Q team in Worcester, MA?????

I live 20 minutres from the Worcester Centrum (former home to St. Louis Blues, Worcester Ice Cats). It is a nice facility, and easy to access and it would be perfect for a Q team. The city does bear some similarities to Lewiston, e.g., somewhat depressed economically and in need of things for people to do. However, locating a "Q" team there seems like a stretch. Why? Travel. The nearest team would be Lewiston and that's about 3.5 hours away. Drummondville is about 5 hours away as would be Victoriaville. Also, there is too much competition with college hockey in and around the Boston area with Hockey East, the ECAC, and several other Division III conferences. Finally, not many people in this area know anything about the quality of the play in the CHL. It would really take some education and creative marketing. I'd love it, but I can't see it happening.

I live 20 minutres from the Worcester Centrum (former home to St. Louis Blues, Worcester Ice Cats). It is a nice facility, and easy to access and it would be perfect for a Q team. The city does bear some similarities to Lewiston, e.g., somewhat depressed economically and in need of things for people to do. However, locating a "Q" team there seems like a stretch. Why? Travel. The nearest team would be Lewiston and that's about 3.5 hours away. Drummondville is about 5 hours away as would be Victoriaville. Also, there is too much competition with college hockey in and around the Boston area with Hockey East, the ECAC, and several other Division III conferences. Finally, not many people in this area know anything about the quality of the play in the CHL. It would really take some education and creative marketing. I'd love it, but I can't see it happening.

Worcester will never see the Q because of the travel. The Centrum is a nice facility for a Q franchise. Actually Lewiston is 2.5 hours away. Halifax and PEI are long drives. NCAA is king in Massauchettes and it might not bring a draw to the Q. I could see a team going to Vermont as another American team close to the border or maybe Concord NH if Concord has a decent arena. I could see ECHL taking over the Centrum.

It will happen but not for a few years.The league has said they want to form a new england division that would start in 2007 and would have Boston,Worcester,Lewesten (sp),Vermont.

Worcester will never see the Q because of the travel. The Centrum is a nice facility for a Q franchise. Actually Lewiston is 2.5 hours away. Halifax and PEI are long drives. NCAA is king in Massauchettes and it might not bring a draw to the Q. I could see a team going to Vermont as another American team close to the border or maybe Concord NH if Concord has a decent arena. I could see ECHL taking over the Centrum.

That is what we all said about St. John's and Lewiston :)

They said it was too far. I think there will be a team in Mass sooner rather than later.

That is what we all said about St. John's and Lewiston :)

They said it was too far. I think there will be a team in Mass sooner rather than later.

I think it would be great. Worcester would be the best place in MA. Too much college hockey in Boston. Manchester/ Concord NH might not be bad. The Monarchs do very well, but UNH is very big. It wouldn't work in Burlington, VT.
No quality arena, UVM is king and there is no housing available.

I was talking in the near future and maybe when teams can afford to have flights then the possiblities are endless. If there is an New England division I don't think colleges would share there arena w/ a major junior team they would most likely build a rink for themselves.