ECHL - next season - any new teams or teams going bye-bye?

[ECHLfan]

Haven't heard any news or good rumors lately. How about any ECHL fans out there.
The Johnstown Chiefs will be back next season. One site listed about seven different teams as possibly folding or being sold or moved to another city.

Mississippi will be back and hope they do well. The team formerly PEE DEE, which was to play in Myrtle Beach, they are still waiting for the construction of the arena. Anyone know has it even been started? What about the possibility of a team in Greensboro or San Diego again?

If anyone has any news, plese let us know.

GO CHIEFS!!!

[Dilbert]

I heard a rumor about a month ago that a midwest team might move to Greensboro. I imagine that Cincinnati wont be back as they cant survive on 700 attendence. But then again the owners own the arena so they could go another year

[sportsguy12]

Haven't heard any news or good rumors lately. How about any ECHL fans out there.
The Johnstown Chiefs will be back next season. One site listed about seven different teams as possibly folding or being sold or moved to another city.

Mississippi will be back and hope they do well. The team formerly PEE DEE, which was to play in Myrtle Beach, they are still waiting for the construction of the arena. Anyone know has it even been started? What about the possibility of a team in Greensboro or San Diego again?

If anyone has any news, plese let us know.

GO CHIEFS!!!

Just wondering ... I love gossip.

[Pounder]

Generally, new additions usually involve new arenas. I doubt any new expansion is there for 07-08. Cincinnati to Greensboro sounds tidy. The occasional rumor exists about UHL teams leaving (though that seems less likely).

The year after... http://piemonteontario.amiesdigital.com/page.aspx?pgid=7

The main question for Ontario... new team, or the relocation of the Long Beach Ice Dogs?

[ECHLfan]

The article I saw was posted on www.prohockeynews.com - I believe it was about 3-4 weeks ago. If you go to the site they still might have it there.

Thanks everyone for the info.

[Pounder]

Bet you were looking at the Death Pool Report. Required reading IMO.

http://pjstar.com/stories/030607/DAV_BCIL6ETI.076.php

Mr. Hornstein also found this article... more specifically the RIVER READINGS item when you scroll down. Probably rumor, but pretty interesting. Somehow, I wonder if Elmira is invited.

[ECHLfan]

Thanks for the article. I used to keep in contact with Dave Eminian of Peoria when they were in the ECHL. He is one good hockey writer, knows his stuff.

I can't see the ECHL taking in all of the teams from the UHL. Why would they want Flint, Port Huron and Chicago - all 3 teams drawing poorly. I could see Ft. Wayne, Quad City, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Bloomington and Elmira. Bloomington was almost in the ECHL but the side that won the rights to the arena chose the UHL.

I had written a year ago to the team in Youngstown from the CHL. Another case of what were they thinking. I asked if they could leave the CHL and come to the ECHL. I was told they have an agreement in their contract in which they could leave after two years if no teams were placed close to them. Well the CHL announced a new team in Yuma, AZ and possibly another in Arizona close to the boarder with Nevada. There was even an artice that the CHL was going to expand into S. Dakota.

I want to trade Texas for Youngstown. Most of the teams in the CHL are from Texas, would help the attendance of the team in Beaumont and Youngstown would make agood fit with Toledo, Dayton and Cincinnati, not to mention Wheeling and Johnstown.

I would even throw in the team from Phoenix, since they will have three other teams in Arizona.

The outgoing president said there was going to be an announcement made in March concerning the league. So maybe in the next few weeks more will be know.

[GladiatorSuz]

Generally, new additions usually involve new arenas. I doubt any new expansion is there for 07-08. Cincinnati to Greensboro sounds tidy. The occasional rumor exists about UHL teams leaving (though that seems less likely).

The year after... http://piemonteontario.amiesdigital.com/page.aspx?pgid=7

The main question for Ontario... new team, or the relocation of the Long Beach Ice Dogs?

General consensus is that the Wildcatters will be the ones moving to Ontario. Makes sense.

[ECHLfan]

Lastest news from ProHockeyNews.com has the team in Long Beach folding. They will play out the season, but not return next year.

Said they might move to the new arena slated to open in Ontario, CA in 2008, but that is owned but the Kings, who in part own part of the Reading Royals.

Maybe they will move their farmteams westward, Ontario (ECHL) and have another westcoast team jump up to the AHL (Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Stockton). Would make some sense.

The same article says the team in Rochester, NY is thinking of sitting out a year if they don't get a better cut of the profits from the arena. The Blue Cross Arena says they would want to keep hockey in town and possibly put a team in the ECHL.

You might see a lot of teams start to move around as they try to get new deals for their teams. So much competition for the entertainment $, it is hurting a lot of teams.

[sportsguy12]

Lastest news from ProHockeyNews.com has the team in Long Beach folding. They will play out the season, but not return next year.

Said they might move to the new arena slated to open in Ontario, CA in 2008, but that is owned but the Kings, who in part own part of the Reading Royals.

Maybe they will move their farmteams westward, Ontario (ECHL) and have another westcoast team jump up to the AHL (Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Stockton). Would make some sense.

The same article says the team in Rochester, NY is thinking of sitting out a year if they don't get a better cut of the profits from the arena. The Blue Cross Arena says they would want to keep hockey in town and possibly put a team in the ECHL.

You might see a lot of teams start to move around as they try to get new deals for their teams. So much competition for the entertainment $, it is hurting a lot of teams.

The AHL will not go to California because they only have 1 spot left and it would be an odd ball. Florida is the only team that still doesn't have its own farm team. I see them buying Edmonton's dormant team and moving it to Orlando.

Rochester will reach a deal and still in the AHL. They would never go ECHL. No worries, a deal will be reached.

[RW22]

The Ice Dogs have (or will be soon) filing for a year long suspension of team functions. They are an example of what not to do in this league. They were very smug about how they went about business, and they had no interest in hearing from anyone else in the league about how to conduct themselves. We have a new arena opening soon in Ontario, California-but the rumor there is that the Gulls will be back there!! Reno is looking like another expansion slot coming soon too. It would be nice to get the East Coast and West Coast divisions balanced out.

[ECHLfan]

Did hear about the arena going up in Ontario, the pics from the website look like it will be another showcase arena. Didn't hear about the Gulls thinking of returning there.
Also, the arena in Reno. I had written to the Chamber of Commerce and they have heard nothing about an arena being built (that was last year). The arena in Myrtle Beach is supposed to be built on the campus of Coastal Carolina Univ., but there is no mention on their website about an arena being built. If anyone knows otherwise let me know.

Long Beach, Cincinnati, Pensacola and Augusta could be gone this year. Trenton is saying that they are moving to the AHL. The team in Texas should switch to the UHL, easier on travel and I'm sure the folk in Texas would rather play in-state rivals more than teams from across the USA.

Still waiting to hear about the UHL. So many rumors going around. One interesting summer ahead.

[Pounder]

Toledo may go on hiatus while awaiting a new arena.

http://toledofreepress.com/?id=5191

[ECHLfan]

There were articles before that said the same thing, but the NEW owners wanted the team to move up to the AHL.
If I were a Toledo hockey fan and they shelved the team for 2-3 years until a new one could be built, I would not support any new team no matter what league it would play in.

Another example of owner's greed hurting the everyday fans.

[sportsguy12]

Did hear about the arena going up in Ontario, the pics from the website look like it will be another showcase arena. Didn't hear about the Gulls thinking of returning there.
Also, the arena in Reno. I had written to the Chamber of Commerce and they have heard nothing about an arena being built (that was last year). The arena in Myrtle Beach is supposed to be built on the campus of Coastal Carolina Univ., but there is no mention on their website about an arena being built. If anyone knows otherwise let me know.

Long Beach, Cincinnati, Pensacola and Augusta could be gone this year. Trenton is saying that they are moving to the AHL. The team in Texas should switch to the UHL, easier on travel and I'm sure the folk in Texas would rather play in-state rivals more than teams from across the USA.

Still waiting to hear about the UHL. So many rumors going around. One interesting summer ahead.

so I don't think they are going anywhere. I think Long Beach will give it one more year. Cincy is done and Augusta I have heard anything about. Reno doesn't have an arena and neither does MB.

[Geoff]

It'd been said a million times: The Gulls are DEAD! The owners sold the franchise back to the league it is effectively dead. The owners may buy a new franchise but it will not be the Gulls franchise.

[RW22]

Geoff,
Do you have any idea why the Gulls "sold" their interest in the team to the ECHL? Have any idea who/what was behind the move? I very much doubt you know much about who owned and who controlled the team (looking at press releases and corporate history is not going to give you the answear). There were alot of local issues that the team could not overcome. I cant tell you more about what happened, but I can say that the Gulls should be reappearing soon! I know that part of the ownership group has gone over quite a few documents in this regard....
and....Long Beach is toast!

[Geoff]

None of that matters about the franchise itself. There is nothing stopping the owners from buying a new franchise and calling it the Gulls but what I said stands, the franchise and the team the San Diego Gulls as we knew it, is dead.

[RW22]

You are correct about San Diego, that city is a dead city for any hockey or basketball team. It is too bad, they are pretty good fans. But, do expect to see the Gulls crest across a team fairly shortly.

[TheHulk]

Hello all! Well, you can for sure mark the Pensacola Ice Pilots down as done for good in NW Florida. The county voted down a subsidy and new lease terms for the team yesterday (March 26th). The Pilots last game will be April 7th. It is a very, very, very sad day for people here in the Panhandle. You can thank the new ownership for the downfall. The new guy virtually ran the team into the ground. Not to mention that the players didn't really endear themselves to the community with suspensions and drunken brawls postgame.

[Minor League Man]

I think their current lease was bad too...Did their new owner do the exclusivity lease?

If so, I blame him.

[TheHulk]

Basically the Owner wanted $200,000 in upgrades to the rink and civic center and more of a percentage of the concessions. But, the product on the ice was the worst in the ECHL. The county didn't feel like supporting a sub par hockey team and sub par owner.

[Minor League Man]

Well, at least now the door is open for indoor/arena football, minor league basketball, and other sports!

[TheHulk]

Well....the Pensacola Civic Center is a fantastic small city venue. For us here in the Panhandle it's the entertainment "Mecca" for the people here. Until the Ice Pilots came...there was talk of tearing down the building because Escambia County was deeply in the red operating a venue (at the point just before the Pilots came) was only 10 years old. (The CBA's Tornados left 2 years prior). Anyway, it's a phenomenal venue with free parking. Any league would be crazy not to play there. Fans supported the Ice Pilots and the Barracudas. I guess what I'm saying the city deserves a good owner and league to deal with.

[rams80]

Well, at least now the door is open for indoor/arena football, minor league basketball, and other sports!

All of which crashed and burned there....

Dude, I know you have a burr in your bonnet over the "exclusivity" clause, but it helps an otherwise struggling franchise survive a little longer. That or you should take your holy war to Global and the WPHL doing business as the CHL.

[BreakersFan]

Rumors are flying around Elmira that the Jackals will be playing in the ECHL next season along with the Quad City Mallards

[TheHulk]

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/search/story.shtml?/2007/03/nWjvOMTe.xml

The real reason the Ice Pilots are leaving. It's not because of poor attendance as first thought. It might be the dead weight at the Escambia County Board of Commissioners.

[Minor League Man]

All of which crashed and burned there....

Dude, I know you have a burr in your bonnet over the "exclusivity" clause, but it helps an otherwise struggling franchise survive a little longer. That or you should take your holy war to Global and the WPHL doing business as the CHL.
The CHL/Global is different. Their exclusivity lease is just for the first year.

Those sleazebag IcePilots got one for SEVEN YEARS, count 'em, SEVEN YEARS! That means no other indoor teams can come in during that time!

Bravo for Escambia County! Variety in sports is what makes new arenas cool!

[rams80]

The CHL/Global is different. Their exclusivity lease is just for the first year.

Those sleazebag IcePilots got one for SEVEN YEARS, count 'em, SEVEN YEARS! That means no other indoor teams can come in during that time!

Bravo for Escambia County! Variety in sports is what makes new arenas cool!

What league do you propose to go there? Empire (af2) failed there, (BTW, your numbers are off, Barracudas lasted 3 years there), NIFL would have been a fate worse than death, AIFL/A would have been awful, and WIFL has just started up.

Seems to me that the exclusivity clause was a good thing in that it kept the market from getting torched again and again.

[sportsguy12]

What league do you propose to go there? Empire (af2) failed there, (BTW, your numbers are off, Barracudas lasted 3 years there), NIFL would have been a fate worse than death, AIFL/A would have been awful, and WIFL has just started up.

Seems to me that the exclusivity clause was a good thing in that it kept the market from getting torched again and again.

Rams, it's hard to take any of your posts seriously with your obvious dislike for arena football. The Barracudas drew well in year one (7,000+) then tailed off. Perhaps, with a newly-created Florida division, with teams in Jacksonville and Tallahassee (adding the Fla Firecats) there MIGHT be renewed interest.

Just a thought.

[rams80]

Rams, it's hard to take any of your posts seriously with your obvious dislike for arena football. The Barracudas drew well in year one (7,000+) then tailed off. Perhaps, with a newly-created Florida division, with teams in Jacksonville and Tallahassee (adding the Fla Firecats) there MIGHT be renewed interest.

Just a thought.

The team is dead. That doesn't do a whole lot to damage the "crashed and burned" statement. All them Florida teams died in one offseason, right? (Poor ownership, probably, but it could be symptomatic of a greater problem.) Jacksonville would have had a team, but Fort Wayne's owner ran out of money....(oops, wasn't supposed to mention that.)

For the record, I greatly enjoy indoor football, and have little problem with the rules of the arena league, nor the AFL itself (at least when its not using the af2 as a pawn to kill the indoor teams).

[LASportsFan]

It sounds like there could be a lot of teams folding or going dark in the ECHL next year. I've been a big Long Beach Ice Dogs fan ever since I moved to the LA area 3 1/2 years ago, but I don't know how much longer the owners will continue to support the team with the horrible attendance.

It sounds like a number of other teams are also folding. Does this spell the end of Double A dominance for the ECHL?

Perhaps the CHL will get the upper hand at this level and become the AA of the NHL.

[rams80]

It sounds like there could be a lot of teams folding or going dark in the ECHL next year. I've been a big Long Beach Ice Dogs fan ever since I moved to the LA area 3 1/2 years ago, but I don't know how much longer the owners will continue to support the team with the horrible attendance.

It sounds like a number of other teams are also folding. Does this spell the end of Double A dominance for the ECHL?

Perhaps the CHL will get the upper hand at this level and become the AA of the NHL.

Or not...considering how the affiliations are with ECHL teams.

[LASportsFan]

Or maybe YES!!! Most NHL teams just sign one or two year agreements with their AA franchises. There's nothing to suggest that the ECHL will continue to get the NHL agreements.

[LASportsFan]

Besides perhaps Ontario getting a team or the Ice Dogs moving there and perhaps (although a long shot with the current arena situation) Reno, are there any other West Coast markets that the ECHL is looking at? Tuscon, Tacoma, and Colorado Springs all had teams in the WCHL at one point. I think the last two markets are viable, although Tacoma is in a junior hockey hot bed.

[rams80]

Or maybe YES!!! Most NHL teams just sign one or two year agreements with their AA franchises. There's nothing to suggest that the ECHL will continue to get the NHL agreements.

Here's where the CHL's Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio?!, and Mississippi footprint bites it in the butt.

ECHL has proximety to the majority of the NHL teams.

[TheHulk]

Pensacola might actually be back next season. Escambia County is back at the negotiating table with the owner.

[Geoff]

To further clear that up

They've elected to reinstate the lease which runs through the end of next season and are negotiating with Mr. Forgione again. Rumors abound of a new owner with Mario staying on as part owner (BOO!).

[rams80]

Guess MLM better put those would-be football and basketball teams on hold.

[TheHulk]

To further clear that up

They've elected to reinstate the lease which runs through the end of next season and are negotiating with Mr. Forgione again. Rumors abound of a new owner with Mario staying on as part owner (BOO!).

Well anything is better than this Mario character. I just saw on Channel 3 he admitted to talking to Bloomington, Illinois about relocating. Thank goodness the ECHL tabled the proposal to relocate at the league meetings, thus forcing the team to stay put in Pensacola for another 5 years.

[rams80]

Well anything is better than this Mario character. I just saw on Channel 3 he admitted to talking to Bloomington, Illinois about relocating. Thank goodness the ECHL tabled the proposal to relocate at the league meetings, thus forcing the team to stay put in Pensacola for another 5 years.

That sound you hear is the panic button going off in UHL-land.

[Shootmaster_44]

I read on another board, that New Westminster, B.C. is trying to get an ECHL franchise. So I could see the ECHL attempting to gain a foothold in the Northwest US and BC, before it tries more California teams.

[Minor League Man]

I read on another board, that New Westminster, B.C. is trying to get an ECHL franchise. So I could see the ECHL attempting to gain a foothold in the Northwest US and BC, before it tries more California teams.
I know Abbostford is trying to get one...Didn't know about New Westminster, though...

So are the defending WHA Champion New Westminster Whalers moving to the ECHL?

[rams80]

I know Abbostford is trying to get one...Didn't know about New Westminster, though...

So are the defending WHA Champion New Westminster Whalers moving to the ECHL?

Good Lord No....ECHL isn't that stupid.

[Shootmaster_44]

I know Abbostford is trying to get one...Didn't know about New Westminster, though...

So are the defending WHA Champion New Westminster Whalers moving to the ECHL?

Right Abbotsford, got those two confused for a second. Though it wouldn't entirely surprise me if New West wanted a team too.

[Dilbert]

Elmira has officially joined the ECHL

[nksports]

There were articles before that said the same thing, but the NEW owners wanted the team to move up to the AHL.
If I were a Toledo hockey fan and they shelved the team for 2-3 years until a new one could be built, I would not support any new team no matter what league it would play in.

Another example of owner's greed hurting the everyday fans.

That arena is barely standing. It dates back their years in the old I. Then again, most of those teams were named the Golddiggers.

[patmc16]

Then again, most of those teams were named the Golddiggers.

The name was "Goaldiggers" not Golddiggers. A play on words, but much more appropriate for a hockey team.

According to an article in the 3/25/07 Toledo Free Press, the owners of the Toledo Mudhens baseball team is in negotiations to purchase the Storm. They would not operate the team until the new arena opens for the 09/10 season. They would most likely shut down the franchise until then and restart it under a new name in the new arena. They are apparently also looking to bring an indoor football team in as well. There was no mention of the franchise moving to the AHL. The only time I have heard of a AHL - Toledo connection was a few years back when the dormant Adirondack Red Wings franchise was to relocate there. When the arena couldn't get built, the owner sold the franchise which now exists as the San Antonio Rampage. The county (I assume who will own the new arena) does not want the current ownership to operate the team in the new arena. They want the Mudhens ownership to because of the "positive fan experience" they have created with the Mudhens. The county administrator hinted that the new ownership would not operate the team in the TSA as he was quoted as saying "There's not going to be any positive fan experiences in that place." TSA was scheduled to be torn down soon to make way for the waterfront park that the city plans to build but it was mentioned that there was a possibility that it could be delayed so the Storm could play a final season in 07/08. That would leave a 1 season gap without pro hockey in Toledo unless the present owners can purchase a new franchise to play "at another level" as they say they plan on doing. UHL maybe? Where would they play? The Toledo Ice House is the next largest rink but far too small for any pro league.

[Geoff]

Well anything is better than this Mario character. I just saw on Channel 3 he admitted to talking to Bloomington, Illinois about relocating. Thank goodness the ECHL tabled the proposal to relocate at the league meetings, thus forcing the team to stay put in Pensacola for another 5 years.

They are only forced to come back for one season. They are supposedly "negotiating" for a 5-year extension. God, I hope Mario sells.

[TheHulk]

They are only forced to come back for one season. They are supposedly "negotiating" for a 5-year extension. God, I hope Mario sells.

At this point, just having the Ice Pilots is good enough for me. Just imporve the on ice product. The rest I don't care about. As long as the Ice Pilots are back. Upgrade the Civic Center and come October....GAME ON!!!

[TheHulk]

Stewie: Victory is mine!!

[Dilbert]

The Toledo Mud Hens have officially bought the Toledo Storm and the team will go dark for 2 seasons while they build a new arena. Also when the team returns in 2009 it will have a new name and remain in the ECHL. Here's Hoping the Goaldiggers name returns!

http://www.prohockeynews.com/leagues/article.cfm?Article_ID=584

[TheHulk]

The Toledo Mud Hens have officially bought the Toledo Storm and the team will go dark for 2 seasons while they build a new arena. Also when the team returns in 2009 it will have a new name and remain in the ECHL. Here's Hoping the Goaldiggers name returns!

http://www.prohockeynews.com/leagues/article.cfm?Article_ID=584

Goaldiggers? I guess Dandelions was taken. That's almost as bad as the NIFL's attempt with the San Antonio Player Haters. That name sounds like it came from someone that didn't have any idea of hockey history or didn't know the game much. How about the Cleveland Football Players? It's not original it just sounds hokie.

[sportsguy12]

Goaldiggers? I guess Dandelions was taken. That's almost as bad as the NIFL's attempt with the San Antonio Player Haters. That name sounds like it came from someone that didn't have any idea of hockey history or didn't know the game much. How about the Cleveland Football Players? It's not original it just sounds hokie.

It was a once storied hockey franchise. Maybe using that will be more fan-friendly than say ... Storm. Anything would be an improvement over the Storm logo.

[Pounder]

Sure enough, Long Beach is in trouble.

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_5700272

[MarshalsFAN80]

The Cincinnati Cyclones shocked even their own fans on Thursday night with a win over the Toledo Storm which sends the Toledo franchise dormant until, what looks to be, the 2009 season. The Cyclones advance to the ECHL Northern Conference finals for the second time in team history.

Wike Wirill (RW- #17) opened the game with a goal at 4:49, and they never looked back as they skated to a 4-0 victory. As the game progressed both teams showed signs of fatigue, especially late in the second period. Jean-Michel Daoust (RW-#62) scored his first goal of the preseason with a goal in the final 30 seconds of the second period. Greg Stewart (F-#16) and Mathieu Aubin (F-#18) added to the Cyclones lead in the third period Cyclones Goaltender Cedrick Desjardins (G-#30) made 36 saves on his way to the shutout.

Cincinnati will meet, division rival, Dayton for the division title. According to the Cyclones' website, www.cycloneshockey.com, the series dates and times will be announced today.

On a side note, Referee Steve Patafie (#29), called a Bench minor on both teams for too many men on the ice in the third period which I'm still trying to get a grasp on. :evil:

[Dilbert]

The April 4th meeting in Pittsburgh has finally been adjourned and this is what came out

Approval of Elmira joining the league
Approval of Toledo voluntary suspension
Pensacola will play next season
Long Beach will not play next season
Mississippi will return to celebrate their 10th Anniversary season
The ECHL will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary season

[OneBetter]

Sure enough, Long Beach is in trouble.

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_5700272

Here's a quote from the article:
"Two owners have tried everything they can to make things work here," Bash said. "Everybody knows we need help. ... We are running out of time."
---------------

Not really....I used to live in Long Beach, and I went to a lot of their games. The owners didn't do hardly any marketing. I knew about the team because I was a big hockey fan, but I would say with confidence that greater than 75% of Long Beach's population probably doesn't even know they have a professional hockey team. They did have some games on a local television channel for a few years, but it was one of the low budget local channels that no one really knew about. They never did any mainstream TV commercials, or mainstream radio commercials, for that matter. A few billboards and a few commercials could have gone a long way.

I have a feeling that a sad day is approaching in Long Beach. I wish it weren't coming.

[Dilbert]

One Better,
Read my post above. Long Beach is officially no more.

[Pounder]

Here's a quote from the article:
"Two owners have tried everything they can to make things work here," Bash said. "Everybody knows we need help. ... We are running out of time."


Besides the fact that they have closed up (and released all the players), a reading lesson is in order.

"Two owners have tried everything THEY can..."

How much money do you want to spend in the second largest media market in America on advertising? How much do you have?

Personally, I think the lunacy is in trying to site the team in Long Beach Arena in the first place... precisely because of the above fact. I highly doubt there's many low-power radio stations down by the harbor that will get a suitable number of listeners.

Heck, Ontario has sort of the same issues as their new arena gets built, though there are some dedicated radio stations in the IE... but perhaps part of the same problem as Long Beach.

[freddypuck]

Long Beach is going to be moving into Hoffman Estates, IL. taking the plavce of the future Defunct UHL team the Hounds.

Elmira joing the ECHL next season and also have heard whispers that Quad City of the UHL has applied for membership in the ECHL.

[Minor League Man]

Long Beach is going to be moving into Hoffman Estates, IL. taking the plavce of the future Defunct UHL team the Hounds.

Elmira joing the ECHL next season and also have heard whispers that Quad City of the UHL has applied for membership in the ECHL.
Will they take up the Hounds name?

[freddypuck]

Have not heard what name they will skate under. Just know that they have asked the ECHL BOG to approve the move for next season. Most teams use the opportunity to rebrand which allows all new uniforms, merchandise, etc... and if the UHL team pattern is the same as usual, the hounds have probably left quite a bit of debt running around town and may have to change the name to clean the slate.

With the UHL going under and several teams wanting to join the ECHL, looks like there will be some realignment of minor league hockey this summer.

[Minor League Man]

Have not heard what name they will skate under. Just know that they have asked the ECHL BOG to approve the move for next season. Most teams use the opportunity to rebrand which allows all new uniforms, merchandise, etc... and if the UHL team pattern is the same as usual, the hounds have probably left quite a bit of debt running around town and may have to change the name to clean the slate.

With the UHL going under and several teams wanting to join the ECHL, looks like there will be some realignment of minor league hockey this summer.
The Chicago Chill would be my first choice for a hockey team name.

[RW22]

Long Beach ownership doesnt care about hockey, or the team. They died in Long Beach and will not "surface" anywhere else. Ownership are boxing/UFC promoters, so unless they get a deal to allow both-0-they dont give a crap. The ECHL BOG wont give them the time of day, as they are looking to expand West Coast teams; and the Dogs put them behind schedule.

[rams80]

Long Beach is going to be moving into Hoffman Estates, IL. taking the plavce of the future Defunct UHL team the Hounds.

Elmira joing the ECHL next season and also have heard whispers that Quad City of the UHL has applied for membership in the ECHL.

Link or its not happening.

[Dilbert]

http://www.prohockeynews.com/leagues/article.cfm?Article_ID=612&Columnist=Yes

[MarshalsFAN80]

It looks like despite really bad attendance, the Cyclones will return next year. It's hard to imagine that they would return but it could get really interesting in CINCY. What if the Clones won the Kelly Cup this season only to sell the franchise to another city and just take the fine from the league.

Most Cyclones fans would be crushed by this but the 'average Cincinnati Fan' aka the people who only show up for 1 or 2 games a year, wouldn't be crushed to see the Clones go 'again'.

Overall, I would say that the majority of people don't like to go watch hockey at US Bank Arena for a number of reasons. I for one think that the majority of the staff (security in particular) is just not pleasant to deal with.

I attended the home playoff game against the Storm and while I enjoyed the end result of the game, I was once again not happy with the arena experience again. I'm actually more interested in heading to the road games than I am going to home games. Hopefully, I will see some Clones fans tonight in Dayton.

[Alaska Aces]

Besides perhaps Ontario getting a team or the Ice Dogs moving there and perhaps (although a long shot with the current arena situation) Reno, are there any other West Coast markets that the ECHL is looking at? Tuscon, Tacoma, and Colorado Springs all had teams in the WCHL at one point. I think the last two markets are viable, although Tacoma is in a junior hockey hot bed.

I'd like to see Fairbanks, Alaska get a hockey team. With the right management, I think it can be done. I'll even go out on a limb and say the current owners of the Aces (with their solid financial footing and community standing) could start a second time. The in-state rivalry could be insane. I'd travel from Palmer to watch a Fairbanks game. But I could only do that if the Aces were on the road. :D

At one time, Fairbanks had a team called the Fairbanks Gold Kings. I'm not sure if they were ever in the WCHL while they were in Fairbanks, but I'm pretty certain they were in the WCHL when the team moved to Colorado and assumed the name Colorado Gold Kings.

More cowbell, more hockey, please. :D

[OneBetter]

I'd like to see Fairbanks, Alaska get a hockey team. With the right management, I think it can be done. I'll even go out on a limb and say the current owners of the Aces (with their solid financial footing and community standing) could start a second time. The in-state rivalry could be insane. I'd travel from Palmer to watch a Fairbanks game. But I could only do that if the Aces were on the road. :D

At one time, Fairbanks had a team called the Fairbanks Gold Kings. I'm not sure if they were ever in the WCHL while they were in Fairbanks, but I'm pretty certain they were in the WCHL when the team moved to Colorado and assumed the name Colorado Gold Kings.

More cowbell, more hockey, please. :D

Yes, Fairbanks was in the WCHL for a few years before the team moved to Colorado Springs.

[rams80]

I'd like to see Fairbanks, Alaska get a hockey team. With the right management, I think it can be done. I'll even go out on a limb and say the current owners of the Aces (with their solid financial footing and community standing) could start a second time. The in-state rivalry could be insane. I'd travel from Palmer to watch a Fairbanks game. But I could only do that if the Aces were on the road. :D

At one time, Fairbanks had a team called the Fairbanks Gold Kings. I'm not sure if they were ever in the WCHL while they were in Fairbanks, but I'm pretty certain they were in the WCHL when the team moved to Colorado and assumed the name Colorado Gold Kings.

More cowbell, more hockey, please. :D

I thought Fairbanks went by Alaska....

[PolishX]

Nope Alaska Aces play in Anchorage

[rams80]

Nope Alaska Aces play in Anchorage

Now...I'm pretty sure they renamed themselves when they jumped to the ECHL.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wchl19962003.html

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/wchl19961997.html

second link shows that the Fairbanks team was called the Alaska Gold Kings.

[tony-o]

They were the Anchorage Aces in the WCHL. The Gold Kings aren't around anymore. Fairbanks hasn't had a pro team since 1997.

[eightleggedfreak]

Fairbanks hasn't had a pro team since the Gold Kings moved to Colorado Springs. They have a college team (AK-Fairbanks Nanooks) and a junior team in the NAHL (Fairbanks Ice Dogs).

[LandRoverUT60]

Besides perhaps Ontario getting a team or the Ice Dogs moving there and perhaps (although a long shot with the current arena situation) Reno, are there any other West Coast markets that the ECHL is looking at? Tuscon, Tacoma, and Colorado Springs all had teams in the WCHL at one point. I think the last two markets are viable, although Tacoma is in a junior hockey hot bed.


If they had the arena, St. George, Utah could be an underrated market. I wrote the CHL and gave them the local info on StG, but got no response. How 'bout the St. George (Ice)Pilots?

[Geoff]

If the team does get moved, I hope they drop the Ice Pilots moniker. It's so ddeply rooted in Pensacola and it would seem odd to have the name outside of Pensacola (or Dresden). It's been rumored that if Mario doesn't get a new lease, the league may take over the team. They are hip to his pathetic antics.