Will Albany end up in ECHL?????

[Nightsquad]

Now with the AHL's departure from Albany all but certain how do ECHL fans feel about Albany being available???? I say they should go dark, looks like it could be a boost for Adirondack's ECHL less then an hour north.


http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Sources-Albany-Devils-leaving-for-Binghamton-10884403.php

Click to read more...

 

[Nightsquad]

Now with the AHL's departure from Albany all but certain how do ECHL fans feel about Albany being available???? I say they should go dark, looks like it could be a boost for Adirondack's ECHL less then an hour north.


http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Sources-Albany-Devils-leaving-for-Binghamton-10884403.php

http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/yes-its-true-devils-are-headed-to-binghamton-next-season/22019/

 

[crimsonace]

Now with the AHL's departure from Albany all but certain how do ECHL fans feel about Albany being available???? I say they should go dark, looks like it could be a boost for Adirondack's ECHL less then an hour north.


http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Sources-Albany-Devils-leaving-for-Binghamton-10884403.php

The two are far enough away that I'm not sure the fan bases overlap. Studies show that attendance tends to fall off once one gets beyond about a 15-to-20-minute driving distance from the rink. Union & RPI would probably benefit most from Albany going dark. An ECHL team would have a nice rivalry with Adirondack.

 

[ADK34]

On the devils Facebook and Instagram pages many of the few loyal fans were not happy with this announcement. I do not think echl will step in for a couple of seasons. Albany just wasn't a good enough hockey town.

 

[jason2020]

I could see the Ohl going into Albany before the Echl.

 

[Blueshirts]

albany will out of the ahl for one year then the Rangers are moving there.

 

[Nightsquad]

albany will out of the ahl for one year then the Rangers are moving there.

I think thats the sentiment. I have relatives in nearby Saratoga. They said thats the talk, and thats why nobody cares the Devils are leaving. I think Albany and the Rangers would be a huge deal. I dont think Albany is out, they are doing a 30 millon dollar makeover which will be done by fall of 2018.The Rangers like their NHL club doesn't ever get to the prize. Hartford is awful this year.

 

[BTV]

I dont think Albany is out, they are doing a 30 millon dollar makeover which will be done by fall of 2018.

I see your $30 million and raise you to $33 million. That was our renovation cost here in Portland, and our team still left anyway. I feel for the Albany fans, I know what this is like...but arena upgrades don't guarantee you anything.

 

[jason2020]

How is Albany doing population wise as I know some areas have had a decrease in population.

 

[Captain Crash]

I could see the Ohl going into Albany before the Echl.

Maybe you should see a map before making that assessment.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sau...12a0e728c4!2m2!1d-73.7562317!2d42.6525793!3e0

 

[Nightsquad]

How is Albany doing population wise as I know some areas have had a decrease in population.

Albany the city itself isn't very populated, around 97,000 people. The overall regional attendance includes the area all the way up to Glens Falls, and halfway west to almost Utica. Surrounding smaller cities of Schenectady and Troy already are home to two NCAA DI college hockey programs both located within twenty minutes of Albany.

 

[zetajerk]

If the reactions in ADK, Manchester, and Norfolk are any indication, the ECHL in Albany may be a waste of everyone's time. I'd say stick to DI hockey and maybe the AHL will come back someday. Or maybe the Isles will need an emergency home if they need out of Barclay's lol.

 

[jason2020]

Maybe you should see a map before making that assessment.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sau...12a0e728c4!2m2!1d-73.7562317!2d42.6525793!3e0

You might not be aware but many think the Ohl would like to be in NY/NJ/ and have more teams in PA.

 

[Clinton Comets EHL]

You might not be aware but many think the Ohl would like to be in NY/NJ/ and have more teams in PA.

No they don't at all.

 

[Captain Crash]

You might not be aware but many think the Ohl would like to be in NY/NJ/ and have more teams in PA.

You might not be aware that they do not want to do that.

 

[Woo Hockey]

Don't see it happening anytime soon.

Doubt the NY Devils want to touch the ECHL again either with ownership or affiliating, so a private investor would have to bring a team to the city.

 

[Cacciaguida]

Hopefully the next team that moves in will be smart enough to name it the River Rats

 

[RowdyFan42]

How is Albany doing population wise as I know some areas have had a decrease in population.

The Capital Region is one of the few places in the state that is actually gaining population. It's a very modest growth, but at least the numbers are growing rather than shrinking.

(Source)

 

[Nightsquad]

The Capital Region is one of the few places in the state that is actually gaining population. It's a very modest growth, but at least the numbers are growing rather than shrinking.

(Source)

Albany are is doing much better then Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, Binghamton, and Elmira.
Its doing better everywhere else other then hockey lol. Tells me possibly the population is more sophisticated, minor league sports are probably seen with less significance.

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2016/03/24/albany-bucks-upstate-trend-of-population-loss.html

 

[CANADIENSFAN90]

i don't think so

every league that has went there has left due to nobody coming

 

[Cacciaguida]

I'm sure someone could toss their hat into the ring. It's not like the arena is decrepit.

Don't plan on it happening quickly.

 

[Nightsquad]

This is quite interesting:
https://m.facebook.com/SaveAlbanyHockey/

 

[210]

This is quite interesting:
https://m.facebook.com/SaveAlbanyHockey/

It's not interesting at all.

 

[Woo Hockey]

This is quite interesting:
https://m.facebook.com/SaveAlbanyHockey/

I wonder where they got that idea...

 

[Nightsquad]

It's not interesting at all.

Its very interesting, the arena is pitching either a WNBA or NBA-D league team as replacement tenant for the departing Smallbany Devils. The only hockey that is being pursued is more NCAA games and talks of pre season NHL game between NY Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. If Manchester, Norfolk, or Elmira bolts more teams will be needed for sure. Portland is a no go at this point.