Why doesn't Hamilton have an OHL Team?

[hockeyniagara]

What's old is new?

Been a few months since this has seen a post. With the rumors swirling around a pending sale and move for the Plymouth Whalers, could it be that Hamilton is indeed the destination. Nice to see the city have two teams using the Copps rink.

 

[EvenSteven]

If the Habs ever move the Bulldogs out of Copps, which is the rumor with them eventually moving them into the Montreal area following the Leafs/Marlies model, then the logical move is for Hamilton to try and get an OHL team.

I think with the right ownership group and fan support, this could instantly become a "have" team in the OHL. You wouldn't have to sell out the place, but it could have attendance figures comparable to Kit, Lon & Win. That, coupled with its ideal geographical location which would be a selling feature for prospective players, should mean a winning team. A team people want to go watch.

The last time this city had a decent OHL team was the Steelhawks (cool name!) in the mid-80's. The Dukes were a laughing sock the whole time they were there and IMO, the lack of fan support for that team shouldn't be a reason why the OHL wouldn't work there.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Been a few months since this has seen a post. With the rumors swirling around a pending sale and move for the Plymouth Whalers, could it be that Hamilton is indeed the destination. Nice to see the city have two teams using the Copps rink.

Those rumors appear to be unfounded. Plymouth is most likely staying put, for now.

 

[sam2020]

If the Habs ever move the Bulldogs out of Copps, which is the rumor with them eventually moving them into the Montreal area following the Leafs/Marlies model, then the logical move is for Hamilton to try and get an OHL team.

I think with the right ownership group and fan support, this could instantly become a "have" team in the OHL. You wouldn't have to sell out the place, but it could have attendance figures comparable to Kit, Lon & Win. That, coupled with its ideal geographical location which would be a selling feature for prospective players, should mean a winning team. A team people want to go watch.


The last time this city had a decent OHL team was the Steelhawks (cool name!) in the mid-80's. The Dukes were a laughing sock the whole time they were there and IMO, the lack of fan support for that team shouldn't be a reason why the OHL wouldn't work there.

Thats what people said about Brampton and Mississauga and it really did not end up what many thought it would be.

 

[richardn]

In the North I think Timmins could potentially support an OHL team but likely not to happen. I think Brantford could support a team as well. Arenas are obviously an issue. I think the league should try and go back and try places like Cornwall and New Market again and maybe try Burlington as well. I would love to see Thunder Bay as well. Travel issues might arise but look how spread out the WHL is.

 

[sam2020]

In the North I think Timmins could potentially support an OHL team but likely not to happen. I think Brantford could support a team as well. Arenas are obviously an issue. I think the league should try and go back and try places like Cornwall and New Market again and maybe try Burlington as well. I would love to see Thunder Bay as well. Travel issues might arise but look how spread out the WHL is.

Rockland could be a good spot with there new rink which i think seats around 3000 another spot could be Pembroke.

 

[zaluty]

Belleville only has 1 more year of an agreement between the City and Mr. Simmonds

 

[Otto]

If the Bulldogs were to move I would strongly consider the OHL in Hamilton.

If not Hamilton, another city I would consider would be Burlington. (Although they have the cougars and i'm not sure what their biggest arena is)

Burlington would need a new arena. Mainway and Central are not even close to being OHL ready, but in all honesty it would be another GTA fiasco.

Hamilton has the population, but no one likes going to that part of town if they don't have to.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Almost any new location will come with a lot questions.
Not sure if there is any other viable OHL hockey markets out there (Canada or USA) looking for a franchise!

 

[HamiltonOHL]

Let the rumors begin again... It was repoeted today that Jets farm team will move to Manitoba and Hamilton AHL will mvoe to St. Johns which brings up the following info from the link that shows OHL could be coming to Hamilton

As for Hamilton, it is widely believed an Ontario Hockey League team will ultimately land at FirstOntario Centre. Rumours have been swirling in Erie that Andlauer is about to buy the Otters which have been for sale for some time and whose owner, Sherry Bassin, is motivated to sell.

Bassin is presently being sued for $4.5 million by the owners of the Edmonton Oilers who loaned him the money with a plan to eventually buy the team and move it here, court documents filed in Pennsylvania show.

However, Bassin flatly denies there's anything to the rumours that he's about to sell to Andlauer.

"I've had no negotiations with him," he said Saturday.

Andlauer has long said that he will have a hockey team playing out of the downtown arena, whether it's AHL or OHL. And he's insisted that it will be called the Hamilton Bulldogs. He owns the franchise, the brand and the arena lease.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/5465396-bulldogs-may-be-leaving-hamilton-report/

 

[buzzworthy]

I am tired of this rumor stuff. It is widely reported that at least 12 parties are interested in the Otters. They will not be going anywhere. Hamilton is a graveyard for any type of hockey. Erie has one of the best arenas in the OHL, the 5th best attendance (close to 3rd), and it would be a PR disaster for the OHL to leave Pennsylvania. Give it a rest, will ya?

 

[HABitual Fan]

Let the rumors begin again... It was repoeted today that Jets farm team will move to Manitoba and Hamilton AHL will mvoe to St. Johns which brings up the following info from the link that shows OHL could be coming to Hamilton



http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/5465396-bulldogs-may-be-leaving-hamilton-report/

Considering that Andlauer is a partner in the Canadiens I doubt the Canadiens pulled their AHL team before he has something in place for the lease he has in Hamilton.

 

[HamiltonOHL]

I am tired of this rumor stuff. It is widely reported that at least 12 parties are interested in the Otters. They will not be going anywhere. Hamilton is a graveyard for any type of hockey. Erie has one of the best arenas in the OHL, the 5th best attendance (close to 3rd), and it would be a PR disaster for the OHL to leave Pennsylvania. Give it a rest, will ya?

I didnt mean it as a way to put rumors for Erie i just ment it as a thing that maybe Hamilton might get their OHL team

 

[battfan888]

I am tired of this rumor stuff. It is widely reported that at least 12 parties are interested in the Otters. They will not be going anywhere. Hamilton is a graveyard for any type of hockey. Erie has one of the best arenas in the OHL, the 5th best attendance (close to 3rd), and it would be a PR disaster for the OHL to leave Pennsylvania. Give it a rest, will ya?

While I dont disagree on your other points since when have there been "at least 12 parties" interested in the Otters?

 

[EON]

While I dont disagree on your other points since when have there been "at least 12 parties" interested in the Otters?

Victor Fernandes, Otters beat writer, wrote an article last week reporting that at least 12 parties had inquired about buying the Otters.

 

[HF_Rangers]

http://www.goerie.com/eries-mccormick-interested-in-buying-otters

Here's the article in question. I never expected McCormick to be interested but if he's willing to take losses with the BayHawks and take on the Otters... by all means. He's got deep pockets. Dual ownership of basketball and hockey franchises has worked on a larger scale (San Antonio and Cleveland) and I think he'd be the best bet to own the team and keep it in Erie for a long time.

 

[jason2020]

This is what I think will happen in terms of expansion.

2017)Cornwall/Hamilton
2020)Burlington/Watertown

 

[HamiltonOHL]

With Erie out who would be the other possibilities of other oHL teams moving?

 

[noobie1]

With Erie out who would be the other possibilities of other oHL teams moving?

it would be sad to see them move, but i think Belleville is becoming more of a reality... I don't think they can continue operating in the same building for to much longer.

 

[Tonester01]

it would be sad to see them move, but i think Belleville is becoming more of a reality... I don't think they can continue operating in the same building for to much longer.

Attendance has been poor in Belleville. No new arena in sight either. Doesn't look promising in Belleville. Many think team will be gone after next year.

 

[EvenSteven]

With Erie out who would be the other possibilities of other oHL teams moving?

Missy?

 

[EvenSteven]

This is what I think will happen in terms of expansion.

2017)Cornwall/Hamilton
2020)Burlington/Watertown

I hope there isn't any expansion. I don't care that the WHL has 22 teams with way less population base.

20 teams is a nice number. More teams means a schedule that would be spread thinner in terms of how often teams get into your building. I'm all for playing your top rivals as often as possible.

 

[HamiltonOHL]

so lets say 2 different Secenarios happen?

option a) if Missy moves to Hamilton who would their rivals be? Niagara? i would say Missy as #2 but since they arent moving then they wouldnt be there..

option b) if it is belleville the same question above asks who would their rivals be?

 

[HamiltonOHL]

http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=OHL1989&sid=2015

based on those numbers Plymouth, Peterborough, Belleville and then Missisauga are the 4 lowest attendence clubs.. anyone know if this is pretty accurate?

 

[the dog]

so lets say 2 different Secenarios happen?

option a) if Missy moves to Hamilton who would their rivals be? Niagara? i would say Missy as #2 but since they arent moving then they wouldnt be there..

option b) if it is belleville the same question above asks who would their rivals be?

yes Belleville has poor attendance...but owners have arena issues renovate or build a new arena.................