The question has been posed by more than a few people; why doesn’t Drew Weber buy the Lock Monsters, run them in much the same way he runs his extremely successful baseball operation, and keep the team in Lowell?

Unfortunately for Mill City hockey fans expecting the Spinners owner to step up to the plate, Weber has put that idea on ice. “Only a Little League team� replied Weber when asked if another sports venture was in his future.

That wasn’t always the case. Weber acknowledges discussing the subject with Monsters owner Elkim McCallum years ago, believing a common owner able to cross-promote the two operations would be able to make a successful go of it.

“My life was different at the time� says Weber. “Before Manchester, we were aching for something new. We needed another business very badly and thought owning the Lock Monsters as well as the Spinners would be a great challenge.�

Unlike today, Lock Monsters ownership had no interest in selling at that point, and Weber’s experience with Double-A baseball in New Hampshire has since soured him on running more than one sports franchise at a time.

Weber believes a rocky beginning really put the American Hockey League entry in a shorthanded situation. “I’m a big believer in momentum in these types of businesses� says the Spinners owner, citing high initial ticket prices as a key reason for the Monsters rough first year.

At the same time, Weber cites differences in the business side of minor league hockey as opposed to baseball as a contributing factor. “They are two different situations. The Monsters have a bigger financial burden having to pay players salaries, something the Spinners don’t have to worry about.�

Something else he doesn’t have to worry about any more is running two franchises. “I’m breathing a long sigh of relief� says Weber now that he’s sold his majority interest in the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. “I’m looking forward to an exciting year, the Spinners 10-year anniversary and spending more time in Lowell.�