Anyone else a little concerned with the way the whole..

[American Dragon]

new Phoenix (for now) franchise of the ECHL has been handled?

Recap here.. The expansion entity originally was supposed to be in Ontario, California.. For whatever reason, that never came to fruitition and the franchise was moved to Bloomington, IL before ever playing a game.. Now, a few months later, the franchise is being moved YET AGAIN to Phoenix, without ever playing a game in Bloomington..

I have no doubts Robert Sarver is going to bring some stability to the franchise, but putting them in an NHL market also isn't exactly the best of ideas. Maybe a move to Tucson, and an affiliation with the Coyotes would have been in their better long term interests.

[rams80]

I am not sure what happened with the franchise in Ontario, but I know that the team was moved to Bloomington to essentially provide Peoria with a rival in the ECHL that was closer than Dayton, Ohio. I believe the original plan was to have the team take the ice in 06-07, when they finished a new arena in Bloomington. With Peoria moving up to the AHL next season, though, the Bloomington team was placed in the same position Peoria has been and is trying to decide if they see the ECHL in their future. Rumor has it that the city might try for the UHL instead now.

In regards to Phoenix, the city, while it may be slightly oversaturated with sports teams, has a very rich minor league history with the old Roadrunners. At the same time, as the Coyotes aren't playing right now, I don't think competing hockey teams will be a problem.

[Pounder]

I thought it was a classic case of waiting for an arena to be built for you.

Actually, there are forces still trying to push for an Ontario arena. No bulldozer has moved yet on its behalf. Apparently, even Barry Kemp couldn't wait that long.

I keep reading about the ECHL group in Bloomington falling out of favor with the forces building the arena there. THAT would be something we'd want to investigate. Are they thinking UHL or USHL?

Minor league hockey playing in Phoenix, spotty as the record is, far and away still trumps trying to locate a team in Tucson. Tucson's record is horrible. Some say the University of Arizona is hostile to such efforts.

In the long term, I have a nagging suspicion we'll see an expanded USHL or a handful of regional American Major Junior leagues. Keeping expenses down is the one long term solution any half-decent owner seeks.

[American Dragon]

Ohh yeah.. How could I forget the infamous failed Tucson Scorch experiement?

I see what your saying man. Maybe Tucson wouldn't have been the best option, and I have no issue with the team being put in Phoenix, however the way this whole situation has been handled with the team seems shady.

[Pounder]

Maybe Tucson wouldn't have been the best option, and I have no issue with the team being put in Phoenix, however the way this whole situation has been handled with the team seems shady.

"Shady" and minor pro hockey have gone pretty much hand-in-hand throughout time. Part of the reason "Slap Shot" was a GOOD farce is because it was at least somewhat rooted in truth.

I wouldn't worry any more than normal, to be honest.