NAHL Wenatchee moving to BCHL starting 15-16 season

[LadyStanley]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4980176

The Wenatchee Wild will join the BCHL as its 17th franchise starting with the 2015-16 season, the team and league announced Monday at a media conference held in the central Washington city.
...
The Wild had been a member the North American Hockey League (NAHL) since the 2008-09 season. They have had a winning record in each of their seven seasons of existence and this past season, they had six players on their roster committed to NCAA Div. I programs. Playing out of Wenatchee's Town Toyota Center, the team averages about 3,000 fans at home games.

Wonder what the advantage is to BCHL over NAHL. Pure guess - travel.

Click to read more...

 

[ATLhockey437]

For reference, this was how far away Wenatchee was from their division rivals.

http://nahl.com/nahl/downloads/nahl-map.pdf

 

[doncherrysgrill]

Purely a travel-based decision, and one they've been looking to do for years. Good move.

 

[superdeluxe]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4980176



Wonder what the advantage is to BCHL over NAHL. Pure guess - travel.

Not just travel for the team, but I'm guessing travel for the fans as well & regional marketing opportunities.

 

[GindyDraws]

Sucks for NAHL, but they always seem to rotate the core of the league every few years.

This should work out because the BCHL is a good league & all the teams, with the exception of Prince George, are a short bus ride or ferry from one another.

Also just realized today that former Total Nonstop Action Wrestling merchandise maker/commentator Don West is their radio guy.