AttackSound
Junior Hockey Fan Since Birth
Could be for sure, would Kalamazoo have the populous and or facility that could host an OHL club though?
Kalamazoo, Michigan - Wikipedia I believe their arena holds 5,2000 get little fan support in the ECHLCould be for sure, would Kalamazoo have the populous and or facility that could host an OHL club though?
even the closest OHL cities to Albany are the better part of 6-6 1/2 hours away
Quick question:
How slow do you drive?
I would love to see either. I wonder if the age/level similarities between the O and Western Mich would cause attendance issues? Despite wanting to go every year over the last few years I have yet to make my long overdue return to Muskegon for a game. From what I've heard, their facility should already be pretty close to OHL standards. They've got a good thing going with the USHL though and with them being one of the few semi-close cities to the NTDP it might be difficult to lure them into the OHL. It's a little disappointing but the USHL/NCAA route is catching up to the O every year right now.If the league expanded into Michigan I think Muskegon and Kalamazoo would be better options...already have the arenas...just need to upgrade to League standards like Flint did
I think Kalamazoo would draw well if they got an OHL Team...they used to do great when they were in the Colonial Hockey League and the UHL...Muskegon too
Kalamazoo Wings play at the Wings Event Center...plenty big enough for the OHL and I think if Muskegon could jump to the OHL they’d be all over it-I mentioned Battle Creek in a different thread. West Michigan city with no hockey team as of right now. Muskegon has USHL, Kalamazoo has NCAA. Kellogg Arena, 4,800 for Ice shows.
-Grand Rapids does have the Deltaplex. It did host the Owls of the IHL back in the late 70’s. Don’t know if the city (or the burbs) would support them but they’d get my money.
-I mentioned Battle Creek in a different thread. West Michigan city with no hockey team as of right now. Muskegon has USHL, Kalamazoo has NCAA. Kellogg Arena, 4,800 for Ice shows.
-Grand Rapids does have the Deltaplex. It did host the Owls of the IHL back in the late 70’s. Don’t know if the city (or the burbs) would support them but they’d get my money.
Yes...there won’t be another team thereDoesn't Grand Rapids have the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins?
Doesn't Grand Rapids have the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins?
I'd love to see it happen via expansion, but with questions regarding Flint's attendance with their current owner, arena concerns in both North Bay and Hamilton, Mississauga still having major issues drawing part of me can't help but think if it does happen, it would be via relocation, which is a shame.
In an ideal world, Belleville comes back after the Sens are done there, Cornwall gets a team filling out the East, Hamilton moves into the Central giving them six, Brantford gets a team in the Mid-West and Chatham fills out the West.
Sadly, we don't live in an ideal world.
Unfortunately the truth is this any expansion in the league would have to be a 2 city expansion one in the eastern conference and one in the western conference, beyond that relocation of a struggling market is the only way. The best way to make expansion work is expand to 22 or 24 meaning 11 or 12 team conferences.
In theory a 24 team league could work in many ways even with the current schedule format. Having 2 conferences of 12 and 4 divisions of 6. The only wrench is that beyond teams are listed you'd have to find 4 cities in total that could attract an average fanbase between 3,400-7,000.
Even if Belleville, Cornwall and Chatham came into the league you would need a 4th city to make the numbers work.
I think it's been mentioned before that Brantford or somewhere in Western New York would also be considered.
Once Chatham announces their arena plans I think we will have a better idea what direction the league may take... I don't see the OHL pushing for expansion at this point though with continued uncertainty in Flint and Mississauga.
I did mention Brantford, although the concern there is so close to Hamilton and Kitchener, would those markets object. That said, I'm to understand the Brantford 99's draw well, which is why I brought them up.
As far as Western New York, apart from Buffalo (which could be dicey given the presence of the Sabres) most of the markets are claimed by the AHL, with the Rochester Americans, the Syracuse Crunch. The only place I could see close to the border is Lockport, but it's about the size of Owen Sound, and I'm not sure how big their arena is. Looks like they have a Jr. B team...so it's likely small.
If Brampton and Missy did not object to each other and neither could draw I can't see any team objecting to a close by team. Sure would help with travel costs etc. Natural rivals are good for this league and better yet if it is no big deal for fans to make the trip as well. Plymouth and Windsor when the played in Plymouth the arena was more than half Windsor fans.The Rangers wouldn't object to a team in Brantford. They didn't object to Guelph twice (Platers/Storm) and Guelph is a lot closer.
I did mention Brantford, although the concern there is so close to Hamilton and Kitchener, would those markets object. That said, I'm to understand the Brantford 99's draw well, which is why I brought them up.
As far as Western New York, apart from Buffalo (which could be dicey given the presence of the Sabres) most of the markets are claimed by the AHL, with the Rochester Americans, the Syracuse Crunch. The only place I could see close to the border is Lockport, but it's about the size of Owen Sound, and I'm not sure how big their arena is. Looks like they have a Jr. B team...so it's likely small.
I think you'll see North Bay on the move sooner than later. Last season was sad and unless they get rolling early I expect this season to be worse. I see sub 2000 fans being the norm. Go Troops Go(ne)