Stockton Heat relocation

[CHRDANHUTCH]

ok: here's the gist of the Heat fanbase and their monthly meeting with Petrovek..... basically, a decision within 7 to 10 days as to whether next season's "bridge lease" WILL be exercised.... otherwise, it's just ancillary issues within growing the support/outreach of the franchise outside of Stockton, upgrades in technology, ie wi-fi/and a modern or upgraded scoreboard, some of the glass and seating at Stockton Arena either needs to be upgraded/replaced but primarily the core issue is the Practice facility needs to be imploded or totally rebuilt to minimum Specifications now that the Stockton Kings are splitting the current arena, they are also a party and are behind the previously mentioned improvements, and if the Heat will be forced to sublet the practice arena.... now it's on the city of Stockton and their response to the above, and who pays for what....

the one thing I'd love to find out is what is the minimum Specification for an arena at the AHL/ECHL level, AFTER what was mentioned about Colorado and the Budweiser Events Center and that improvement.

 

[Timjohnson]

So if Stockton decides to leave, where would they go next year? At this late in the game, how would they relocate the franchise, hire an office staff to sell tickets, market the team and all of that? I think the city of Stockton could tell them to pound sand and they'd still have no choice but to go back for one more year at least. The city of Stockton can't be making much money from team considering how bad ticket sales are, and the arena loses money already, so is the city really going to invest six figures of improvements to keep them? The Stockton Kings basketball team is getting big crowds now so the city is probably more concerned with keeping them happy and this point.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

So if Stockton decides to leave, where would they go next year? At this late in the game, how would they relocate the franchise, hire an office staff to sell tickets, market the team and all of that? I think the city of Stockton could tell them to pound sand and they'd still have no choice but to go back for one more year at least. The city of Stockton can't be making much money from team considering how bad ticket sales are, and the arena loses money already, so is the city really going to invest six figures of improvements to keep them? The Stockton Kings basketball team is getting big crowds now so the city is probably more concerned with keeping them happy and this point.

then why are the Kings backing the improvements to the Stockton Arena that the Heat are proposing, which the city has already agreed to the "bridge lease" with the Heat that's under discussion, then....what happens if the Kings move on from Stockton right behind the Heat, Tim, you have no practice arena, or at least an outdated one, and the arena itself is outdated if what the Heat will be assigned to.... if this was the Kings bolting Stockton and asking for these upgrades.....

 

[Henderson Finest]

So if Stockton decides to leave, where would they go next year? At this late in the game, how would they relocate the franchise, hire an office staff to sell tickets, market the team and all of that? I think the city of Stockton could tell them to pound sand and they'd still have no choice but to go back for one more year at least. The city of Stockton can't be making much money from team considering how bad ticket sales are, and the arena loses money already, so is the city really going to invest six figures of improvements to keep them? The Stockton Kings basketball team is getting big crowds now so the city is probably more concerned with keeping them happy and this point.

The Kings average 2,400 a game with ut increasing to 3,300 on weekends. Drawing big crowds is an overstatement.
If the Heat actually marketed to cities outside of downtown Stockton, maybe more people would know there is a hockey team in Stockton.

 

[Henderson Finest]

The Kings average 2,400 a game with it increasing to 3,300 on weekends. Drawing big crowds is an overstatement.
If the Heat actually marketed to cities outside of downtown Stockton, maybe more people would know there is a hockey team in Stockton.

 

[Timjohnson]

Stockton is currently last in the league in attndance:

AHL 2019-20 team attendance at hockeydb.com

 

[CANADIENSFAN90]

i'm sorry if i'm out of the loop why is nobody going to heat games again?

 

[archangel2]

Stockton is currently last in the league in attndance:

AHL 2019-20 team attendance at hockeydb.com

do not go off of that site for attendance. No idea what their source is but it has been wrong more than right

 

[Timjohnson]

do not go off of that site for attendance. No idea what their source is but it has been wrong more than right

That site is directly what the teams report to the AHL. You can't get more accurate than that. Now if the teams are pumping their numbers, then that's on them...

 

[210]

do not go off of that site for attendance. No idea what their source is but it has been wrong more than right

The numbers as posted on hockeydb match exactly the numbers released by the AHL to the media. And they always have matched.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

attendance is only one factor, there maybe more than what's being reported in a given market.

 

[PCSPounder]

do not go off of that site for attendance. No idea what their source is but it has been wrong more than right

A couple years ago, I went. I saw skating Fire Sauce (it was Mascot Night). And not many fans.

I've been in that building for the Thunder and know they've drawn a LOT better. I'm not sure a marketing campaign fixes what ails them.

But I'm not sure the Heat have anywhere to go.

 

[Henderson Finest]

ok: here's the gist of the Heat fanbase and their monthly meeting with Petrovek..... basically, a decision within 7 to 10 days as to whether next season's "bridge lease" WILL be exercised.... otherwise, it's just ancillary issues within growing the support/outreach of the franchise outside of Stockton, upgrades in technology, ie wi-fi/and a modern or upgraded scoreboard, some of the glass and seating at Stockton Arena either needs to be upgraded/replaced but primarily the core issue is the Practice facility needs to be imploded or totally rebuilt to minimum Specifications now that the Stockton Kings are splitting the current arena, they are also a party and are behind the previously mentioned improvements, and if the Heat will be forced to sublet the practice arena.... now it's on the city of Stockton and their response to the above, and who pays for what....

the one thing I'd love to find out is what is the minimum Specification for an arena at the AHL/ECHL level, AFTER what was mentioned about Colorado and the Budweiser Events Center and that improvement.

Interesting there has been Zero response from either parties since that meeting. The future is still up in the air.

Having AHL TV provides an insight to what other teams/arenas do at games. Everywhere else there is more interaction with the fans, cheerleaders, ice skating girls and boys, an overall better fan experience. Nothing like that happens in Stockton.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Interesting there has been Zero response from either parties since that meeting. The future is still up in the air.

Having AHL TV provides an insight to what other teams/arenas do at games. Everywhere else there is more interaction with the fans, cheerleaders, ice skating girls and boys, an overall better fan experience. Nothing like that happens in Stockton.

the reason you're likely not hearing much, is much of that is behind the scenes, ie a distraction to what the organization has done, not just in Stockton, but ever since Calgary went into the ownership/operation frame,SF, if everything was played out publically, and if the decision comes out that the Heat are indeed moving on from Stockton, just as they have from Saint John, Omaha, the Quad City market and Abbotsford.... that's why it's not public knowledge to the general or casual fanbase who supports the franchise whether you have dealt with the ownership, in this case, Petrovek, that's just how he engages, is it perfect, maybe, maybe not, but that's the way it is. what's the end game if the Flames and the Heat don't get what they're requesting, and not necessarily the Stockton Arena, it's more the training facility, from what I've heard is the primary issue, but also knowing the history of the financial issues that the city has encountered even in and around the Thunder's time there they didn't say absolutely no, but are open to discussion, now what the those fans need to do is put pressure on those in charge of the city to get a favorable outcome.

You don't want the Heat to leave, this is why this is happening, they want to stay, the Flames want to commit to a market long-term, not 5 years and next city.....this may be the only chance Stockton gets to keep pro hockey and stay relevant in the long term, because the next thing is Sacramento could decide to pull out their Kings for another market, what made them pick Stockton?

 

[Henderson Finest]

Just heard from a very reliable source that the Heat have signed a one year extension

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Just heard from a very reliable source that the Heat have signed a one year extension

thanks for the update, hope this is the start of a better relationship and hopefully, a plan for the Practice arena upgrades will follow

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

In spite of the short term agreement, a certain someone here would easily go "Portland, Maine!" regardless of the fact it's the Flames under the condition they rename themselves the Pirates.

go google Stockton Heat, JD:


GUESS WHAT IT States ;

1977-1987, Maine Mariners, founded and owned by Comcast Spectacor, the Flyers, and the franchise was sold outright to New Jersey in 1982-83....

Portland's 2nd team was born in Baltimore, as the Skipjacks before Washington even became the affiliate, it was a Penguins affiliation and an independent, before the AHL outlawed Independent franchises

 

[adsfan]

do not go off of that site for attendance. No idea what their source is but it has been wrong more than right

Milwaukee had 8841 last night and they moved up two spots on the list.

What is your basis for claiming that this site is wrong more often than not?

 

[Tommy Hawk]

Milwaukee had 8841 last night and they moved up two spots on the list.

What is your basis for claiming that this site is wrong more often than not?

because Hutch said so?? Flames do not care about attendance, their local partners do which is why the flames churn through cities. They ruined hockey at Quad Cities.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

because Hutch said so?? Flames do not care about attendance, their local partners do which is why the flames churn through cities. They ruined hockey at Quad Cities.

THEN WHY does the SPHL Storm exist, tommy, the Mallards collapsed as well because of financial issues, the same charge that affects most hockey teams in various leagues..... when are the Wolves being relocated again and where will Vegas put them?

 

[GrGriffins]

THEN WHY does the SPHL Storm exist, tommy, the Mallards collapsed as well because of financial issues, the same charge that affects most hockey teams in various leagues..... when are the Wolves being relocated again and where will Vegas put them?

1. Calgary Flames no longer owns the team.
2. Fans in Quad Cities area love their hockey and they needed to go to a lower league to make it work.
3. Hutch does not live in the Quad Cities area.

when are the Wolves being relocated again and where will Vegas put them?

When Hutch attends a Maine Mainers game in person.

 

[AngloHab]

.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Just got back from the game tonight and heard the same.

God, I hope the Heat stay in Stockton. We live in Sacramento and it works for our family, its a chance to get out of town to watch some live sport without the travel of going to the Bay or the expense of NHL/big league prices.

Very likeable team too - Lombo, Phillips, Buddy, Valiev, Kirkland all good guys.

yup, the issue isn't really the arena, per se, it's the practice facility the Heat are being relegated to that seems to be a major point of contention there, now how much are the Stockton Kings impacting that market and if they were the prime tenant, not the Heat/Flames, would that change anything

 

[Tommy Hawk]

THEN WHY does the SPHL Storm exist, tommy, the Mallards collapsed as well because of financial issues, the same charge that affects most hockey teams in various leagues..... when are the Wolves being relocated again and where will Vegas put them?

so, why does thee SPHL Storm exist? What is an SPHL? The Mallards first incarnation was replaced by the flames AHL affiliation.

The Wolves are going to be relocated January 1, 2020 to Portland, ME and be renamed the Admirals just to piss off the cheeseheads.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

so, why does thee SPHL Storm exist? What is an SPHL? The Mallards first incarnation was replaced by the flames AHL affiliation.

The Wolves are going to be relocated January 1, 2020 to Portland, ME and be renamed the Admirals just to piss off the cheeseheads.

if that's the case Spectra files multi million dollar lawsuit, Hawk