2024-25 Junior Hockey Expansion, Relocation, and Retraction

[mk80]

That's one ugly duck.

A goose would be an appropriately terrifying mascot

 

[Nanabijou]

I like the logo tbh.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

USPHL Announces Sale Of NCDC Provo Predators; Relocating To Casper, Wyoming

www.ncdchockey.com

NCDC relocation news as Provo moves to Casper. Likely due to ingratiating themselves in a market with more fan support.

 

[JMCx4]

"You can't tell the franchise relocations without a thread."

 

[mk80]

USPHL Announces Sale Of NCDC Provo Predators; Relocating To Casper, Wyoming

www.ncdchockey.com

NCDC relocation news as Provo moves to Casper. Likely due to ingratiating themselves in a market with more fan support.

I wonder if they're able to bring back the Casper Coyotes identity from the old WSHL days

The old team even left behind a starter kit graphic for the new USPHL team...

 

[mk80]

Elmira announced in the NAHL. This would have been a better choice originally than their time in the FPHL

NAHL Team in Elmira, NY Approved for the 2024-25 Season

The Elmira Aviators will join the NAHL East Division in 2024-25 Season

nahl.com

 

[JMCx4]

At what point in this rapid expansion will the NAHL collapse under its own bereaucratic weight? Or is this simply a giant Ponzi scheme or other investment scam that will go unchecked until some failed owner has a cousin who's a recent law school graduate? It just seems like several divisions of 20 or more teams aren't far off at this pace of League growth, which will water down any competitive value while requiring future seasons' Robertson Cup playoffs to start in December.

 

[Basil]

The owner of the new Elmira NAHL franchise better do some heavy advertising this summer. I got onto the Elmira FPHL Facebook, and everyone there is trashing the NAHL, saying they already have a junior hockey team in the USPHL. Comparing the tier III USPHL to the NAHL is like comparing the FPHL to the ECHL. These people have no clue how talented the NAHL is.

They are also talking about the teams that previously failed in the NAHL and saying how the Danbury NAHL team draws no fans. Not once however, do they mention the fact that Elmira's former ECHL rival in Johnstown is a very successful franchise averaging over 2000 fans per game.

The people complaining have no idea that the NAHL is going to be the best hockey seen in Elmira since the ECHL left. Unless the ownership of the NAHL team does a lot of advertising and promoting over the summer, the financial success of this team might be in serious question.

 

[JMCx4]

... The people complaining have no idea that the NAHL is going to be the best hockey seen in Elmira since the ECHL left. Unless the ownership of the NAHL team does a lot of advertising and promoting over the summer, the financial success of this team might be in serious question.

IMO, Elmira is one of those hockey markets that could benefit from 5 years of zero competitive ice hockey. Let the lingering fanbase see what it's like to go cold turkey, and hope that many of them fade away & are replaced by unjaded sports fans looking for a new form of live entertainment. If that strategy doesn't work, then Elmira can be officially declared as "Scorched Ice".