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The head of a struggling Des Moines construction firm says he's putting a group together for the possible purchase of the Iowa Chops.
John Vratsinas, whose John Vratsinas Commercial Builders Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January, said he's "in the initial stages" of assembling investors to buy the Des Moines-based American Hockey League team.
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Aaron Artman, a top official with Texas-based Schlegel Sports, confirmed that team co-owner Kirby Schlegel met with Vratsinas in Des Moines last month.
"John has expressed interest in becoming a partner with the Chops, but that is the extent of it," Artman said. "There have been no offers made or any price-setting."
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Vratsinas acknowledged that he has no hockey experience, but said he would be able to give the Chops some needed local ownership.
"I want to turn this team into a team owned by local people," he said. "I think anytime we have people that live here and eat and go to church or whatever and have a vested interest in the success of central Iowa, that's got to be a big advantage."
John Vratsinas, whose John Vratsinas Commercial Builders Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January, said he's "in the initial stages" of assembling investors to buy the Des Moines-based American Hockey League team.
...
Aaron Artman, a top official with Texas-based Schlegel Sports, confirmed that team co-owner Kirby Schlegel met with Vratsinas in Des Moines last month.
"John has expressed interest in becoming a partner with the Chops, but that is the extent of it," Artman said. "There have been no offers made or any price-setting."
...
Vratsinas acknowledged that he has no hockey experience, but said he would be able to give the Chops some needed local ownership.
"I want to turn this team into a team owned by local people," he said. "I think anytime we have people that live here and eat and go to church or whatever and have a vested interest in the success of central Iowa, that's got to be a big advantage."
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