The latest incarnation of the Phoenix Roadrunners has only been in existence the past four years, but the team's Booster Club has been around for more than 40, following the minor-league hockey franchise from league to league.

Now, with the team set to fold yet again, they're teamless, and the fan base is disappointed, angry and, for the most part, worried that this might be the end, for good, for the Roadrunners in Phoenix.

And, as is often the case in these situations, many fans blame ownership for the team not toughing it out in difficult times.

"We first were told by ushers back in December just before Christmas the Roadrunners wouldn't be back next year," said Ron Orr, the Booster Club president. "As you see, it was just barely announced [this week].

"The regular fans are devastated and don't know what to do."

The franchise was revived back in 2005 by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, who was looking for another tenant for the building where his NBA club plays, and Orr says that the entire operation was often treated as an afterthought.

There is apparently a small but passionate fan base for minor-league hockey in the city, but with only about 4,000 or so of them going to games in the massive 16,000-seat US Airways Center, the atmosphere was left wanting. 

"They did very little to advertise and each year they treated us season ticket holders worse," he said.

Orr's fervent fandom made me wonder: Why not just cheer for the local NHL club? Coyotes tickets are reasonably priced (by major pro sports standards) and there's never an issue with trying to get tickets.

Turns out he's not a big fan.

"I personally hope the Coyotes relocate," Orr said, pointing to the team's massive losses lately as one reason they won't survive. "I don't think we will get another team in Phoenix as long as the Coyotes are here or unless somebody builds a smaller arena. We might get a CHL team in Buckeye, Ariz., 35 miles west of Phoenix.

"I've been to four Coyotes games when my kids were given free tickets. They're too expensive to see from the lower level. All the games I attended were in the upper level, and I would have rather been home watching on TV.

"I prefer watching up-and-coming stars who are making nothing and putting everything they got into the game to make it into the big time. These guys will sign an autograph anytime. Try to even get close to most NHL players."

Still, even if he doesn't feel the league will ever return to Phoenix, Orr doesn't see the ECHL woes as an indication it's in danger of shrinking even further.

"The league will survive," he said. "Most of the other teams in the West have a bigger fan base ... [and] the ECHL is about the only thing in town. They don't have to compete against things like the Coyotes."