Wenatchee at it again
- Thread starter PCSPounder
- Start date
Different Result
USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States, blocked a Wild move to the BCHL in 2011, but reversed its decision after reviewing an appeal by the franchise last February.
BCHL already had its schedule made up and did not want to make changes to upset the apple cart.....The precedent was already set with USAH allowing the move late last year after much arguing....
No doubt this will be approved and then the BCHL can accept the franchise for 2013-14
USA Hockey, the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States, blocked a Wild move to the BCHL in 2011, but reversed its decision after reviewing an appeal by the franchise last February.
BCHL already had its schedule made up and did not want to make changes to upset the apple cart.....The precedent was already set with USAH allowing the move late last year after much arguing....
No doubt this will be approved and then the BCHL can accept the franchise for 2013-14
PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
Unfortunately, there's trouble from the Wenatchee end of the equation.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/apr/11/wenatchee-wild-issue-statement-contract-dispute/
If you recall the arena debt issue, well, either it's coming back to bite the Wild organization in the face, or the mayor is giving appearance of same to, er, who knows what.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/apr/11/wenatchee-wild-issue-statement-contract-dispute/
If you recall the arena debt issue, well, either it's coming back to bite the Wild organization in the face, or the mayor is giving appearance of same to, er, who knows what.
Why would the USAH block the Wild move to the BCHL? SO much closer for the team. I remember about 15-20 years ago a BCHL team in Bellingham so it's not a precedent to have a team from that league in the US.
E:Sorry - USHL =/= USAH. I knew what was means just typed out wrong.
E:Sorry - USHL =/= USAH. I knew what was means just typed out wrong.
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PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
USHL? Read it again. I suspect you tried to read this too fast. Been there done that, of course.
If anything, the BCHL has a certain number of owners who are afraid Wenatchee could threaten some of their smaller markets, one possible reason why it's been months without hearing if the application is approved. Of course, the arena issue is more of the reason, and certainly more pressing at the moment.
PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
When the Wenatchee-BCHL issue came up again, I wondered if the BCHL was going to be the same issue it was last year. It's theoretically that way again... except the league's justification might be more solid.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/may/14/wenatchee-wild-headed-to-texas/
Yes, this would be part of the proceedings leading up to Wenatchee BCHL, but there's no lease in Wenatchee for BCHL availability at this moment.
While I'd hope someone else could take up a contract with the city of Wenatchee, that doesn't seem likely. There are indications that Bill Stewart got a sweetheart deal in Texas, and that he was running low on funds to be a BCHL owner... if that makes sense.
This puts Wenatchee hockey between a rock and a hard place. The NAHL wasn't manageable in that location without a lot of close competition. Town Toyota Center is too big for NORPAC or even AWHL (I've seen that rumor)... probably the same for WSHL. It wouldn't be the smallest WHL building, but certainly the smallest in the US Division with practically no way to get a current team unless it can be poached from another US city. It's also too small a market- and more importantly too far from a good airport- to consider the ECHL. It's really the right size for BCHL. Sad.
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/may/14/wenatchee-wild-headed-to-texas/
Yes, this would be part of the proceedings leading up to Wenatchee BCHL, but there's no lease in Wenatchee for BCHL availability at this moment.
While I'd hope someone else could take up a contract with the city of Wenatchee, that doesn't seem likely. There are indications that Bill Stewart got a sweetheart deal in Texas, and that he was running low on funds to be a BCHL owner... if that makes sense.
This puts Wenatchee hockey between a rock and a hard place. The NAHL wasn't manageable in that location without a lot of close competition. Town Toyota Center is too big for NORPAC or even AWHL (I've seen that rumor)... probably the same for WSHL. It wouldn't be the smallest WHL building, but certainly the smallest in the US Division with practically no way to get a current team unless it can be poached from another US city. It's also too small a market- and more importantly too far from a good airport- to consider the ECHL. It's really the right size for BCHL. Sad.
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PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
I came back to this after finding:
1) the new Wenatchee ownership apparently decided to file- just as the predecessor did- for BCHL membership.
2) everything has been approved, except by the BCHL. Per rumor, there's one hitch.
The rumor: Wenatchee isn't really serious about the BCHL.
They're trying to light a fire under USA Hockey, or the NAHL, or both.
Best-case scenario for them: USA Hockey negotiates the US WHL teams out of the WHL and into a league at the USHL level. (Best case scenario for Wenatchee, but certainly the least likely from everyone else's standpoint... supposedly. I'm not totally sure small-market Canadian teams wouldn't jump at that offer.)
Second-best: find a way for Wenatchee to not have to pay everyone else's travel bills. More teams in the Northwest, maybe? Simply more stability? This year's alignment with Alaskan and Midwestern teams can't be helping them.
For a team that draws so well, I still don't know how they manage all this.
1) the new Wenatchee ownership apparently decided to file- just as the predecessor did- for BCHL membership.
2) everything has been approved, except by the BCHL. Per rumor, there's one hitch.
The rumor: Wenatchee isn't really serious about the BCHL.
They're trying to light a fire under USA Hockey, or the NAHL, or both.
Best-case scenario for them: USA Hockey negotiates the US WHL teams out of the WHL and into a league at the USHL level. (Best case scenario for Wenatchee, but certainly the least likely from everyone else's standpoint... supposedly. I'm not totally sure small-market Canadian teams wouldn't jump at that offer.)
Second-best: find a way for Wenatchee to not have to pay everyone else's travel bills. More teams in the Northwest, maybe? Simply more stability? This year's alignment with Alaskan and Midwestern teams can't be helping them.
For a team that draws so well, I still don't know how they manage all this.
PCSPounder
Stadium Groupie
So I'm in Medford right now. Full arena of about 1,000 on $15 and $10 tickets for the Southern Oregon Spartans. If someone could goad Jackson County into adding an ice plant to the events center at the county fairgrounds, I've got to think Wenatchee would finally have a decent NAHL travel partner.
It has been reported that Wenatchee is now a BCHL team. https://twitter.com/VeesVoice/status/592331140133851136
superdeluxe
NAFO
Biggest kept secret out there, this on the wild FB page:
Wenatchee Wild Hockey
May 12 at 2:42pm ·
WENATCHEE WILD FANS BIG NEWS ON MAY 31st
On May 31st We will be sharing a press release that involves exciting news about our Franchise.
Each day gets more exciting around here as we get ready for next season and we will constantly update everyone as we get more official information.
Remember to call us at 888-7825 to put your deposits down for next year’s season tickets. All you need to put down is a minimum of $50 and this will cover all your seats.
As soon as you can do this the better as there are some fans wanting to change seats and new fans waiting to find out what’s available.
We promise we will not give any seats away without talking to the current season ticket holder first.
2015/16 Season is going to be awesome and the beginning of a new ERA and you don’t want to miss it!!
Wenatchee Wild Hockey
May 12 at 2:42pm ·
WENATCHEE WILD FANS BIG NEWS ON MAY 31st
On May 31st We will be sharing a press release that involves exciting news about our Franchise.
Each day gets more exciting around here as we get ready for next season and we will constantly update everyone as we get more official information.
Remember to call us at 888-7825 to put your deposits down for next year’s season tickets. All you need to put down is a minimum of $50 and this will cover all your seats.
As soon as you can do this the better as there are some fans wanting to change seats and new fans waiting to find out what’s available.
We promise we will not give any seats away without talking to the current season ticket holder first.
2015/16 Season is going to be awesome and the beginning of a new ERA and you don’t want to miss it!!
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