After Hamilton hosts the 100 year anniversary of the Memorial in the 17000 seat First Canada Center Dave Branch will quickly loose interest. That is the reason he wanted a team there and why the move happened so quickly. I have been an OHL fan for over 30 years, but after this underhanded deal I personally will never set foot in an OHL arena or watch any CHL game again. I realize this will be of no consequence to the league or Mr. Branch but it will make me feel better!
Remembering the Plymouth Whalers and Belleville Bulls -- Final Games
- Thread starter OHLFan90
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After Hamilton hosts the 100 year anniversary of the Memorial in the 17000 seat First Canada Center Dave Branch will quickly loose interest. That is the reason he wanted a team there and why the move happened so quickly. I have been an OHL fan for over 30 years, but after this underhanded deal I personally will never set foot in an OHL arena or watch any CHL game again. I realize this will be of no consequence to the league or Mr. Branch but it will make me feel better!
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
We received information regarding season tickets for the USNDTP today from Char, the former Whalers box office manager who was retained by USA Hockey to run the arena's box office. Center ice seating for 36 games (includes both the U18 and U17 teams) is $325, and includes VIP parking. They are also continuing the "no ticket gets unused" program. So, this is basically $100 less per season ticket compared with what we paid for the Whalers.
I think my wife and I will be getting tickets for the inaugural season. I just need to make sure most of the games will be Saturday and Friday evenings, similar to the Whalers. It's $200 less than what we were paying, so it's an easy decision for us to give the program a try for a season and see how we like the hockey.
The letter also mentions that the arena will undergo a build out and renovations over the next few years, and that CJ's, the summer drive in theater, and the pro shop will all be continuing.
I think my wife and I will be getting tickets for the inaugural season. I just need to make sure most of the games will be Saturday and Friday evenings, similar to the Whalers. It's $200 less than what we were paying, so it's an easy decision for us to give the program a try for a season and see how we like the hockey.
The letter also mentions that the arena will undergo a build out and renovations over the next few years, and that CJ's, the summer drive in theater, and the pro shop will all be continuing.
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
Just as a follow-up, I did speak with Char regarding the USNDTP, and the schedule will be similar to the Whalers old schedule, meaning mostly Saturday and Friday evenings, with maybe a couple more Sunday afternoon games than Plymouth played. They will also be offering mini-packages, but have not determined pricing for those packages yet.
I went ahead and signed up for our same seats for the first season. Hopefully the teams will draw decent crowds.
BTW, it is strange still hearing Pete Krupsky's voice on the arena's phone system menu, but instead saying "Welcome to USA Hockey Arena".
I went ahead and signed up for our same seats for the first season. Hopefully the teams will draw decent crowds.
BTW, it is strange still hearing Pete Krupsky's voice on the arena's phone system menu, but instead saying "Welcome to USA Hockey Arena".
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
My biggest concern is how we will perceive the level of play after being used to the OHL for so many years. But the organization is doing the right things to attract former Whalers fans by offering a very attractively priced season ticket package along with all the benefits that we enjoyed with the Whalers. My wife and I are so used to going to dinner and a hockey game on Saturday nights in the winter that I wanted to give the new team a chance. It will be interesting to see the size of crowds they are able to draw.
NTDP
Registered User
I think you'll like watching these guys a lot. Connor Chatham said in an interview last year that making the jump from the USHL to the OHL wasn't as big as he thought. He said the level of play was very close. But I understand your point, nothing better than an OHL game on a Friday/Sat night. I just hope a lot of fans have the same mentality as you do Whaler Fan, and give it a try.
This year I really wanted to get a look at Auston Mathews so my dad and I went to watch the U-18 team play the Youngstown Phantoms in Youngstown. It was my first NTDP/USHL game and we both walked out of the arena thinking to ourselves "I really didn't notice much of a difference between the pace of play from that game and any random OHL game." Next year I think you will really enjoy watching Clayton Keller, Max Jones(brother of Mitch, and a way better player), and Chad Krys who by a lot of scouts say he might be the best skater in the 1998 birth year.
It is real good hockey. The NTDP teams are full of high end players. Can't say the same for OHL teams. You will enjoy the talent level, eventhough the players are young, all 16 and 17, so they haven't physically matured like some OHL players. You will see a bunch of NHL 1st round picks every year. Lots of talented players in the USHL as well, and if you follow the NCAA you will see a lot of future top 6 forwards and top 4 D for those schools. Honestly I will miss the Ann Arbor Ice Cube though, it was a good place to watch a game. You will enjoy watching Clayton Keller - he is a treat to watch.
NTDP
Registered User
I'll be excited to watch David Farrance next year with the U-17 group. If he wasn't leaning towards the NTDP he could have been a top 5-10 pick in the OHL Priority Selection. Guelph ended up taking him. If he commits to the OHL after his NTDP years he'll be one of the best offensive defensemen in the league.
NTDP
Registered User
Two of the best uniforms in the league, gone in one fell swoop.
Yeah I was really bummed when I heard Plymouth was leaving, then Belleville too. I loved the blue Whaler home jerseys the most. I'm not warmed up the the Firebirds look yet. I'm sure it'll grow on me.
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
NTDP
Registered User
Don't forget the rare Whalers white jersey with red pants.
Haha nice picture! I'm guessing you snapped that at one of the alumni games?
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
Yes, that shot of A.J. Jenks was taken at the 2012 alumni game. Photography is a hobby of mine, and I will occasionally bring a camera and telephoto lens along to the game. I was looking for a game with the blue uniforms, and came across that one. Ironically, I never brought my camera to a game where the Whalers were wearing the home blue jerseys. All my photos are either with green, white or pink jerseys (except for the alumni games). The only blue jerseys I could find were from that same 2012 alumni event.
For anyone interested in taking a trip down memory lane, here is a link to my gallery of Whalers hockey photos, along with a Red Wings open practice that was held at Compuware Arena in January of 2013 after the NHL lockout ended.
It's being reported that a Senior hockey team is being explored in Belleville and that June 30th is the deadline if they want to start the 2015-16 season.
A Senior team was attempted about 10 year ago but it didn't last long. Of course it was competing with a major junior team and that's not an issue now.
A Senior team was attempted about 10 year ago but it didn't last long. Of course it was competing with a major junior team and that's not an issue now.
If a want to watch senior hockey, i'd be watching my Tuesday night men's league. For free
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
Congratulations to former Whalers owner Peter Karmanos on being elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category. While the end of the franchise this year was sad, he did bring the OHL to Michigan - - first in Detroit, and then to my hometown in Plymouth. We were fortunate to enjoy OHL hockey for many years because of him.
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
Very cool, Sadist. I loved both those players during their Plymouth days. This brings back great memories of the '07 championship season!
BTW, one of our friends and Whalers STH has a green Sestito Whalers jersey.
BTW, one of our friends and Whalers STH has a green Sestito Whalers jersey.
TcNorth
Registered User
- Jan 25, 2015
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Yes Whalers Fan. Congratulations to Mr. Karmanos on being selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame! Without him, the OHL may have never found their way to Michigan. He had some extroidinary coaches and players in Plymouth and it is a shame that Plymouth, Saginaw, and Flint couldn't all be in the OHL together.
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
An article in today's Detroit Free Press regarding the ugly break-up between Peter Karmanos and Compuware has a brief mention of how the new Compuware leadership pulled the plug on the company's sponsorship of ice hockey, which may have contributed to Karmanos selling the arena and Plymouth Whalers.
From the article:
From the article:
Whalers Fan
Go Habs!
The USNDTP will be holding a "Select Your Seat" open house at USA Hockey Arena (formerly Compuware Arena) this Wednesday, August 19th from 5-8pm. They are promising "a peak" at the arena renovation plans. While we already have our same seats from the Whalers reserved, we may still attend to see what the plans are for the arena. When I drove by a week ago, the Compuware signage was down, so I would guess new USA Hockey Arena signs will be up soon, if they are not there already.
