New Falcons owner talks with 22News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield Falcons started their five game road trip with a loss Thursday night in Hershey.  The Bears beat the Falcons, 4-3.

Over the weekend the Falcons new majority owner, Charlie Pompea, made his first trip to Springfield since buying the team in December.  Pompea watched the Falcons play on Saturday night.

Pompea plans to have a hands-off approach and allow Bruce Landon to continue running the day to day operations of the team. What the team does in the community is what really drew Pompea to the team in the first place.  The Florida resident told 22News he has no plans to move the team.

"First of all, the grey cloud is gone, their was this grey could over the team for the last couple years because we couldn't get the support", says Pompea.  He continues, "They were going to have to move, but we've committed to stay here and we're looking forward to staying here."

Pompea does not consider himself a savior of hockey in Springfield.

"I'm excited to be a part of it, I think once our fans see the fellas play, I think they'll come back", says Pompea.  He adds, "It's all about getting fans in the building, supporting our team, they do so much for the community and I'm just excited to be part of it."

From Hershey, the Falcons go to Norfolk for a pair of games this weekend.