Danny Smith looked more like a kid in a candy store than a professional franchise owner during Friday's press conference to announce the return of the Louisiana IceGators' hockey franchise to Lafayette at the Wingate by Wyndham hotel.

It was hard to blame him, though. Not many diehard fans get a chance to own their favorite team.

Smith's dream was actually that the IceGators would play hockey again in Lafayette. Former IceGator and new head coach Ron Handy had shared that passion since the franchise ceased operations after the 2005 season.

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Kevin Foote • kfoote@theadvertiser.com • May 16, 2009