USHL expands to Bloomington, IL next season

[herbst20]

Hearing from multiple league sources that there will be an expansion vote to approve Bloomington Illinois as the next USHL franchise. The team would start in 2014-2015 season. The would replace the SPHL Bloomington Thunder. The group seeking the franchise is the Consolidated Holdings Group......they also own the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, Amarillo Bulls of the NAHL, and the North Iowa Bulls of the NA3HL.

Here is an article regarding the speculation

http://thejuniorhockeynews.com/?p=24380

Click to read more...

 

[SemireliableSource]

Dave Eminian, beat writer covering the SPHL's Peoria Rivermen, wrote about it today.

My emails to Thunder email addresses have bounced back and a call to their office number got me a "Yeah, at this time, I have no comment on that."

 

[JB51Hockey]

I think it won't be until 2015-16. I don't think USHL operates with an odd number of teams.

 

[herbst20]

It is for the 2014-2015 season from what all my sources tell me.

 

[herbst20]

Here is a link to a story published today that the Consolidated Holdings group has secured the lease to the arena and states it is for next year.

http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=82053

 

[herbst20]

http://thejuniorhockeynews.com/?p=24438

Same site is now saying that a tenative announcement is set for April 14th

 

[GindyDraws]

I think it won't be until 2015-16. I don't think USHL operates with an odd number of teams.

The USHL has operated with odd number of teams before, and it didn't turn out well.

Plus, the Madison Capitols are joining the league, so if they were to add a team, it would be for next season so the league would have 18 teams.

 

[herbst20]

Looks like it is official. Blommington will join the USHL in 2014

http://web.ushl.com/news.php?action=detail&news_id=2398

 

[JB51Hockey]

ADD: Bloomington (18 teams)
LOSE: Indiana (17 teams)

 

[JungleJON]

From recent talk - looks like the Ice are trying to move their franchise. Had checked into Port Huron, but the city and arena are against the move. Said to be looking into a number of other cities.

 

[LadyStanley]

Looks like it is official. Blommington will join the USHL in 2014

http://web.ushl.com/news.php?action=detail&news_id=2398

"Conditional" approval.

Final approval of the expansion USHL Member Club and proposal is subject to execution of proper documentation with the League and review being undertaken by the USHL Commissioner’s Office and the Executive Committee, and to final approval by the USHL Board of Directors.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Friendly reminder, please provide a citation if you're claiming a source. Claims of insider information are not allowed without some sort of verifiable evidence shared with the moderating staff.

 

[mattkaminski15]

The ushl wOuldn't have an odd number of teams because the Madison Capitols joined as well, or am I wrong and the capitals made the league even?

 

[herbst20]

It is official the USHL announced today that Blommington has joined the USHL for the 2014-2015 season

 

[JB51Hockey]

Now Official: http://web.ushl.com/news.php?action=detail&news_id=2419

Will be the Bloomington Thunder

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Hope junior hockey works out better in that market than low level minor league hockey has...