Another game having to be postponed in Philly tonight due to the fog creating unsafe conditions. The league can not be happy about this.
NAHL 2017-2018 Thread
- Thread starter Kapn Kaveman
- Start date
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
That rink has had these problems for years. Rebels knew this coming in to moving there. They thought they could capitalize on the college crowd, but have failed to do so. Honestly attendance has dropped since the move. They were better off in the suburbs.
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
Danbury is the only place you can draw a sustainable junior hockey fanbase in New England as it's one of the few places where people aren't within a ten minute drive of the NHL, AHL, or NCAA D-1. They supported the gongshow Fed teams there with 1,000-2,000 fans per game until recent years with CT worker's comp insurance costs sinking the team. NAHL East needs it, the other teams (minus Johnstown) put up embarrassing attendance numbers, junior hockey doesn't sell in the Northeast. King's College, a new NCAA D-3 team shares a rink with WBS Knights. That brand new team that is win-less, as of today, still averages more fans than the Knights. East Coast fans watch NHL, NCAA D-1, some AHL, then maybe ECHL and D-3 and that's it. It didn't take a genius to tell you that when the NAHL went east that the teams would play in empty houses.
Elmira Jackal's deep pocketed owner left the city because of the lease with the arena. When even the enormously popular Elmira D-3 NCAA won't leave their arena 20 minutes out of the city, that tells you something. That's enough to put off most owners.
Elmira Jackal's deep pocketed owner left the city because of the lease with the arena. When even the enormously popular Elmira D-3 NCAA won't leave their arena 20 minutes out of the city, that tells you something. That's enough to put off most owners.
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Yeah, there's a reason why the USHL and most of the other NAHL teams are in markets where there is little to no other hockey. Say you are a hockey fan in Rhode Island: would you rather drive to Attleboro for a Generals game (let's not forget that the NAHL was barely known in New England) or take in a college hockey game at Providence or Brown, or possibly the PBruins?
For the record, both the Providence Bruins and WBS Penguins are in the middle of the AHL in ticket sales.
For the record, both the Providence Bruins and WBS Penguins are in the middle of the AHL in ticket sales.
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
They should just abandon New England to the NCDC already if they want to cement their place as the second best North American league. Philadelphia is probably losing money hand over fist and I have no idea how they are still in business. The Generals, Titans, and Knights are only still in business because the other teams in the organization are run at a profit. Ironically that's how their rivals in the USPHL run their free-to-play teams. Not saying that's how free-to-play junior hockey should be funded, but it's pretty clear that's the only how free-to-play junior hockey is going to work in the Northeast. NAHL should save face and keep with what they know. Have teams in places where they are the only hockey available, ensuring they pack the house every night. Other than that they should just keep getting Division 1 commits. They'll never be able to compete with the USHL in that regard, but with the low end commits their rivals like the NCDC (which are mostly D-3, albeit very good D-3) are getting, their brand will stay strong.
Johnstown eliminated from playoff contention this past weekend. First time since they entered the league. For the most part, they were doomed by a brutal opening third of the season-- they've been decent the past few months. They also seem to have a few key pieces coming in for next year. Still, I'll be o\interested to see if this provokes some significant changes for the Tomahawks over the summer.
I've been a season ticket holder with the Tomahawks since the first season. If there isn't a coaching change during the off season, I won't be back. This team was better than their record showed. It's the 4th season with this coach and they've missed the playoffs twice now. The 2 seasons his teams made the playoffs, they have only won a total of three playoff games.
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JungleJON
Registered User
- May 10, 2011
- 306
- 10
In response to Basil - have said that LAST SEASON & the beginning of this year. The team does things on the cheap side and it has always been that way with the coach. Get someone in there who motivates the young men playing. You won'r be the only one who doesn't come back next season. I say dump the NAHL and try and get someone to put a team in the SPHL, bring back HOCKEY to Johnstown.
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Back to matters closer at hand ... All 16 NAHL playoff spots are now determined, with the #1 seed in each division established.
Central Division
(1st) Aberdeen Wings
Austin Bruins
Minnesota Wilderness
Minot Minotauros
East Division
(1st) Philadelphia Rebels
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
New Jersey Titans
Northeast Generals
Midwest Division
(1st overall) Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Janesville Jets
Springfield Jr. Blues
Minnesota Magicians
South Division
(1st) Shreveport Mudbugs
Lone Star Brahmas
Odessa Jackalopes
Corpus Christi IceRays
Central Division
(1st) Aberdeen Wings
Austin Bruins
Minnesota Wilderness
Minot Minotauros
East Division
(1st) Philadelphia Rebels
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights
New Jersey Titans
Northeast Generals
Midwest Division
(1st overall) Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Janesville Jets
Springfield Jr. Blues
Minnesota Magicians
South Division
(1st) Shreveport Mudbugs
Lone Star Brahmas
Odessa Jackalopes
Corpus Christi IceRays
JungleJON
Registered User
- May 10, 2011
- 306
- 10
With a committed owner they could. Most minor league teams never turn a profit and are used as a write-off. Don't think ANY team ever in Johnstown showed a profit. Maybe the Tomahawks will last for another 3 years, but they better get a winner soon.
East Division grows to 6 teams
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for an NAHL team in the state of Maryland owned by Piney Junior Hockey, LLC, an entity owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. and Piney Orchard Equity, LLC. The team will compete in the NAHL’s East Division for 2018-19 season and play out of the Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. This will be the first team in the 42-year history of the NAHL to be based out of Maryland.
The NAHL’s East Division made its debut in the NAHL during the 2015-16 season and currently has five teams, including: Johnstown Tomahawks (Johnstown, PA), New Jersey Titans (Middletown, NJ), Northeast Generals (North Attleboro, MA), Philadelphia Rebels (Philadelphia, PA), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (Pittston, PA).
The NAHL is in the midst of the most opportune times in its 42-year history. In the past five years, 1,300 NAHL players have made NCAA commitments and 17 more have been drafted directly out of the league into the NHL. In addition, 25% of all freshmen that played NCAA Division I hockey this past season, played in the NAHL. So far during the 2017-18 season, 216 players have made NCAA commitments, almost 90% of which are NCAA Division I commitments.
The yet-to-be-named team will play out of the Piney Orchard Ice Arena located in Odenton, Maryland. The NHL-sized sheet of ice was the former training center of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and includes over 7,000 square feet of space that will be used exclusively by the NAHL team for locker rooms, training and equipment, offices, and workout areas.
"This is another exciting day for hockey in the East,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “Adding a 24th team back to the North American Hockey League is something that we are happy about and more importantly, it is in an area that has a very nice talent pool of players and long track record of producing quality hockey programs. We view the first NAHL team ever in Maryland as a win-win for everyone, but most importantly for the players that will not have to move far from home to play NAHL Hockey. With the large number of NCAA teams and scouts in the region, it will be a nice addition to the great exposure we already get as a league and likely help us add to the record number of NCAA commitments.”
Murry Gunty is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. A lifelong hockey fan, Mr. Gunty grew up in Portland, Maine, where he spent countless hours playing hockey and watching the former Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League. He has coached and managed his sons' hockey teams from Mite through Bantam and is passionate about growing the game. His vision for Black Bear was to combine his turnaround experience with his passion for the sport to bring professional management to the rink industry, turning around poorly run facilities and investing badly-needed capital in 20-30 year old rinks thereby saving them for their respective communities.
“We are honored to be granted this opportunity by the NAHL,” said Black Bear Sports Group’s CEO and Founder, Murry Gunty. “We are thrilled to bring this high level of junior hockey to Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic and are most excited about the fact that our local talent can now stay local and have the chance to advance to play NCAA Division I hockey. It’s a giant opportunity for us and our community.”
Bob Weiss has owned Montgomery Ice Arena Management Company (MIAMCO) for 12 years. MIAMCO is the parent company for Piney Orchard Equity, LLC. MIAMCO manages multiple ice arenas around the country, including Piney Orchard Ice Arena. Since 2006, Mr. Weiss has served as the Executive Director for Montgomery Youth Hockey Association one of the largest Tier II clubs in USA Hockey with 1,200 players. He also started Team Maryland in 2006, a local Tier I club, which he operates with his son, Michael.
“Youth hockey in the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia region has progressed over the past decade to an elite level where we expect the top players from our region to compete for roster spots against North America’s top prospects” said team co-owner, Bob Weiss. “The NAHL membership in Maryland brings both a higher level of hockey to the area and a path for our youth players to NCAA hockey.”
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for an NAHL team in the state of Maryland owned by Piney Junior Hockey, LLC, an entity owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. and Piney Orchard Equity, LLC. The team will compete in the NAHL’s East Division for 2018-19 season and play out of the Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. This will be the first team in the 42-year history of the NAHL to be based out of Maryland.
The NAHL’s East Division made its debut in the NAHL during the 2015-16 season and currently has five teams, including: Johnstown Tomahawks (Johnstown, PA), New Jersey Titans (Middletown, NJ), Northeast Generals (North Attleboro, MA), Philadelphia Rebels (Philadelphia, PA), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (Pittston, PA).
The NAHL is in the midst of the most opportune times in its 42-year history. In the past five years, 1,300 NAHL players have made NCAA commitments and 17 more have been drafted directly out of the league into the NHL. In addition, 25% of all freshmen that played NCAA Division I hockey this past season, played in the NAHL. So far during the 2017-18 season, 216 players have made NCAA commitments, almost 90% of which are NCAA Division I commitments.
The yet-to-be-named team will play out of the Piney Orchard Ice Arena located in Odenton, Maryland. The NHL-sized sheet of ice was the former training center of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and includes over 7,000 square feet of space that will be used exclusively by the NAHL team for locker rooms, training and equipment, offices, and workout areas.
"This is another exciting day for hockey in the East,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “Adding a 24th team back to the North American Hockey League is something that we are happy about and more importantly, it is in an area that has a very nice talent pool of players and long track record of producing quality hockey programs. We view the first NAHL team ever in Maryland as a win-win for everyone, but most importantly for the players that will not have to move far from home to play NAHL Hockey. With the large number of NCAA teams and scouts in the region, it will be a nice addition to the great exposure we already get as a league and likely help us add to the record number of NCAA commitments.”
Murry Gunty is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. A lifelong hockey fan, Mr. Gunty grew up in Portland, Maine, where he spent countless hours playing hockey and watching the former Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League. He has coached and managed his sons' hockey teams from Mite through Bantam and is passionate about growing the game. His vision for Black Bear was to combine his turnaround experience with his passion for the sport to bring professional management to the rink industry, turning around poorly run facilities and investing badly-needed capital in 20-30 year old rinks thereby saving them for their respective communities.
“We are honored to be granted this opportunity by the NAHL,” said Black Bear Sports Group’s CEO and Founder, Murry Gunty. “We are thrilled to bring this high level of junior hockey to Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic and are most excited about the fact that our local talent can now stay local and have the chance to advance to play NCAA Division I hockey. It’s a giant opportunity for us and our community.”
Bob Weiss has owned Montgomery Ice Arena Management Company (MIAMCO) for 12 years. MIAMCO is the parent company for Piney Orchard Equity, LLC. MIAMCO manages multiple ice arenas around the country, including Piney Orchard Ice Arena. Since 2006, Mr. Weiss has served as the Executive Director for Montgomery Youth Hockey Association one of the largest Tier II clubs in USA Hockey with 1,200 players. He also started Team Maryland in 2006, a local Tier I club, which he operates with his son, Michael.
“Youth hockey in the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia region has progressed over the past decade to an elite level where we expect the top players from our region to compete for roster spots against North America’s top prospects” said team co-owner, Bob Weiss. “The NAHL membership in Maryland brings both a higher level of hockey to the area and a path for our youth players to NCAA hockey.”
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
Any word on the capacity of the rink? Assume this means the other east coast teams are staying as well? Heard the usual rumblings from UPenn about shopping their team.
Either way it looks like the NA is all in on the battle to keep the East Coast.
Either way it looks like the NA is all in on the battle to keep the East Coast.
Team Maryland Expands Into Junior Hockey
Appears they are starting an EHL franchise as well out of the same arena.
Cannot find anything about capacity however being a former NHL practice facility and being approved for the NAHL it has to be over 1,500.
Appears they are starting an EHL franchise as well out of the same arena.
Cannot find anything about capacity however being a former NHL practice facility and being approved for the NAHL it has to be over 1,500.
As of now, the Rebels are staying next season but moving back to their rink in Aston. That obviously can still change.
Hey, I have a couple of questions, the first one is about the import rule, how many import player is a NAHL team allowed to have on their roster? I read 4 in some place, but I saw that a couple of teams has more then 4 on their roster on eliteprospects.
So have many import players is actually allowed?
The other question is about next season, is their any new team that joining the league, or any team that leaves the league, is their any rumors about it?
Regards
So have many import players is actually allowed?
The other question is about next season, is their any new team that joining the league, or any team that leaves the league, is their any rumors about it?
Regards
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
The rule is 4 on the active roster. So a team could in theory carry 6 imports in town and practicing however come game day only 4 of them can dress. Many of these imports switch teams for assorted reasons or go home and get replaced with another import player.
Thanks for your answers.
I have another question, can a NAHL team sign a player that has played in a pro league in Europe, for example a player that has played in the czech junior league, but also maybe made like 10-15 games with the senior team in the Czech highest league?
Or do they only sign players that is eligible for college later?
I have another question, can a NAHL team sign a player that has played in a pro league in Europe, for example a player that has played in the czech junior league, but also maybe made like 10-15 games with the senior team in the Czech highest league?
Or do they only sign players that is eligible for college later?
The Coulee Region Chill have been sold and relocated to Chippewa Falls, WI.
Source: Chippewa Falls will get an NAHL team; set to take the ice this winter
It's a fairly inconsequential move geographically. A bit of a shame to see the Chill go, but they were pretty tenuous franchise. That said, keeping an NAHL presence in Wisconsin is important for the league, so this is certainly preferable to seeing them fold or relocate out of state.
I found the news a little surprising when I first read the NAHL press release, given that not so long ago the news was that an expansion team in the nearby, larger city of Eau Claire was was ready to roll. It was a bummer to see that quietly dissipate. But this local news article actually sheds a little light on that.
So apparently the amount of ice time needed played a role in ultimately turning the NAHL down there. This seems to be more or less the same group as before, but with Plan B.
Source: Chippewa Falls will get an NAHL team; set to take the ice this winter
It's a fairly inconsequential move geographically. A bit of a shame to see the Chill go, but they were pretty tenuous franchise. That said, keeping an NAHL presence in Wisconsin is important for the league, so this is certainly preferable to seeing them fold or relocate out of state.
I found the news a little surprising when I first read the NAHL press release, given that not so long ago the news was that an expansion team in the nearby, larger city of Eau Claire was was ready to roll. It was a bummer to see that quietly dissipate. But this local news article actually sheds a little light on that.
So apparently the amount of ice time needed played a role in ultimately turning the NAHL down there. This seems to be more or less the same group as before, but with Plan B.
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
New NAHL team set to move into Hobbs next year. Can certainly see ice time being a problem with Eau Claire since in the article (from 2015) it says there are two college teams, three high school teams, and certainly a lot of youth teams along with public events. Wisconsin-Eau Claire coach says as much at the bottom of the article.
Very true. Seems like they knew that would be an issue and were never able to resolve it. Hopefully this compromise works out. The ownership certainly seems committed, so that's a positive sign.
Al Rooney announced on Twitter this morning that he's accepted a job offer as head coach of the new Chippewa Steel team. Rooney served this past season as the associate head coach of the Austin Bruins and prior to that worked in the Brahmas organization. Solid hire!
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