OCHL executive director of external communication Dickie Dunn announced today that the Novice League currently has a sponsor vacancy.  He did not indicate whether a current sponsor is leaving, or whether the vacancy is due to an expected expansion to a sixth team this season.

Nevertheless, speculation spread like wildfire around the OCHL this afternoon.

"Dickie Dunn wrote this!  It's gotta be true!  But who owwwwwwns the Milwaukee Express?" asked Express defenseman Eric Kent.  "Are we moving to Florida?  Here's to the sap that bought the Express.  And here's to all that gorgeous sn____ in F-L-A!"

"I think it's probably the Ice Shack that's out," hypothesized Ice Shack captain Nate Darling.  "I mean, they weren't open once during the spring or summer leagues.  That's not a great business model.  But maybe it's for the better.  This league didn't need three teams with blue jerseys."

"I won't be surprised if it's Entech that leaves," lamented Entech captain Scott Knaffla.  "Entech has been in the championship game in three of the four years of the novice league, but has no hardware to show for it.  We're like the Buffalo Bills of the OCHL.  It's frustrating for us, but it's got to be especially frustrating for the sponsor."

"I can assure you with 100% certainty that it's not Gecko that's leaving," stated Gecko captain Steve Giuntoli.  "I asked Dave, I said 'Dave, are we good for this year?'  And Dave said to me, 'Yeah man.  We're good for this year.'  So you're welcome OCHL -- you get another year of the best looking jerseys in the league."

"Oh man, this is going to be awesome," Concordia captain Rob Barnhill said.  "I don't know who's leaving, but I'm going to get Busch Light to be the new sponsor.  And in the contract?  Free samples.  Free samples every week.  Busch Light will be the OFFICIAL beer sponsor for the OCHL.  Sorry Ed - no more carry-ins.  Because....You ought to be on mountain time. Because when that whistle blows and your time once again becomes your own, you know it's not about the time you put in....it's what you put in that time.  You can set your watch by the good times you'll have with smooth Busch Beer. Or easy-drinking Busch Light. The freedom of the mountains is closer than you think. So you don't have to change your altitude...just your attitude. Isn't it time to head for the mountains?"