Hockey will live on in Leesburg. (Courtesy of the Loudoun Knights)Hockey in Leesburg, Virginia, will live on, as Ion International Training Center will remain open after months of uncertainty.
The rink’s investors, led by Joel Salamone, will assume complete ownership and managerial oversight of Ion. Ion announced the news on social media, calling it a “turning point” for the arena.
This decision comes after numerous issues with the rink under previous owners Mitra Setayesh and Luiz Taifas, which included coaches and staff going unpaid, unmaintained ice and facilities, unkempt locker rooms and no regular cleaning crew. The rink’s adult league also folded as it became more complicated to secure ice time.
As a result, the future of the Loudoun Knights and Washington Little Caps remained uncertain amid deteriorating conditions, along with news that Setayesh and Taifas planned to turn the rink into a performing arts center.
Setayesh never responded to The Hockey News’ request for comment, while families rallied to save the rink.
Per the Loudoun Times-Mirror, investors filed a lawsuit against Ion and Setayesh for failing to make payments on a loan.
With new ownership, the facility will remain open, and youth hockey programs will continue, and now, the future appears bright for hockey in NOVA.
The popularity of the sport has grown thanks to the Washington Capitals and in large part, Alex Ovechkin, who recently overtook Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time goals leader.