Sometimes even good ideas fail. Such is the case with the Missouri River Otters. The Missouri River Otters are a minor league hockey team that played in the St. Louis metro area. Today it was announced that they are out of business, and probably will be for good.

Team owner, Mike Shanahan Jr. said:

"For me, this was a hobby, not a fulltime job and I like to be making money, not losing it. ... It got to the point, if you're not having any fun, it's time to move on. That's what we've decided. ... I got in because I love hockey and wanted to have fun, but when it becomes time consuming to get more people in, you realize you don't need the aggravation."

There were a variety of reasons given including:

• Lack of attendance
• Inability to play on the weekends at home
• Workmen's compensation

The last point is very interesting. Supposedly, Missouri is a very easy state in which to get workmen's compensation.

We enjoyed a couple of River Otters games when they first came to town, but for some reason we never made it out there on a regular basis. The biggest reason is where the play. Playing at the Family Arena in St. Charles, it means having to cross the Missouri river. Yes, there's a bridge, but it's mental thing for those who live in St. Louis.

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