PORTLAND — It was a situation ripe for drama, but there was none forthcoming from Portland Pirates’ Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek, as he addressed reporters concerning the future of the team in Portland.

Seeking to head off any questions about reports published Friday in Albany, N.Y., that the Pirates may be seeking relocation to New York’s Capital, Petrovek said, “as far as I’m concerned, there will be absolutely no public comment about the Albany situation, or any other market that may or may be available for relocation or movement.

“So if you have questions about Albany, I would suggest that you not ask them because I’m not going to answer them.”

Instead, Petrovek, who has been a co-owner of the franchise since 2000, stated that his sights are set on negotiating a new lease with the aging Cumberland County Civic Center, which has been the franchise’s

home since its inception in 1994. The current five-year agreement with the City of Portland to use the

33-year-old facility runs out in May.

“Our focus continues to be,” said Petrovek, “on extending our lease. We began our conversation in earnest in April, 2009, and it continues today. We had a good discussion today. We’ve got less than three months to go on our lease. But I remain optimistic that we’re going to be able to find common ground and extend our position here and extend a longer term position moving forward.”

Petrovek adamantly denied having an agreement in his pocket to move the club, should talks with the Civic Center fail.

“My focus is on a deal with the Cumberland County Civic Center,” he said. “There’s no other deal that we have with any other market, any other management company, (or) any other building.”

Petrovek addressed concerns among Pirates fans about the future of the team in southern Maine.

“This shouldn’t raise any red flags with our fans,” he said. “The fans need to know we’ve been here for 10 years, and want to extend our business, and continue to grow it. The fans can come to their own conclusions relative to reports out of other cities. But the fact of the matter is, I want to extend this lease. I want to get into a

renovated building. And I want to continue to be an important part of this community for a long, long time.

“And I hope the fans understand that. We are not looking for alternatives. We want to get the job done here.”

Portland is in the second year of a five-year development agreement with the Buffalo Sabres, who moved their operation here after a 29-year stay in Rochester, N.Y.

Petrovek said that the Sabres have had no input in discussions about where the Pirates will operate next year and beyond. Their only expression, said Petrovek, “was their pleasure and their satisfaction with the relationship to date in Portland. How much the players enjoy playing here. How much their coaching staff enjoys

working here. The Sabres are very happy with the current situation.”

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.