The mexico elite hockey league is a semi pro league that is set to start in 2010.As of now there is one team set and ready to go and that is mexico city.The league will have a min of 4 teams and a max of 6 teams when the 2010 season gets under way in 2010.As of now the league is reviewing 2 other applactions.
The mexico elite hockey league is a semi pro league that is set to start in 2010.As of now there is one team set and ready to go and that is mexico city.The league will have a min of 4 teams and a max of 6 teams when the 2010 season gets under way in 2010.As of now the league is reviewing 2 other applactions.
I can't see many Mexican's wanting to play or watch hockey. And I happen to know quite a few of them.
This will be a waste of time and NRG..
Seems to me they have a competitive national team and junior team, at least at the Division 3 level. Also seems to me their national team plays a pre-season tour of the Central Hockey League every year. In fact, I'm pretty sure they've won a fair share of those games.
Really, I don't see how this is a bad thing. At the very least if they put teams in the resort cities of Cancun and Mazatlan, there will be enough Canadian and American tourists that might check out a game, that they can be successful. However, I don't think finances is the main reason for this. I think the main reason for creating this league is to further develop Mexican hockey. I'd be willing to guess that within 10 years of this league starting, at least one player will be drafted into the NHL.
Seems to me they have a competitive national team and junior team, at least at the Division 3 level. Also seems to me their national team plays a pre-season tour of the Central Hockey League every year. In fact, I'm pretty sure they've won a fair share of those games.
Really, I don't see how this is a bad thing. At the very least if they put teams in the resort cities of Cancun and Mazatlan, there will be enough Canadian and American tourists that might check out a game, that they can be successful. However, I don't think finances is the main reason for this. I think the main reason for creating this league is to further develop Mexican hockey. I'd be willing to guess that within 10 years of this league starting, at least one player will be drafted into the NHL.
Scott Gomez has you halfway there.
I think hockey in Mexico is great. It grows the game and introduces a sport to a fanbase that can be the very definition of rabid.
I think hockey in Mexico is great. It grows the game and introduces a sport to a fanbase that can be the very definition of rabid.
You're right about Gomez, but I was meaning out of this league. By 2020, someone will have been drafted from the Mexican Elite League. I wonder if in the twilight of his career Scott Gomez would consider playing down there? If for no other reason than to create a bit of hype surrounding the league. Isn't that the same reason he went to Alaska during the lockout?
Seems to me they have a competitive national team and junior team, at least at the Division 3 level. Also seems to me their national team plays a pre-season tour of the Central Hockey League every year. In fact, I'm pretty sure they've won a fair share of those games.
Really, I don't see how this is a bad thing. At the very least if they put teams in the resort cities of Cancun and Mazatlan, there will be enough Canadian and American tourists that might check out a game, that they can be successful. However, I don't think finances is the main reason for this. I think the main reason for creating this league is to further develop Mexican hockey. I'd be willing to guess that within 10 years of this league starting, at least one player will be drafted into the NHL.
I'm pretty sure they made that tour once, losing one game 14-0 and another by a similar margin, though they managed to score once.
Isn't that the same reason he went to Alaska during the lockout?
He's from Anchorage, Alaska, and the closest he's ever been able to play close to home was Tri-City in the WHL. He played out there to be close to his family and to stay in shape during the lockout.
I think you're being generous by saying that a kid will be drafted out of this league by 2020. If a player is good enough to be drafted into the NHL, I think they would be better served by playing major juniors. The quality of play will need to be markedly improved across the league before it is competative enough for a player to stay there and still be drafted.
I can't see many Mexican's wanting to play or watch hockey.
Not at this moment in time maybe.
But that's why you have to have initiative. Doesn't hurt to try. Atleast it appears the people working for Mexican hockey are actually TRYING to grow the game. That's more than USA Hockey does.
I think this is a good idea. When the World Championships (Div. III) were held in Mexico, there was a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for the sport. The atmosphere was soccer-like and incredible and Mexico's own hockey culture was starting to grow.
And I'd trust the judgement of those behind this project that actually live and work in the area than someone from Winnipeg. Even if he does "happen to know quite a few" Mexicans.
I can see Mexicans liking the game, but I think it has a snowballs chance in hell of ever competing with football, or baseball in that country. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
there are good athletes everywhere, sure mexico can develop talent but it's not likely to happen till well past 2020 b/c of all the popularity/interest in soccer
That's great to hear! The Mexican team seems to do pretty well, and from what I've heard there's several Mexican fans who travel to Laredo to watch the Bucks play and there were some other Mexican fans that would do the same thing when the El Paso Buzzards played. The sport will never surpass soccer in popularity, but it doesn't need to for it to succeed.
there are good athletes everywhere, sure mexico can develop talent but it's not likely to happen till well past 2020 b/c of all the popularity/interest in soccer
Most of the players will come from north america and europe.Players will get paid better then some pro team pay.
I believe Monterrey is also close to ready to fielding a team. They tried to talk the CHL into adding a team called the Monterrey Toros but failed, now the Toros are a competetive mens team, mainly consisting of canadians working in Mty as well as some mexicans that are catching on to the game. Every tournament ive played in Monterrey was nuts, good lookin crowds for the games, good lookin women in the crowds and good bars for afterwards.
I met a mexican man in Puerto Vallarta who was a fan of Gretzky and the Oilers back in the 80's, so at least we know some of them watch the NHL
Also, there was a show that included some sort of fireball hockey in which they played with a ball it on fire. Very cool stuff, some of those guys could really dangle .. not sure if it was a real sport but at least I think it is a twist on an aztec game.
So given their history I think maybe hockey can have some success in Mexico.
.. not sure if it was a real sport but at least I think it is a twist on an aztec game. 
