Where could future OHL teams exist?

Leviathan · 08-19-2011, 12:11 AM

I don't come to this forum very often so I'm sorry if there's a thread already on this.

Just wondering where people think would be a great location in Ontario for an OHL franchise where there currently isn't one - either expansion or through a move. Obviously it'd be nice to have more in the GTA but it doesn't always go so well there.

I'm thinking more along the lines of a small to medium-sized place that would show up and be very dedicated to their team, kinda like Owen Sound.

Parry Sound is my second home so I kinda hope that one day it could have a team. Then I looked up the town's population growth and found out its been stagnant since 1940

That being said cottaging has really increased business in the town in recent years.

Any candidate towns/cities?

majorleaguebrian88 · 08-19-2011, 01:11 AM

It seems every time this question is asked, Chatham comes up as an answer.

I would be 100% ok with this as it's my hometown.

But sadly, I doubt it ever will.

Torts · 08-19-2011, 09:06 AM

a team in the hamilton/burlington area potentially

Tnk 4 Frk 2012 · 08-19-2011, 01:17 PM

just off the top of my head some potential spots are

North Bay
Thunder Bay
Cornwall
Chatham
Hamilton
Burlington
Vaughan

and some Americal cities such as

Syracuse
Buffalo
Rochester

Although all have some reason why they don't have teams...those are my potential spots that could probably support one.

Libbs · 08-19-2011, 02:30 PM

With how bad teams draw around the GTA, I wouldn't expect another team in that area any time soon.

Racer14 · 08-19-2011, 04:23 PM

Just to add a few places that we have heard around the Barrie Molson Centre..

Orillia
Newmarket

Ward Cornell · 08-19-2011, 06:55 PM

A cpl places that I think may work are:
1) Stratford (also would draw from Windsor, London, Sarnia
Kitchener and Guelph and the fan from Mississauga)
2) Huntsville (maybe not all that big but has $$$$ in town)

JNES · 08-19-2011, 07:37 PM

I've talked to a few people in Kingston that think a Team would be really popular there.

EvenSteven · 08-19-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnk 4 Frk 2012

Syracuse
Buffalo
Rochester

Perhaps Branch better get a team into New York State soon!!

With all the bellyaching that Patrick Roy has done as part of the Peca saga, one of his beefs is that the Q has the smallest talent pool to draft from out of the three CHL leagues.

What's to stop the Q from putting a team into NY state? Yes, I know of the failed Plattsburgh franchise, but wouldn't it be worth it to get their hands on all the NY state talent? Even if it meant that the other teams in the Q could help prop up that team to a certain extent if there are hard times? Plattsburgh happened a long time ago too. No reason why CHL hockey couldn't work somewhere in NY state today.

Look at how many great players from NY have gone through the OHL over the years. It would be a big win for the Q for sure. Also, the Q could then argue that since they "own" New York state, a realignment of who owns territorial rights to what US state could be in the cards. It could be argued that at least New Jersey could fall under the Q's territory.

Roy is pissed off right now because he didn't get his way. He will probably put a bug in someone's ear as to one way to boost the talent pool for the Q.

To answer your question though, outside of a team in NY state, where I think the OHL should put a team for the above reason, my two spots I'd like to see junior hockey is back in North Bay and Cornwall.

City population and building size are issues though. I know Cornwall built a new building a few years ago but I don't think they built it at OHL capacity. I also don't know if it could be expanded either.

Bottom line is that the only way OHL hockey finds it's way back into those two markets is if someone with big bucks wants a team there. You know, guys like Melnyk in Missy and Abbott in Brampton. Guys who's OHL franchises aren't life and death on attendance.

There is the success in Owen Sound to look at though. That team is doing OK after 20 years or so in a very small market. It can be done.

wjhl2009fan · 08-20-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnk 4 Frk 2012

just off the top of my head some potential spots are

North Bay
Thunder Bay
Cornwall
Chatham
Hamilton
Burlington
Vaughan

and some Americal cities such as

Syracuse
Buffalo
Rochester

Although all have some reason why they don't have teams...those are my potential spots that could probably support one.

Teams in and around the gta do not draw all that well adding 3 more teams into a area that does not have a real big taste for major is not a great idea.Chatham and cornwall are possible and the 3 americans teams are aslo possible i think.

mcreferee · 08-20-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnk 4 Frk 2012

just off the top of my head some potential spots are

North Bay
Thunder Bay
Cornwall
Chatham
Hamilton
Burlington
Vaughan

and some Americal cities such as

Syracuse
Buffalo
Rochester

Although all have some reason why they don't have teams...those are my potential spots that could probably support one.

There have been rumours about Burlington in the past. Started back around the time the IceDogs were for sale...and have continued around the 'Dogs and their arena situation. I recall there being a local buyer interested, but the area rumoured to be the site for the facility was off Burloak and that area has been developed pretty quickly. There were also rumours of Aldershot, but I don't see where you could build a 5,000+ seat arena there. Unless a facility is built...and I'm not sure where it would go...I find this highly unlikely.

KnightRanger · 08-20-2011, 12:38 PM

Waterloo could use a team or Kitchener needs a 10,000+ seat arena. Season ticket wait list for the Rangers is more than 4 years now! I would know.....I'm on it and have been for more than 3 years, but I think I will get some for next season. Hopefully!

krazy kanuck · 08-20-2011, 01:05 PM

North Bay: A former OHL city. Would seem like a good fit, geographically (for teams such as Sudbury, SSM, and Ottawa).
Thunder Bay: Would be a good choice, a nightmare for transportation.
Cornwall: Another former OHL city. I think the population base has been pretty stagnant there for a while.
Chatham: As mentioned above, seems like a logical choice.
Hamilton: Another former OHL city. I don't know about Hamilton though...they already have the Bulldogs.
Burlington: Interesting choice. Far enough away from Toronto? Where to play?
Vaughan: The GTA is a nightmare. So called "hockey fans" only watch the Leafs.
Orillia: Too small and couldn't support the Terriers. Seems unlikely though I love the place.
Newmarket: I lived in Newmarket for years and I can't see it. Couldn't support the Saints or Royals. Everybody there goes to T.O. for entertainment...even when the Saints were essentially the Leafs people would travel down for Leafs games instead of paying $8 for the Saints.

As for the American cities, I'd prefer fewer not more.

Best,
Shawn

Cornwall OHL · 08-20-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNES

I've talked to a few people in Kingston that think a Team would be really popular there.

Love this comment. So true.

I think Cornwall would be a good place to put a team... again. New York is definitely a must, and so is putting a bigger rink in KW.

notloilersfan · 08-22-2011, 12:19 PM

My opinion is the league does not need any more teams. Some of the talent is really watered down, I almost think 2 less teams would greatly benefit the entertainment value.