Future Markets Discussion

[GindyDraws]

So the Reno group has finally gotten serious.

 

[Cacciaguida]

I like the name Reno Renegades. Could the Wranglers see a comeback like the Roadrunners?

 

[CrazyEddie20]

So the Reno group has finally gotten serious.

No, it sounds like this is a new group.

An individual purchased the rights to the dormant Reno WCHL team in 2000 and proposed a new WCHL team to be called the Reno Raiders. When the ECHL absorbed the WCHL prior to the 2003-04 season, it inherited the WCHL Reno expansion team. The inactive ECHL Reno expansion team kept up with league dues over the past ten-plus years, but was unable to build a new arena as planned and this past season was no longer listed a future ECHL market.

Although that was from unsourced garbage on OSC, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[JungleJON]

No, it sounds like this is a new group.



Although that was from unsourced garbage on OSC, so take it with a grain of salt.

You must have a bug up your butt for some reason - OSC is one of the better sites on minor league sports.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

You must have a bug up your butt for some reason - OSC is one of the better sites on minor league sports.

No, without citing or quoting specific sources, they could be making it up.

Sorry I'm not a sucker who believes everything I read.

There's an old saying in journalism: "If your mom tells you she loves you, look into it further."

 

[wildcat48]

Godfrey Wood and Brad Church are still working toward getting something done for 2017-'18.... Here's a couple bullet points.
- They are in conversations with multiple people about being a majority investor.
- They already have people who have shown interest in being a minority investor.
- Wood and Church are looking for investors to put up $1.75 million.
- The group would want to begin selling tickets by Jan. 2017.
- They are looking to sell 1,500 season tickets.
- The plan is based off an expansion franchise. Purchasing an existing franchise for relocation may provide more time to acquire a team.

http://www.theforecaster.net/search-continues-for-lead-investor-for-portland-hockey-team/

 

[210]

Why isn't Godfrey Wood the majority investor?

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Why isn't Godfrey Wood the majority investor?

Here's an educated guess: Wood now knows how the sausage is made. He knows that you can't really make money in minor league hockey, and he's not interesting in making a small pile of money out of his big pile of money.

 

[210]

Here's an educated guess: Wood now knows how the sausage is made. He knows that you can't really make money in minor league hockey, and he's not interesting in making a small pile of money out of his big pile of money.

Wood has known "how the sausage is made" for a very, very long time.

 

[wildcat48]

Why isn't Godfrey Wood the majority investor?

He doesn't want to be involved in the operation beyond the civic aspect of bringing a team back.

 

[210]

He doesn't want to be involved in the operation beyond the civic aspect of bringing a team back.

Ahhh...makes sense.

 

[crimsonace]

Godfrey Wood and Brad Church are still working toward getting something done for 2017-'18.... Here's a couple bullet points.
- The plan is based off an expansion franchise. Purchasing an existing franchise for relocation may provide more time to acquire a team.

http://www.theforecaster.net/search-continues-for-lead-investor-for-portland-hockey-team/

I always assumed this would become the Evansville team. Wonder if they aren't meeting Geary's price, or he still wants to hold onto the dormant franchise.

 

[royals119]

I always assumed this would become the Evansville team. Wonder if they aren't meeting Geary's price, or he still wants to hold onto the dormant franchise.

There was another article that said the ECHL was proposing a "transfer fee" for purchasing an existing franchise which would make the total purchase price the same as buying an expansion team. At that point they went from discussing relocation to discussing expansion.
Sounds like from this article that if they miss the deadline for an expansion franchise they could go the relocation route (i.e. Evansville) and still get it done in time for 17-18.

 

[Canucks21]

What happen with OKC didnt they wanted an ECHL expansion team?

 

[crimsonace]

What happen with OKC didnt they wanted an ECHL expansion team?

No viable place to play at the moment.

 

[Royalsflagrunner77]

No viable place to play at the moment.

Does the arena were the thunder play have ice making capability .or more important would the thunder share.

 

[210]

Does the arena were the thunder play have ice making capability .or more important would the thunder share.

I believe the Chesapeake Energy Arena does have ice making ability, but even if it doesn't it's right across the street from the Cox Convention Center, which absolutely can host hockey.

EDit: The Blazers played at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, so they absolutely can host hockey there.

 

[Royalsflagrunner77]

I'm still waiting for the Rivermen to make a return to the E

 

[Woo Hockey]

No viable place to play at the moment.

I believe they also had issues getting an ownership group to back bringing a team there.

 

[jason2020]

I could see a joint effort between Ottawa/Montreal and have the team in Laval.

 

[GindyDraws]

I could see a joint effort between Ottawa/Montreal and have the team in Laval.

Rocket de Laval exist.

 

[jason2020]

Rocket de Laval exist.

Yes but to have a Echl team there as well would help both Mtl and Ottawa.

 

[Captain Crash]

Yes but to have a Echl team there as well would help both Mtl and Ottawa.

A. Montreal is not going to place an AHL team and ECHL team in the same building. There is zero incentive to do so.

B. The ECHL stopped doing joint affiliations.

 

[Agalloch]

Now that Jacksonville and Worcester are coming for the 2017-18 season, becoming the 28th and 29th team, any other cities interested in taking the last spot (or maybe 2 last spots) ?

Elmira could be moving to North East like Albany/Portland.

 

[royals119]

Now that Jacksonville and Worcester are coming for the 2017-18 season, becoming the 28th and 29th team, any other cities interested in taking the last spot (or maybe 2 last spots) ?

Elmira could be moving to North East like Albany/Portland.

i've seen a few social media posts where people from Elmira have said the local buyer is going to go ahead with the purchase. The city turning down the request for money toward the ice plant and the losses from this season is a slight hiccup, but they are confident the deal will get done. The county authority that currently owns the team is supposedly "crying wolf" to try to get someone to cover those costs, but the buyer is committed regardless. So maybe things aren't as dire there as the recent articles make it sound.

As far as other cities that could join the ECHL-

Portland Maine reportedly has several interested groups putting together proposals for a lease with the arena.

Reno Nevada has reportedly got a group that has the framework for a lease in place and are expected to apply for ECHL membership, although nothing official from the league yet.

Albany NY is reportedly working behind the scenes to bring in the Rangers AHL team for 2018 after their arena remodel. If that doesn't happen they might look at ECHL later on.

It is possible, but unlikely that an SPHL city could move up - Peoria being the most likely since they are closer to a lot of ECHL cites than to most of the rest of the SPHL, but no actual indications that would happen, or even rumors, just speculation.

OKC always comes up because they have had hockey in the past, but don't now. No interested local owners and the buildings are busy with other sports/concerts, so unless something changes probably not. No actual activity or even rumors currently.