sylvania wore an autographed black Storm sweater from the 2002-03 season, when he was honored by the team for being a devout fan. He showed his team pride by handing out business cards with his name, address, and honorary title, “Toledo Hockey Legend.”
Outside, Shirley Shea, 71, of Toledo held a red Storm umbrella and a bag full of souvenirs.
“I’m sick about it,” said Ms. Shea, who wore a gray Storm T-shirt and had her hair in rollers. “My husband was working here about 30 years, since they were the Goaldiggers,” she said.
Her son, Bill Shea, Jr., 35, said he worked as an assistant equipment manager for the Storm and has mixed feelings that the team is now history.
“It’s kind of sad, but it’s kind of time for it to go. It’s time for something new. The arena is starting to break down,” he said.
His friend, Kelly Conley, 37, was a stick kid for the Goaldiggers and an assistant equipment manager for the Storm.
“I met a lot of great people — fans and players,” he said. “It’s kind of sad to see them go, but it will be good for the city to have a new team. This is the smallest rink in the ECHL.”
Ms. Shea said that while she is “still upset about this,” she expects to go to games again when the new team plays in 2009.
“I can’t stay away from hockey,” she said.
Contact David Yonke at:dyonke@theblade.comor 419-724-6154.
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