Blake learning what it's like to be owner with junior team

DENVER -- Rob Blake isn't cooling his heels while a labor dispute derails the NHL season. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman has become co-owner of the Santa Fe Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League.

The 21-team league is geared toward helping high school and community college players get university scholarships. The players range in age from 16 to 20 and live with families during a 56-game season.

"It's fun to try and develop a team, to see what you can do," Blake said recently from his home in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The other co-owners include Los Angeles Kings coach Andy Murray and Eric Carlgren, a Santa Fe dentist.

The Roadrunners franchise was based in Fort Worth, Texas, and called the Lone Star Cavalry, but the previous owner declared bankruptcy. The club would have been disbanded if Blake and his partners hadn't come along. The tea was officially hatched Sept. 20.

"It all came together pretty quick," said Blake, who played for Murray in Los Angeles before his February 2001 trade to the Avalanche. "Andy had been looking in Santa Fe. It's not a big hockey center, but there wasn't much else going on, so he thought it would be a good spot for a junior team."

Blake missed the team's debut to stay in California and help son Jack celebrate his third birthday, but he's flying to Santa Fe this weekend to watch the Roadrunners play.

"It's almost like we're selling hockey to a place that doesn't have it," he said. "It reminds me a lot of California when I first moved out here. There wasn't much in the way of minor hockey, but there's eight or nine midget teams now. A lot of kids want to get involved, and that's what we're hoping for in Santa Fe."

Blake said he wanted to gauge whether he might be interested in hockey management when his playing days are over. But for now, he's busy making sure the right equipment has been ordered and the players have living arrangements.

"I'm so used to going in and telling the equipment guys, 'OK, I need a dozen more sticks,"' Blake said. "Now you're on the other side and you see what the sticks cost and what kind of equipment deals you can work out. You get a different view of the game."

Blake said the team charges $15 a ticket and has sold 300 season seats. The Roadrunners made their debut last weekend at home and split two games with the Central Texas Marshals.

"The kids had to wear their old jerseys from a year ago because it's going to take two weeks to get our new uniforms," Blake said. "But there were 800 people in the stands, which isn't bad. Hopefully, we can make that grow."