ERIE, Pa. - A federal bankruptcy judge has dismissed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed by the former owner of the Erie Otters junior hockey team.

The Erie Times-News reports Thursday that the bankruptcy was dismissed for the most unusual of reasons: All creditors have been fully paid.

Former owner Sherry Bassin filed Chapter 11 in April largely because of a $4.8 million debt claimed by the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, the team's biggest creditor.

Bassin sold the Ontario Hockey League franchise to retired Canadian broadcaster James Waters for $7.2 million on July 17 in a deal that kept the team in Erie. It also enabled Bassin to pay all his debt and still net $1.4 million.

The judge dismissed the bankruptcy case on Tuesday. Bassin's bankruptcy attorney declined comment.

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Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com