A group of 10 local investors, headed by retired businessman Jack Stecher, has a tentative agreement to buy the Charlotte Checkers from Ray Wooldridge and George Shinn.

"It's real close to being a done deal," Stecher said Wednesday. "We have a letter of intent, and are in serious discussions about an agreement."

An East Coast Hockey League source said the deal is for $2.5 million. Stecher, bound by a confidentiality agreement, wouldn't comment on the price.

The sale, which would be effective after the current season, is contingent on the ECHL approving the sale, and the new owners obtaining a lease with the Coliseum Authority to continue playing at Cricket Arena.

The authority is negotiating a lease with two groups -- current ownership and a group led by former Checkers owner Carl Scheer, who owns the ECHL Greenville Grrrowl.

Stecher said he'd like to be considered, too.

"We want to work with the city to keep the Checkers here," Stecher said. "(Authority managing director) Mike Crum didn't say no to us; he said he didn't want to be caught without a hockey team."

"We want to keep the coach, the affiliation with the New York Rangers and the name Checkers. This is a team the city loves. The Checkers have been part of Charlotte going back to the '50s."

Charlotte has been in the ECHL since 1993. Big Play Entertainment, of which Wooldridge owns 75 percent and Shinn 25 percent, bought the team for $2.8 million from Tim Braswell in May 2000.

Stecher, 50, said he's owned several businesses, and has experience in sales, marketing and promotion. One of his former businesses licensed merchandise to the Checkers in their first two seasons, and another purchased season tickets the first five seasons, Stecher said.

"It's a good organization," he said. "I approached Big Play about two weeks ago. As I'm getting older, I've looked for something that's more of a love than a job. I think we can put a good product on the ice, and fans in the stands."

The Checkers are averaging 4,349 fans in 27 home games this season, the lowest in franchise history, and 11th among 29 ECHL teams. Charlotte averaged 4,665 fans last season, its first under Wooldridge and Shinn.

ECHL President Rick Adams wasn't available for comment.

TONIGHT'S GAME

Charlotte, despite roster juggling, is second in the East Coast Hockey League in scoring (3.4 goals). ...Winger Layne Ulmer (knee sprain) is on injured reserve. ...Charlotte is 18-5-4 at home. Columbia is a good road team (13-9-5), but gave up eight goals at Macon on Saturday. The Checkers are tied for second place with Atlantic City in the Northeast Division. ...Fans are invited to a postgame skate. Rental skates will be available.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Checkers defenseman Kurt Seher has seven goals in the past seven games. His 12 goals are a career-high, and he's part of a defense that is third in shots allowed (27.7) and fourth in penalty kill percentage (85.3).