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preeths
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Post by preeths » Tue Jan 27, 2015 7:36 pm

While I like to see a city such as San Diego get hockey back, I also wonder what this means overall. It's difficult to see an AHL team thriving in San Jose, if that's where Worcester ends up. How long does Manchester sit empty? What does the ECHL West look like after this?

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Post by nksports » Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:50 am

[quote=""preeths""]What does the ECHL West look like after this?[/quote]

To relocate or expand, the ECHL could try Prescott Valley, Tucson, Oklahoma City (I think the interest is still there, the move to the AHL and changes in the arenas drove ticket prices higher than the market would bear, try moving back to the Will Rogers Coliseum on the state fairgrounds), the Fort Worth area (a 2,000-seat rink won't cut it and the city is pretty hostile to pro sports, someone needs to build a 5,000 or so seat arena in the suburbs).
New Mexico and El Paso had some fan interest in the old CHL-WPHL days, but were hurt by bad ownership. (The rest of west Texas is toast in terms of hockey, what is left is junior teams). The Las Vegas franchise is still valid, but there are some venue issues there. Reno-Carson City-Sun Valley? There's a brand new arena in Dodge City (pop. 27,340, just kidding, but the arena is nice and the casino is right next door).
The WHL kind of locks the ECHL out of the Pacific Northwest.
Then again, I could see the ECHL going back into some of the eastern markets the AHL is going west for (maybe just a few franchise flips). I don't see Brampton surviving another season.
There may be some divisional changes with the CHL teams (although I'd keep the Allen-Tulsa-Wichita-Missouri cluster together). Quad City fits in nice with Fort Wayne and Evansville. Rapid City would probably fit in well with Boise, but otherwise is out on an island. The Rush does good box office (let's face it, there isn't much to do in Rapid City, S.D., in the winter). Those teams will have a season under their belt and know what's what. All were doing decent box office except Brampton (which is still up from last year). (Tulsa and Allen might be a little up).
Kalamazoo, Wheeling and Elmira all seem shaky.
It might be time to finally get rid of the ECHL as a name. Alaska isn't east of anything. Maybe it could be the Expanding Continental Hockey League.

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Post by Pounder » Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:26 pm

It's official. http://theahl.com/ahl-approves-formatio ... on-p196033

As a season ticket holder for the Timbers, Thorns, and now Timbers2, I'm not saying it'll be easy for Sharks2 to thrive. But I'm just saying.

I've already seen a rumor where a couple groups with current AHL franchises have approached Manchester. I don't think Worcester will be so lucky.

Alaska / Colorado / Idaho / Rapid City / Utah is probably a viable division for 2015-16. We'll see what hits the fan next, of course.
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Post by preeths » Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:19 pm

Looks like Glen Falls to ECHL will be announced Friday.

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Post by robster2001 » Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:32 pm

[quote=""preeths""]Looks like Glen Falls to ECHL will be announced Friday.[/quote]

The consensus here in Virginia is that ECHL Bakersfield will move to Norfolk. Possibly also part of tomorrow's ECHL announcement.

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Post by aardvark » Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:43 am

[quote=""Pounder""]It's official. http://theahl.com/ahl-approves-formatio ... on-p196033

As a season ticket holder for the Timbers, Thorns, and now Timbers2, I'm not saying it'll be easy for Sharks2 to thrive. But I'm just saying.

I've already seen a rumor where a couple groups with current AHL franchises have approached Manchester. I don't think Worcester will be so lucky.

Alaska / Colorado / Idaho / Rapid City / Utah is probably a viable division for 2015-16. We'll see what hits the fan next, of course.[/quote]

I really don't understand why the Sharks want their AHL affiliate playing in San Jose, but good luck to them.

The best part about this relocation plan is that San Diego FINALLY gets another team. I hope the GULLS name is continued.

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Post by Pounder » Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:53 am

Speculation I've seen:

(1) Awaiting the new Sacramento arena.

(2) Awaiting a more favorable lease proposal in Fresno.

(3) Awaiting expansion of the Sharks skating facility near Spartan Stadium, including one rink lined with 5,000 seats, then they play there.

Speculation I've not seen, but possible:

- Would they have a bead on Reno Events Center? Or a "new" Reno arena?

Underlying possible concept:

- In most of the world, the reserve team plays in the same stadium. San Francisco Bay, inclusive of Silicon Valley and San Jose, is really freaking diverse. It's also stinking rich. So they're bringing a different concept to these shores... and look, there's more people with money than anywhere right now.
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Post by dmbishop » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:07 am

[quote=""Pounder""]I've already seen a rumor where a couple groups with current AHL franchises have approached Manchester. I don't think Worcester will be so lucky.[/quote]

From what i've heard, Ontario to Manchester (ECHL) is a done deal and Worcester again gets to sit on the sidelines for a year or two.

Dave

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Post by nksports » Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:16 pm

From the ECHL just a few minutes ago:
http://echl.com/echl-board-of-governors ... es-p196041

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Post by aardvark » Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:34 am

[quote=""nksports""]From the ECHL just a few minutes ago:
http://echl.com/echl-board-of-governors ... es-p196041[/quote]

And officially as of today, the San Diego GULLS are back in business.

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