I'm not sure about Houston having a team but Austin is good choice if the NHL wants a second team in Texas. The city has no competition in any of the pro sports, so a NHL team would be good start to see how well of a sports market it is. Second off it has a educated/wealthy/progressive group of people, which usually can help a NHL team or two. There was a poll not too along go saying the NHL had the most tech savvy, well educated fan base of any pro sport.
Houston already has an AHL team
And here is why Austin does not work:
College Football is literally King in the Lonestar State, most importantly in Austin. It goes until January typically for Texas with exception to last season where iit was literally the first time in a decade to not make the bowl game. Right now spring practice is going on, and they sell out the stadium. Food for thought.
Best places for teams:
Seattle, WA - No NBA team and the NFL team would be #1 but wouldn't hit too hard on the demographics
Milwaukee, WI - Share the arena with the Bucks
Portland, Maine - New England and close to Canada
About the only three that need it. If you are doing one in Texas, San Antonio would most likely be the best bet.
Portland is a great great sports city.
Where do the Trail Blazers play?
IIRC, Portland is one of the teams that was heavily debated about being on the top of the chopping block if the NBA were to contract any of the teams. They weren't #1, but they certainly were up there. And Houston is a terrible choice, I'm sorry. Two reasons...the Aeros can't even get close to selling out their games so what makes you think a failed product from another city (e.g. Phoenix) moving there is going to be any different? Next thing, and someone has to say it here is the demographics of H-Town and tell me if you can think of another city out there that has a NHL team that is failing and everyone believes should be moved....
According to the 2010 Census, Whites made up 50.5% of Houston's population, of which 25.6% were non-Hispanic whites. Blacks or African Americans made up 23.7% of Houston's population. American Indians made up 0.7% of Houston's population. Asians made up 6.0% of Houston's population while Pacific Islanders made up 0.1%. Individuals from some other race made up 15.2% of the city's population, of which 0.2% were non-Hispanic. Individuals from two or more races made up 3.3% of the city's population. People of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 43.8% of Houston's population.[106]
2010 Census figures indicated a population of 420,003 - 22.4% lower than 2009 estimates of 540,921.[144] The huge difference between the 2010 official count and the 2009 estimates caused many to question the reliability of the 2010 count, including Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed.[145]
According to the 2010 census, the racial composition of the city of Atlanta was as follows:
Black or African American: 54.0%
White: 38.4% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 36.3%)
Asian: 3.1%
Native American: 0.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.0%
Some other race: 2.2%
Two or more races: 2.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 5.3%
Please be honest with this and keep it away from the nasty type comments. But in all honesty, while the game has made huge headway in the African American community, the hispanic community is basically NON EXISTENT. What do you think Houston would be able to do? Out of the 2,099,000 (according to 2010 Census) only about 1,100,000 are white. How many are transplants from other regions where hockey is huge probably is not that high. Not to mention Football is STILL the #1 sport in the Lonestar state and the Texans always have a huge rating because of it. Hockey isn't going to tap into that demographic, I'm sorry. Houston is not Dallas where there was a massive amount of transplant movement with new money taking over the city. This would be like putting a team in San Diego.