JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Chicago, Grand Rapids, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Milwaukee, Providence, Rockford, Springfield and Syracuse. Others will no doubt fact-check me on this.
2020 AHL State of the league from ASG
- Thread starter LadyStanley
- Start date
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
Charlotte - Michael Kahn, wealthy wine distributor
Chicago - Don Levin, long time anti-establishment and anti-Blackhawks man, Buddy Meyers joins him
Cleveland - Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cavs and uses the Monsters as free revenue
Colorado - Martin Lind, longtime owner with money
Hershey - Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, which owns Hershey Park, Giant Center, and everything else their parent company can't make candy on
Grand Rapids - Dan DeVos, local rich man who also owns the NBA Magic
Lehigh Valley - Rob & Jim Brooks, rich businessmen with a family history of owning sports franchises, especially hockey
Milwaukee - Local group headed by Harris Turer, very dedicated and local
Providence - Larue Renfroe, New England-based billionaire with a love of hockey
Rockford - The city of Rockford, used to economically invigorate the surrounding area
San Antonio - The same group that owns the Spurs and arena, used like Cleveland as free revenue
Springfield - diverse consortium of local, dedicated business people backed by the AHL HQ that's within eye sight of MassMutual Center
Syracuse - Howard Dolgon, long-time independent owner with an independence streak as long as Chicago's
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Dang it, I forgot Cleveland & Colorado & San Antonio (the latter was a real 
for me, being from St. Louis).
But isn't Charlotte owner Michael Kahn still a minority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes? That would strike the Checkers on a technicality.
for me, being from St. Louis).But isn't Charlotte owner Michael Kahn still a minority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes? That would strike the Checkers on a technicality.
LadyStanley
Registered User
I'm not inclined to believe the Henderson twist in this story. Looks to me like that facility along with City National Arena (both involving VGK) are being patterned after the Nashville approach of smaller two-sheet ice complexes in different parts of the metro to anchor retail developments & grow youth hockey in the region & draw some youth thru college tournament bookings. Not that the Henderson plans couldn't change, but the project land approved by the city last year was only 3.2 acres. Not much room to grow the building for a mid-sized arena.
Guess you didn't read Granger's article from the Athletic.
They plan a new facility in Henderson (not necessarily the one currently being constructed -- at least I got the impression it'll be more of an independent one than part of 2-sheets under construction).
Centrum Hockey
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2018
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80 percent of those teams would never sell to Foley because there of the relationship with there NHL parent's. Lehigh Valley and Providence are basically extensions of their parent clubs Comcast and the Jacobs don't even need to bother owning them.
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
Might be more than 80%. Most of them are close enough relationship wise that they’re the same entity. I can’t think of any on there that have even had interest in selling, and even fewer that have shown any interest in relocating. The only relocation threat I’m aware of was Syracuse, and that was a ploy to get their arena renovations done. Foley has his work cut out for him.
IU Hawks fan
They call me IU
This is a myth that needs to die. It bares no truth to the post-Bill Wirtz Hawks.
20 years ago, sure, you had people who hated him and wouldn't support the Hawks because of that.
These days, Wolves diehards are few and far between.
Barclay Donaldson
Registered User
Having been to a few games within the last 5 years, they’re still there. It’s not as large or vocal as 2003, but it’s present. And talking with some friendly folks in the seats around me, there are a lot of people who choose to continue going to the Wolves because of anger at being priced out of going to the Hawks.
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Paying for sports news is not in this year's family budget. But thanks for the course correction. One less thing for me to speculate on.
that had nothing to do with the Pacific with both Eastern Division conference having 8, in successive years forcing a 3 game mini series, playoff mind you, and keep in mind how many Eastern teams play Western teams since the expansion to 27 in 2001, AF24
LadyStanley
Registered User
31 Thoughts: Maple Leafs' fortunes will decide deadline approach - Sportsnet.ca
Friedman reports the league is weeks (if not sooner) away from deciding who will be the next leader of the AHL.
Friedman reports the league is weeks (if not sooner) away from deciding who will be the next leader of the AHL.
voyageur
Hockey fanatic
- Jul 10, 2011
- 9,467
- 8,157
How stable is Stockton for the Flames? Simple solution would be to bring Edmonton and Calgary's farm teams closer to home. Maybe Regina for the Flames. Something like Boise for the Oilers.
Pacific
Abbotsford (Vcr)
Boise (Edm)
San Jose (S.J)
Palm Springs (Sea)
Ontario (L.A)
San Diego (Ana)
Vegas (Vegas)
Tuscon (Arizona)
Central
Regina (Cgy)
Manitoba (Wpg)
Colorado (Col)
San Antonio (St. Louis)
Texas (Dallas)
Iowa (Minnesota)
Chicago (Hawks)
Milwaukee (Preds)
Pacific
Abbotsford (Vcr)
Boise (Edm)
San Jose (S.J)
Palm Springs (Sea)
Ontario (L.A)
San Diego (Ana)
Vegas (Vegas)
Tuscon (Arizona)
Central
Regina (Cgy)
Manitoba (Wpg)
Colorado (Col)
San Antonio (St. Louis)
Texas (Dallas)
Iowa (Minnesota)
Chicago (Hawks)
Milwaukee (Preds)
Thing to keep in mind regarding the Wolves, though, is the age of Allstate Arena. It's 40 years old and hasn't had a major renovation in 20 years. While it does have the advantage of being the metro area's second largest arena and the only one besides United Center that can be considered full size, which keeps it busy, one has to wonder how long it's going to remain economically viable, especially since the Wolves average only about half its capacity in attendance. At some point the franchise would have to consider a newer building, and the Sears Center is the only other hockey capable building that is of sufficient size. Would The Wolves be sufficiently successful in a suburban location?
Abbotsford likely never happens again, otherwise it would've been done by now, the point is now becoming how long will it be until all 32 teams are owned and operated by the parent NHL Club..... which will never happen after St. Louis backed away from that scenario and now how many independent owners are either looking to get in, or being forced to change or are now on notice as looking for a new affiliate as Levin stated between the Review Journal and the Sun Times, they're not going anywhere, nor is Levin selling it for it to be relocated
the question is short-term what contracts are up knowing Vegas is exercising the out clause to bring another NHL team to the Rosemont Horizon/AllState Arena
IU Hawks fan
They call me IU
By AHL standards, it's not that old.
New arenas are built for the suites/luxury seating, which they don't need.
Going to Sears Centre is an easy way to make attendance fall, it's in the middle of nowhere.
The Wolves might not need them (though they are still a good source of income for teams, which is why minor league ballparks and arenas do usually have them), but the concerts and other events do. Yes, having a fancy suite or other premium seating is something that attracts concerts. In that regard Allstate Arena is starting to be considered outdated, as it is really oversized for an AHL-only arena (the only other ones about the same size are either shared with the parent club or are principally NBA arenas) and is mostly there for use as a second full-size arena for Chicago.
Ted Hoffman
The other Rick Zombo
- Dec 15, 2002
- 29,209
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Current Blues ownership wouldn't be opposed to owning an AHL team, but it would have to make economic sense. They're not buying a team just to have it in the portfolio.
GindyDraws
I will not disable my Adblock, HF
Probably didn't help that they were the third team (and a third-tier team) in the area. Can't think of any other market that has two minor league teams plus an NHL team. But yeah, Hoffman Estates isn't exactly In the middle of downtown.
Centrum Hockey
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2018
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- 728
The attendance in Bakersfield isn't that bad or anything It is not on the Hershey or San Diego level though. There has been no indication Edmonton is unhappy with Bakersfield unlike Stockton and Calgary.
Its also the same ownership who sold it's franchise a number of years ago thus why they wont be getting one anytime soon
Yes we are still there and having been around for 20+ years I can tell you that a lot of the speculation as to why there is annimosity between the 2 is wrong...especially from the fans perspective
JMCx4
Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
My wife & I drove from the northwest Chicago suburb of Glenview to attend an Expess game @ Sears Centre, and I coulda sworn we passed Rockford ... twice.
LadyStanley
Registered User
AHL Pacific Division teams are clustered around California because 3 NHL teams in state. Bakersfield is a great supporter of its local teams.
